Podcast Summary:
ADHD for Smart Ass Women with Tracy Otsuka
Episode 315: Rebecca Barrera - Making ADHD Her Advantage in Nursing and Life
Release Date: January 15, 2025
Host: Tracy Otsuka
Guest: Rebecca Barrera
Episode Overview
This episode features Tracy Otsuka in conversation with Rebecca Barrera, a pre-op nurse from South Carolina. Together, they dive into Rebecca’s personal journey with ADHD, exploring how early experiences, family support, and tailored strategies allowed her to transform her perceived challenges into strengths—especially in her nursing career. The episode is a blend of advocacy, practical insight, and empowering advice aimed at helping ADHD women embrace the unique wiring of their brains.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
1. Rebecca’s ADHD Diagnosis: Early Struggles & Stigma
- Rebecca shares a candid and impactful diagnosis story:
- Labelled as potentially "intellectually disabled" in kindergarten (Rebecca: "My teachers...said that I wasn't learning and there was nothing they basically could do..." [04:11])
- Her mother’s advocacy, alongside a supportive teacher (Stacia Thacker), altered her educational trajectory ([04:49]-[05:57])
- Importance of adult advocacy:
- “My mom was my biggest advocator. I'll say it for forever.” — Rebecca [08:34]
- Medication journey:
- Initial trial of Adderall led to side effects; eventually, Concerta/methylphenidate worked ([08:48]-[09:16])
- Family and teachers noticed an immediate positive shift, but Rebecca struggled with feeling “not herself” on medication ([09:16]-[09:28])
- Medication as a tool, not a solution:
- “Medication is just so extreme.” — Rebecca [10:14]
- Grew to use medication selectively, focusing on test days or when especially needed ([12:49]-[13:05])
2. School Experience: Learning, Testing, and Reframing ‘Smart’
- Curiosity mistaken for 'trouble':
- “I would stare at people... I asked a lot of questions. I always ask a lot of questions in school.” — Rebecca [13:11]
- Academic performance improved over time:
- After early challenges, ultimately achieved A/B grades through hard work and adaptive strategies ([20:50]-[22:00])
- Standardized tests were a struggle until she received accommodations for extra time, resulting in a significant ACT score jump ([22:05]-[23:21])
- Faced skepticism over her improved scores (“They thought I was cheating when my score went up.” — Rebecca [31:06])
- On intelligence and learning:
- Both Tracy and Rebecca challenge traditional definitions of "smart"
- Tracy: “What is the kind of intelligence that actually helps you move... forward in life? I would say it’s emotional intelligence first.” [20:16]
3. Understanding ADHD: Beyond the Stereotypes
- Broader symptoms than just focus/hyperactivity:
- Rebecca reflects on emotional hyperactivity and overthinking:
“Now it’s like, oh my gosh, this is why you ruminate. This is why you’re a perfectionist. This is why you think and feel so deeply...” [17:02]
- Rebecca reflects on emotional hyperactivity and overthinking:
- Need for better educator training in neurodiversity:
- “Teachers need to...know more about ADHD and really what it is... because again, it always goes back to what everyone thinks ADHD is, from a very minuscule view.” — Rebecca [16:40]
4. Finding Her Fit in Nursing
- Why nursing suits many ADHD women:
- “Nursing offers freedom... variety in a fast-paced environment... [and] nurses have to think on their feet, solve problems creatively...” — Tracy [02:19]
- Rebecca’s personal connection:
- Interested in medicine and science from high school onward ([29:06])
- Found studying challenging but could hyperfocus on subjects of interest; credits grit and perfectionism ([28:59]-[30:07])
- Real-world experience vs. textbook learning:
- “What I learned was from experience, from being in the field of nursing...just because you can’t get the grades...doesn’t mean you can’t be this great nurse.” — Rebecca [30:36]
5. Thriving as an ADHD Nurse
- Job fit and daily routines:
- Values pre-op role for its variety and personal interaction ([32:57]-[33:35])
- “There are people that you genuinely have a connection with... You made this experience so much easier. ...I’ve cried secretly multiple times after holding it in, talking to family members...” [34:32-34:40]
- ADHD traits in the workplace:
- Energy, empathy, creative problem-solving seen as assets
- Coping strategies: medication management, taking walks to decompress, prioritizing sleep ([36:12]-[42:41])
- “I definitely have to cope and manage... I take medicine usually when I work, which definitely helps...” — Rebecca [36:12]
6. Medication in Adulthood: Choice and Adjustment
- Dosage and tolerance have changed as an adult
- “Yes, it makes me a little...different, but not in a bad way...I’m happy on it. I’m just chill, focused and able to control my emotions, my impulsivity, all of it.” — Rebecca [37:54]
7. Advice & Workarounds for ADHD Women
- On not letting ADHD define you:
- “You cannot let your shortcomings and your failures from your weaknesses, from bad ADHD traits...define you or make you feel like you’re not capable.” — Rebecca [39:46]
- “You have to let it teach you every day coping skills...embrace the traits...use your traits to the best...try to...rein it in and be aware.” [41:02]
- Workarounds:
- Daily solo walks to ‘decompress’ during lunch [42:41]
- Prioritizing good sleep [42:53]
- Adjusting work schedule to support her brain and life balance [43:51-43:59]
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
-
On early stigma and support:
- Tracy: “No one ever made a difference by being too little.” [01:32]
- Rebecca: “If it wasn’t for [my mom], you would not be how successful you are.” [08:34]
-
On medication and discovery:
- Tracy: “I swear I have this theory...being on the medication, even for that short period of time, it kind of taught you what you needed to do. And so your brain changed.” [11:00]
- Rebecca: “It rewired itself. 100%.” [11:15]
-
On intelligence and success:
- Tracy: “What is the kind of intelligence that actually helps you move, really move forward in life? I would say it’s emotional intelligence first...” [20:16]
-
On career fit:
- Rebecca: “When I’m interested in something, it’s a whole different ball game. I can pay attention.” [27:56]
-
On the value of empathy and connection in nursing:
- Rebecca: “There are people that you genuinely have a connection with...You made this experience so much easier...I’ve cried secretly multiple times...” [34:32-34:40]
-
Empowering advice for ADHD women:
- Rebecca: “You cannot victimize yourself, you cannot feel bad for yourself or make excuses. You have to let it show you or teach you every day coping skills.” [39:46]
- “In every one of those weaknesses, there is an opposing strength.” — Tracy [42:17]
Timestamps for Key Segments
- Rebecca’s diagnosis & early school experiences: 04:11–13:05
- Medication: pros, cons & personal evolution: 08:34–13:05, 36:07–39:33
- Academics, standardized test struggles & accommodations: 20:50–23:21, 31:06–32:08
- Choosing & thriving in nursing: 27:46–34:40
- Managing ADHD symptoms & daily routines: 36:12–42:53
- Empowering advice & encouraging mindset: 39:46–42:41
- Workarounds (walks, sleep, schedule): 42:41–44:41
Connect with Rebecca Barrera
- Instagram: @bexb1229
- LinkedIn: B Barrera (bbarrera1229)
Takeaways
- Advocacy and support, especially from family or teachers, can dramatically shift the trajectory for ADHD children.
- Traditional definitions of intelligence are limiting; emotional intelligence and empathy are equally (if not more) important for life success.
- Medication can be a valuable tool, but must be tailored and may serve different roles across life stages.
- Finding a career that capitalizes on ADHD strengths—variety, empathy, flexible thinking—can transform what feels like a liability into an advantage.
- Self-acceptance, daily coping strategies, and an empowering mindset are essential for ADHD success.
This episode is an uplifting and instructive listen for anyone seeking to reframe ADHD as a wellspring of hidden gifts rather than merely hurdles to overcome.