MissUnderstood: The ADHD in Women Channel

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. Explore Through My Eyes today. Step into the world of three kids with ADHD, dyslexia, and dyscalculia — helping you see differently so you can act differently.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.

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. Explore Through My Eyes today. Step into the world of three kids with ADHD, dyslexia, and dyscalculia — helping you see differently so you can act differently.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.

Women with ADHD often turn to overachievement as a coping mechanism, attempting to mask challenges with focus and organization. Dr. Monica Johnson discusses how this drive for success can lead to stress and burnout over time. Listeners learn to recognize the signs of overachievement and the importance of granting themselves permission to slow down. Strategies are shared to promote self-care, such as scheduling rest and practicing self-compassion, fostering a healthier relationship with productivity.

Christine Hargrove, a licensed marriage and family therapist specializing in financial therapy, shares her insights into the unique financial challenges faced by individuals with ADHD. She explains what financial therapy is and how childhood experiences shape our money habits. The discussion includes practical strategies for managing finances in relationships where one partner has ADHD, addressing impulsive spending, and the emotional strain of financial management. Listeners will gain valuable tools to create healthier financial habits tailored to their needs.

Have you ever been given an exciting opportunity, then found yourself feeling inadequate, underqualified, and undeserving after getting started? What did those feelings of doubt ultimately do to your mental health, work-life balance, and performance?This week on Tips from an ADHD Coach, Jaye explores why imposter syndrome is so common in ADHD brains, how it impacts your confidence, and what you can do to start believing in your own achievements.Related resourcesADHD and: Imposter syndromeFrom the ADHD Aha! podcast: Anxiety, imposter syndrome, and ADHD (Mallory’s story)Imposter syndrome at work: How I stopped feeling like a fakeTimestamps(00:39) Anne’s quote(02:42) How ADHD can make imposter syndrome more common(07:44) Imposter syndrome is lying to you(09:47) What can we do if we’re feeling like an imposter?(14:29) RecapFor a transcript and more resources, visit the Tips from an ADHD Coach show page on Understood.org. We love hearing from our listeners! Email us at adhdcoachtips@understood.org. Explore Through My Eyes today. Step into the world of three kids with ADHD, dyslexia, and dyscalculia — helping you see differently so you can act differently.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.

Dr. Lyne Piché, a Canadian psychologist and sex therapist, joins the conversation to explore the complex interplay between ADHD, sensory challenges, and intimacy. She discusses how sensitivity can fluctuate during sex, making it feel overwhelming at times. The importance of trust and open communication with partners is emphasized, along with strategies for creating a supportive environment. Lyne also shares insights on navigating desires, understanding preferences, and the potential of kink to enrich sexual experiences for those with ADHD.

Some women with ADHD turn to self-medicating to cope with their symptoms. At first, it may seem to help. But over time, it can make ADHD harder to manage.In this episode, Dr. Monica Johnson explains self-medicating and breaks down why some women with ADHD turn to it. Find out how self-medicating can be harmful and what healthier ways to cope might look like.Related resourcesTips from an ADHD Coach: Coping skills with consequencesExperts weigh in: Marijuana and ADHDMissUnderstood: The ADHD in Women ChannelTimestamps(00:59) What does self-medicating look like?(02:34) Ways self-medicating can be harmful (07:53) Healthier ways to cope with ADHDFor 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. Explore Through My Eyes today. Step into the world of three kids with ADHD, dyslexia, and dyscalculia — helping you see differently so you can act differently.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.

On this very special episode of Hyperfocus, host Rae Jacobson interviews three of these women — Sari Solden, Terry Matlen, and Dr. Ellen Littman — along with Dr. Michelle Frank, a psychologist taking up the torch for a new generation. Together, they discuss how they met, their journey to legitimize ADHD in women, and what they hope for the future. Related resources:Climbing the WallsMissUnderstood: The ADHD in Women ChannelTimestamps:(06:22) Discovering you aren’t alone(13:18) The disconnect between academia and the rest of the world(21:22) The benefits of treatment and community (28:05) ADHD isn’t always a superpowerFor a transcript and more resources, visit the Hyperfocus page on Understood.org. We love hearing from our listeners! Email us at hyperfocus@understood.org. Explore Through My Eyes today. Step into the world of three kids with ADHD, dyslexia, and dyscalculia — helping you see differently so you can act differently.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.

Explore the intriguing contradictions of ADHD and how they affect behavior and emotions. Discover the role of dopamine in focus and motivation, and how these elements contribute to feelings of inconsistency. Tune in for practical insights on recognizing behavioral patterns and strategies for enhancing reliability. Personal stories illustrate the complex dance between social anxiety and the desire for connection, highlighting the power of self-awareness in managing it all.