Sticks and stones may break my bones, but rejection will crush me forever. In this episode, we are looking at rejection sensitivity, or RSD, through a neuroscience lens focusing on this paper to explain what may be happening in your brain when you experience this overwhelming and painful phenomenon associated with ADHD and autism.

We'll walk you through the treatments that work and some surprising treatments that don't work. You're going to learn something new in this episode, guaranteed.

00:00 Introduction and Overview of ADHD Symptoms

01:57 Exploring Rejection Sensitive Dysphoria (RSD)

08:57 Science Behind RSD and Emotional Dysregulation

10:09 Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Its Limitations

17:00 Understanding the Prefrontal Cortex

23:54 Personal Experiences with RSD

35:32 Neuroscience Insights and Expert Opinions

38:33 Understanding Emotional Shutdowns

39:47 The Role of the Prefrontal Cortex

42:11 Coping Mechanisms for RSD

43:43 Dialectic Behavioral Therapy (DBT)

50:35 Medication Options for RSD

53:56 The Impact of Alpha-2 Receptor Agonists

57:31 Personal Experiences and Advice

01:06:53 The Importance of RSD Buddies

01:08:05 Final Thoughts on Managing RSD

Episode References: 

Russell Barkley on RSD

William Dodson on RSD

Research about how guanfacine manages rejection sensitivity in the brain

A look at the prefrontal cortex and dynamic network connectivity

Read next:

A brief explanation of CBT

A deeper look at CBT brain research

How is DBT different from CBT?

How does the prefrontal cortex impact ADHD and why do meds help?

In this follow up episode about the new DEA proposal limiting stimulant prescription via telehealth in the USA, we look at the broad impact that ADHD medications have on society. Spoiler alert! Medications help with everything from reducing crime and the spread of illness to preventing car crashes and accidental deaths.

As a reminder, you can post your thoughts on the DEA's proposal until March 18! Visit our website to get started and leave a comment today.

00:00 Introduction to ADHD Medication and Offense Rates

01:47 Driving and ADHD: The Impact of Medication

05:49 Substance Use Disorder and ADHD Medication

13:09 ADHD Medication and COVID-19

15:09 ADHD in the Prison System

23:32 The Importance of Data-Driven Decisions for ADHD Treatment

29:23 Managing ADHD: Medication and Beyond

References:

Driving

Substance Use Disorder

Covid Risk

Prison

Treatment cuts the criminal reoffense rates in half

Hospitalization and death

Read more

Problem # 1: Practitioners would need to be located in the same state as the patient at the time of the encounter when issuing a Schedule II controlled substance prescription.

This means our choice in doctor is greatly limited to providers in our area, and we cannot continue care with a good doctor if we move to a new state.

An estimated 55% of U.S. counties don't have a local psychiatrist, and 70% lack a child and adolescent psychiatrist. Patients in these areas rely on telehealth visits for their medical care.

Problem #2: The average monthly number of Schedule II controlled substances prescribed via telemedicine would need to be limited to less than 50% of the practitioner’s total Schedule II prescriptions (including both telemedicine prescriptions and non-telemedicine prescriptions).

Today, we tackle an interesting, and surprisingly complex question posed by a friend: Why can’t we just diagnose ADHD with a brain scan?

Join us as we break down the science behind ADHD, discussing how structural and functional brain differences contribute to symptoms—and why a brain scan alone isn't enough for diagnosis.

Every day, autism researchers are hard at work studying the most pressing issues that face our community. For example, how much do you need to pay an autistic person for them to consent to kitten murder?

In this episode, we're playing a game where Tarah shares the results of some "unusual" autism studies and John tries to channel the mind of a researcher to guess what conclusions they draw. Spoiler alert! This game is harder than you think. Join us, and see if you can beat John!

Links:

• Study #1:The prisoner's dilemma with children
• Study #2:Morality questions, but with adults this time
• Study #3:Kitten killing
• This comic inspired by the kitten killing study

00:00 Introduction

01:37 Explaining the game setup

02:27 Why are we focusing on autism today?

04:58 Round 1A - Introducing the first half of study #1

07:07 Round 1A - John's guess and results

09:38 Round 1B - Introducing the second half of study #1

12:23 Round 1B - John's guess and results

17:57 Round 2 - Introducing study #2

21:08 Round 2 - John's guess and results

31:57 Round 3 - Introducing study #3

33:11 Round 3 - John's guess and results

40:46 Closing thoughts

In this episode, we delve into 'The Diagnostic Ladder,' a framework designed to help understand the stages individuals go through when recognizing and seeking a diagnosis for ADHD and autism. We explore the initial rejection of symptoms, the gradual acceptance, the importance of both medical and self-diagnosis, the emotional journey after diagnosis, and the recontextualization of past experiences. This video aims to dispel feelings of isolation and provide a clearer insight into the diagnostic process for neurodivergent conditions, offering valuable information for both those directly affected and their friends and family.

00:00 Introduction to the Diagnostic Ladder

00:07 Emotional Journey of Diagnosis

03:04 Imposter Syndrome and Diagnosis

03:50 Building Community and Understanding

06:21 Challenges and Stigma in Diagnosis

09:10 Steps of the Diagnostic Ladder

12:31 Step 1

13:56 Step 2

14:17 Step 3

16:16 Step 4

16:37 Medical vs. Self-Diagnosis

19:02 Understanding Self-Diagnosis

19:38 Emotional Reactions to Diagnosis

22:56 Recontextualizing Past Memories

31:18 Acceptance and Continued Learning

39:14 Conclusion and Community Stories

Let's look into our (science powered) crystal ball and bring you a glimpse of your future! What will you see? Revolutionary changes, or more of the same?

To kick off this episode, we recap a few highlights (and lowlights) for AuDHDers in 2024, including rising diagnosis rates, changes to the DSM (or lack thereof), and medication shortages.

Then, we chat about our predictions for 2025, including potential genetic-based subtypes of ADHD and autism, the necessity of a separate branch of medicine for neurodivergent individuals, and the importance of regulation in ADHD coaching.

Join us as we dive deep into the science, challenges, and future possibilities for living with AuDHD.

Chapters:

00:00 What Does the Future Hold for ADHD and Autism: Revolutionary Changes or More of the Same?

06:22 Reflecting on 2024: Best and Worst Moments

06:58 Predictions for ADHD and Autism Classification

07:45 Scientific Understanding and Media Misconceptions

11:08 Genetic Links and Polygenic Conditions

12:23 The Autism Spectrum and Neurodivergent Profiles

13:03 Challenges and Misconceptions in Neurodivergence

18:34 The Need for a New Branch of Medicine

29:08 The Role and Future of ADHD Coaching

41:28 Conclusion and Call for Predictions

References and sources:

https://chadd.org/about-adhd/general-prevalence/

https://www.ft.com/content/98340a65-5438-44eb-8462-7ce15212ded2

https://www.opb.org/article/2024/05/23/adhd-diagnoses-are-rising-1-in-9-u-s-kids-have-gotten-one-new-study-finds/

https://www.goblinxadhd.com/blog/understanding-and-diagnosing-dsm-5-tr-adhd-a-comp/

https://www.wpspublish.com/blog/dsm-5tr-updates-autism-diagnostic-criteria

https://www.thetransmitter.org/spectrum/dsm-5-revision-tweaks-autism-entry-for-clarity/

https://www.ajmc.com/view/us-adhd-stimulant-shortage-highlights-growing-challenges-in-adult-treatment

https://www.psychologytoday.com/intl/blog/its-not-just-in-your-head/202406/adhd-medication-the-shortage-is-getting-worse

https://www.cbsnews.com/news/adhd-medication-shortage-cause/

What is OCD (the real deal, not just the stereotypes)?

Is it similar to AuDHD?

How do you even know the difference?

First, we take a deep dive into OCD to set the record straight. Then, we'll discuss experiences from Tarah's life and why those events may, or may not, be OCD. Lastly, we'll talk about treatment options if you suspect you might have OCD.

01:23 What is OCD and why do misconceptions exist?

02:57 How do you measure OCD (Yale-Brown Scale)?

03:49 Why do AuDHDers score higher on OCD tests?

05:21 What are compulsions and why do some people have them?

06:12 What does OCD look like with no AuDHD overlap?

09:56 Where do OCD and AuDHD overlap, and how can you distinguish?

13:37 How common is an OCD comorbidity?

15:31 Do autism and OCD share common genetic roots?

17:51 What does neuroscience tell us about OCD?

20:04 Does Tarah believe she has OCD?

22:04 Why is it crucial to distinguish between OCD and AuDHD?

23:00 What is an example of positive autistic obsessiveness?

25:11 When can a hyperfixation turn unhealthy?

28:50 Did Tarah have OCD trying to eliminate plastic?

33:07 How can you treat OCD?

Watch next:

References:

Do the holidays leave you feeling Grinchier than usual?

For this special seasonal episode, John and Tarah explore why such a magical season can be particularly challenging for individuals with ADHD and autism.

We'll discuss the impact of things like social expectations, sensory overload, and changes in routine. We share our favorite tips for managing the settings and situations that happen during the holidays. And, of course, we add a sprinkle of neuroscience on top with an explanation for why AuDHDers experience sensations more deeply.

00:00 Introduction to the Holiday Struggles

01:03 Why the Holidays Are Challenging for ADHD and Autism

03:51 Navigating Gift Giving Anxiety

11:39 Managing Social Expectations and Routine Changes

28:14 Dealing with Sensory Overload

31:05 Understanding the Science Behind Sensory Issues

36:58 Conclusion and Holiday Wishes

Watch Next:

References:

How do depression medications work?

What makes ketamine different from every other depression medication?

We’re excited to bring you this short bonus episode, diving deeper into a topic we touched on in our last episode: depression and how ketamine works as a treatment. Today, Tarah will take the lead, sharing some metaphors that help to break down this complex topic. So, settle in for this quick but enlightening exploration—we hope you find it as intriguing and informative as we do!

Resources: