The Neurodivergent Struggles Podcast

In this 13th episode of Neurodivergent Struggles, Dr. Kojo Sarfo and Emily explore the emotional intensity of mood swings in people with ADHD and autism. Emily shares how seemingly small frustrations can quickly spiral into overwhelming emotions, while Dr. Kojo explains why neurodivergent people often experience setbacks, perfectionism, and emotional dysregulation more intensely than neurotypical...

In this 12th episode of Neurodivergent Struggles, Dr. Kojo Sarfo and Emily explore avoidance and how it shows up in the lives of neurodivergent people. They discuss procrastination, executive dysfunction, rejection sensitivity, and the tendency to avoid difficult conversations, tasks, or decisions out of fear of conflict, failure, or disappointment. The hosts also examine how avoidance can impact...

In this 11th episode of Neurodivergent Struggles, Dr. Kojo Sarfo and Emily discuss the challenges neurodivergent people face with sleep, nighttime routines, and getting out of bed in the morning. They open up about insomnia, racing thoughts, overstimulation, depression, and how ADHD and autism can constantly battle between craving structure and resisting it. The hosts also share their personal exp...

In this 10th episode of Neurodivergent Struggles, Dr. Kojo Sarfo and Emily discuss what it feels like to be diagnosed with autism and ADHD later in life. Emily reflects on being diagnosed in her late twenties and wonders how different her life could have been if she had received support earlier, while also questioning whether growing up with those labels during that time period may have negatively...

In this 9th episode of Neurodivergent Struggles, Dr. Kojo Sarfo and Emily explore trauma, PTSD, and CPTSD through the lens of autism and ADHD. They discuss how many late-diagnosed neurodivergent individuals carry childhood wounds caused by unmet needs, neglect, poverty, feeling misunderstood, or growing up without the support they needed. The hosts explain how these early experiences can shape att...

In this 8th episode of Neurodivergent Struggles, Dr. Kojo Sarfo and Emily explore sensory overload and how it affects individuals with ADHD and autism. They discuss common triggers such as strong smells, loud environments, and the anxiety around trying new foods, highlighting how routines like sticking to “safe foods” and meal planning can help regulate the nervous system. The conversation shifts...

In this 7th episode of Neurodivergent Struggles, Dr. Kojo Sarfo and Emily explore how neurodivergent individuals, including those with ADHD and autism, often use substances and sex to regulate their nervous systems. They explain how these behaviors can temporarily provide dopamine and a sense of calm, helping manage internal restlessness and emotional intensity. The conversation dives into how sel...

In this 6th episode of Neurodivergent Struggles, Dr. Kojo Sarfo and Emily explore masking in neurodivergent individuals, particularly those with autism and ADHD. They describe masking as adopting a socially acceptable persona to fit in, explaining how it can be useful in certain environments but often comes at the cost of exhaustion, burnout, and a gradual loss of identity. The conversation highli...

In this 5th episode of Neurodivergent Struggles, Dr. Kojo Sarfo and Emily explore limerence, defined as an involuntary infatuation that leads to placing someone on a pedestal and loving the idea of them more than the reality. The co-host shares her experience of staying in a four-year relationship despite early red flags, realizing she was more in love with being in love than with the person himse...

In this 4th episode of Neurodivergent Struggles, Dr. Kojo Sarfo and Emily dive into the topic of self-sabotage and how it often shows up in subtle ways for neurodivergent people. They explain that self-sabotage is not always dramatic, but can look like being late, missing opportunities, impulsive spending, substance use, or drifting from purpose, especially when things are going well or when bored...

In this 3rd episode of Neurodivergent Struggles, Dr. Kojo Sarfo sits down with Emily to discuss neurodivergence, identity, and life as an actor. Emily shares why she prefers the gender-neutral term “actor,” and reflects on how ADHD and autism were often overlooked in girls when she was younger, leading many women to receive diagnoses later in life. Emily opens up about living with high-functioning...

In this 2nd episode of Neurodivergent Struggles, Dr. Kojo Sarfo sits down with Mila and Roberto to talk about friendships through a neurodivergent lens. Mila shares how friendship has begun to feel more convenient and surface-level over time, leading her to become more guarded and self-reliant. Roberto reflects on long-standing friendships from his youth and how a fallout with a close friend resha...

In this 1st episode of Neurodivergent Struggles, Dr. Kojo Sarfo along with Mila Max and Roberto Aguilar talk about signs of autism. They share real life experiences and explain how autism can show up differently in everyday life. The hosts discuss ADHD, autism, and bipolar disorder, including why many people do not get diagnosed until later in life. They talk about feeling different, masking to fi...