Love And Grief With ADHD (Steve Wesley’s Story) ADHD Aha! podcast

30:52

Laura Mears-Reynolds had reached a breaking point with anxiety and depression—until she realized something deeper was going on. She didn’t feel safe in her own hands, and she knew she needed help. What she didn’t know? ADHD was at the root of it all. The UK-based host of the ADHD AF podcast joins ADHD Aha! to share how understanding her brain finally helped her shed shame, find self-acceptance, and build a thriving community. Her message is clear: You’re not broken—and you’re definitely not alone. Related resources American Foundation for Suicide Prevention Laura’s podcast and community website, adhdasfemales.com ADHD and depression ADHD and anxiety Timestamps (02:37) The most ADHD thing that’s happened this week (03:29) Laura’s ADHD diagnosis story, and crisis point (07:20) Identifying as naive and overly trusting (10:18) Laura’s ADHD “aha” moments (13:02) A constant level of chaos, and assuming (what ended up being) ADHD symptoms were from partying a lot (15:18) The “little” ADHD things that add up and cause shame (17:27) Struggling with the “ADHD superpower” narrative (19:50) How would life have been different with an earlier diagnosis? (21:21) How Laura’s life has changed since her diagnosis, and creating the ADHD AF podcast For a transcript and more resources, visit the ADHD Aha! show page on Understood.org . We love hearing from our listeners! Email us at adhdaha@understood.org or record a message for us here . 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 Aha!

1
How an ADHD diagnosis was lost and found again (Nikki Daye’s story) 27:42

20 days ago27:42

27:42

Nikki Daye, a school psychologist and ADHD advocate, grew up in the foster care system. She was diagnosed with ADHD as a child, but her medical records were eventually lost. As she got older, her ADHD diagnosis wasn’t considered. Instead, her symptoms were misdiagnosed as anxiety, PTSD, and bipolar disorder. While her ADHD diagnosis was “lost in translation,” Nikki spent a lot of time feeling misunderstood and unsupported. It wasn’t until adulthood that she finally got the clarity she needed. Now, she’s using her experience to advocate for kids with ADHD, including her own daughter. Related resources 6 ways ADHD and PTSD can look alike ADHD and trauma Timestamps (01:18) Nikki’s first ADHD diagnosis as a teenager (03:30) Nikki’s experience with echolalia (05:27) ADHD treatment, speculating other diagnoses, and medical records being lost while in foster care (09:11) “Aging out” of her ADHD diagnosis, and coming back to it (15:08) Nikki’s intersectional “aha” moments (20:33) Nikki’s work helping kids like her, and her daughter For a transcript and more resources, visit the ADHD Aha! show page on Understood.org . We love hearing from our listeners! Email us at adhdaha@understood.org or record a message for us here . 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 Aha!

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ADHD, autism, and the pressure to be “man enough” (Shane Thrapp’s story) 25:55

5 weeks ago25:55

25:55

Shane Thrapp always felt different. As an adult, he found out he has both ADHD and autism — two parts of his brain that sometimes work against each other. In this episode, Shane shares the weight of masking his symptoms, and how society’s ideas about “real men” can make it even harder to speak up. Today, Shane is helping other men with ADHD as the Operations Director of the Men’s ADHD Support Group . He’s on a mission to show that being yourself shows more strength than pretending to be someone you’re not. Related resources What is AuDHD? The Men’s ADHD Support Group Timestamps (01:19) Shane’s ADHD and autism diagnoses story (05:48) The three-way battle between ADHD and autism (09:12) How is Shane as a boss? (10:21) Learning social cues, trying on identities, and societal expectations (15:04) The Men’s ADHD Support Group , and building a community that supports each other in healthy ways (18:34) The biggest misconceptions about men with ADHD (21:38) Building a world that’s better for his children For a transcript and more resources, visit the ADHD Aha! Show page on Understood.org . We love hearing from our listeners! Email us at adhdaha@understood.org or record a message for us here . 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 Aha!

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A breakup, an intense reaction, and the ADHD questions surrounding it all (Danielle Elliot’s story) 30:32

7 weeks ago30:32

30:32

Danielle Elliot was considering breaking up with her partner...and then he broke up with her first. Danielle had a “big, out of character” reaction: By 4am that night she was packed and ready to leave. The whole experience left her feeling unsettled. Why had she reacted that way? That sparked a deep dive into rejection sensitivity and ADHD. Danielle is a health and science journalist who’s now asking a bigger question: Why are so many women being diagnosed with ADHD — and why now? She explores this in Understood.org’s new limited-series podcast, Climbing the Walls . Listen to Danielle’s personal story here — then check out Climbing the Walls on your podcast platform of choice. Related resources Listen to the Climbing the Walls podcast ADHD and rejection sensitive dysphoria (RSD) ADHD breakups: Impulsive texts and overthinking regrets, from Sorry, I Missed This Timestamps (01:26) Danielle’s pandemic diagnosis after a strong reaction to a break up (08:26) Danielle’s need to travel (12:15) Danielle’s relationship with relationships, and rejection (16:02) Hosting Understood.org’s Climbing the Walls podcast For a transcript and more resources, visit the ADHD Aha! show page on Understood.org . We love hearing from our listeners! Email us at adhdaha@understood.org , or record a message for us here . 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 Aha!

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I didn’t want to have ADHD (from the Climbing the Walls podcast) 31:28

8 weeks ago31:28

31:28

In this bonus episode, we’re sharing the first episode of a new Understood.org podcast, Climbing the Walls . Climbing the Walls is an investigative limited-series podcast that explores why women were historically underdiagnosed with ADHD — and how the recent surge in diagnoses is reshaping our understanding of ADHD. In this episode, host Danielle Elliot finds herself among the many women diagnosed with ADHD during the pandemic, and she gets curious. Why women? And why now? This question takes her to northern Michigan, to meet a friend’s mom. For more on this topic: Listen to Climbing the Walls ADHD and rejection sensitive dysphoria (RSD) Older women with ADHD: How the lost generation got found For a transcript and more resources, visit the Climbing the Walls show page on Understood.org . We love hearing from our listeners! Email us at adhdaha@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…

ADHD Aha!

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A mother-son ADHD combo, plus teaching with ADHD (Emilia McGuckin’s story) 25:05

9 weeks ago25:05

25:05

Join health and science journalist Danielle Elliot as she investigates the rise of women recently diagnosed with ADHD. Listen to Climbing the Walls now. Emilia McGuckin was surprised when a teacher suggested her son might have ADHD. As a teacher herself, she thought she would have spotted the signs. But after diving into the research, an even bigger surprise hit her: Could she have ADHD too? Emilia, a high school and college teacher, was hesitant to pursue an ADHD evaluation. She’d felt dismissed by medical providers in the past, an experience all too common for many women. But when she finally got diagnosed, everything started to make sense. What she once saw as “character flaws” or “personal failings” turned out to be overlooked symptoms of ADHD. Related resources Is ADHD hereditary? ADHD iceberg Timestamps (01:10) Emilia’s son’s ADHD diagnosis (04:42) Hyperfocusing on ADHD to help her son, and realizing she has symptoms too (06:49) Apprehension about seeking an ADHD evaluation, after not being believed by doctors in the past (09:20) Feelings and coping after diagnosis (11:56) An “avalanche of ADHD” in the family (17:02) How Emilia and her son’s diagnoses changed how she teaches (20:29) Busting ADHD myths For a transcript and more resources, visit the episode page on Understood . We love hearing from our listeners! Email us at adhdaha@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…

ADHD Aha!

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My full-circle ADHD experience (Laura’s story, continued) 27:35

11 weeks ago27:35

27:35

Join health and science journalist Danielle Elliot as she investigates the rise of women recently diagnosed with ADHD. Listen to Climbing the Walls now. On this 100th episode of ADHD Aha! , host Laura Key looks back on the powerful conversations she’s had with guests from all walks of life about their unique ADHD experiences. She also opens up about a deeply personal new chapter: her 9-year-old daughter’s recent ADHD diagnosis. Laura reflects on what this milestone means for her both as a mom and a person with ADHD. Joining Laura is her friend, co-worker, and Hyperfocus podcast host, Rae Jacobson. Together, they explore how Laura’s understanding of ADHD has evolved over the course of the show — and how she’s navigating the emotions of raising a child who shares her diagnosis. Related resources ADHD, anxiety, and perfectionism (Laura’s story) ADHD in girls My child with ADHD can’t fall asleep. But I’m so tired. What can I do? Timestamps (00:50) What has it been like making 100 episodes of ADHD Aha!? (03:03) Laura’s daughter’s diagnoses, and being a mom with ADHD (08:21) Laura’s daughter’s ADHD and anxiety evaluation (10:51) Sleep and ADHD parenting challenges (12:19) Feeling the pressure to be a “perfect ADHD mom” (14:14) How hard it can be to be a kid with ADHD (16:40) Keeping ADHD mom perfectionism in check (20:58) Has Laura’s outlook on ADHD changed throughout making this show? For a transcript and more resources, visit the ADHD Aha! page on Understood . Want to share your “aha” moment? We love hearing from our listeners. Email us at ADHDAha@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…

ADHD Aha!

1
Love and grief with ADHD (Steve Wesley’s story) 27:59

13 weeks ago27:59

27:59

Join health and science journalist Danielle Elliot as she investigates the rise of women recently diagnosed with ADHD. Listen to Climbing the Walls now. Steve Wesley makes videos about ADHD to create a legacy for his family. As a single dad with ADHD, he worries he’s not doing enough to support his two sons, who also have ADHD. He hopes the videos will serve as proof one day that he really was trying. Steve’s late wife was “the calendar” of the family. She kept everything on track. When she passed away, it was up to Steve to manage everything and teach his sons the executive function skills that he struggles with so much himself. Join this emotional conversation between Steve and host Laura Key about parenting and coping with death with ADHD. Related resources Check out Steve’s YouTube channel, Steve with ADHD ADHD and coping with grief: 8 ways to help your child ADHD and emotions Timestamps (01:00) Steve’s “aha” moment, and accepting his diagnosis (05:03) ADHD, emotions, and grieving the loss of his wife (10:57) Adjusting to being a single parent as a widower (13:48) Why did Steve start his YouTube channel for his family? (18:38) ADHD: Superpower or curse? (23:27) What would Steve’s wife be proud of him for today? For a transcript and more resources, visit the ADHD Aha! page on Understood . Want to share your “aha” moment? We love hearing from our listeners. Email us at ADHDAha@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…

ADHD Aha!

1
Afraid to be the “crazy wife” with ADHD (Sela Carsen’s story) 23:20

15 weeks ago23:20

23:20

Join health and science journalist Danielle Elliot as she investigates the rise of women recently diagnosed with ADHD. Listen to Climbing the Walls now. Romance author Sela Carsen saw herself in her daughter’s ADHD evaluation 20 years ago. But she didn’t request an evaluation for herself until just 4 years ago. She was afraid that having ADHD would have a negative effect on her husband’s military career — that she’d be the “crazy wife.” Once Sela was finally diagnosed with ADHD, she had a big sense of relief. She felt capable in her job as an author, and that she “didn’t have to hate herself so much” anymore. Hear this conversation with Sela and host Laura Key as they chat about ADHD shame, Gen X’s outlook on mental health, and neurodivergent book characters. Related resources ADHD and: Procrastination ADHD and caffeine Understood.org Neurodiversity at Work Survey: Focus on Generation Z Timestamps (01:46) When did Sela start to notice signs of ADHD in herself? (03:48) Why Sela didn’t pursue an ADHD evaluation while her husband was in active duty (05:46) How ADHD symptoms affected her life while she was undiagnosed (08:55) Finally seeking an ADHD evaluation (14:11) Neurodivergent story characters (17:45) How being Gen X changes how you approach ADHD (20:24) What’s next for Sela? For a transcript and more resources, visit the ADHD Aha! page on Understood . Want to share your “aha” moment? We love hearing from our listeners. Email us at ADHDAha@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…

ADHD Aha!

1
Sensory overload and self-advocacy with ADHD (Margaux Joffe’s story) 29:31

17 weeks ago29:31

29:31

Join health and science journalist Danielle Elliot as she investigates the rise of women recently diagnosed with ADHD. Listen to Climbing the Walls now. Margaux Joffe’s “aha” moment came during a shopping trip to IKEA with her mom. She had an intense sensory overload experience, which her mom later suggested could be ADHD-related. Margaux, who’d been diagnosed with anxiety and depression as a teenager, had never considered ADHD. She was diagnosed with ADHD at age 29. In the years since, she’s become a global advocate for neurodiversity and accessibility. Check out her conversation with host Laura Key about justice sensitivity, workplace accommodations, and self-harm in undiagnosed women. Related resources ADHD and sensory overload ADHD and depression Understood.org’s 2024 Neurodiversity at Work Survey Fact Sheet Margaux’s website, margauxjoffe.com Timestamps (01:55) Margaux’s IKEA story, and “aha” moment (07:34) Sensory sensitivity and ADHD (09:03) Undiagnosed ADHD leading to anxiety and depression (12:38) Breaking down during transitional periods (14:16) Being told she was just “too much” as a child (18:44) What has she learned in the 10 years since being diagnosed? (21:12) What has she learned through working with other women with ADHD? (23:29) Self-advocacy and disclosure at work (26:35) What’s Margaux up to now? For a transcript and more resources, visit the ADHD Aha! page on Understood . Want to share your “aha” moment? We love hearing from our listeners. Email us at ADHDAha@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…

ADHD Aha!

1
Rejection sensitivity and ADHD as an Emmy-winning comedy writer (Dan McCoy’s story) 25:35

19 weeks ago25:35

25:35

We’re running a survey to see how podcasts help women with ADHD learn about mental health and health-related topics. Make your voice heard today . Dan McCoy understood better his mood swings, fear of rejection, and hyperfocus when he was diagnosed with ADHD last year. He got an ADHD evaluation after reading an article his brother wrote about being on the autism spectrum. Dan is a comedy writer who’s won two Emmy awards for his work on The Daily Show with Jon Stewart . He also co-hosts the movie podcast, The Flop House . Dan explains how comedy writing can be exposure therapy for rejection, and how he’s coping with managing emotions. Related resources ADHD and rejection sensitive dysphoria (RSD) ADHD and mood swings Dan’s podcast, The Flop House Timestamps (01:24) Dan’s recent ADHD diagnosis (03:55) Recognizing emotions and burnout from masking (06:40) The “Boom Bust” ADHD energy cycle (08:05) Would it have been helpful to have an ADHD diagnosis as a child? (11:26) Rejection sensitivity and comedy writing (15:32) Does ADHD make you funny? (19:34) Are people considerate of ADHD characteristics? (22:34) What is Dan working on? For a transcript and more resources, visit the ADHD Aha! page on Understood Want to share your “aha” moment? We love hearing from our listeners. Email us at ADHDAha@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…

ADHD Aha!

1
A deeper dive on ADHD, sex, and consent (Cate Osborn is back!) 36:37

21 weeks ago36:37

36:37

We’re running a survey to see how podcasts help women with ADHD learn about mental health and health-related topics. Make your voice heard today . ADHD affects our whole life — even our sex life. Our friend Cate Osborn, who has a background in sex education, is back to chat with host Laura Key about executive function challenges that may pop up in the bedroom. Cate and Laura dive into topics like ADHD and consent, working memory, and rejection sensitivity. Cate hosts another Understood.org podcast, Sorry, I Missed This , a show about ADHD, intimacy, and communication. Check it out for some deeper dives into this episode’s topics! Note: This episode contains conversation about sexual assault. Related resources Rainn.org Hear Cate’s personal story: ADHD and hormones (Cate Osborn’s story) Cate’s podcast, Sorry, I Missed This! Timestamps (02:34) Why it’s called “Sorry, I Missed This” (6:50) Executive function impact on relationships (10:04) “Sex is a task” (12:20)Task initiation impact on relationships (14:07) Communication, working memory, and consent (16:31) Time perception, impulsiveness, and dating (20:46) “It’s not your fault” (23:19) How to approach consent as a person with ADHD (27:33) Cate’s own journey with ADHD and sexuality (30:09) How rejection sensitivity complicates consent (33:32) Cate’s email For a transcript and more resources, visit the ADHD Aha! page on Understood . Want to share your “aha” moment? We love hearing from our listeners. Email us at ADHDAha@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…

ADHD Aha!

1
3 generations of ADHD…and masking (Zoe Plotnick’s story) 17:00

23 weeks ago17:00

17:00

At 14, Zoe Plotnick told her mom, “My brain’s broken.” Zoe wanted an ADHD evaluation, but her mom discouraged it, pointing to Zoe’s good grades. Zoe was eventually diagnosed with ADHD as an adult. She also learned that her mom was hiding her own ADHD all along. Now Zoe, who’s a teacher, is unpacking the ADHD stigma that her family has carried for generations. And she’s advocating for her daughter who, in a twist of fate, was diagnosed with ADHD at age 14 — the same age Zoe was when she tried to get evaluated the first time. Related resources Is ADHD hereditary? Masking my ADHD at work was exhausting, so I stopped How do I emotionally prepare for ADHD diagnosis? Timestamps ((01:10) Zoe’s pandemic “aha” moment (03:23) Pushing for an ADHD diagnosis as an adult (05:22) Growing up with undiagnosed ADHD (09:17) Asking for help when Zoe was 14 (12:32) Generational ADHD shame and masking For a transcript and more resources, visit the ADHD Aha! page on Understood.org Want to share your “aha” moment? We love hearing from our listeners. Email us at ADHDAha@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…

ADHD Aha!

1
ADHD or OCD? (Julianna Broadwater’s story) 18:56

25 weeks ago18:56

18:56

For years, Julianna Broadwater’s therapist suggested looking into ADHD. But Julianna resisted. She had a past diagnosis of OCD, so she attributed her challenges to that. Plus she was the primary breadwinner in the family, so how could she have ADHD? Then Julianna tried ADHD medication, and her thinking completely changed. The impulsive, intrusive thoughts that would pop into her head started to lessen. It was easy to swat them away like flies, instead of dropping everything to focus on them. Julianna was diagnosed with ADHD during the pandemic. Hear about her OCD misdiagnosis, and how the symptoms she thought were her OCD actually stemmed from ADHD. Related resources I have ADHD and OCD. Here’s what a weekend getaway looks like for me What is perseveration? ADHD and anxiety Timestamps (01:17) Julianna’s ADHD diagnosis story (06:49) Julianna’s experience growing up (11:42) Julianna’s OCD misdiagnosis (13:59) Getting stuck on thoughts (15:26) Never going back to how things were before the pandemic For a transcript and more resources, visit the ADHD Aha! page on Understood.org Want to share your “aha” moment? We love hearing from our listeners. Email us at ADHDAha@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…

ADHD Aha!

1
The ADHD failure cycle (Jared Robson’s story) 29:07

27 weeks ago29:07