SuccessFULL With ADHD The ADHD Identity Model: Why Diagnosis Alone Isn’t Enough with Dr. Marcy Caldwell
In today’s episode, I’m diving into identity work with the incredible Dr. Marcy Caldwell, and I promise, this conversation will shift how you see yourself and your ADHD. We’re not just talking about symptoms or strategies—we’re unpacking the emotional and psychological process behind how we relate to our diagnosis over time. Marcy shares her groundbreaking five-stage ADHD identity model that truly spoke to me, and I know it’ll speak to you too. We talk about everything from shame and self-acceptance to the stages we cycle through post-diagnosis—and why some of us get stuck.
Dr. Marcy Caldwell is a psychologist, writer, illustrator, and proud wife and mother in a family full of ADHD. With over twenty years of experience, she is a passionate advocate for those with neurodiverse brains, focusing on helping craft systems and environments that nurture unique strengths. As the Founder and Director of the Center for ADHD, one of the nation’s leading ADHD clinics, Dr. Marcy is committed to making a difference in the lives of those impacted by neurodiversity. She also established the blog ADDept.org and the digital program Meltdown to Mastery to bring accessible, science-backed information and strategies to adults with ADHD who might otherwise be unable to access services.
Episode Highlights:
[0:50] - Welcoming Dr. Marcy Caldwell and diving into her background
[2:20] - What identity work really means for people with ADHD
[4:47] - Why ADHD treatment often misses this huge piece
[7:19] - The five-stage ADHD identity model: an overview
[9:51] - Stage 2: Exploration—why it’s so energizing (and risky)
[11:14] - Stage 3: Foreclosure—when the excitement crashes into shame
[14:06] - Stage 4: Immersion—finding your people and feeling empowered
[16:27] - Stage 5: Integration—when ADHD becomes part of who you are
[24:35] - ADHD disruption spiral: when excitement leads back to burnout
[25:53] - Helping clients gently transition from immersion to integration
[29:00] - Justice sensitivity, burnout, and learning to put yourself first
[31:48] - Masking and how it changes across identity stages
[33:17] - Why it helps to know where you are in the identity model
[36:56] - The identity “reset” when another diagnosis (like autism) emerges
[38:00] - What integration looks like in real life
[39:03] - Why traditional identity models don’t fit ADHD
[40:56] - Marcy’s top advice if you're just starting to explore your ADHD
Connect with Dr. Marcy Caldwell:
- Follow Dr. Marcy Caldwell on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dr.marcycaldwel
- Learn more about Dr. Marcy Caldwell: https://www.thecenterforadhd.com/
- Access more tools and insights from Marcy at: https://www.addept.org/
Thank you for tuning into SuccessFULL with ADHD.
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