MissUnderstood: The ADHD in Women Channel

Last year, Rae and Cody at Team Hyperfocus noticed something unnerving: The R-word was coming back into public discourse. People, especially people in power, seemed to be using it more often, and more freely. We weren’t the only ones who’d spotted this upsetting trend. Researchers, disability advocates, and other journalists were also concerned. If this word, long considered a slur, was being used by some very powerful people, what did that mean for people with disabilities?So we dove in, talking to researchers, members of the community, and even a famous comedy writer. (You’ll see!) And we surfaced with another, deeper question: If the R-word can, and does, cause harm, how do you get people to care? Related resourcesSpread the Word campaignDisability Discourse MattersThe ‘R-Word’ Is Back. How a Slur Became Renormalized (Special Olympics)Rosa’s LawWe love hearing from our listeners! Email us at hyperfocus@understood.org. Understood.org is a nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering people with learning and thinking differences, like ADHD and dyslexia. If you want to help us continue this work, donate at understood.org/give

Clutter can be a huge emotional drain for those with ADHD. Personal stories highlight the struggle of letting go of sentimental items. The discussion dives into the unique challenges of impulsive buying and disorganization. Practical strategies are shared, focusing on small tasks to ease overwhelm. Listeners gain tips for navigating emotional hurdles while decluttering, emphasizing joy and comfort in their spaces. It's a heartfelt exploration of finding balance amidst the chaos.

Forget what you’ve seen in movies: BDSM isn’t one-size-fits-all. As Dr. Leann Borneman explains, it’s more of an à la carte menu where consent, communication, and personal boundaries come first. You can take what works for you and leave the rest.Host Cate Osborn talks with clinical sexologist Dr. Borneman about the intersection of BDSM, neurodivergence, and executive function. They explore how some people with ADHD use parts of BDSM, like structure, sensory input, and clearly defined roles. These can help support attention, reduce overwhelm, and build emotional regulation.Listen as Cate and Leann challenge outdated assumptions, and learn how destigmatizing your desires can help you show up more fully in your life.Related resourcesLeann’s website, bornemancoaching.comLeann’s dissertation, The Intersection of ADHD and BDSM Engagement in Heterosexual WomenFor a transcript and more resources, visit the Sorry, I Missed This show page on Understood.org. We love hearing from our listeners! Email us at sorryimissedthis@understood.org.Timestamps(00:00) Intro(00:48) A comment from Cate on stigma(02:35) BDSM as a coping strategy, not just a preference(03:58) Society’s stigma versus the scientific research(06:37) Pick and choose what works for you, you don’t have to label yourself(10:53) ADHD and sexuality: Incapability versus lack of access(13:10) What is causing this lack of access to good sex?(17:27) Unmasking is key to authenticity and figuring out what you like(19:11) BDSM creates space for safety through it’s collaborative and consentful nature(21:54) Leann’s advice for those curious about BDSM and kink(24:33) Outro and credits Understood.org is a nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering people with learning and thinking differences, like ADHD and dyslexia. If you want to help us continue this work, donate at understood.org/give

Many women with ADHD often forget things, like where they left their keys or what they needed to buy at the store. This forgetfulness can make daily life feel frustrating and hard to handle.In this episode, Dr. Monica Johnson explains how ADHD can lead to forgetfulness. Find out how this ADHD symptom affects women in unique ways. And learn helpful strategies to better manage it.Related resourcesADHD and womenADHD symptoms in womenMissUnderstood: The ADHD in Women ChannelTimestamps(03:08) Why ADHD forgetfulness sparks feelings of shame(05:19) Effects of forgetfulness (06:56) Strategies to manage ADHD-related forgetfulness We love hearing from our listeners! Email us at podcasts@understood.org. Understood.org is a nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering people with learning and thinking differences, like ADHD and dyslexia. If you want to help us continue this work, donate at understood.org/give

Have you been told you’re “too dramatic”? Have people responded to the way you’ve reacted to things with invalidating statements, like “it’s not that big of a deal,” “you’re overreacting,” or “you’re too sensitive”?This week on Tips from an ADHD Coach, Jaye talks about how ADHD can make it harder for us to manage our emotional responses and how this can create a snowball effect of negative emotions.Related resourcesTrouble with self-regulation: What to knowADHD and emotionsTimestamps(00:00) Intro(00:45) Janice’s quote(02:50) ADHD and emotional regulation(06:00) Impulsivity and big feelings(08:19) What can we do?(14:37) Recap(15:55) CreditsWe love hearing from our listeners! Email us at adhdcoachtips@understood.org Understood.org is a nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering people with learning and thinking differences, like ADHD and dyslexia. If you want to help us continue this work, donate at understood.org/give

Grief can be overwhelming for anyone — but for people with ADHD, it can show up in surprising ways.Therapist Rachel Hopkins joins host Cate Osborn to unpack the intersection of ADHD and grief. They discuss how time blindness, emotional intensity, and memory challenges can shape the grieving process — and how ADHDers might mourn in nonlinear, unconventional ways. Rachel also offers some insights for anyone struggling to grieve “the right way” while living with a neurodivergent brain.Related resourcesFrom the ADHD Aha! Podcast, Love and grief with ADHD (Steve Wesley’s story)Grief-Fueled ADHD: Strategies to Manage A Complex Combination by Rachel HopkinsThe Invisible String by Patrice KarstThe Grand Hotel of Feelings by Lidia BrankovícTimestamps(00:48) A word from Cate on ADHD and grief(03:05) Nonlinear ADHD grief(06:11) Executive function challenges and grief(09:34) Emotional regulation and planning immediately following a loss(11:03) Time perception challenges and processing grief(15:34) Rejection sensitivity and worrying about others’ judgement of our grieving(20:19) Balancing distraction and avoidance(26:24) The importance of acknowledging that your ADHD will affect your grief, and celebrating your wins(27:29) ADHD and delayed grief reactions(29:30) Advice for neurotypical people supporting an ADHDer through grief(30:44) Rachel’s last thoughts and advice for any ADHDer going through grief right nowFor a transcript and more resources, visit the Sorry, I Missed This show page on Understood.org. We love hearing from our listeners! Email us at sorryimissedthis@understood.org. Understood.org is a nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering people with learning and thinking differences, like ADHD and dyslexia. If you want to help us continue this work, donate at understood.org/give

Many women often feel overwhelmed at work. But for those with ADHD, the stress can be even greater.In this episode, Dr. Monica Johnson takes a closer look at how ADHD manifests differently in women at work. Learn about common stressors women with ADHD face. And get strategies on how to better manage workplace stress and feel more in control.Related resourcesADHD and women5 ways ADHD can affect you at workSorry, I Missed This: ADHD and self-advocacy at workTimestamps(00:00) How ADHD impacts work performance(00:00) Common workplace stressors (00:00) Ways to manage workplace stressFor a transcript and more resources, visit the MissUnderstood channel page on Understood.org. We love hearing from our listeners! Email us at podcast@understood.org.  Understood.org is a nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering people with learning and thinking differences, like ADHD and dyslexia. If you want to help us continue this work, donate at understood.org/give

When you think about someone taking a psychedelic drug like magic mushrooms, the first images that come to mind probably don’t involve a medical professional in a white coat or any sort of clinical setting. However, the perception of these drugs is changing as researchers and health professionals continue to learn new ways these drugs can treat a variety of mental health conditions. Much of the research has to do with microdosing, or taking such a small dose of a drug that it doesn’t produce a “trip.” One of the more commonly microdosed drugs is psilocybin, the naturally occurring psychedelic compound found in “magic mushrooms.” That led our small-but-mighty team at Hyperfocus to wonder, “What could this all mean for ADHD treatment?” So, we looked for someone who might know, and it led us to Dr. Richard A. Friedman. He’s a professor, psychiatrist, and director of the Psychopharmacology Clinic at Weill Cornell Medicine, Cornell University’s medical school. Richard has also written about his areas of expertise for The New York Times and is a contributing writer at The Atlantic.  On this week’s episode of Hyperfocus, he sits down with mental health journalist Rae Jacobson to answer all her questions on microdosing, psychedelics as medicine, and what it could mean for ADHD and more. Related resourcesADHD alternative treatmentADHD treatment without medication: What are my options?Richard’s piece on microdosing in The AtlanticTimestamps(02:58) What is microdosing?(10:43) What do we know about ADHD and microdosing?(15:30) How do psychedelics work in the brain?(30:44) Richard’s hopes for future research and microdosingFor a transcript of this episode and more resources, visit the episode page on Understood.org.We love hearing from our listeners! Email us at hyperfocus@understood.org. Understood.org is a nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering people with learning and thinking differences, like ADHD and dyslexia. If you want to help us continue this work, donate at understood.org/give

Mornings can feel like climbing a mountain for those with ADHD. The struggle often lies in motivation and decision-making. Practical strategies are shared to create a smoother morning routine, allowing for better focus and productivity. Plus, discover if intense mental work is necessary right away and how to tackle it effectively. With tips from an ADHD coach, listeners are empowered to turn chaotic mornings into productive starts.

ADHD in women is often misunderstood, even by ourselves — and hormones are a big part of the story. This week, host Cate Osborn chats with psychiatrist and researcher Dr. Lotta Borg Skoglund about how hormone cycles affect ADHD in women. From PMS to perimenopause, we explore how shifting hormones can change how ADHD shows up — and how that impacts mood, focus, and relationships.Dr. Borg Skoglund shares what the research says, what often gets overlooked in diagnosis and treatment, and how understanding the patterns in your cycle can make everyday life a little easier.Related resourcesADHD Girls to Women by Dr. Lotta Borg SkoglundLotta’s research group, GODDESS ADHDA guide to hormones and ADHDFrom the Climbing the Walls podcast: Are hormones the final frontier for women with ADHD?Timestamps(01:42) The changes in hormones during the menstrual cycle, and how they can affect ADHD symptoms(04:57) ADHD symptoms across hormonal life milestones like puberty, pregnancy, and menopause(10:21) The formation of Lotta’s research group GODDESS ADHD(14:25) The importance of this overdue research, and the constant dismissal of women’s hormonal challenges(17:12) Mapping your cycle to help understand your ADHD symptom fluctuations(21:10) How do we track these things if our cycles are non-traditional?(24:06) How do hormones connect to Rejection Sensitive Dysphoria?For a transcript and more resources, visit the Sorry, I Missed This show page on Understood.org. We love hearing from our listeners! Email us at sorryimissedthis@understood.org. Understood.org is a nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering people with learning and thinking differences, like ADHD and dyslexia. If you want to help us continue this work, donate at understood.org/give