Edited & produced by Dr. Sita-Marie Pillay

ADHD brains are emotional, impulsive, overwhelmed, and chronically misunderstood — which means suicide risk shows up differently here than it does in the textbooks.
In this episode, Christie and Sita-Marie break down what we actually see in our work with neurodivergent clients: the shame spirals, the “all-or-nothing” thinking, the executive dysfunction that makes it hard to reach out, and the moments when impulsivity turns dangerous.

We talk about what suicidal thoughts can look like for ADHDers, why they’re not always about wanting to die, and how support systems can fail (and how they can be rebuilt).
We also walk through real-world strategies: safety planning that works for neurodivergent brains, protective factors that really matter, and how to show up for someone without panicking, minimizing, or shaming them.

Heavy topic? Yes.
Hopeless? No.
This one’s about surviving the storm and understanding the terrain so no one has to walk it alone.

• 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline (U.S.)
• Crisis Text Line: Text HOME to 741741
• Local emergency services based on your region
• Community-based ADHD and neurodivergent support groups
• Trauma-informed therapy options via Grow Therapy, Headway, or your insurance provider

This episode discusses suicide, self-harm, and mental health crises. Listener discretion advised.

Hosts: Dr. Christie Pickel & Dr. Sita-Marie Pillay
Produced / Edited by: Dr. Sita-Marie Pillay
Artwork: JK Mythos Co.

EPISODE CREDITS:

Produced, edited, mixed, artwork by Sita-Marie Pillay, Psy.D.

A reminder that the podcast is not a replacement for therapy.  

Hosts are not liable for any information gained from listening.