Climbing the Walls: Stories from ADHD Camp
Podcast Information:
- Title: Climbing the Walls
- Host/Author: Understood.org
- Description: Climbing the Walls is an investigative limited-series podcast by Understood.org that delves into why women were historically underdiagnosed with ADHD and examines how the surge in diagnoses post-pandemic is reshaping our understanding of the condition.
- Episode: Stories from ADHD Camp
- Release Date: April 30, 2025
Introduction: The Modern ADHD Phenomenon
In the opening segment, host Danielle Elliott sets the stage by highlighting a concerning trend: the average attention span has decreased from 12 seconds to 8 seconds over the past quarter-century. She references Johann Hari's 2022 book, Stolen Focus, which explores how modern life—characterized by pervasive technology, pollution, and fast-paced living—might be contributing to a rise in ADHD-like symptoms across the population.
Danielle shares her personal connection to the topic, having read Hari's book after a recommendation from a partner grappling with his own ADHD symptoms. She summarizes Hari’s experiment of living in a secluded seaside town, disconnecting from technology, and observing significant improvements in focus and mental clarity. This experiment led Hari to propose that modern life's "addiogenic culture" might be inducing ADHD-like symptoms even in those without a genetic predisposition. Danielle introduces the notion that while increased ADHD diagnoses might risk misdiagnosis, they also shed light on how modern conditions exacerbate ADHD symptoms for those genuinely affected.
The ADHD Family Camp: An Oasis of Understanding
Approximately two weeks after an impromptu invitation, Danielle attends an ADHD family camp hosted by the Hallowells at a boarding school in northern Michigan. She notes the camp's deliberate departure from the frenetic pace of modern life, providing a tranquil environment where children with ADHD can play freely, and parents can engage in meaningful connection and support.
Upon arrival, Danielle observes the camp’s welcoming atmosphere. Ned Hallowell, a leading ADHD expert, greets participants with humor:
“That's okay. This is ADD land. We don't expect everybody on time.” (03:07)
The camp serves as a safe haven where women from diverse backgrounds feel comfortable sharing their ADHD experiences candidly. Danielle emphasizes the collective yearning for greater awareness and improved treatment options among the participants, highlighting the camp's role in fostering a supportive community.
Personal Stories: Women Navigating Late ADHD Diagnoses
Tamsin’s Journey: Shock and Acceptance
Tamsin, a 48-year-old woman from the UK residing in California, shares her recent ADHD diagnosis and its profound impact on her life. She recounts how years of battling depression and questioning whether her struggles were due to life circumstances or ADHD left her blindsided by the diagnosis:
“So much of my life now makes sense. Like, decisions I've made, friendships I've had, careers I've chosen, laundry piles.” (09:20)
However, Tamsin also expresses fears about others perceiving her ADHD as a personal failing:
“That's my biggest fear of being like, oh, now we can, like, you know, every argument I've ever had, oh, it's because you're shit.” (09:35)
Her story underscores the emotional complexity of receiving an ADHD diagnosis later in life, balancing relief with anxiety about self-perception and relationships.
Elaine’s Path: From Overwhelm to Empowerment
Elaine, a volunteer at the camp and a nurse from rural Michigan, shares her transformative journey with ADHD. Initially dismissing her diagnosis due to familial and professional responsibilities, a pivotal moment of personal crisis led her to seek support:
“I gotta do something. Either I'm gonna learn to do some. Stuff and rework my life, or I'm gonna fall apart.” (12:24)
Elaine highlights the challenges of accessing ADHD care in underserved areas and the crucial role of the camp in providing her with the necessary support. Her initiative to create a makeshift mail center at the camp exemplifies her commitment to fostering community among parents:
“Thank you. That will never happen to me again. That meant a lot to me.” (11:07)
Elaine's story illustrates the intersection of personal resilience and community support in managing ADHD.
Michelle’s Struggle: Overcoming Stigma and Finding Help
Michelle, a 52-year-old nurse practitioner, recounts her delayed ADHD diagnosis and the hurdles she faced in seeking recognition and support. Initially dismissing her symptoms despite a familial history of ADHD, Michelle encountered significant resistance from her addiction support group:
“They were like, I can't believe you're falling for that online stuff. It's such crap.” (18:40)
Undeterred, Michelle pursued a formal diagnosis, which brought transformative changes to her life:
“I'm not running crisis to crisis anymore, you know, and I don't know if that was more my alcoholism and certainly the adhd.” (20:35)
Her experience underscores the pervasive stigma surrounding ADHD and addiction, as well as the importance of persistent self-advocacy in obtaining appropriate care.
Nancy’s Legacy: Breaking Generational Cycles
Nancy, a 74-year-old grandmother, shares her lifelong struggles with undiagnosed ADHD and the challenges of addressing it later in life. Diagnosed after her granddaughter and daughter were identified with ADHD, Nancy reflects on the compounded difficulties of managing ADHD without prior understanding:
“Everything is hard. My struggle made me feel not good enough.” (28:52)
Despite frustrations with the delayed diagnosis, Nancy expresses hope through her family's new understanding and support:
“You know, that's just the way of the world. ... there’s been progress made.” (31:41)
Nancy's narrative highlights the generational impact of ADHD diagnosis and the potential for familial support to mitigate long-standing challenges.
Recurring Themes and Insights
Throughout the episode, several key themes emerge:
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Late Diagnoses in Women:
- Most women featured were diagnosed in their 40s or 50s, often due to historical biases and lack of awareness about how ADHD presents in women.
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Impact of Modern Life:
- The "addiogenic culture"—characterized by constant connectivity and overstimulation—appears to exacerbate ADHD symptoms, making them more noticeable and impairing.
-
Gender Disparities:
- Women’s ADHD symptoms are often misattributed to other factors like anxiety, depression, or life circumstances, delaying accurate diagnosis and treatment.
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Role of Perimenopause and Menopause:
- For some women, hormonal changes during perimenopause and menopause can intensify ADHD symptoms, prompting late diagnoses.
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Community and Support:
- The camp serves as a critical support system, illustrating the importance of community in managing ADHD and fostering mutual understanding among participants.
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Access to Care:
- Elaine's story particularly highlights the struggle for adequate ADHD care in underserved communities, suggesting a broader issue of accessibility and affordability.
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Generational Impact:
- Nancy’s experience demonstrates how diagnosing and treating ADHD in one generation can benefit subsequent generations, potentially breaking cycles of misunderstanding and neglect.
Conclusion: Progress Amidst Persistent Challenges
As Danielle reflects on her time at the ADHD camp, she acknowledges significant progress in awareness and diagnosis, particularly among women who previously went unrecognized. However, she also notes ongoing deficiencies in care access and the emotional complexities that accompany late diagnoses.
The episode closes with Danielle noting that every woman she spoke to at the camp was diagnosed later in life, largely due to past gatekeeping and misrecognition of ADHD symptoms in women. She raises important questions about whether life stages like perimenopause could be tipping women from mild ADHD traits to more severe symptoms, contributing to the recent spike in diagnoses.
A concluding anecdote from Sue Hollowell, who discovered her ADHD during perimenopause despite being surrounded by expertise in the field, encapsulates the episode’s central message:
“But it’s always a bit annoying about the way women are treated. So now being a woman and having ADHD, it's like this double whammy of like being annoyed about the way the world is.” (26:52)
Danielle leaves listeners contemplating the multi-generational benefits of increased ADHD awareness and the imperative to continue improving access to care, ensuring that more women can receive timely diagnoses and support.
Notable Quotes
- Danielle Elliott: “Here's a not at all fun fact. The average attention span has dropped from 12 seconds to 8 seconds in the last 25 years or so.” (00:00)
- Tamsin: “Why I got diagnosed with ADHD two weeks ago.” (05:43)
- Elaine: “I just need someone to clap for me.” (10:39)
- Michelle: “I'm not running crisis to crisis anymore, you know.” (20:35)
- Nancy: “I was born too soon, that they didn't have the diagnosis.” (30:04)
Final Thoughts: Climbing the Walls effectively highlights the nuanced and deeply personal journeys of women navigating late ADHD diagnoses. By sharing these stories, the podcast underscores the importance of ongoing advocacy, improved diagnostic practices, and accessible treatment options to support women and their families in understanding and managing ADHD.
This episode was produced by Danielle Elliott, with contributions from Neil Drumming (Editing), Cody Nelson (Sound Design), and a dedicated team at Understood.org.