The ADHD Channel for Women (formerly MissUnderstood)

In the final episode of our “Breaking the Burnout Cycle” three-part series, host Cate Osborn and Dr. Shauna Pollard explore what comes after burnout. They discuss how burnout can affect your relationships, the importance of communicating your needs clearly, and how to reflect on past experiences to avoid repeating patterns.  Cate and Dr. Shauna also shares practical tips for tuning in to yourself,...

Why do some women with ADHD rush through the courting stage? Dr. Monica Johnson explains what happens in the ADHD brain during courting. From intense texting to early intimacy, the courting stage can look very different for women with ADHD. In this episode, find out what happens in the ADHD brain during courting. Learn how to recognize the difference between real chemistry and manipulation. And ge...

Inattentive ADHD often goes unnoticed. It’s an easier type of ADHD to miss because it’s more internal and less outwardly visible than its hyperactive, impulsive counterpart. But left unaddressed, inattentive ADHD can be just as disruptive. Boys with the inattentive type are especially overlooked — they don’t match the stereotype of what an “ADHD boy” is supposed to look like. So when Brandon Saiz...

Burnout isn’t a weakness. It’s a signal that your body needs real rest.  Dr. Shauna Pollard is back for the second episode in our “Breaking the Burnout Cycle” series to answer the question: What is rest?   Cate and Dr. Pollard talk about what true, restorative rest looks like (hint: it’s not just zoning out on your phone), and how to start taking small, doable steps toward rest when you’re already...

Have you ever met someone and suddenly you’re imagining your wedding playlist — all before the first date? Dr. Monica Johnson weighs in on the science behind crushes and the ADHD brain. In this episode, you’ll learn: What’s happening in your brain during a crush Why women with ADHD often fall fast and hard in relationships How to stay grounded in reality without completely shutting down For more o...

Artificial intelligence has cemented itself as the latest world-altering technology. It follows the same lineage as electricity, the television, the internet — the list goes on.  Depending on who you talk to, AI is the greatest thing ever or the thing that will destroy the world, with lots of room in the middle for discussion and experimentation.  But within the bigger AI fascination, there’s a sm...

Feeling drained, unmotivated, or stuck in survival mode? In part one of our “Breaking the Burnout Cycle” series, host Cate Osborn and psychologist Dr. Shauna Pollard unpack the question: What is burnout? They explore the signs to watch for, how to recognize when you’re in it, and how it’s different from depression. If you’ve been wondering whether what you’re experiencing is burnout, this episode...

Itchy tags, tight clothes, and scratchy fabrics can trigger real ADHD sensory overwhelm. Dr. Monica Johnson explains why it happens and what can help. For many women with ADHD, some clothing isn’t just uncomfortable — it can feel unbearable. This sensory overload can make even getting dressed a challenge. On this episode, you’ll learn: Why sensory overwhelm is more than being “too sensitive” How A...

Craig Thomas is best known for his work on TV. He co-created the sitcom “How I Met Your Mother” and has written for “American Dad” and more. He’s penned songs for “Sesame Street” and essays for “The New Yorker.”  He’s less known for being a dad. For now, at least. He has a daughter, Celia, and a son, Elliot, who was born with Jacobsen syndrome, a genetic condition causing physical and developmenta...

It’s a solo mailbag episode! Host Cate Osborn grabs her trusty D20 to let fate decide which listener emails to answer.  Cate answers some common ADHD questions from navigating ADHD as a woman, to what it means to have a diagnosis, to how symptoms can shift as we age. Related resources Understood Explains podcast season 2: ADHD diagnosis in adults ADHD and: Aging Facebook group: ADHD Support for Wo...

For some women with ADHD, people-pleasing is more than just being nice. It’s a way to cope with feeling overwhelmed or misunderstood. In this episode, Dr. Monica Johnson breaks down what people-pleasing looks like in women with ADHD. Find out how this coping mechanism can impact your life. And learn helpful strategies to stop people-pleasing and live a healthier life. For more on this topic ADHD a...

What if your money problems weren’t just about willpower, but about who you are? In this episode of Sorry, I Missed This , Cate chats with Ellyce Fulmore, financial educator and author of Keeping Finance Personal , about how who you are affects how you deal with money. We cover how things like ADHD, race, gender, and queerness all shape your money habits. Ellyce explains how to understand your own...

Many women with ADHD turn to shopping to cope with stress and anxiety. Buying things can feel good in the moment. But it often leads to regret, overspending, and money struggles. In this episode, Dr. Monica Johnson explains how too much shopping can become a form of self-sabotage for women with ADHD. She also shares simple tips to help take back control of spending and avoid money problems.  For m...

One of the most inevitable questions that comes with early adulthood is also one of the most fraught: “When are you having kids?”  The question is loaded with assumptions and pressure. It also seems to ignore the fact that having kids is supposed to be a choice, not a requirement.  For neurodivergent people, especially those with ADHD, deciding whether to become a parent can be even more complex. ...

For some women with ADHD, talking about boundaries can feel hard or scary. It’s not just about knowing your limits, but how to say them so others clearly understand. In this episode, Dr. Monica Johnson explains why ADHD makes it hard for women to talk about boundaries. Find out how communication styles can help make setting limits easier. For more on this topic: ADHD and setting boundaries  Settin...

We’re picking up where we left off last time on Hyperfocus for the conclusion of our two-part series on the R-word’s resurgence.  Today, we meet a comedy writer who shares his personal evolution with the word and hear from a disability advocate.  We’ll also learn more from our research correspondent, Dr. KJ Wynne, and have producer Cody Nelson back on to hear from host Rae Jacobson about what she’...

Ever wondered if your therapist gets you, or if therapy is even working? You’re not alone. This week, Dr. Elizabeth Kilmer is back to unpack the complicated, sometimes confusing, always human relationship between therapist and client (especially when ADHD is in the mix). Host Cate Osborn and Elizabeth dig into how different types of therapy work, how to tell if therapy is actually helping, and wha...

Many women with ADHD struggle to manage their emotions. Strong feelings like anger, sadness, and guilt tend to come on fast and feel hard to control. This can make everyday life feel confusing and overwhelming. In this episode, Dr. Monica Johnson explains how ADHD makes it harder to manage emotions. Find out why feelings like anger, sadness, and frustration can feel so strong for ADHD women to man...

Last year, Rae and Cody at Team Hyperfocus noticed something unnerving: The R-word was coming back into public discourse. People, especially people in power, seemed to be using it more often, and more freely.  We weren’t the only ones who’d spotted this upsetting trend. Researchers, disability advocates, and other journalists were also concerned. If this word, long considered a slur, was being use...

Do you have a lot of clutter in your home? Does this clutter prevent you from doing other things, like finding the things you need, or inviting guests over?  This week on Tips from an ADHD Coach , Jaye discusses how it’s common for those of us with ADHD to have a lot of clutter in our home — clutter that we have a lot of emotional connection to, and also, a lot of frustration about. This is also t...

Forget what you’ve seen in movies: BDSM isn’t one-size-fits-all. As Dr. Leann Borneman explains, it’s more of an à la carte menu where consent, communication, and personal boundaries come first. You can take what works for you and leave the rest. Host Cate Osborn talks with clinical sexologist Dr. Borneman about the intersection of BDSM, neurodivergence, and executive function. They explore how so...

Many women with ADHD often forget things, like where they left their keys or what they needed to buy at the store. This forgetfulness can make daily life feel frustrating and hard to handle. In this episode, Dr. Monica Johnson explains how ADHD can lead to forgetfulness. Find out how this ADHD symptom affects women in unique ways. And learn helpful strategies to better manage it. Related resources...

Have you been told you’re “too dramatic”? Have people responded to the way you’ve reacted to things with invalidating statements, like “it’s not that big of a deal,” “you’re overreacting,” or “you’re too sensitive”? This week on Tips from an ADHD Coach , Jaye talks about how ADHD can make it harder for us to manage our emotional responses and how this can create a snowball effect of negative emoti...

Grief can be overwhelming for anyone — but for people with ADHD, it can show up in surprising ways. Therapist Rachel Hopkins joins host Cate Osborn to unpack the intersection of ADHD and grief. They discuss how time blindness, emotional intensity, and memory challenges can shape the grieving process — and how ADHDers might mourn in nonlinear, unconventional ways. Rachel also offers some insights f...

Many women often feel overwhelmed at work. But for those with ADHD, the stress can be even greater. In this episode, Dr. Monica Johnson takes a closer look at how ADHD manifests differently in women at work. Learn about common stressors women with ADHD face. And get strategies on how to better manage workplace stress and feel more in control. Related resources ADHD and women 5 ways ADHD can affect...