"You Are A Lot" (an ADHD/AuDHD podcast)

In this episode: I talk about a scientific study published in early 2024 that found that early humans with ADHD-like tendencies (impulsivity, an urge for risk taking, and an inability to stay still for too long) are a big reason why our species not only survived but developed certain levels of survival intelligence. For ad-free episodes, video versions, transcripts, and a second ad-free Patreon on...

In this episode: I talk about the complex and interesting history of ADHD. The symptoms were recognized as a condition since the 1800's but was seen as a moral failing in children, it was then recognized as a physiological brain problem in children in the 1900's, stimulant medications began to be used as treatment in the 1960's but by the 1970's there was backlash, and in the 1990's many organizat...

In this episode: I talk about how there is so much more to time management than actually completing to-do lists, or finding the perfect productivity method. Instead, I talk about how when we think we are trying to make a schedule, we may be unconsciously trying to master time itself, which can't be done. And that deep at the heart of trying to get to 'inbox zero' before tackling what actually matt...

In this episode: I talk about how the DSM (The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders) is failing people with ADHD because the diagnosis criteria is incomplete. The DSM-5 overemphasizes mythologized symptoms, and doesn't list emotional regulation issues which are at the core of executive dysfunction. This can prevent people with ADHD from being diagnosed and getting the treatment th...

In this episode: I talk about the very real ways that estrogen levels affect ADHD positively and negatively due to the relationship between Estrogen and our executive functions during a menstrual cycle, pregnancy, post-partum depression, peri-menopause and menopause.  For ad-free episodes, video versions, transcripts, and a second ad-free Patreon only episode every Friday - support Jen by subscrib...

In this episode: I help everyone get their facts straight about ADHD and I debunk the "alternative facts" that are out there such as: ADHD is not a real medical issue, everyone has ADHD, ADHD is overdiagnosed, and taking ADHD medication is dangerous and addictive. For ad-free episodes, video versions, transcripts, and a second ad-free Patreon only episode every Friday - support Jen by subscribing...

In this episode: I talk about the similarities on the surface between Narcissistic Personality Disorder and ADHD but I point out the major differences between the neurological developmental disorder (ADHD) and the personality disorder (NPD). For ad-free episodes, video versions, transcripts, and a second ad-free Patreon only episode every Friday - support Jen by subscribing to Patreon at just $7.9...

In this episode: I talk about the little known flip-side of Rejection Sensitivity known as Recognition Response Euphoria (RRE) coined by Dr. Ned Hallowell. RRE is a euphoric and motivating feeling experienced by an ADHD-er who has been praised or encouraged and how this is an important part of combating despair and maintaining resilience as a neurodivergent in a neurotypical world. For ad-free epi...

In this episode: I talk about Rejection Sensitivity Dysphoria. RSD affects 98% people with ADHD and is an intense emotional response caused by the perception that we've disappointed others in our life and will now be rejected, abandoned, unloved as a consequence. I talk about how RSD feels in my body and I read lots of comments from my listeners about how they experience RSD. You're not alone!  Fo...

In this episode: I talk about scientific studies on the links between ADHD and trauma. ADHD is not caused by childhood trauma but having ADHD in childhood can cause trauma which changes the chemistry of the brain. It's complex, nuanced and a great example of "correlation does not equal causation." For ad-free episodes, video versions, transcripts, and a second ad-free Patreon only episode every Fr...

In this episode: I provide some expert methods to handle intense emotions. Topics include - building emotional resiliency, naming feelings, how to interrupt a possible blowup, and working with your ADHD nervous system. For ad-free episodes, video versions, transcripts, and a second ad-free Patreon only episode every Friday - support Jen by subscribing to Patreon at just $7.99/mo or get 15% off if...

In this episode: I talk about my personal experience with being emotionally intense and lashing out without understanding what was going on in my brain. I explain the science behind the ADHD brain and how/why neurodivergent brains get flooded, experience meltdowns, shutdowns, sadness, low self-esteem, getting carried away with emotion and not being able to tolerate feeling many emotions at once. A...

In this episode: I give my thoughts on what to do once you think you might have ADHD from how to get a diagnosis, shop for a therapist or psychiatrist or coach, and how to advocate for yourself when supposed professionals aren't that up-to-speed on the most current ADHD findings. For ad-free episodes, video versions, transcripts, and a second ad-free Patreon only episode every Friday - support Jen...

In this episode: I talk about how New Year's Resolutions don't work with my ADHD, and I give advice on how NOT to make resolutions, how not to set yourself up to fail, get out of fantasy and accept yourself, and rethink how to see your year ahead. For ad-free episodes, video versions, transcripts, and a second ad-free Patreon only episode every Friday - support Jen by subscribing to Patreon at jus...

In this episode: I impart some wisdom from my research written by ADHD experts about the ADHD Iceberg, symptoms and types of ADHD, the definition of executive functions, what it looks like for an ADHD person with executive dysfunction, why ADHD is known as the "invisible disorder" and not functioning well in a neurotypical world. For ad-free episodes, video versions, transcripts, and a second ad-f...

In this episode: I talk about how I was a chronic plans canceler until I realized that this came from my lack of executive functioning around keeping a schedule and with some simple (but not easy for the ADHD person) readjustments to how I organize my time, I am becoming someone who builds in time for the ADHD collapse and I can cancel less on my friends. For ad-free episodes, video versions, tran...

In this episode: I talk about those weird things that I always thought were personality quirks or flaws but are actually very common ADHD traits like sitting on the floor, re-heating coffee all day long, sitting in strange positions in chairs, an existential dread about laundry and more! For ad-free episodes, video versions, transcripts, and a second ad-free Patreon only episode every Friday - sup...

In this episode: I talk about how the nagging feeling of being overwhelmed brought me to my ADHD diagnosis. I also discusses: the difference between actually having too much to do and the phantom feeling of overwhelm which can't be solved with a to-do list and how to cope with overwhelm. For ad-free episodes, video versions, transcripts, and a second ad-free Patreon only episode every Friday - sup...