MissUnderstood: The ADHD in Women Channel

Dr. Shauna Pollard, a clinical psychologist specializing in ADHD and burnout, shares insights on healing from burnout and its impact on relationships. She emphasizes the importance of identifying and communicating personal needs effectively. The conversation highlights how burnout exacerbates emotions and complicates boundary setting. They discuss practical strategies for repairing emotional rifts and showing love in low-effort ways during recovery. Dr. Pollard offers resources for those feeling isolated, encouraging listeners to believe in the validity of their needs.

Discover the unique dynamics of dating for women with ADHD! Explore how dopamine and emotional intensity shape the courting experience. Learn to navigate the challenges of overanalyzing and emotional impulsivity in relationships. Find out how to distinguish between genuine chemistry and manipulation. Plus, get practical tips for managing feelings during the dating phase, such as setting boundaries and trusting your instincts. Tune in for valuable insights that can transform your dating experiences!

Inattentive ADHD often goes unnoticed. It’s an easier type of ADHD to miss because it’s more internal and less outwardly visible than its hyperactive, impulsive counterpart. But left unaddressed, inattentive ADHD can be just as disruptive.Boys with the inattentive type are especially overlooked — they don’t match the stereotype of what an “ADHD boy” is supposed to look like.So when Brandon Saiz wrote to us about his experience getting diagnosed with ADHD later in life, we knew we had to talk to him. After meeting with Brandon, it was clear his story needed to be shared.Content warning: This episode includes discussion of suicide. Please skip it if that’s not something you’re up for right now.For more on this topic:The 3 types of ADHDListen: The “devastating” findings of a decades-long ADHD studyBrandon Saiz on SubstackDuck, Duck! It's a Goose: Brandon's video gameTimestamps(01:54) Brandon’s background(09:23) How Brandon’s inattentive-type ADHD was overlooked(14:00) On suicidal ideation and inattentive ADHD (19:57) Brandon’s advice to othersFor a transcript and more resources, visit the Hyperfocus 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 Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Burnout isn’t a weakness. It’s a signal that your body needs real rest. Dr. Shauna Pollard is back for the second episode in our “Breaking the Burnout Cycle” series to answer the question: What is rest?  Cate and Dr. Pollard talk about what true, restorative rest looks like (hint: it’s not just zoning out on your phone), and how to start taking small, doable steps toward rest when you’re already deep in burnout.For more on this topic: ADHD burnoutFull Catastrophe Living, by Jon Kabat-ZinnYour Money or Your Life, by Joe Dominguez and Vicki RobinTimestamps: (00:00) Intro(02:08) How do you realize that enough is enough and you need to rest?(03:58) How do we know if the “rest” we’re taking is actually restorative? (09:10) Feeling guilty or uncomfortable with resting(15:18) How to decide what to pursue, and what to wait on(20:14) The relationship between perfectionism, procrastination, and burnout(23:41) Finding small moments to integrate rest, and other suggestions from Dr. Shauna(29:07) Outro and creditsFor a transcript and more resources, visit Sorry, I Missed This on Understood.org. You can also 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 Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Ever wondered why crushes feel so intense? Discover how dopamine influences rapid infatuation in ADHD brains. Explore the phenomenon of limerence and its connection to intrusive thoughts and emotional dependency. Learn strategies to stay grounded while enjoying the thrill of a new crush without losing touch with reality. Delve into techniques to manage obsessive thoughts and maintain a balanced perspective. Plus, find out why staying connected with friends is crucial for a healthy dating experience!

Dr. Amy Gaeta, an AI ethicist and autistic researcher at the University of Cambridge, shares her unique insights on the intersection of AI and neurodiversity. They discuss the implications of AI in the workplace, highlighting the challenges for disabled workers, such as productivity pressures and surveillance. Amy critiques the biases in AI design that affect disability representation and explores assistive uses of AI, including chatbots. They also debate the future of neurodivergent individuals in a tech-driven world, emphasizing the need for community responsibility.

Feeling drained, unmotivated, or stuck in survival mode? In part one of our “Breaking the Burnout Cycle” series, host Cate Osborn and psychologist Dr. Shauna Pollard unpack the question: What is burnout? They explore the signs to watch for, how to recognize when you’re in it, and how it’s different from depression.If you’ve been wondering whether what you’re experiencing is burnout, this episode is a good place to start.Related resourcesADHD burnoutADHD and depressionDr. Shauna’s website, https://drspllc.com/Timestamps(00:00) A word from Cate on burnout(01:50) What is burnout? How is it different than depression?(05:57) What happens when ADHD perfectionism and overcommitting meets burnout?(08:06) How do we know that we’re starting to get burnout? How can we tell if it’s burnout or depression?(12:11) How to recognize whether your battery is low or completely tapped out(15:55) How to get to know ourselves and our bodies better to help us in the future(22:57) Burnout spreading from work into the home(26:39) Outro and creditsFor 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 Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Discover how itchy tags and tight clothes can trigger sensory overwhelm for women with ADHD. Delve into why this discomfort is often overlooked and learn practical strategies to ease daily challenges. Dr. Monica Johnson shares insights into sensory processing difficulties, including how they affect attention and emotional regulation. Explore gender differences in sensory struggles, along with tips for mindfulness and environmental adjustments to create a more manageable routine.

Craig Thomas is best known for his work on TV. He co-created the sitcom “How I Met Your Mother” and has written for “American Dad” and more. He’s penned songs for “Sesame Street” and essays for “The New Yorker.” He’s less known for being a dad. For now, at least. He has a daughter, Celia, and a son, Elliot, who was born with Jacobsen syndrome, a genetic condition causing physical and developmental disabilities. When Elliot was born, Craig’s career was taking off with “How I Met Your Mother.” “I was living an hour drama show at home and then driving to work and doing a sitcom,” Craig says. His upcoming novel, “That’s Not How It Happened,” is based in part on his family’s experience.If you heard our series on the resurgence of the R-word, you’ll recognize Craig’s voice. The conversation with him was so good that we’re sharing more!For more on this topicPreorder Craig’s novelCheck out Craig’s podcastHear Craig on our R-word episodes, part 1 and part 2Timestamps(02:20) Craig’s backstory and current work(09:45) How Craig relates to the disability community(13:10) Disability and media depictions (29:04) Comedy, the R-word, and why language matters(39:10) On parenting a child with disabilitiesFor a transcript and more resources, visit the Hyperfocus 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 Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

It’s a solo mailbag episode! Host Cate Osborn grabs her trusty D20 to let fate decide which listener emails to answer. Cate answers some common ADHD questions from navigating ADHD as a woman, to what it means to have a diagnosis, to how symptoms can shift as we age.Related resourcesUnderstood Explains podcast season 2: ADHD diagnosis in adultsADHD and: AgingFacebook group: ADHD Support for Women by Understood.orgTimestamps(00:00) Intro(00:27) The rules(01:14) Why do previously stimulating activities become routine?(02:48) What does an ADHD diagnosis provide?(05:30) What are some tips for self kindness when dealing with problems we’ve created?(09:56) How to not get too overloaded by a task(14:52) Does ADHD become more calm as you get older? Are there future treatments other than medication being developed?(21:38) A parting word from Cate(23:04) Outro and creditsFor 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 Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.