What’s scary about ADHD? (Ghost hunter Em Schulz’s story)

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 resourcesIs ADHD hereditary? ADHD icebergTimestamps(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 mythsFor 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 Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

15 Huhti 25min

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 resourcesADHD, anxiety, and perfectionism (Laura’s story)ADHD in girlsMy 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 Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

1 Huhti 27min

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 resourcesCheck out Steve’s YouTube channel, Steve with ADHDADHD and coping with grief: 8 ways to help your childADHD and emotionsTimestamps(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 Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

18 Maalis 27min

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 resourcesADHD and: ProcrastinationADHD and caffeineUnderstood.org Neurodiversity at Work Survey: Focus on Generation ZTimestamps(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 Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

4 Maalis 23min

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 resourcesADHD and sensory overloadADHD and depressionUnderstood.org’s 2024 Neurodiversity at Work Survey Fact SheetMargaux’s website, margauxjoffe.comTimestamps(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 Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

18 Helmi 29min

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 resourcesADHD and rejection sensitive dysphoria (RSD)ADHD and mood swingsDan’s podcast, The Flop HouseTimestamps(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 UnderstoodWant 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 Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

4 Helmi 25min

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 resourcesRainn.orgHear 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 emailFor 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 Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

21 Tammi 36min

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 resourcesIs ADHD hereditary?Masking my ADHD at work was exhausting, so I stoppedHow 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 maskingFor a transcript and more resources, visit the ADHD Aha! page on Understood.orgWant 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 Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

7 Tammi 17min