Podcast
The ADHD Channel for Women (formerly MissUnderstood)
Hosted by Understood.org · EN
From Understood, this is The ADHD Channel for Women (formerly MissUnderstood) — the first-ever podcast channel for women with ADHD.
For decades, women with ADHD have been overlooked and undiagnosed. That’s finally beginning to change. But there’s still so far to go.
That’s where The ADHD Channel for Women comes in. We’re a channel made by women with ADHD, for women with ADHD. And we’re talking about the things we want to hear. Women with ADHD need (good!) information, smart takes on ADHD topics, and so much more.
Hang out with Cate Osborn and guests as they discuss ADHD, relationships, and sex on Sorry, I Missed This. Get answers to ADHD questions you didn’t know you had from Dr. Monica Johnson on ADHD and…. Or join journalist Rae Jacobson on Hyperfocus for deep dives, personal stories, and real talk about neurodivergence.
42episodes
Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
ADHD and perimenopause: Why your symptoms are suddenly worse
1w ago00:15:02Tap to summarizeIf your ADHD symptoms have spiked out of nowhere, perimenopause might be the culprit. Estrogen plays a direct role in dopamine regulation. When it fluctuates, your focus, memory, and emotional regulation take the hit. This episode breaks down exactly what’s happening in your brain, why the strategies that used to work may be failing you now, and how to adjust your support system for this stage of life. For more on this topic Listen: ADHD and: Menopause Watch: ADHD and hormones For a transcript and more resources, visit The ADHD Channel for Women on Understood.org. You can also email us at podcast@understood.org. ADHD and…, Hyperfocus, and Sorry, I Missed This are part of The ADHD Channel for Women (formerly known as MissUnderstood). Understood.org is a nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering people with learning and thinking differences, like ADHD and dyslexia. If you want to help us continue this work, donate at understood.org/give Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
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Why people with ADHD can’t sleep (and what actually helps) | Hyperfocus
2w ago00:25:10Tap to summarizeIf you have ADHD, you’re probably exhausted — and there’s a real neurological reason for it. Sleep expert Marlee Boyle, co-founder of Sleep Works, joins us to explain why ADHD brains are wired against a good night’s rest. Plus how perimenopause can make it worse. She walks us through CBT-I techniques, the truth about melatonin, and some surprisingly low-tech tools that can fix your circadian rhythm. If you have trouble falling asleep or staying asleep, this one is for you. For more on this topic Watch: ADHD and sleep: 5 strategies to finally beat insomnia Listen: PMDD: Why women with ADHD are 4x more likely to struggle For a transcript and more resources, visit Hyperfocus on Understood.org. You can also email us at hyperfocus@understood.org . ADHD and…, Hyperfocus, and Sorry, I Missed This are part of The ADHD Channel for Women (formerly known as MissUnderstood). Understood.org is a nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering people with learning and thinking differences, like ADHD and dyslexia. If you want to help us continue this work, donate at understood.org/give Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
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Why neurodivergent women can’t stop reading smut and romantasy | Sorry, I Missed This
3w ago00:18:54Tap to summarizeDid you know that women with ADHD consume explicit fiction at dramatically higher rates than neurotypical women — and there’s a neurological reason? Dr. Erika Miley is a licensed mental health counselor, certified sex therapist, and author of the only dissertation published on ADHD and women’s sexuality. After surveying over 2,000 participants, one thing kept surfacing: smut. Romantasy, explicit romance, audio erotica — all of it. In this episode, she explains why the ADHD brain is uniquely drawn to literary erotica, how smut raises the arousal threshold enough to sustain focus, and why neurodivergent women are using it for everything from processing emotional vulnerability to getting through household chores. Find Dr. Miley at erikamiley.com. For more on this topic Watch: ADHD and sex Watch: Too much or not enough: ADHD sensory challenges and sex For a transcript and more resources, visit Sorry, I Missed This on Understood.org. You can also email us at sorryimissedthis@understood.org. ADHD and…, Hyperfocus, and Sorry, I Missed This are part of The ADHD Channel for Women (formerly known as MissUnderstood). Understood.org is a nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering people with learning and thinking differences, like ADHD and dyslexia. If you want to help us continue this work, donate at understood.org/give Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
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ADHD, AuDHD, and social skills: Why you feel like too much and not enough
3w ago00:12:23Tap to summarizeDo you feel like too much in social situations — and somehow also not enough? Socializing with ADHD or AuDHD can feel like a minefield. There are the impulsive comments. The missed cues and oversharing. And then the post-hang crash. In this episode, Dr. J breaks down what’s happening in the ADHD brain that makes socializing harder. And she offers practical strategies for creating stronger connections without the overwhelm, anxiety, or burnout. Whether you mask, steamroll, or avoid entirely, this episode helps you socialize on your own terms. For more on this topic Listen: ADHD and: Social anxiety Watch: The influence of ADHD on social skills | Sorry, I Missed This For a transcript and more resources, visit The ADHD Channel for Women on Understood.org. You can also email us at podcast@understood.org . ADHD and…, Hyperfocus, and Sorry, I Missed This are part of The ADHD Channel for Women (formerly known as MissUnderstood). Understood.org is a nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering people with learning and thinking differences, like ADHD and dyslexia. If you want to help us continue this work, donate at understood.org/give Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
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I’m an ADHD expert. My kid still can’t get help.
4w ago00:24:16Tap to summarizeToday’s episode is a crossover with Understood’s new podcast, Everyone Gets a Juice Box. Host Jessica Shaw interviewed Rae about something she rarely discusses on Hyperfocus: Being a mom to a fabulous kid with ADHD. Even with Rae’s 20 years of experience studying and writing about ADHD, getting help for her child in school has been really challenging. Here’s how she’s supporting her daughter while they wait for school services. For more on this topic Listen: Everyone Gets a Juice Box Watch: I’m an ADHD expert. My kid still can’t get help. For a transcript and more resources, visit Hyperfocus on Understood.org. You can also email us at hyperfocus@understood.org . ADHD and…, Hyperfocus, and Sorry, I Missed This are part of The ADHD Channel for Women (formerly known as MissUnderstood). Understood.org is a nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering people with learning and thinking differences, like ADHD and dyslexia. If you want to help us continue this work, donate at understood.org/give Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
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ADHD, AuDHD, and self-diagnosis: Is it valid? | Sorry, I Missed This
May 2100:21:04Tap to summarizeIs ADHD self-diagnosis valid? According to clinical psychologist Dr. Elizabeth Kilmer, that’s the wrong question entirely. When access to diagnosis is limited by cost, insurance, stigma, and identity — and when the people who self-diagnose show higher rates of negative self-image and internalized stigma — the real conversation isn’t about validity. It’s about how we make sure people have access to good information. Cate and Dr. Kilmer dig into what really happens when people research their own neurodivergence. They discuss research analyzing 452,000 Reddit posts that found self-diagnosed individuals seek more social validation. But they benefit less from it. They cover what actually happens in a clinical ADHD assessment and how comorbidities like anxiety, depression, and OCD complicate the picture. And they discuss why the question “Is self-diagnosis valid?” misses the point when getting a formal diagnosis is a privilege that many can’t access. For more on this topic Read: Missed, misread, misdiagnosed: Current state of women with ADHD Listen: Is ADHD online diagnosis legit? For a transcript and more resources, visit Sorry, I Missed This on Understood.org. You can also email us at sorryimissedthis@understood.org. ADHD and…, Hyperfocus, and Sorry, I Missed This are part of The ADHD Channel for Women (formerly known as MissUnderstood). Understood.org is a nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering people with learning and thinking differences, like ADHD and dyslexia. If you want to help us continue this work, donate at understood.org/give Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
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ADHD and self-harm: Why people with ADHD are at greater risk
May 1900:12:56Tap to summarizeContent warning: This episode discusses self-harm and suicide. ADHD doesn’t cause self-harm, but the research is clear: People with ADHD — especially women and girls — are significantly more likely to engage in self-harming behaviors, especially during adolescence. Why is ADHD so closely linked to self-harm? In this episode, Dr. J breaks down how the core features of ADHD — impulsivity, emotional dysregulation, sleep disruption, and difficulty with the “pause button” — can create a perfect storm for dangerous coping. She explains why big emotions hit harder and faster with ADHD, and how that can lead to self-harming behaviors. Dr. J also shares evidence-based strategies for building safer ways to cope, including DBT (dialectical behavior therapy), self-compassion exercises, and safety planning. And she talks about maintaining the routines that keep ADHD symptoms manageable. If you or someone you know is struggling, the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline is available 24/7. For more on this topic Watch: ADHD and emotional dysregulation Read: Free resources For a transcript and more resources, visit MissUnderstood on Understood.org. You can also email us at podcast@understood.org. ADHD and…, Hyperfocus, and Sorry, I Missed This are part of The ADHD Channel for Women (formerly known as MissUnderstood). Understood.org is a nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering people with learning and thinking differences, like ADHD and dyslexia. If you want to help us continue this work, donate at understood.org/give Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
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The gene that could change how we treat ADHD | Hyperfocus
May 1400:18:25Tap to summarizeWhat if your brain had a volume knob? Researcher Dr. Zachary Gershon joins Rae to explain Homer1a, a gene variant that may hold the key to how we focus. When levels are lower during development, the brain gets better at filtering out distractions, or what scientists call “neural noise.” This discovery could one day lead to non-stimulant treatment options for ADHD. And it started with one scientist’s very personal question. For more on this topic Watch: Is ADHD genetic? We asked a Harvard scientist | Hyperfocus Listen: ADHD medication: What do I need to know? For a transcript and more resources, visit Hyperfocus on Understood.org. You can also email us at hyperfocus@understood.org. ADHD and…, Hyperfocus, and Sorry, I Missed This are part of The ADHD Channel for Women (formerly known as MissUnderstood). Understood.org is a nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering people with learning and thinking differences, like ADHD and dyslexia. If you want to help us continue this work, donate at understood.org/give Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
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Why ADHD makes decluttering so hard (and how to fix it) | Sorry, I Missed This
May 700:30:22Tap to summarizeIf your home has ever felt like it’s working against you, this one’s for you. Certified professional organizer Alison Lush joins the show to unpack the ADHD relationship to stuff. Learn what chronic disorganization actually means, why the Marie Kondo method can backfire, and how to build systems that work with your brain. We also get into the emotional weight of clutter, organizing as a couples issue, and why community might be the most underrated tool of all. For more on this topic Watch: Tips from an ADHD Coach: Big feelings around clutter Explore: Free self-guided activity for women with ADHD For a transcript and more resources, visit Sorry, I Missed This on Understood.org. You can also email us at sorryimissedthis@understood.org. ADHD and…, Hyperfocus, and Sorry, I Missed This are part of The ADHD Channel for Women (formerly known as MissUnderstood). Understood.org is a nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering people with learning and thinking differences, like ADHD and dyslexia. If you want to help us continue this work, donate at understood.org/give Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
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ADHD and sleep: 5 strategies to finally beat insomnia
May 500:13:57Tap to summarizeADHD doesn’t clock out at bedtime. From delayed sleep phases and racing thoughts to stimulant timing and restless nights, sleep disruption is one of the most common (and most overlooked) challenges of living with ADHD. Plus, poor sleep makes every ADHD symptom worse! In this episode, Dr. J breaks down why ADHD and sleep don’t always get along. And she shares five science-backed strategies to help you finally get some rest. For more on this topic Watch: ADHD and weed: Why it feels like a fix (but isn’t) Read: 13 tips for getting more sleep Listen: ADHD and: Self-medicating For a transcript and more resources, visit MissUnderstood on Understood.org. You can also email us at podcast@understood.org Sources: Cortese, S., Faraone, S. V., Konofal, E., & Lecendreux, M. (2009). Sleep in children with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder: Meta-analysis of subjective and objective studies. Journal of the American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry, 48(9), 894-908. Kooij, J. J., & Bijlenga, D. (2013). The circadian rhythm in adult attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder: Current state of affairs. Expert Review of Neurotherapeutics, 13(10), 1107-1116. Van Veen, M. M., Kooij, J. J., Boonstra, A. M., Gordijn, M. C., & Van Someren, E. J. (2010). Delayed circadian rhythm in adults with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder and chronic sleep-onset insomnia. Biological Psychiatry, 67(11), 1091-1096. Picchietti, D. L., England, S. J., Walters, A. S., Willis, K., & Verrico, T. (1998). Periodic limb movement disorder and restless legs syndrome in children with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder. Journal of Child Neurology, 13(12), 588-594. Yoon, S. Y., Jain, U., & Shapiro, C. (2012). Sleep in attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder in children and adults: Past, present, and future. Sleep Medicine Reviews, 16(4), 371-388. Schredl, M., Alm, B., & Sobanski, E. (2007). Sleep quality in adult patients with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). European Archives of Psychiatry and Clinical Neuroscience, 257(3), 164-168. Boonstra, A. M., Kooij, J. J., Oosterlaan, J., Sergeant, J. A., & Buitelaar, J. K. (2010). Does methylphenidate improve inhibition and other cognitive abilities in adults with childhood-onset ADHD? Journal of Clinical and Experimental Neuropsychology, 32(9), 954-969. Gau, S. S., Kessler, R. C., Tseng, W. L., Wu, Y. Y., Chiu, Y. N., Yeh, C. B., & Hwu, H. G. (2007). Association between sleep problems and symptoms of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder in young adults. Sleep, 30(2), 195-201. Sobanski, E., Brüggemann, D., Alm, B., Kern, S., Deschner, M., Schubert, T., ... & Rietschel, M. (2007). Psychiatric comorbidity and functional impairment in a clinically referred sample of adults with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). European Archives of Psychiatry and Clinical Neuroscience, 257(7), 371-377. Bijlenga, D., Vollebregt, M. A., Kooij, J. J., & Arns, M. (2019). The role of the circadian system in the etiology and pathophysiology of ADHD: Time to redefine ADHD? ADHD Attention Deficit and Hyperactivity Disorders, 11(1), 5-19. . ADHD and…, Hyperfocus, and Sorry, I Missed This are part of The ADHD Channel for Women (formerly known as MissUnderstood). Understood.org is a nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering people with learning and thinking differences, like ADHD and dyslexia. If you want to help us continue this work, donate at understood.org/give Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
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