MissUnderstood: The ADHD in Women Channel

Women with ADHD often struggle to communicate boundaries effectively, feeling intimidated by the process. Dr. Monica Johnson highlights the unique challenges posed by ADHD, like executive dysfunction and emotional regulation. She offers practical strategies to simplify boundary-setting, helping listeners express their limits with confidence. Tips on improving communication styles are shared, making it easier for women to assert their needs in relationships.

Craig Thomas, co-creator of How I Met Your Mother, discusses his journey with language sensitivity following his son’s diagnosis with Jacobson syndrome. He reflects on the reviving of the R-word in comedy and stresses the need for mindful language. The conversation dives into how comedy has evolved, emphasizing the importance of uplifting marginalized voices. A disability advocate also joins in to highlight the impact of derogatory terms, urging listeners to consider how their words shape perceptions and identities in the context of comedy and beyond.

Join Dr. Elizabeth Kilmer, a clinical psychologist specializing in therapy dynamics, as she dives into the nuances of the therapist-client relationship. She tackles how to find the right therapist and determine if your sessions are truly effective. The discussion covers vital topics like giving feedback, setting therapeutic boundaries, and how to gracefully 'break up' with a therapist if necessary. Plus, explore the barriers to accessing therapy and the role of AI in mental health. This conversation is essential for anyone navigating their mental health journey!

Many women with ADHD struggle to manage their emotions. Strong feelings like anger, sadness, and guilt tend to come on fast and feel hard to control. This can make everyday life feel confusing and overwhelming.In this episode, Dr. Monica Johnson explains how ADHD makes it harder to manage emotions. Find out why feelings like anger, sadness, and frustration can feel so strong for ADHD women to manage. And learn effective strategies to help you deal with these emotions.Related resourcesTips from an ADHD Coach: Psychological safetyADHD and emotionsMissUnderstood: The ADHD in Women ChannelWe 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

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