ADHD 365

Many women struggle at midlife with undiagnosed and untreated ADHD complicated by hormonal changes. They typically report feeling overwhelmed, inadequate, misunderstood, and distressed at a time in their lives when they often have the greatest demands on their time and energy. Women not diagnosed with ADHD until adulthood are more likely to suffer from depressive symptoms, anxiety, sleep disorders, eating disorders, substance use, and low self-esteem.

In this episode, Dr. Carol Robbins provides an understanding of the challenges women face in midlife with ADHD, coping strategies, and the importance of reaching out when help is needed. 

Carol Ann Robbins, PhD, is a licensed clinical psychologist specializing in the diagnosis and treatment of ADHD across the lifespan. She is the clinical director of the Annapolis ADHD Center and works with Kathleen Nadeau, PhD, an internationally known expert on ADHD, at the Chesapeake ADHD Center of Maryland. Dr. Robbins is a seasoned speaker, presenter, and author, as well as past president of the Maryland Psychological Association and coordinator of the MPA Post-Doctoral Institute on ADHD Across the Lifespan. She has served as coordinator of the Anne Arundel County chapter of CHADD since 2002.

Women in Midlife and ADHD

The message is clear. Treatment for ADHD, along with the related health risks it poses, has the possibility of adding an average of nine to 13 years to the lifespan of children and adults diagnosed with ADHD. This is the implication of a cutting-edge research study conducted by Russell A. Barkley, Ph.D., who evaluated the connection between ADHD and 14 critical health factors including nutrition, exercise, and tobacco and alcohol use.

Dr. Russell Barkley: Untreated ADHD Reduces Life Expectancy

What needs to be done about ADHD among African-American children?  Untreated or undiagnosed ADHD among African-American youth creates a higher risk for school drop-out, drug abuse, and becoming engaged in delinquent activities which may lead to incarceration. Listen to Ask the NRC podcast with our guest ADHD Advocate Evelyn Polk-Green on combating ADHD in the African-American community.

Combating ADHD in the African-American Community

Most people with ADHD struggle to manage their time. We will take a deeper look at the science of time awareness and time management through an ADHD lens. Uncovered the reasons why the ADHD brain estimates, uses and values time differently. This podcast will teach adults to “see” time by externalizing it and “feel” time by building motivation.

The Science of Time Management

For teens with ADHD, finishing high school and preparing for college can be exciting and daunting at the same time. How do parents and students seek a college in getting the appropriate accommodations to ensure success? Listen to CHADD's ADHD 365 podcast on Students with ADHD Transitioning from High School to College, featuring Certified Educational Planner Judith Bass, for tips and strategies that may help your child succeed in college.

Students with ADHD Transitioning from High School to College

In this podcast, Connor Patros, PhD, postdoctoral research fellow in the department of psychology at Temple University in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and CHADD's 2018 Young Scientist Research Awards post-doc winner, discusses his interest in looking at how neurocognitive factors (or executive functions) are related to symptoms of impulsivity in ADHD, and also the interventions that can strengthen executive function deficits.

Executive Functions and Impulsivity in Children with ADHD

The decision to medicate a child with ADHD is a difficult choice for many parents. The news and social media have accounts of people benefiting from medication, while there also are stories of grave dangers associated with these drugs. What are the benefits and risks of taking ADHD medication? How do you know what’s right for your child?

Understanding the ABCs of ADHD Medications with Max Wiznitzer, MD

Mark Bertin, MD, gives us insight about the role of executive functioning in child development and the importance of self-care for parents. He shares many tips for parents and pediatricians who care for children with ADHD.

Executive Functions and ADHD in Childhood

Mothers, are you taking care of your mental and physical health during COVID-19? Parenting children with ADHD can be demanding; compound it with work, school, and a family confined under one roof, and self-care is paramount.

It's time to stop the madness and not feel guilty when you take time for yourself. You can't do it alone. It's time to permit yourself to breathe. 

Terry Matlen explains how mothers who have ADHD and parent children with ADHD can learn to balance home, work, and school while regaining a sense of self—regardless of the current crisis.  

Terry Matlen, MSW, ACSW, is a psychotherapist, consultant, writer, and coach who specializes in adult ADHD, with a special interest in women with ADHD. She is the author of two books: The Queen of Distraction and Survival Tips for Women with ADHD. To learn more about her, visit addconsults.com.

Podcast Text Transcript: https://chadd.org/podcasts/guidance-for-uncertain-times-mothers-and-adhd-permit-yourself-to-breathe/

Guidance for Uncertain Times: Mothers and ADHD-Permit Yourself to Breathe

CHADD is the nation's leading nonprofit organization serving people affected by ADHD. As home to the CDC-funded National Resource Center on ADHD, CHADD is the most trusted source for reliable, science-based information regarding current medical research and ADHD management. CHADD offers comprehensive programs and services at both the national and local levels.

 ADHD 365 podcast brings listeners into conversations about living with ADHD from every imaginable angle. The ADHD 365 podcast provides expert advice, tips, and strategies for families, adults, educators, and professionals. Each show is sponsored by companies, organizations, or individuals that support and provide a service to the ADHD community. 


 All Things ADHD podcast offers listeners access to educational content from leading experts who promote healthy living with ADHD. The All Things ADHD podcast is a learning resource program produced by CHADD's National Resource Center, funded by the CDC, to disseminate expert advice, guidance, and information to improve the lives of families and adults affected by ADHD. 




CHADD does not endorse products, services, publications, medications, or treatments, including those that sponsor or advertise in any CHADD publications, webinars, or podcasts.

This podcast is supported by Cooperative Agreement Number NU38DD000002-01-00 from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The contents are solely the responsibility of the authors and do not necessarily represent the official views of the CDC.

Guidance for Uncertain Times: Mothers and ADHD-Permit Yourself to Breathe

Children and Adults with ADHD (CHADD)

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