#79 ADHD and Social Sensitivity – research review

In this episode, Eric is joined by Kimberly McColl, a recovering academic living in Nashville, which is where she was diagnosed with ADHD in February 2021.  Kimberly was also diagnosed with bipolar II in 2008.  Her recent diagnosis has caused her to rethink the narrative she has told herself her entire life.  Currently, she is learning more about ADHD and trying to give herself more grace and forgiveness.  You’ll hear Eric and Kimberly talk about her journey as a recovering academic, some of the key differences between bipolar I and II, the ways she experiences her ups and downs, and shares her insights about hyperfocus. Then, Kimberly shares the ways she distinguishes her experiences with dopamine-seeking with ADHD and bipolar, racing thoughts and mania, what shows up externally for her, and the positive impact community has had in her life.   Finally, she shares what a person could do if they are considering support or getting diagnosed with bipolar, how stories and narratives may be connected to memory, and the importance of being kind to yourself.  Other Questions & Topics in this Episode:  How did Kimberly get through school without being diagnosed?  What was the experience of getting diagnosed with bipolar II?  What are some of the most frustrating myths about bipolar disorder for Kimberly?  What is an experience that people without bipolar disorder may not understand?  How could a person capture the lost experiences of a period of time?  What is the first step to take if I am considering seeking support about bipolar?  Resources & Honorable Mentions: App:  –  Self-Care Bullet Journal with Goals – Mood Diary & Happiness Tracker Mentioned: Check out the Other Podcasts on the ADHD reWired Podcast Network: with Brendan Mahan with Will Curb with MJ Siemens The Executive Function Online Summit is happening on August 5-7!  Join 75,000+ families and teachers worldwide with one of the best ways to prep for Back 2 School!  Access is free from August 5-7 – Or go to to get registered!   

In this episode, I had a candid conversation with Francesca about her late in life diagnosis of ADHD and her key to staying focused while managing multiple businesses and projects. 
Since she is one busy lady I connected with her via zoom, so pls excuse any background sound that you hear. If I aimed for perfection for every episode I probably would not be doing these weekly.  So in advance, I thank you for taking the time to listen to this episode.  There are some golden nuggets that she shares on time management and staying focused. 

Francesca Anastasi (aka Sabeya) is a business growth strategist, a savvy consultant, and a mentor.
From homeless to CEO, Francesca shares the tools,  principles, and systems she applied as the founder and CEO of Confidance Institute Inc. which made the company successful against the odds,  generating multiple six-figure income in under three years
 
The creator, producer, and host of the Succeed Against the Odds show, she is dedicated to working with and inspiring, entrepreneurs of all ages, which has led to several nominations and awards.  Francesca offers business, personal development, and advancement training programs.  She is also the creator of the one-of-a-kind  Magnificent You women’s conference.  She is also the visionary and founder of the annual, global charity event Shimmy Mob for which she received the ‘Telling Our Story’ Award.  https://www.francescaanastasi.com/  Instagram: @francesca_sabeya_anastasi 

To help me improve my content, pls rate and comment on this episode, follow me on Instagram @proudlyadhd_coachcathy 

In this episode, I talk about the 4 stages that we go through once we realize we have ADHD.  These 4 stages are there for a reason to help us ease into our next phase of transformation.  Be it moving past a diagnosis, changing jobs, end a relationship, or starting a new business.  
Stage one – Being a victim to the change
Stage two – Healing the wounds 
Stage three – Making a game plan 
Stage four – Playing the game

Book a complimentary session with me at readysetchoose.com to explore how to move past these stages, mention this episode in your application. 

In this episode, Hannah Choi joins Eric on the podcast!  Hannah is an Executive Function Coach for Beyond Book Smart and is the host of the podcast, Focus Forward: An Executive Function Podcast.  Hannah works with both college-aged clients and adult clients, and lives in Connecticut with her husband and two kids.  Her executive function strengths are time management and cognitive flexibility, and her challenges are working memory and attention.  Hannah also loves to read, watch Korean dramas, exercise, travel, and spend time outdoors!  You’ll hear about the importance of developing a relationship with your professors, strategies and skills for self-advocacy, the benefits of breaking down big projects, and emotional regulation to access executive function skills.  Then, you’ll also hear about the importance of maintaining sleep, nutrition, and exercise, managing medication, a warning about due dates, course load, schedule design, and more!  Learn more about Hannah at beyondbooksmart.com Listen to Focus Forward at beyondbooksmart.com/podcast Questions/Topics:  [00:01:02] Introducing Hannah  [00:02:14] How did Hannah begin working with college students?  [00:04:56] Hannah shares her experiences in college while questioning her abilities  [00:05:44] “If I knew then what I know now….”  [00:07:18] A discussion on self-advocacy while in college and getting over the fear of getting to know your professors [00:11:45] Hannah shares a tool she uses with clients  [00:13:56] Breaking down Steps/Time/Mapping [00:18:076] Finding balance between college work and socializing [00:22:44] A discussion on emotional regulation and accessing executive function skills  [00:30:21] Managing ADHD medication and other mental health treatments  [00:32:53] What are some other important accommodations that students can ask for?  [00:41:56] Eric shares an experience and a warning about (a lack of) due dates [00:44:47] How important is course load and schedule design?  [00:49:14] Navigating interests in college  [00:51:41] Closing Thoughts 🌟 Have you heard about our Adult Study Hall Community? Go to adultstudyhall.com to join our ADHD-friendly body-doubling community! 🌟 Interested in group coaching and want to take your ADHD management to the next level? Go to coachingrewired.com to get all the up-to-date information on the upcoming season of ADHD reWired’s award-winning Coaching & Accountability groups!

In this episode, Eric is joined by Kim Alexander!  Kim is a clinical social worker turned stay-at-home mom.  After being diagnosed with ADHD in 2022 at the age of 53, she enrolled in ADHD reWired’s Coaching & Accountability Groups.  Furthering her ADHD journey, at the time of recording, she became involved as a peer mentor, or “ADDmin” for the coaching groups.  In between parenting three kids (who all have ADHD,) Kim enjoys storytelling, political activism, skiing, or anything involving snow.  She is also a competitive acapella singer who has won three international medals with her show chorus!  On today’s show, you’ll hear Eric and Kim talk about inattentive ADHD, Kim’s experience and what she learned going through the coaching groups, how the pandemic affected her, and the positive impacts of self-acceptance and letting go of self-judgment.  Then, you’ll get to hear Kim narrate a short story she wrote, her passion for storytelling, her unique family experiences, and her hopes for others with ADHD who hear her story.   Questions/Topics:  [00:01:10] Introducing Kim  [00:02:12] Dear ADHD…  [00:04:18] What brought Kim back to seek out an ADHD diagnosis and start working on ADHD management?  [00:14:15] Kim takes us on her journey of the last 12 months  [00:17:29] Over the last year, what are some changes Kim has observed and experienced after going through ArC?  [00:19:40] Self-acceptance, self-compassion, and being a mom  [00:26:41] “I’m not going to have anything interesting to share.”  [00:28:51] Opening up on feelings of “not enough” [00:36:56] Long-term planning. bucket lists, and The Moth [00:40:25] Kim shares her moth story  [00:45:57] Kim on storytelling and her unique experience [00:48:55] Eric asks Kim to “sing” out the show  [00:51:16] Closing Thoughts  🌟 Have you heard about our Adult Study Hall Community? Go to adultstudyhall.com to join our ADHD-friendly body-doubling community! 🌟 Interested in group coaching and want to take your ADHD management to the next level? Go to coachingrewired.com to get all the up-to-date information on the upcoming season of ADHD reWired’s award-winning Coaching & Accountability groups!

Those with ADHD brain wiring feel emotions intensely, it actually may feel like we are constantly living in a state of emotional flood. In this state, all we can do is be on guard, be defensive and look for ways to survive and push through. No wonder we are not able to get shi%t done! 

In this episode, I am delighted to have Tamara Rosier Ph.D., back with us where she shares an effective tool for managing our big emotions so that we can go from fight or flight to present and calm! 

The Emotional Health Ladder created by Tamara Rosier and Cameron Gott, can be used as a daily checkpoint for quick check-in before you start a task, navigate a difficult conversation and so much more.  I consider this tool foundational to managing ADHD. 

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About Tamara Rosier, Ph.D – is founder of the ADHD Center of West Michigan, where she and her staff work with individuals with ADHD (and their families) to learn strategies and develop new skills to live effectively with ADHD. Dr. Rosier is also the president of the ADHD Coaches Organization. She is a popular conference and keynote speaker a frequent guest on podcasts and has published numerous articles about living with ADHD. She lives in West Michigan. https://www.tamararosier.com

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Check out my previous episode with Dr. Rosier, where we go in-depth on the Solve It Grid and her book, Your Brain’s not Broken. 

To see visuals of the Emotional Health Ladder visit her Instagram account @dr.tamararosier

Visual of Level 3 on the Emotional health Ladder 

Visual of Level 4 on the Emotional Health Ladder