ADHD: Women Exploring the Neuroverse

By Ruth and RachaelHealth & Fitness Mental Health

ADHD: Women Exploring the Neuroverse episodes

April 29, 2024Task Paralysis: We discuss how it appears differently in our ADHD brains
In this episode, Ruth and Rachael take a personal look at one of the well-known traits of ADHD/ADD, Task Paralysis.

Our conversation unfolds in true ADHD fashion. It meanders through challenges we face and how we adjust, cope, and manage these traits to date. Here is a loose round-up of our gleanings…

🐝We explore what task paralysis (or ADHD paralysis) is.
Rachael shares the difficulty of getting started on some tasks, particularly if it's overwhelming or boring.

Ruth brings up neurasthenics and passes on wisdom around neuro aesthetics shared by Dr. T. Swart (neuroscientist and former Psychiatrist).
🐝We dip into task completion-says it all. Do you have to force yourself over the finish line? Are you happy to abandon a task part way through? Or do you need to persevere to the end (often to your detriment)?

🐝Rachael shares her “two bucket” approach to ‘shiny’ opportunities. Plus some extra tips on overcommitting too soon.

🐝Exhaustion in ADHD women and some of the deeper causes.
Rachael suggests we start making and keeping promises to ourselves that are achievable, manageable, and energising for us.

Ruth talks about the benefits of understanding our Ayurvedic body types as a way of supporting ourselves holistic approach to ADHD well-being, interoception, and listening to/working with our bodies.

📌Links:
ADHD Paralysis Article from the Frida Care Team
Tuning into Your Body episode from Feel Better, Live More with Dr Rangan Chatterjee

👉We hope you will join us if you are looking for support and community. Please email ⁠Leonie "Ruth"⁠ or ⁠Rachael⁠ if you have discovered you have ADHD/ADD as an adult woman and want to share your story.
36 min
April 22, 2024 Guest Melody Humphreys has a kinder name for ADHD/ADD “Bumblebee thinking”
The first guest interview for the podcast and what a cracker!
Melody Humphreys……………………………………
In her words, “I'm a 46-year-old woman, who until 8 months ago still believed I was 42. Not because I was lying to myself or others, but because I truly was not paying that much attention. To date, I have doggy-paddled my way through life, and somehow, I'm still above water and enjoying the swim. At age 30 (or somewhere close to it) I was diagnosed with ADHD, but I prefer to call it bumble-bee thinking. I buzz around, seemingly with no sense of direction, but I get there in the end.”

😊We bumble through a three-way conversation in which Melody shares personal and poignant insights into her ADHD journey. Melody has a particularly joyful and positive attitude to life.

🤗The conversation touches on the importance of interdependence, knowing that we are not alone, and surrounding ourselves with a great team.

🗝️We talk about trusting our instincts and trusting ourselves as a protective measure, rather than relying on the judgment of others.
💡We hear familiar phrases such as “I can’t turn off my brain”, and the risk-taking response of “ I can do that,” without considering whether we are equipped to do it. Or whether it is the best choice for us.

Melody shares some of the nightmare journey she had with medication and her unfolding into a place of peace.

📌Melody also shares the “ice block” tip: holding an ice cube on the roof of her mouth with her tongue to bring her back on track! The opening and closing of freezer doors will reverberate around the world as ADHD women reach for the icetray…
👉We hope you will join us if you are looking for support and community. Please email Leonie "Ruth" or Rachael if you have discovered you have ADHD/ADD as an adult woman and want to share your story.
46 min
April 15, 2024 Ruth & Rachael Discuss this Podcast & Exploring Attention Deficit Disorder in Adult Women
👋Our initial conversation roams widely, warmly, and we hope wisely🤞

We share what we hope to get and give through the podcast:
👉a support community
👉aims for an easy, relaxed, and informal tone
👉above all, we hope that ADHD women will feel seen, heard, acknowledged, accepted, and celebrated

A little bit of our back stories pop up in conversation...more to come later 😊

We chat about rhythms and routines. And the importance of both consistency and novelty.

Ruth shares insights:
💡into aspects of Ayurveda and Ayurvedic lifestyle *If you are interested in going down that rabbit hole: The book, Living Ayurveda by Claire Ragozzino. Low Tox Life Podcast-Episode 371-Dr. Shivani Gupta are Ruth's recommendations*
💡a conversation with a young woman approaching the hurdles of diagnosis
💡using muscle memory to help habits stick

Rachael introduces the analogy of training wheels and how all superpowers can make other tasks more of a challenge.
And touches on this “phenomenon” of ADHD and ADD women recently. And how the influx contributes to the lack of available resources to get help (either professional or informal support).

Our own difficulty finding community is the inspiration for this podcast. We hope you will join us if you are looking for support and community. Please email [email protected] or [email protected] if you have discovered you have ADHD/ADD as an adult woman and want to share your story.
36 min