When simple things aren’t simple with ADHD (Terry Matlen’s story)

Psychotherapist, author, and ADHD pioneer Terry Matlen shares what led to her ADHD diagnosis. Terry’s path started with years of shame and the feeling that everyday life was inexplicably harder than it should be. She describes getting overwhelmed by ordinary moments: making dinner, figuring out what to wear, and freezing at the sink with a wooden spoon in her hand.

Terry is an expert on ADHD in women. She talks about mood regulation and self-esteem with empathy. And she offers hard-won guidance for women with ADHD, especially moms. The conversation is honest — and likely to feel familiar to anyone who’s ever felt like everyday life is too much to handle.

For more on this topic

• Listen: She broke the silence on ADHD shame in women (Sari Solden’s story) 
• Listen: She wrote the book on women, shame, and ADHD
• Read: ADHD and mood swings

For a transcript and more resources, visit ADHD Aha! on Understood.org. You can also email us at [email protected].

Listen to Everyone Gets a Juice Box, a new podcast from Understood.org where host Jessica Shaw has honest talks with parents raising kids who learn and think differently.

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