Perfectionism can significantly impact women with ADHD, often serving as both a coping mechanism and a source of shame. In today's ADHD Women’s Wellbeing Podcast episode, I speak with Natalie Englander, an accredited senior CBT therapist, about the complexities of perfectionism and its connection to ADHD. Natalie shares her journey of discovering her own ADHD diagnosis at 33 and how her perfectionist tendencies influenced her professional focus.

We explore the negative effects of perfectionism, including anxiety and self-criticism, while also discussing how to harness its positive aspects. With practical strategies and a compassionate approach, this episode offers valuable insights for anyone looking to understand and manage their perfectionism more compassionately.

Natalie combines her professional experience with her lived experience of ADHD to help women navigate the complexities of perfectionism, self-criticism, and mental health.

In this episode, you’ll learn…

✨ How ADHD and perfectionism intersect – particularly for women

✨ The emotional toll of perfectionism: anxiety, depression and self-criticism

✨ Why perfectionism develops – and how it can become a coping mechanism

✨ Practical ways to manage perfectionism

✨How to harness the positive aspects of perfectionism

Timestamps

09.40: The impact of perfectionism on childhood experiences
11.43: The connection between ADHD and motherhood
24.57: How perfectionism intersects with ADHD
31.40: Understanding perfectionism and imposter syndrome
40.29: Navigating perfectionism and self-compassion

If you’ve ever struggled with perfectionism or wondered about its connection to ADHD, this insightful episode will help you embrace self-acceptance and self-compassion - and celebrate life's imperfections.

Connect with Natalie through her website, or on Instagram.

Thank you to our sponsor Sleepypeople.com, who is currently offering 15% off its products to all podcast listeners. Click to learn more and use the discount code Kate15 at the checkout.

Thank you to our sponsor Get Dopa who are currently offering 10% off their supplements to all podcast listeners. Click to learn more and use the discount code Kate10 at the checkout.

Kate Moryoussef is a women's ADHD lifestyle and wellbeing coach and EFT practitioner who helps overwhelmed and unfulfilled newly diagnosed ADHD women find more calm, balance, hope, health, compassion, creativity and clarity.

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Read Kate's articles on ADDitude magazine.

Navigating Perfectionism with ADHD