Mother Plus Podcast

• #149: The ADHD Family Series: ADHD in Girls vs. Boys (and Why It Matters for Moms)

  Send us a textThey weren’t failing—but they were falling apart. Straight A’s, student of the month, well-behaved and helpful—on the outside, everything looked fine. But inside? Anxiety, overwhelm, and a quiet sense that something was always just a little off.In this powerful episode, we welcome back Dr. Diana Barrett and Dr. Lynne Baldwin to unpack one of the most important and misunderstood ADHD conversations: how it shows up differently in girls versus boys—and why so many of us didn’t get diagnosed until adulthood.Whether you’re wondering about your own missed diagnosis or looking at your daughter and thinking, “Is something going on here?”—this conversation will help you understand what to look for, what’s been missing from the research, and how to advocate (with or without a formal diagnosis).🔑 In this episode, we cover:Why ADHD in girls is so often missed, misdiagnosed, or misunderstoodThe difference between hyperactivity and internalized anxietyHow the "good girl" masking leads to burnout, eating disorders, and emotional dysregulationWhat to look for in your daughter—even if she’s doing well in schoolHow to talk to teachers, doctors, and your child about what’s really going onThe emotional impact of late diagnosis and how to break the cycle for the next generation👩‍⚕️ About Our Guests:Dr. Deanna Barrett is a licensed psychologist who specializes in ADHD testing and assessment for children and adolescents. Dr. Lynne Baldwin brings years of experience in child development and family systems, with a focus on emotional regulation and educational support for neurodivergent kids.💬 Favorite Quotes:"Most kids don’t want to fail. Most kids don’t choose to be emotionally dysregulated." "Getting a diagnosis isn’t labeling—it’s committing to understand your child." "ADHD isn’t always the kid bouncing off the walls. Sometimes it’s the girl scanning the room, trying not to let anyone know she’s completely lost."📌 Resources & Links:Join the conversation in our ADHD Moms Club and start finding your peopleFeel like you're drowning? Let Faye help take the mental load off your hands. Find your Faye family advisor for 15% off with code MOTHERPLUS. Other episodes from the ADHD Family Series:Executive Functioning For the ADHD MomThe Anxiety ADHD ConnectionMOTHER PLUS INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/mother_plus_podcast/MOTHER PLUS FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/motherpluspodcastMOTHER PLUS PERMISSION SLIP: https://www.motherplusser.com/Permission-SlipMOTHER PLUS NEWSLETTER: https://www.motherplusser.com/signup-pageMOTHER PLUS BLOG: https://www.motherplusser.com/blog

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• #148: ADHD Without Medication: Why I Quit & What’s Working for Me

  Send us a textAfter a year of experimenting with different meds—Ritalin, Adderall, Lexapro—I started to feel like I was outsourcing my ability to function. Every morning, as I took my pill, something inside me whispered: Don’t.This episode is my raw, personal journey of taking ADHD meds for the first time at 39, why I ultimately decided to stop, and what I’m doing instead. I’m sharing the ups and downs of my experience, the realizations I had along the way, and the holistic tools that are helping me stay regulated without medication.In This Episode, We Cover: ✅ Why I decided to try ADHD medication after years of struggling with anxiety and emotional dysregulation ✅ The three different medications I took—and how each one affected me ✅ The moment I knew I wanted to stop taking meds for good  ✅ What I’m doing now to support my focus, emotional regulation, and mental clarity ✅ How hormone balance plays a role in ADHD and mental healthResources Mentioned in This Episode: 🧠 Brain Glow by Barlow Herbal – A natural supplement that supports focus and mental clarity. Use code MotherPlus10 to get 10% off your first order at Barlow Herbal*  🌿 Prenatal Vitamin for Hormone Balance (Dr. Jolene Brighten's Recommendation) – Even if you’re not trying to conceive, a high-quality prenatal vitamin can help regulate hormones and support mental well-being. Let’s Keep the Conversation Going! What’s been your experience with ADHD meds? Have you ever considered going med-free? I’d love to hear your thoughts! DM me over at [@mother_plus_podcast] or leave a review if this episode resonated with you.Need help? Sometimes, when you feel like you're drowning, the answer is an assistant. One who can actually take some of the physical -- and therefore -- mental load off your hands. For this, our answer is Faye. Find your Faye family advisor for 15% off with code MOTHERPLUS. 🎧 If you enjoyed this episode, don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and review the podcast—it helps so much!MOTHER PLUS INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/mother_plus_podcast/MOTHER PLUS FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/motherpluspodcastMOTHER PLUS PERMISSION SLIP: https://www.motherplusser.com/Permission-SlipMOTHER PLUS NEWSLETTER: https://www.motherplusser.com/signup-pageMOTHER PLUS BLOG: https://www.motherplusser.com/blog

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• #147: The ADHD Family Series: The Anxiety ADHD Connection (And What To Do About It)

  Send us a textAnxiety and ADHD—are they twins or conjoined at the hip? In this episode, we dive deep into the tangled relationship between these two conditions. Our guests, Dr. Deanna Barrett and Dr. Lynn Baldwin, break down why so many ADHD women struggle with anxiety, how it manifests in kids and adults, and what we can actually do about it.We cover: ✅ The chicken-or-egg question: Does ADHD cause anxiety, or is it the other way around? ✅ Why anxiety often goes undiagnosed in ADHD women ✅ The science of anxiety: what’s happening in the brain and body ✅ Parenting kids with ADHD & anxiety (and decoding their mysterious “headaches” and tummy aches) ✅ The best strategies for managing anxiety—from mindfulness to cold showers to cognitive behavioral therapy ✅ The roundabout analogy for understanding anxiety (this one’s a game changer!)If anxiety has been your constant companion, this episode will help you make sense of it—and more importantly, find ways to work with your brain, not against it.Resources Mentioned: 📌 Meditation & mindfulness apps: Calm, Headspace 📌 Journaling techniques: Morning Pages, Worry Stuffed Animals for kids 📌 Therapy approaches: Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Internal Family Systems (IFS)Dr. Lynne Baldwin, Ph.D. is a learning specialist consultant who has provided coaching and advocacy services for children with ADHD and their parents. While with the Abbey Neuropsychology clinic, she developed a program for executive functioning coaching for children and teenagers. Lynne earned her Ph.D. in Educational Psychology at Stanford University.Diana Barrett, PhD, is a licensed psychologist with 16 years of dedicated service at the Abbey Clinic, where she currently serves as the Director of Assessment. She also is a member of the consultation team, bringing her knowledge and experience to collaborate efforts that enhance client care.  Her expertise encompasses the learning disabilities, developmental disorders, autism spectrum disorders, ADHD, anxiety, depression, and traumatic brain injury.  💬 Join the conversation in our ADHD Moms Club and let’s talk about what helps you manage anxiety!Sometimes, when you feel like you're drowning, the answer is an assistant. One who can actually take some of the physical -- and therefore -- mental load off your hands. For this, our answer is Faye. Find your Faye family advisor for 15% off with code MOTHERPLUS. MOTHER PLUS INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/mother_plus_podcast/MOTHER PLUS FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/motherpluspodcastMOTHER PLUS PERMISSION SLIP: https://www.motherplusser.com/Permission-SlipMOTHER PLUS NEWSLETTER: https://www.motherplusser.com/signup-pageMOTHER PLUS BLOG: https://www.motherplusser.com/blog

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• #146: ADHD Good Girl Syndrome: From High Achiever to Hot Mess

  Send us a textWere you the “good girl” growing up—always getting straight A’s, a teacher’s dream, but secretly battling anxiety, perfectionism, and the constant fear of failure? Did the structure of school keep you afloat, only for adulthood and motherhood to feel like you were drowning? If so, you’re not alone. In this episode, we break down the ADHD good girl experience, why so many of us weren’t diagnosed until adulthood, and—most importantly—what we can do about it.We share our own stories, unpack the cultural and neurological factors at play, and offer a four-step framework for moving forward:1️⃣ Emotional Regulation – Why grounding practices like meditation, EFT, and journaling are game-changers2️⃣ Community – How finding your people is essential to healing and thriving3️⃣ Chemical Regulation – The role of ADHD meds, hormone balance, and understanding your body’s unique needs4️⃣ Creative Outlets – Reconnecting with what makes you brilliant and allowing yourself to shineIf you’re ready to stop just surviving ADHD and start thriving, this episode is for you.✨ Get Your Free ADHD Good Girl Survival Kit! ✨We created something special for you—our ADHD Good Girl Survival Kit, packed with:✔️ A guided EFT session to regulate emotions fast✔️ A meditation to help you reconnect with your calm✔️ Journaling prompts to bring clarity and self-compassion📥 Download it now at: www.motherplusser.com/good-girl🎧 Resources & Links Mentioned in This Episode:📌 Our EFT Episode – Learn How to Use Tapping for ADHD 📌 Join our ADHD Moms Club for community and support🔗 Let’s Connect!📸 Instagram: @mother_plus_podcast✉️ Email us: [email protected] PLUS INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/mother_plus_podcast/MOTHER PLUS FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/motherpluspodcastMOTHER PLUS PERMISSION SLIP: https://www.motherplusser.com/Permission-SlipMOTHER PLUS NEWSLETTER: https://www.motherplusser.com/signup-pageMOTHER PLUS BLOG: https://www.motherplusser.com/blog

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• #145: Why Your ADHD Feels Worse: The Hormone Connection with Dr. Jolene Brighten (Part 2)

  Send us a textIf your ADHD symptoms seem to be intensifying with age, you’re not imagining it. Hormonal fluctuations—from postpartum shifts to perimenopause—can dramatically impact ADHD, yet most doctors don’t make the connection. In this eye-opening episode, Dr. Jolene Brighten returns to break down what’s really happening in our bodies and how to take back control of our health.🔹 How systemic medical bias keeps women from getting the care they need🔹 The script you need to use with your doctor to be taken seriously🔹 Why fasting and extreme dieting can be a disaster for ADHD brains🔹 The key nutrients and supplements that support ADHD and hormonal balance🔹 When to consider hormone replacement therapy—and why it's so misunderstood🔹 The truth about medical gaslighting and how to actually advocate for yourselfThis is the conversation every ADHD woman needs to hear. We don’t have to accept suffering as normal. It’s time to demand better.Meet Dr. Jolene BrightenDr. Jolene Brighten is a board-certified naturopathic endocrinologist, clinical sexologist, and fierce advocate for women’s health. She’s the best-selling author of Beyond the Pill, Healing Your Body Naturally After Childbirth, and Is This Normal? Her work has been featured in Forbes, Cosmopolitan, Huffington Post, The Guardian, and more. And most importantly? She has ADHD, too.Resources & Mentions:The ADHD Moms Club: Join HERE📖 Is This Normal? by Dr. Jolene Brighten – Get the book here🌎 Dr. Brighten’s Website: drbrighten.com📲 Follow Dr. Brighten on Instagram: @drjolenebrighten🎙️ Listen to Dr. Brighten’s Podcast: The Dr. Brighten Show💌 Grab Dr. Brighten’s free Hormone Kit: drbrighten.com/hormonekitMOTHER PLUS INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/mother_plus_podcast/MOTHER PLUS FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/motherpluspodcastMOTHER PLUS PERMISSION SLIP: https://www.motherplusser.com/Permission-SlipMOTHER PLUS NEWSLETTER: https://www.motherplusser.com/signup-pageMOTHER PLUS BLOG: https://www.motherplusser.com/blog

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