MissUnderstood: The ADHD in Women Channel

ADHD medications have been in the news a lot lately, especially stimulants. In this bonus episode of Hyperfocus, host and mental health journalist Rae Jacobson talks about two U.S. policy items that could affect people with ADHD.First, an executive order from February 13 established the “Make America Healthy Again Commission.” The executive order specifically mentions ADHD and the rise in diagnoses and medication usage among children. The order also requires the commission to “assess the prevalence of and threat posed by the prescription of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, antipsychotics, mood stabilizers, stimulants, and weight-loss drugs.” Dr. Andy Kahn, a licensed psychologist, joins Rae to discuss the notion that people with ADHD, especially kids, are overmedicated. Plus, Rae discusses proposed regulatory changes for controlled substances, including ADHD stimulants. The Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) issued its proposal on January 17, before the current administration took office. If accepted, the proposed changes would affect telehealth prescriptions for ADHD stimulant medications. The DEA is accepting comments through March 18.Related resourcesAll about ADHD medicationFull text: White House executive orderRead the DEA’s proposed telemedicine regulations What happens to my child's IEP if the U.S. Department of Education closes?Timestamps(0:38) What does the new executive order say about ADHD? (4:04) What does “overmedicated” mean today? (6:08) On stigma and ADHD(9:56) What is the new DEA telehealth proposal?For a transcript of this episode and more resources, visit the Hyperfocus episode page on Understood. 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

Struggling to get started because you crave perfect conditions? You're not alone! Discover how ADHD can trick us into waiting for ideal circumstances that may never arrive. Gain practical tips to break the cycle of perfectionism and embrace flexibility in your routines. Learn to jumpstart activities even when everything feels off. It's time to take action, imperfections and all!

Emotional intimacy is about sharing an emotional connection and presence with yourself and other people. But a lot of ADHD traits, and lived experiences, can get in the way. This could be due to trouble with emotional regulation, the emotional labor it takes to feel believed, masking, and more.Michelle Frank is a clinical psychologist and the co-author of A Radical Guide for Women with ADHD. Listen to this conversation exploring how shame can be a roadblock to emotional intimacy, and how this intimacy can look different within every relationship.Related resourcesMichelle’s book, A Radical Guide for Women with ADHD by Sari Solden and Michelle FrankTimestamps(02:46) What is emotional intimacy?(04:14) Barriers to emotional intimacy with ADHD(09:33) Shame and ADHD(15:29) What steps can we take to build emotional intimacy?(17:28) Sitting in uncomfortable feelings, and rejection sensitivity(20:48) People pleasing versus building authentic connections(22:36) What about when we’re in a relationship without emotional intimacy?(28:41) Where can you find Michelle? For a transcript and more resources, visit the Sorry, I Missed This page on Understood.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

Exploring the link between ADHD and oversharing, insights reveal how impulsivity and emotional dysregulation drive women to disclose too much. The discussion delves into personal boundaries, navigating the complexities of intimacy in conversations, and the unintended consequences of oversharing in relationships. Strategies for mindful communication emerge, emphasizing active listening and boundary management to foster healthier interactions. The unique challenges faced by women with ADHD are examined, making for a relatable and informative dialogue.

This week on the show, I’m hyperfocusing not on a topic or a question, but a person: the neurodivergent comedian and actor Emma Willmann. You might know Emma from her comedy (she’s done stand-up on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert) or her acting (she played “Beth” on Crazy Ex-Girlfriend).But I didn’t want to know about any of that. I wanted to spend some time with the person who has made a career out of smart, inclusive humor and understand how she does it. Plus, we talk about her ADHD and dyslexia diagnoses.Related resourcesEmma’s websiteEmma on InstagramListen: How to manage ADHD at workADHD and creativityTimestamps(1:58) Breaking up with your phone(5:39) Comparing and contrasting ADHD types(9:53) If you could get rid of your ADHD, would you?  (15:04) Is ADHD good for a stand-up comic?For a transcript and more resources, visit the Hyperfocus page on Understood.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

Sometimes when we start on something important with ADHD, we find ourselves unable to make any real progress on it. This can be really frustrating, but that frustration doesn’t always turn into focus. This week on Tips from an ADHD Coach, Jaye tackles what happens when we’ve gotten ourselves to start work on something important, but our brains aren’t working with us. Listen for some tips to help when stuck in an unproductive headspace.Related resourcesRachel’s How’d You Get THAT Job?!  episode, Changing focus between two jobs fights off my ADHD boredomHow the Five-Second Rule changed my ADHD lifeTrouble getting work done is real. Executive function challenges may be the culprit.Timestamps(00:46) Rachel’s quote(01:53) Being set up to start a task, but unable to make any progress(02:56) Differences in neurotransmitter activity(05:37) Personal ideal stimulation points(08:45) What can we do to help?(12:52) Recap and creditsFor a transcript and more resources, visit the MissUnderstood page on Understood.Have a challenge you’d like Jaye to talk about in an episode? Email or send a voice memo to 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

Romantic partners often support and help each other out with different things. And with ADHD in the relationship, there might be some extra support needed here and there. But what happens when that support crosses the line into parentification, or taking care of your partner like they’re your child? Or the other way around, where your partner is responsible for taking care of you?Psychologist Lesley Cook (@lesleypsyd) visits the podcast to talk about how to notice parentification happening in your relationship, and the resentment that can build when it goes unnoticed. Related resourcesLesley’s TikTok, @lesleypsydA Radical Guide for Women with ADHD by Sari Solden and Michelle FrankTimestamps(03:03) What is a parentified relationship?(05:37) When an ADHD partner is the “parent” in the relationship or takes on too much responsibility(07:33) Are parentified relationships typically gendered?(08:48) Fairness versus equity in relationships(11:44) Weaponized incompetence(14:49) What happens to a relationship when it’s parentified for too long?(17:19) Notice, shift, repair(18:45) What to do when you notice yourself taking on too much responsibility for your partner(21:08) People pleasing, and the need to fix things(22:46) How to ask the right questions to your partner(24:07) Noticing your ADHD at play, and using it as an explanation, not an excuse(28:02) Setting an example as a parent to kids(32:24) Lesley’s parting advice(33:00) Where you can find Lesley and creditsFor a transcript and more resources, visit the MissUnderstood page on Understood.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

Shame often looms large for women with ADHD, influencing self-image and relationships. The discussion delves into how societal expectations exacerbate these feelings. Practical strategies are shared to help women cultivate self-compassion and manage emotional challenges. Listeners are encouraged to confront shame and embrace healthier coping mechanisms. This enlightening conversation fosters understanding and encourages empowerment in navigating ADHD.

Sometimes, our brains spiral and it seems like there’s nothing we can do about it. This can happen to anyone. Maybe you have an awkward social interaction and can’t stop thinking about it — then your mind jumps to worse and worse scenarios, far from what actually happened. And for those of us with ADHD, it can be extra difficult to exit that spiral. A situation like this happened to Rae Jacobson recently. Thankfully, she had an interview on the books with Dr. Jodi Gold, a psychiatrist who also has ADHD. Jodi specializes in psychotherapy of anxiety and mood disorders — perfect. On this episode of Hyperfocus, Rae and Jodi have an impromptu therapy session featuring a discussion of automatic thoughts, mood dysregulation, and rejection sensitivity. And, yes, “ADHD rabbit holes.”Related resourcesThe influence of ADHD on social skillsAnxiety, imposter syndrome, and ADHD (Mallory’s story)What is perseveration?Timestamps(2:23) Rae’s situation(6:56) What do we really mean by “rabbit hole?”(13:00) On automatic thoughts(17:53) Masking and people-pleasingWe love hearing from our listeners. Email us at hyperfocus@understood.org.For a transcript and more resources, visit the Hyperfocus page on Understood. 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

ADHD traits such as forgetfulness and impulsivity are often viewed as ‘bad behavior’ while growing up. Kids with ADHD might get punished for these things that are actually due to their brains working differently. So what happens when these kids grow up into adults with ADHD? Some might continue to punish themselves.This week on Tips from an ADHD Coach, Jaye breaks down why the threat of punishment is not the most effective motivator for people with ADHD, and gives some tips that can help end the cycle. Related resourcesMasking ADHD symptoms to go above and beyond (René Brooks’ story)Behavior: What is it and how can parents affect it?  7 discipline tips when your child has ADHDTimestamps(00:41) René’s quote(02:18) ADHD is not defiance(05:01) Ways we punish ourselves(06:28) How can we motivate ourselves without punishment?(11:05) RecapFor a transcript and more resources, visit the MissUnderstood page on Understood.Have a challenge you’d like Jaye to talk about in an episode? Email or send a voice memo to 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