Podcast Summary: "I Have ADHD Podcast"

Episode 378: Sensational Headlines vs. Science: ADHD Under Attack (Again)

Host: Kristen Carder
Date: February 17, 2026

Overview

In this solo episode, Kristen Carder dives into the controversial media narratives swirling around ADHD, particularly focusing on a recent Wall Street Journal article that frames ADHD medication as the beginning of a dangerous "drug cascade" for children. She also answers listener voicemails about self-trust, emotional regulation, and defensiveness, and shares research on how perimenopause affects women with ADHD. Kristen brings her characteristic humor, candor, and validation while encouraging listeners to look beyond sensational headlines and focus on science and self-knowledge.

Key Discussions & Insights

1. Community & Housekeeping

• Kristen welcomes listeners and shares her appreciation for the podcast community, emphasizing her own need for podcast “body doubles” during mundane tasks. She encourages subscribing and rating the show.
• Briefly mentions her downloadable symptoms list for listeners exploring ADHD (ihaveadhd.com), designed to help users articulate their experiences to clinicians.
  (06:10–08:40)

2. Listener Voicemails & Coaching

A. Building Self-Trust with ADHD

(08:40–16:29)
Caller: Kristen

• Struggles with trusting the systems she sets up for time blindness and following through.
• Over-plans and constantly double-checks, leading to exhaustion.

Kristen's Advice:

• “The first step with self-trust is recognizing what you are doing right and maybe even creating some concrete evidence for your brain.” (10:54)
• Reassure yourself instead of compulsively checking: “Your job... is to reassure yourself. 'Hey, we're good. I got you.'”(13:13)
• Prepare for mishaps by knowing you can handle problems if systems fail.
• Self-trust is a process—acknowledge progress and add emotional regulation.
• For deeper work, Kristen offers a course within her FOCUSED program.

B. Self-Regulation and Emotional Control in Meetings

(16:29–23:00)
Caller: Allan

• Struggles to stay quiet in meetings, feels compelled to speak/teach.
• Wonders if this is common with ADHD.

Kristen's Advice:

• “This is a self-regulation issue... your brain is flooding you with, 'We gotta say something.'” (17:14)
• Observe the urgency, breathe deeply, create space in your body for the feeling without acting on it.
• Use techniques like deep breathing, counting, or fidgeting to redirect energy:
  “You are responsible to control what comes out of your mouth. That’s where we need to start.” (20:49)

C. Defensiveness and Rejection Sensitivity

(23:00–28:29)
Caller: Allan (cont’d)

• Feels intense need to explain/defend himself when criticized.

Kristen's Validation:

• “You come by that honestly... it’s a wound from probably a lifetime of misunderstanding, correction, criticism.” (23:00)
• Emotional regulation again: Allow feedback to be uncomfortable but avoid immediate defensiveness.
• Practical phrases: “I appreciate you sharing that with me. I’m going to sit with that for a little while.” (25:30)
• Suggests trauma-informed therapy or coaching for deeper wounds (rejection sensitivity, misunderstood identity).

3. Research Spotlight: Perimenopause and ADHD

(33:06–39:35)

• Topic: Women with ADHD experience perimenopausal symptoms earlier (often by mid-30s) and more severely than neurotypical women.
• Symptoms: Irregular periods, hot flashes, mood swings, cognitive fog, etc.
• Kristen expresses validation: “I’m so glad it’s being studied and shared.”
• Critiques healthcare providers who dismiss early symptoms for women with ADHD.
• Recommends MIDI Health as an option for those seeking specialized care.

Notable Quote:
“Women with ADHD have higher prevalence of severe perimenopausal symptoms. These present at an earlier age... indicating an earlier onset age of perimenopause in ADHD.” (citing study at 36:40)

4. Main Topic: Reacting to Sensationalist Media Coverage of ADHD

(39:35–59:00)

A. The Wall Street Journal’s Framing

• Plays and reacts to a social media reel summarizing the WSJ article “Millions of kids are on ADHD pills. For many, it’s the start of a drug cascade.”
• Kristen calls immediate attention to the ominous framing—“Dun, dun, dun... right off the bat, it’s ominous.” (39:40)

B. Story of Danielle Gansky

• Danielle was medicated at 7, then prescribed multiple other psychiatric medications, totaling 14 by her late 20s.
• Kristen acknowledges the tragedy but calls it “an outlying example” not indicative of most ADHD treatment journeys.
• “This is negligent journalism... this is such an outlying example... to highlight Danielle’s story as an example of what happens for kids prescribed ADHD medication is not the norm.” (41:56)

C. Research & Medication Framing

• WSJ admits: “Clinical trials have shown that ADHD medications are safe and effective for many patients.” (44:34)
• Kristen: “Why isn’t that what’s highlighted? In my experience, and what research shows... ADHD medication is helpful, can be a lifesaver, and is proven over decades.” (44:39)
• WSJ then pivots to concerns about “drug cascades” and multiple medications but fails to mention comorbidities.
• Kristen points out: “ADHD often does not travel alone” (46:22) – many with ADHD also have anxiety, depression, etc.

D. Therapy Access & Parental Choices

• Highlights real barriers: lack of accessible, effective behavioral therapy for children.
• Expresses deep empathy for parents who choose medication due to lack of options:
  “If you don’t have the luxury of staying home, and your kid is getting kicked out of preschool... what choice does a parent have?” (48:32)
• Calls for more and better family-focused therapeutic interventions.

E. Critique of Sensationalist Framing

• Kristen’s alternative “nuanced” message:
  “Trust your parental intuition... ADHD medications have been researched and found to be safe and effective.” (53:34)
• Warns against allowing rare negative stories to fuel fear and stigma.
• Finds comfort in supportive, critical comments left under the original WSJ reel.

Notable Quotes:

• “These types of things, especially in the political climate... it’s really important to clock it when there’s fear-mongering going on.” (56:09)
• “Don’t let one person’s story... especially an outlier... dictate decisions for everyone.” (58:15)

Notable Quotes & Moments with Timestamps

• “Your job... is to reassure yourself. 'Hey, we're good. I got you.'” (13:13 – on self-trust)
• “You are responsible to control what comes out of your mouth.” (20:49 – on speaking out in meetings)
• “It’s a wound from probably a lifetime of misunderstanding, correction, criticism.” (23:00 – on defensiveness)
• “Women with ADHD have higher prevalence of severe perimenopausal symptoms. These present at an earlier age.” (36:40)
• “This is negligent journalism... to highlight Danielle’s story as an example... is not the norm.” (41:56)
• “ADHD often does not travel alone.” (46:22)
• “Don’t let one person’s story... dictate decisions for everyone.” (58:15)

Important Timestamps

• 04:14: Episode theme introduced: voicemails, ADHD science, reaction to WSJ article.
• 08:40: Kristen’s voicemail about self-trust.
• 16:29: Allan’s voicemail (speaking out in meetings).
• 23:00: Allan (defensiveness and rejection sensitivity).
• 33:06: ADHD & perimenopause research.
• 39:35: Start of WSJ article reaction.
• 53:34: Kristen reframes the media narrative for ADHD parents.

Tone & Style

Kristen is candid, validating, occasionally fiery (“We got a little feisty.”), and laces support for her listeners with humor and real-world examples. She maintains a collegial, encouraging tone and grounds advice in both lived experience and scientific research.

Conclusion

Kristen Carder urges listeners to be savvy consumers of ADHD content—especially when confronting sensationalist, fear-driven narratives in mainstream media. She champions research, lived experience, and community support as better guides for ADHD decision-making than clickbait headlines. The episode closes with a call to be skeptical, to seek evidence, and to trust oneself and one’s values.

For More:

• Courses and coaching: ihaveadhd.com/focused
• Free ADHD Symptoms list: ihaveadhd.com
• Episode references and links available in show notes.