Episode 188 with Jes Hagan.

“The first study on women and ADHD was done in 1979, but there wasn’t a study on the menstrual cycle and ADHD until 2017.”

Jes is a nutritional therapist and board-certified integrative menstrual health educator and coach. She is the founder of Her Mood Mentor, a virtual premenstrual clinic. Her own experience of living with misdiagnosed and undiagnosed Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder (PMDD) and ADHD has fueled her determination to help others reclaim their lives from hormonal mood symptoms. 

PMDD is a severe form of premenstrual syndrome (PMS) that can come with significant emotional and physical symptoms that typically occur during the luteal phase. Anywhere from 3-8% of menstruating adults have PMDD, while roughly 46% of women with ADHD also experience PMDD.

Jes and I talk about her personal diagnosis journey, starting with a diagnosis of bipolar disorder at the age of 17. She shares about her later diagnoses of PMDD and ADHD, and how medical research has been slowly connecting the dots when it comes to how our hormones and menstrual cycles affect our ADHD.

We also get all fired up over the lack of education on a lot of these topics that relate to women with ADHD, as well as the challenges we face navigating the medical system with ADHD.

Finally, Jes discusses some of the amazing holistic treatment options available for anyone who struggles with hormonal mood symptoms.

TRIGGER WARNING: Throughout the episode, Jes mentions her experiences with suicidal thoughts during PMDD, so if that subject is a difficult one for you, you might want to sit this episode out. 

Website: hermoodmentor.com

Instagram: @hermoodmentor

Additional links:

Save 10% off any of the following courses with code KATY:

• Symptom Mapper
• Supplement Directory
• Meet Your Menstrual Cycle
• PMDD Rehab

FREE Premenstrual Supplement Directory

A father's perspective on PMDD (Youtube video with Jes’ dad)

Additional references:

Prevalence of hormone-related mood disorder symptoms in women with ADHD (2021)

Prevalence of Premenstrual Syndrome in Autism: A Prospective Observer-rated Study (2008)

Female-specific pharmacotherapy in ADHD: premenstrual adjustment of psychostimulant dosage (2023)

Sex differences in childhood psychopathology: A review. (1979)

Annual Research Review: Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder in girls and women: underrepresentation, longitudinal processes, and key directions (2022)

Reproductive steroids and ADHD symptoms across the menstrual cycle (2018)

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Episode edited by E Podcast Productions

Find the transcript of this episode at www.womenandadhd.com/transcripts

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Small group coaching with Katy: www.womenandadhd.com/groupcoaching

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Work 1-on-1 with Katy: www.womenandadhd.com/coaching

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Order the “Hey, it’s ADHD!” course: www.womenandadhd.com/adhdcourse

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Did you love this episode? Click here to pledge a one-time donation to the podcast!

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If you are a woman who was diagnosed with ADHD and you’d like to apply to be a guest on this podcast, visit womenandadhd.com/podcastguest.

Instagram: @womenandadhdpodcast

Tiktok: @womenandadhdpodcast

Twitter: @womenandadhd

Facebook: @womenandadhd

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Episode 187 with Sarah Collins.

“I’ve probably spent more money on therapy than anything else in my life, and yet nobody ever said anything about ADHD or neurodivergence.”

Sarah is an activist and entrepreneur. Having grown up in apartheid South Africa, Sarah has spent much of her life passionate about social justice and improving the welfare of others, especially when it comes to gender equality and environmental sustainability.

In 2008, Sarah founded Wonderbag, a portable, non-electric slow cooker designed to retain heat and continue cooking food after being brought to a boil. It has enormous versatility, especially for communities in crisis where electricity and fuel are either scarce or non-existent. Wonderbag has won dozens of environmental & leadership achievements over the years, and was voted one of the world's Top 50 Genius Companies by Time Magazine in 2018.

Sarah and I talk about the ups and downs of being a neurodivergent entrepreneur, as well as how neurodiversity intersects with innovation and its potential to spark humanitarian change. And we also talk about the very real hidden costs of being an ADHD entrepreneur, like masking, burnout, and the constant pressure to appear as if you have it all together. 

Sarah is also my coaching client, and we talk about the difference coaching has made in her life since her adult diagnosis. If you’re looking to make that step in your own life, make sure to head over to womenandadhd.com/coaching to book a free introductory consult with me to find out if we’re the right fit. 

Website: wonderbagworld.com

Instagram: @thewonderbag

Additional links:

Wonderbagworld.com: Exclusive 20% discount for listeners: WOMENADHD20

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Episode edited by E Podcast Productions

Find the transcript of this episode at www.womenandadhd.com/transcripts

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Small group coaching with Katy: www.womenandadhd.com/groupcoaching

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Work 1-on-1 with Katy: www.womenandadhd.com/coaching

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Order the “Hey, it’s ADHD!” course: www.womenandadhd.com/adhdcourse

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Did you love this episode? Click here to pledge a one-time donation to the podcast!

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If you are a woman who was diagnosed with ADHD and you’d like to apply to be a guest on this podcast, visit womenandadhd.com/podcastguest.

Instagram: @womenandadhdpodcast

Tiktok: @womenandadhdpodcast

Twitter: @womenandadhd

Facebook: @womenandadhd

Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/women-and-adhd/donations

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Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Episode 186 with Holly D’Arcy.

“Sometimes I cringe at the word ‘resilience,’ but I am grateful for my resilience because I often have to work harder than anybody else in the room to do the same thing.”

Holly is a military spouse, mother, health coach, and competitive athlete who brings a unique perspective to the challenges and triumphs of navigating life with ADHD. Diagnosed at the age of 33, Holly has become passionate about learning all that she can about how ADHD impacts women young and old.  

We talk about the many ways in which ADHD affects our relationship with food, our bodies, and long-term fitness goals. Holly has a passion for helping adult women build confidence and consistency toward their health and fitness. We also talk about her personal training and lifestyle coaching and some of the common goals that she works on with her clients.

Since Holly is a military wife, we talk about structure and discipline, which can be appealing to so many of us with ADHD. And we talk about the pros and cons of having to relocate frequently. 

Websites: hdfitnesscoach.com

Instagram: @hollywaydarcy

Resources & Links:

Marnie Bothmer’s website

Episode 125 of Women & ADHD with Marnie Bothmer

Episode 17 of The ADHD Lounge

Atomic Habits by James Clear

Huff Post article on Joe Wicks

Dr. Joshua Wolrich’s response to Joe Wicks

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Episode edited by E Podcast Productions

Find the transcript of this episode at www.womenandadhd.com/transcripts

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Small group coaching with Katy: www.womenandadhd.com/groupcoaching

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Work 1-on-1 with Katy: www.womenandadhd.com/coaching

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Order the “Hey, it’s ADHD!” course: www.womenandadhd.com/adhdcourse

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Did you love this episode? Click here to pledge a one-time donation to the podcast!

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If you are a woman who was diagnosed with ADHD and you’d like to apply to be a guest on this podcast, visit womenandadhd.com/podcastguest.

Instagram: @womenandadhdpodcast

Tiktok: @womenandadhdpodcast

Twitter: @womenandadhd

Facebook: @womenandadhd

Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/women-and-adhd/donations

Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Episode 185 with Clara Harris.

“I told my therapist how there were so many thoughts swirling in my head — it was just so noisy that my ears were ringing. She paused and said, Um, maybe we should test you for ADHD.”

Clara lives in Louisville, KY, and she is an actor, writer, and producer with over two decades of experience. In 2022, she produced and performed her solo show at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe, the world’s largest performing arts festival. The show is called This Moment in America, a live recorded audio drama and sonic collage of the American psyche. When Clara returned home from this incredible experience, she found she had an empty business account and struggled to reintegrate into life and find a “jobby job” and suddenly felt like a failure. Her longtime therapist suggested she look into ADHD and that’s when the lightbulb went off.

Clara wanted to share her diagnosis story because she knows first hand how lonely this journey can feel, especially as a late-diagnosed woman. We talk about the potpourri of diagnoses Clara received prior to her ADHD diagnosis, as well as finding the right medication. We also talk about some of the ways in which anxiety impacts our daily life and the elaborate systems we develop in order to cope. 

And Clara shares the exciting news about her upcoming studies at University College London pursuing her Masters in audio storytelling. Clara is also the creative force behind Swamp Witch Studio and its audio drama podcast, Night Owl Theatre, which offers live chamber performances in homes and other non-traditional spaces. 

Websites: swampwitchstudio.com ; clara-harris.com

Instagram: @claraharris

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Episode edited by E Podcast Productions

Find the transcript of this episode at www.womenandadhd.com/transcripts

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Small group coaching with Katy: www.womenandadhd.com/groupcoaching

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Work 1-on-1 with Katy: www.womenandadhd.com/coaching

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Order the “Hey, it’s ADHD!” course: www.womenandadhd.com/adhdcourse

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Did you love this episode? Click here to pledge a one-time donation to the podcast!

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If you are a woman who was diagnosed with ADHD and you’d like to apply to be a guest on this podcast, visit womenandadhd.com/podcastguest.

Instagram: @womenandadhdpodcast

Tiktok: @womenandadhdpodcast

Twitter: @womenandadhd

Facebook: @womenandadhd

Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/women-and-adhd/donations

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Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Episode 184 with Melody Hubert.

“My dad always said, ‘You're brilliant, but you have no stick-to-itiveness.’ I did so many different things but I couldn’t stick with anything for long.”

Melody is a 45-year-old radiologic technologist from Central Florida. When her son was little, he was diagnosed with ADHD, but like many parents, it never occurred to her that she could also possibly have ADHD. Many years later, it was a chance conversation with a patient about Melody’s “hobby hopping” that led her down her own rabbit hole to an eventual diagnosis.

We talk about how Melody’s ADHD has impacted her life, including focus, indecision, impulsivity, and “stick-to-itiveness.’ We also talk about the positives of ADHD, including her ability to stay calm in a crisis and juggle multiple part-time jobs while caring for her family members.

We also talk about how an adult ADHD diagnosis feels like you’re swimming in the ocean with other people you suddenly realize they're all standing on a sandbar while you're the only one treading water!

And, you’ll love Melody’s SASSy alternative name for ADHD!

Instagram: @harmony_rk

Links & Resources:

Jessica McCabe’s TedTalk

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Episode edited by E Podcast Productions

Find the transcript of this episode at www.womenandadhd.com/transcripts

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Small group coaching with Katy: www.womenandadhd.com/groupcoaching

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Work 1-on-1 with Katy: www.womenandadhd.com/coaching

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Order the “Hey, it’s ADHD!” course: www.womenandadhd.com/adhdcourse

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Did you love this episode? Click here to pledge a one-time donation to the podcast!

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If you are a woman who was diagnosed with ADHD and you’d like to apply to be a guest on this podcast, visit womenandadhd.com/podcastguest.

Instagram: @womenandadhdpodcast

Tiktok: @womenandadhdpodcast

Twitter: @womenandadhd

Facebook: @womenandadhd

Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/women-and-adhd/donations

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Episode 183 with Laura Mears-Reynolds.

“This isn’t just a new chapter; it really does feel like a new life. My diagnosis not only changed but actually saved my life.”

Laura is an ADHD activist and the host of the popular ADHD AF podcast. Laura's life was not only transformed but saved by her ADHD diagnosis at the age of 38. She wants all people with ADHD to be treated both medically and with the respect they deserve.

We talk about Laura’s journey from lying on the couch to her unstoppable activism, as well as the new ADHDAF+ charity and its mission to educate and overcome the barriers to diagnosis and treatment in the UK healthcare system. 

We also talk about the Leopard Print Army and Laura’s upcoming Alien Nation tour where she brings her unique flavor of community building and activism with a side of bingo and karaoke. This will be her final tour of this kind, so if you’re in or around the UK in the next few months, make sure to get tickets at adhdasfemales.com/events.

Website: adhdasfemales.com

Instagram: @adhdafpodcast

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Episode Sponsor:

Llama Life now has an iOS app! Llama Life is a simple and flexible way to keep you focused throughout your day. Download the new iOS app for a free trial and start enjoying that llama life for yourself!

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Episode edited by E Podcast Productions

Find the transcript of this episode at www.womenandadhd.com/transcripts

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Small group coaching with Katy: www.womenandadhd.com/groupcoaching

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Work 1-on-1 with Katy: www.womenandadhd.com/coaching

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Order the “Hey, it’s ADHD!” course: www.womenandadhd.com/adhdcourse

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Did you love this episode? Click here to pledge a one-time donation to the podcast!

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If you are a woman who was diagnosed with ADHD and you’d like to apply to be a guest on this podcast, visit womenandadhd.com/podcastguest.

Instagram: @womenandadhdpodcast

Tiktok: @womenandadhdpodcast

Twitter: @womenandadhd

Facebook: @womenandadhd

Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/women-and-adhd/donations

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Episode 182 with Alex Gilbert & Katy Weber.

“My ‘To Do’ list feels like a table covered in those buzzers they give you at chain restaurants. Everything feels urgent and everything is competing for my attention.”

You may remember that I have another podcast called The ADHD Lounge, which I co-host with fellow ADHD coach Alex Gilbert. This week I’m sharing one of my favorite episodes from that podcast, in which Alex & I talk about managing ADHD overwhelm.

We identify some of the main causes ADHD overwhelm, as well as decision fatigue and paralysis. We also share some of the strategies we use in our own lives and with our coaching clients, including tools and resources to help them feel more motivated and confident in their progress.

Website: theadhdlounge.com

Instagram: @theadhdlounge

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Episode Sponsor:

Llama Life now has an iOS app! Llama Life is a simple and flexible way to keep you focused throughout your day. Download the new iOS app for a free trial and start enjoying that llama life for yourself!

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Episode edited by E Podcast Productions

Find the transcript of this episode at www.womenandadhd.com/transcripts

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Small group coaching with Katy: www.womenandadhd.com/groupcoaching

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Work 1-on-1 with Katy: www.womenandadhd.com/coaching

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Order the “Hey, it’s ADHD!” course: www.womenandadhd.com/adhdcourse

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Did you love this episode? Click here to pledge a one-time donation to the podcast!

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If you are a woman who was diagnosed with ADHD and you’d like to apply to be a guest on this podcast, visit womenandadhd.com/podcastguest.

Instagram: @womenandadhdpodcast

Tiktok: @womenandadhdpodcast

Twitter: @womenandadhd

Facebook: @womenandadhd

Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/women-and-adhd/donations

Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Episode 181 with Erin & Stephen Mitchell.

“I want to start a support group for partners of people diagnosed in adulthood because they have to listen to us go on and on and on about our ADHD.”

This episode is an interview I did with Erin & Stephen Mitchell for their podcast, Couples Counseling for Parents. I’m a huge fan of this couple and their work and I just loved this conversation so much, and I’m grateful that they’ve allowed me to publish it here.

We talk about how ADHD affects partnerships, especially once kids are introduced to the mix. We also discuss ways to better communicate and foster teamwork when one partner has ADHD, and the importance of reframing ADHD as a joint adventure rather than a solitary battle. And they share some of their own story about being impacted by ADHD symptoms in their parenting partner relationship.

Stephen and Erin Mitchell are co-founders of Couples Counseling For Parents, a relationship development company. They provide parenting partners stage based relationship education to help couples stay connected as they travel through the developmental stages of parenting. Stephen holds a PhD in Medical Family Therapy and Erin holds a Masters in Counseling Psychology. 

They are also the co-authors of the book “Too Tired to Fight: 13 Essential Conflicts Parents Must Have to Keep Their Relationship Strong,” which will be released in July. Use the link below to pre-order.

Website: couplescounselingforparents.com

Instagram: @couples.counseling.for.parents

Links & Resources:

Couples Counseling For Parents podcast

The ADHD Lounge: Episode 7: ADHD & Relationships (Part 1)

Pre-order Too Tired to Fight: 13 Essential Conflicts Parents Must Have to Keep Their Relationship Strong

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Episode Sponsor:

Llama Life now has an iOS app! Llama Life is a simple and flexible way to keep you focused throughout your day. Download the new iOS app for a free trial and start enjoying that llama life for yourself!

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Episode edited by E Podcast Productions

Find the transcript of this episode at www.womenandadhd.com/transcripts

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Small group coaching with Katy: www.womenandadhd.com/groupcoaching

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Work 1-on-1 with Katy: www.womenandadhd.com/coaching

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Order the “Hey, it’s ADHD!” course: www.womenandadhd.com/adhdcourse

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Did you love this episode? Click here to pledge a one-time donation to the podcast!

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If you are a woman who was diagnosed with ADHD and you’d like to apply to be a guest on this podcast, visit womenandadhd.com/podcastguest.

Instagram: @womenandadhdpodcast

Tiktok: @womenandadhdpodcast

Twitter: @womenandadhd

Facebook: @womenandadhd

Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/women-and-adhd/donations

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Episode 180 with Robin Tate.

“It’s given such context to my life. There was such relief in knowing this is just my brain, this is just how it works!”

Robin is an experienced teacher and professional coach. She has a Master’s of Science Degree in Reading and a Master’s of Arts Degree in Counseling. She is trained through the Asperger/Autism Network (AANE) as an AsperCoach as well as a Neurodiverse Couples Coach. 

As a leader in the neurodiversity arena, Robin is setting a new standard for how to think about life through a Neurological lens. She’s committed to helping clients grow and create change in their lives by focusing on their strengths, overcoming challenges, and reaching their goals. Robin also enjoys spending time with her family, growing in her faith and traveling. 

Robin and I talk about her diagnosis 20 years ago at the age of 30 and how her perspective about her own brain has changed since then.

We also talk about giftedness, masking, and the importance of educating all kids about executive functioning as early as possible. 

And we talk about neurodiverse couples coaching and how it differs from couples therapy, as well as some of the specific issues that might come up for couples when one or both partners is neurodivergent, especially around communication and goals.

Website: Robintatellc.com

Instagram: @theneurodiversecouplescoach

Links & Resources:

Uniquely Us: Gracefully Navigating the Maze of Neurodiverse Marriage by Rev. Dr. Stephanie Holmes and Rev. Dan Holmes

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Episode Sponsor:

Llama Life now has an iOS app! Llama Life is a simple and flexible way to keep you focused throughout your day. Download the new iOS app for a free trial and start enjoying that llama life for yourself!

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Episode edited by E Podcast Productions

Find the transcript of this episode at www.womenandadhd.com/transcripts

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Small group coaching with Katy: www.womenandadhd.com/groupcoaching

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Work 1-on-1 with Katy: www.womenandadhd.com/coaching

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Order the “Hey, it’s ADHD!” course: www.womenandadhd.com/adhdcourse

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Did you love this episode? Click here to pledge a one-time donation to the podcast!

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If you are a woman who was diagnosed with ADHD and you’d like to apply to be a guest on this podcast, visit womenandadhd.com/podcastguest.

Instagram: @womenandadhdpodcast

Tiktok: @womenandadhdpodcast

Twitter: @womenandadhd

Facebook: @womenandadhd

Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/women-and-adhd/donations

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Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Episode 179 with Dr. Kathleen Nadeau.

“One of the best ways to help women with ADHD is in groups. We heal each other by understanding each other, laughing together, and not expecting the same perfection we feel the outside world expects of us.”

Dr. Nadeau is a clinical psychologist and founder of The Chesapeake Center, as well as an internationally recognized authority on ADHD.

She is the author or co-author of over a dozen books related to ADHD across the lifespan, from her best-selling book for children, “Learning to Slow Down and Pay Attention”, to her latest book “Still Distracted After All These Years,” which addresses the many factors of growing older with ADHD (because as we all know, you do not outgrow ADHD).

We discuss some of the strategies laid out in Dr. Nadeau’s latest book, such as the importance of maintaining structure, connection, and support as we age. We also address some of the myths and misconceptions about stimulant medications for the over-60 population, and the need for better understanding and treatment of ADHD in older adults, as many healthcare professionals dismiss or minimize the struggles faced by this population.

And we talk about “failure to launch” in younger adults and how difficulties with early adulting skills might lead to a lot of anxiety around aging with ADHD.

Finally, we discuss her upcoming book, “A Clinician's Guide to Women with ADHD: Diagnosis and Treatment” which she is co-writing with Dr. Patricia Quinn, MD, and Dr. Michael Morse, MD. Although there are many books for and about women with ADHD, there is a great need for a clinician's guide to diagnosis and treatment. Women continue to have great difficulty finding knowledgeable physicians and therapists to treat them. This long-overdue book due to be published in 2025 will provide a very straightforward treatment guide for medical and mental health providers. 

Website: thechesapeakecenter.com

Instagram: @thechesapeakecenter

Links & Resources:

Still Distracted After All These Years: Help and Support for Older Adults with ADHD by Dr. Kathleen Nadeau

The Unmade Bed: The Messy Truth about Men and Women in the 21st Century by Stephen Marche

https://www.tiktok.com/@retirementhouse

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Episode Sponsor:

Llama Life now has an iOS app! Llama Life is a simple and flexible way to keep you focused throughout your day. Download the new iOS app for a free trial and start enjoying that llama life for yourself!

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Episode edited by E Podcast Productions

Find the transcript of this episode at www.womenandadhd.com/transcripts

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Small group coaching with Katy: www.womenandadhd.com/groupcoaching

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Work 1-on-1 with Katy: www.womenandadhd.com/coaching

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Order the “Hey, it’s ADHD!” course: www.womenandadhd.com/adhdcourse

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Did you love this episode? Click here to pledge a one-time donation to the podcast!

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If you are a woman who was diagnosed with ADHD and you’d like to apply to be a guest on this podcast, visit womenandadhd.com/podcastguest.

Instagram: @womenandadhdpodcast

Tiktok: @womenandadhdpodcast

Twitter: @womenandadhd

Facebook: @womenandadhd

Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/women-and-adhd/donations

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