Sensory overload and self-advocacy with ADHD (Margaux Joffe’s story)

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

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