Jun 1
Join Tracy as she welcomes Terry Matlen to episode 121 of ADHD for Smart Ass Women. Terry Matlen, LMSW, ACSW, is an internationally recognized expert on ADHD in women. She is a psychotherapist, author, consultant, and coach.
She is also the author of the award-winning book, The Queen of Distraction and Survival Tips for Women with AD/HD. "The Queen of Distraction” and "Survival Tips for Women with AD/HD”.
With over 25 years of experience helping women with ADHD, Terry is a sought-after presenter at conferences, webinars, and interviews. She has written hundreds of articles for various publications, including ADDitude Magazine, Attention Magazine, Healthline.com, and more.
She served for many years on the board of directors of ADDA (Attention Deficit Disorder Assoc.) and is an immediate past coordinator of the E. Oakland County CHADD (Children and Adults with ADHD) Chapter in Michigan.
Terry has been interviewed by NPR, The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, Washington Post, Time Magazine, Glamour Magazine, and now ADHD for Smart Ass Women.
Terry shares the circumstances surrounding her own ADHD diagnosis, what hypersensitivities are, whether or not ADHD women have more hypersensitivities than neurotypical women, if hypersensitivities are more prevalent in one type of ADHD over another, whether or not women with hypersensitivities tend to have more comorbidities, her own experiences with hypersensitivities, how hypersensitivities make parenting with ADHD even more difficult, and ways to work with hypersensitivities.
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"Getting diagnosed brought me relief and helped me understand myself better."
- Terry Matlen
"Hypersensitivities across multiple senses like sound, sight, smell, taste, and touch can cause significant challenges and pain."
- Terry Matlen
"Identifying triggers and finding workarounds to manage hypersensitivities is crucial, such as using headphones or choosing quieter environments."
- Terry Matlen
- Terry shares her ADHD story, connecting it to today's topic of hypersensitivities.
- Terry discusses sensory processing disorder, a condition where individuals are oversensitive to sounds, smells, tastes, textures, and other sensory inputs, causing physical pain and discomfort.
- Terry describes how her ADHD affects her sensory processing, finding it difficult to filter out stimuli and overwhelming to navigate crowded spaces like big box stores.
[22:0 - 41:30] ADHD Challenges and Self-Acceptance
- Terry shares personal experiences and observations about women's preferences for taking off their shoes or bras, highlighting the diversity of these preferences and the reasons behind them.
- Terry discusses her struggles with clothing comfort, particularly with tight clothing and heels, and how she prefers loose-fitting cotton clothes.
- Terry discusses the sensitivities of highly sensitive people, including those with ADHD, trauma backgrounds, and anxiety.
- Terry discusses her sensory hypersensitivities and how she manages them, including wearing soft fabrics and avoiding tags and seams in clothing.
- Terry shares her personal struggles as a mom of two hyperactive children, including feeling overwhelmed and guilty, and finding ways to cope through support and self-care.
- Terry shares struggles with hyperactive daughters and sensitivity, including difficulty with quiet dinners and birthday parties.
Facebook: ADDconsults.com
Instagram: @terrymatlen_adhd
Twitter: @ADDconsults
The Queen of Distraction: How Women with ADHD Can Conquer Chaos, Find Focus, and Get More Done
Survival Tips for Women with AD/HD: Beyond Piles, Palms & Stickers
ADDconsults.com
https://addconsults.com/queens/
Too Loud, Too Bright, Too Fast, Too Tight: What to Do If You Are Sensory Defensive in an Overstimulating World
“I’m a Sensitive Woman:” ADHD Sensory Overload in Adults
ADHD: When Your Senses Are Extra Sensitive
