We explore Rejection Sensitive Dysphoria (RSD), an intense emotional reaction to perceived rejection or criticism commonly experienced by people with ADHD and other neurodivergent conditions. We share personal stories about how understanding RSD has helped us recognize when we're experiencing it and develop healthier responses to perceived rejection.

• RSD causes intense emotional pain in response to perceived criticism or rejection
• Fear of rejection can lead to avoiding social interactions and difficulty maintaining relationships
• People pleasing behaviours often develop as a protection strategy against potential rejection
• Understanding RSD helps in recognizing when you're experiencing it and challenging your perception and response
• Progress comes through self-awareness, self-compassion, and recognizing others' actions aren't usually intended to affect you badly
• Parenting presents unique RSD challenges when children assert independence or show affection differently
• Workplace exclusion can trigger RSD but understanding your neurodiversity helps reframe these experiences
• Mel Robins' "Let Them" theory helps de-centre yourself from others' actions and choices

Join us next time for more honest conversations about navigating life as neurodivergent parents.

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Further TW: This podcast references at times: alcohol abuse, depression, mood disorders, medical emergency, miscarriage, traffic accidents, grief and loss, teen pregnancy, anxiety, abuse, PDA, low self esteem, and anti-depressant medications, disordered eating, hoarding...

All music written and produced by Ash Doc Horror Lerczak.
Artwork by Gen

For more information about us, our podcast and our ADHD MUMS community, visit OUR WEBSITE.

To make a small donation towards our podcasting expenses, visit our BUY ME A COFFEE we are eternally gratefulllllll!!!

PLEASE like and subscribe, and if you enjoyed the show, leave us a review.
Let's get ADHD MUMS up the pod charts and raise awareness when we all need it most!

See you next Wednesday! xxx

We dive deep into the rollercoaster of ADHD parenting, from school refusal crises to chaotic hospital visits, while also exploring how hormones and PMDD can devastate our mental health.

• Gen shares her daughter's escalating school refusal that culminated in her unlocking school gates and running into traffic
• Dealing with physical aggression and bites from children during meltdowns
• The chaos of managing two children with different needs during a hospital emergency
• Building a healthier relationship with your own ADHD parent as an adult
• Claire discusses her debilitating depression caused by PMDD and perimenopause
• How HRT helps manage symptoms but finding the right hormone balance is challenging
• The value of resilience and knowing that even the darkest moments will eventually pass
• Finding moments of joy through music, connections, and understanding our unique needs

Remember, Sisters in Chaos - we're in this together!

Support the show

Further TW: This podcast references at times: alcohol abuse, depression, mood disorders, medical emergency, miscarriage, traffic accidents, grief and loss, teen pregnancy, anxiety, abuse, PDA, low self esteem, and anti-depressant medications, disordered eating, hoarding...

All music written and produced by Ash Doc Horror Lerczak.
Artwork by Gen

For more information about us, our podcast and our ADHD MUMS community, visit OUR WEBSITE.

To make a small donation towards our podcasting expenses, visit our BUY ME A COFFEE we are eternally gratefulllllll!!!

PLEASE like and subscribe, and if you enjoyed the show, leave us a review.
Let's get ADHD MUMS up the pod charts and raise awareness when we all need it most!

See you next Wednesday! xxx

Claire and Gen discuss Chris Packham's BBC documentary "Inside Our ADHD Minds," sharing how it portrays the lived experience of ADHD through the stories of two individuals with the condition.

• Documentary follows Henry (diagnosed as a child) and Jo (diagnosed late in life) as they create films to help their loved ones understand ADHD
• Henry's film portrayed ADHD as a character bombarding him with distractions, using ball pit balls as metaphors for competing thoughts
• Jo's late diagnosis led to grief and anger about opportunities missed without proper understanding
• We both related deeply to the challenges of maintaining friendships with ADHD traits like time blindness
• The documentary highlights how "attention deficit" is a misnomer - it's more about attention dysregulation
• The powerful moment when Jo's friend says "You're not too much, I want more of you" resonated strongly with us both
• Packham's empathy despite not having ADHD himself (he has ASD) made the documentary particularly effective
• We highly recommend the documentary as a way to help family and friends understand ADHD experiences

Follow-up documentary about dyslexia also recommended for additional neurodiversity understanding.

Support the show

Further TW: This podcast references at times: alcohol abuse, depression, mood disorders, medical emergency, miscarriage, traffic accidents, grief and loss, teen pregnancy, anxiety, abuse, PDA, low self esteem, and anti-depressant medications, disordered eating, hoarding...

All music written and produced by Ash Doc Horror Lerczak.
Artwork by Gen

For more information about us, our podcast and our ADHD MUMS community, visit OUR WEBSITE.

To make a small donation towards our podcasting expenses, visit our BUY ME A COFFEE we are eternally gratefulllllll!!!

PLEASE like and subscribe, and if you enjoyed the show, leave us a review.
Let's get ADHD MUMS up the pod charts and raise awareness when we all need it most!

See you next Wednesday! xxx