We can feel more anxiety in some situations than others. Some people and settings may make us more on edge, and others more relaxed. Psychological safety is the freedom to be imperfect or to make mistakes without major consequences.  With ADHD, psychological danger can be even more intense due to challenges with impulse control, executive dysfunction, and emotional dysregulation. ADHD coach Jaye Lin talks about what can make us feel more psychologically safe, and what can make us feel more...

Self-advocacy and ADHD workplace disclosure come together in a package. It’s important to know yourself and your values in order to be the best self-advocate you can be. In this week’s episode, “ADHD at Work” founder Meghan Brown-Enyia answers the question: What is a good self-advocate? And, gives her recipe for advocating for yourself.

Picture this: A woman with ADHD grabs her morning coffee hoping it will help her tackle the day. But over time she notices that while caffeine offers a quick boost, it can also affect other symptoms of ADHD. In this episode, listen as Dr. Monica Johnson explains the complex relationship between ADHD and caffeine. Hear how caffeine can affect ADHD symptoms. Learn strategies for safe caffeine intake. And discover alternatives to help with focus and energy.

Rae Jacobson has been friends with Katherine Martinelli since they were 6. In the classroom, they were polar opposites: Katherine, a star student; Rae, scrambling and struggling with then-undiagnosed ADHD and dyscalculia.  As they grew older, they both became mothers and professional writers and editors. Rae got diagnosed and found the support and systems that worked for her.  When, well into their 30s, Katherine called to say she'd been diagnosed with ADHD, Rae was shocked: “My queen...

Have you ever made big plans for the day but ended up doing nothing on that list? The trouble with executive function that comes with ADHD can make planning, and actually starting on those plans difficult. ADHD coach Jaye Lin reacts to a quote on this very scenario. Listen to Jaye’s tips for managing our motivation and making progress. 

Consent is an agreement that people reach together. It can get a bit tricky with people-pleasing and black and white thinking — two things that can often come up with ADHD. The Wheel of Consent can help. This week, host Cate Osborn welcomes Betty Martin to the show. Betty is the author of “The Art of Receiving and Giving: The Wheel of Consent.” Join Betty and Cate as they break down the Wheel of Consent and why it can be a great tool for ADHDers.

Picture this: As your menstrual cycle approaches, you notice a shift in your mood and focus. One moment you feel productive, clear-headed, and on top of your ADHD. The next moment your concentration slips away.  Hormonal changes can turn everyday routines into huge challenges for women with ADHD. In this episode, listen as Dr. Monica Johnson explores how hormonal fluctuations can heighten ADHD symptoms. Learn key hormones that can impact mood and focus. And get tips on how to manage ADHD...

After her daughter was born, Rae Jacobson was hit by a bout of severe postpartum depression. Back then, there wasn’t much out there about ADHD and women, let alone ADHD and postpartum mental health. Rae had heard that there was a link between ADHD and postpartum depression. But with a tiny baby to care for and a life to navigate, she had more pressing things to deal with.  But the question kept bugging her: Does ADHD make you more likely to have postpartum depression? This week on...

People may assume that an ADHDer doesn’t struggle with something because it looks easy from the outside. Though they may be feeling challenged, they’re masking, or “making it work,” to get something done.  ADHD coach Jaye Lin reacts to a quote about how “making it work” can lead to anxiety and depression. It can also make it easy to dismiss your own needs for support and accommodations. Listen for some tips that can help.

Hey “MissUnderstood” listeners! We’ve got a new show coming soon to our channel. “Hyperfocus” is a show that zeroes in on what fascinates us about ADHD, learning, and mental health. Join journalist Rae Jacobson as she tackles big questions like, “Why can’t I get my ADHD meds? Who exactly gets to define a diagnosis? And can ADHD make postpartum depression worse?” New episodes launch every other Thursday wherever you get your podcasts.

Do you not notice that you’re hungry until you’re raging? Do you bump into things constantly? These are just two examples of how our sensory systems can affect those of us with ADHD. And they have a lot more to do with communication than you might think. This week, author of “ADHD & Us” and licensed clinical social worker Anita Robertson breaks down the three hidden sensory systems. Join Anita and Cate as they talk about how these can affect relationships with ADHD, and share some...

It was a spur-of-the-moment buy at the mall. A brand new handbag caught your eye and you couldn’t resist buying it.  For many women with ADHD, moments of impulsive spending can lead to feelings of excitement followed by regret once the bills arrive. In this episode, host Dr. Monica Johnson breaks down the connection between ADHD and impulsive spending. Listen as she discusses the value of pausing before making a purchase. And gives practical tips on how women with ADHD can build better...

People with ADHD sometimes put off doing things because it feels like too much with “everything else” going on. But, when “everything else” stops and we have free time to do whatever we want, it can also make us unproductive.  ADHD coach Jaye Lin talks about what happens when the chaos stops, but we still can’t get things done. Listen for some tips on how to get just the right amount of stress to actually be productive. 

Conflict can be uncomfortable. But it’s a necessary part of life that can have great outcomes. ADHD often comes with trouble with executive function, emotional regulation, time perception, and more. This can make conflict even tougher to face. Senior certified Gottman relationship therapist Michael McNulty walks us through the research on which the Gottman Method is based — and what it means for relationships. Listen to Cate and Michael as they explore how conflict can change with ADHD,...

It’s not uncommon for some women with ADHD to scramble to complete tasks at the last minute despite having ample time to start. This struggle can cause frustration, anxiety, and even stress.  Listen as Dr. Monica Johnson breaks down how symptoms of ADHD can lead to delays in task completion. And get strategies on how to improve productivity and reduce stress.

Do you find yourself planning to go above and beyond often? What do you do when a voice you’ve made has gone the wrong way? Perfectionism can come up a lot with ADHD, especially in women.  ADHD coach Jaye Lin reacts to a quote on pressuring ourselves to be perfect. Listen for why this anxiety might come up, and how to get real with yourself.

Dating is a skill. And like any skill, it takes practice. ADHD can intensify dating challenges. Like, masking to be someone we’re not so the other person will like us. Or, having intense feelings quickly, and jumping into a relationship that may not be what we want in the long run.  Dating coach Amie Leadingham visits the show this week to talk about what a dating coach does and common dating pitfalls. Host Cate Osborn addresses what these challenges can look like with ADHD on top. 

Women often juggle multiple roles. From their careers and family duties to even personal goals — all while trying to stay on top of their long to-do lists. Every tick of the clock feels like a reminder of all the things left to do, leaving some women with ADHD feeling rushed and overwhelmed. In this episode, listen as Dr. J explores how ADHD can impact common struggles with time management. Learn about the unique time management challenges faced by women with ADHD. And get strategies to...

After getting an adult ADHD diagnosis, a lot of emotions can come up. And questions about who you are as a person, and what to do next — like, have I been masking my whole life? Will people close to me still like me if I change? ADHD coach Jaye Lin reacts to a quote on questioning who we are after finding out we have ADHD. Listen for some of Jaye’s own story about navigating her identity, and some reassurance that we are all of our layers. 

Workplace relationships can be challenging for anyone. But for people with ADHD, trouble with working memory, self-control, emotions, and more can make professionalism even more confusing. Executive and ADHD coach Farah Jamil visits the show to clear up some common mysteries, like, how do I speak up for myself? And, what do I do when I’ve made a mistake? Listen for her answers, and some great tips to keep in your back pocket. Timestamps (03:38) What does Farah do as an executive coach...

Imagine receiving a “no,” to an idea you’ve shared in a meeting. Instead of brushing it off, you become overwhelmed with thoughts of self-doubt and a deep sense of rejection.  This intense emotional reaction is known as rejection sensitivity. And many women with ADHD experience it. In this episode, Dr. J explains how ADHD can amplify fears of rejection. Listen in to learn strategies women with ADHD can use to navigate these feelings. 

Do you sometimes feel like you don’t have control over your life? Are there things you turn to in order to feel better that end up hurting you in the long run? Some coping skills, like impulsive spending, can make us feel like we have control over our lives in the moment. But, they end up harming us in the future and starting a cycle of powerlessness. ADHD coach Jaye Lin reacts to a quote on impulsive spending. Listen for Jaye’s take on borrowing control from the future, and some tips that...

When you have ADHD, it can affect every part of your life — even sex. ADHD impacts how we show up in relationships. And it can be easy to forget it’s with us in the bedroom too. ADHD sexpert and psychologist Dr. Ari Tuckman visits the podcast this week to talk about the connection between ADHD and sex. Listen to this foundational episode as we set the scene to cover more in-depth topics on sex in future episodes. Timestamps (03:45) Why is ADHD and sex an important topic? (07:24) What Ari...

It’s a common challenge for many women with ADHD. Where a single moment of forgetting about a task, or feeling stressed about making a mistake, leads to a full-blown anxiety spiral.  In this episode, host Dr. Monica Johnson dives into the connection between ADHD and anxiety. Listen as she explains common ways anxiety can show up in women. And shares helpful ways to manage anxiety.