Angry On The Inside - ADHD Women Talking Late Diagnosis

Why ADHD Women Feel Survival Mode So Deeply: Overwhelm, Reactivity, and the Fight–Flight–Freeze–Fawn Response Why do so many women with ADHD feel like they’re always on edge even when nothing “big” is happening? In this episode of Angry on the Inside, Jess and Jeannine unpack what it actually means to live in chronic survival mode. This isn’t about personality, attitude, or “being too sensitive.” It’s about how ADHD nervous systems process stress, emotion, and threat often faster, deeper, and longer than we realize. They explore why everyday disruptions can feel catastrophic, why emotional flooding happens before you can think, and how many ADHD women spend years masking, people-pleasing, and holding it together… until the dam breaks. From breath-holding and overstimulation to tech meltdowns and social fawning, the conversation connects lived experience to what’s happening in the body. You’ll hear a clear breakdown of the fight, flight, freeze, and fawn responses, plus the lesser-talked-about patterns like shutdown (“flop”) and overcompensating (“please”). Jess and Jeannine also explain ADHD rage through a nervous system lens not as a character flaw, but as cortisol overload and emotional dysregulation. They talk about why this hits women especially hard, including masking, chronic stress, hormonal shifts, and the pressure to stay calm and accommodating. Finally, they share body-based tools that can help interrupt survival mode in the moment simple regulation strategies that work with the nervous system instead of against it. If you’ve ever wondered why you feel overwhelmed so quickly, why you can’t just “calm down,” or why you swing from holding it together to losing it this episode is for you. You’re not dramatic. You’re not broken. Your nervous system is doing exactly what it learned to do. And you’re not the only one who feels angry on the inside. 🎧 CHAPTERS  00:00 — Living in Survival Mode Since Middle School Jess and Jeannine open with humor and recognition: survival responses aren’t personality they’re nervous system patterns in ADHD. 01:22 — Emotional Flooding, Invalidation & Nervous System Threat Why ADHD women are labeled “too sensitive” and how the body reacts to perceived threat before we can think. 03:24 — Triggers, Overstimulation & Why Small Things Feel Catastrophic Breath-holding, visual triggers, tech meltdowns, and why disruption hits ADHD nervous systems harder. 04:57 — Fight, Flight, Freeze, and Fawn Explained The core survival responses and what they actually look like in everyday ADHD life. 06:00 — Real-Life Survival Mode: Snapping, Doom scrolling & People-Pleasing Cashiers, baseboards, paralysis, over-apologizing, and the added “flop” and “please” responses. 06:46 — Fawning, Boundaries, and Emotional Exhaustion Walking on eggshells, avoiding conflict, and how chronic fawning erodes boundaries over time. 08:37 — ADHD Rage, Cortisol & Nervous System Overload in Women Rage as physiology, not moral failure. Chronic stress, masking, hormones, and the “stress hum.” 12:05 — Getting Out of Survival Mode: Body-First Regulation Tools Name it, go physical, cold/sour resets, vagus nerve support, plus therapy, coaching, and medication support.

ADHD Women and Humor: Funny on the Outside, Angry on the Inside Have you ever laughed at the “wrong” time, made a joke no one else seemed to get, or used humor to smooth over an uncomfortable moment. Then later wondered what that was really about? In this episode of Angry on the Inside, Jess and Jeannine explore the connection between ADHD, humor, masking, and emotional regulation especially for women who were diagnosed later in life. ADHD brains are wired for fast associations, pattern spotting, and quick wit. But what often gets labeled as “personality” or “just being funny” can actually be a nervous system strategy. Jess and Jeannine talk about nervous laughter, dark humor, and self-deprecating jokes as ways ADHD women have learned to stay likable, manage big emotions, and regulate overwhelm often without realizing that’s what they were doing. They share real stories about humor being misunderstood in professional settings, misread in diagnostic evaluations, and misinterpreted in relationships. They also unpack the post-social rumination spiral, masking in loud environments, and why ADHD women’s humor is often moralized or judged differently. This episode isn’t about “stop joking” or “tone it down.” It’s about understanding when humor is a strength, creativity, connection, making the room lighter and when it’s acting as a shield to protect a sensitive nervous system. If you’ve ever felt funny on the outside but overwhelmed, overstimulated, or emotionally maxed out on the inside, this episode is for you. You’re not too much. You’re not careless. And you’re not the only one using humor to survive on the outside while being angry on the inside. 00:00 – When Humor Comes Out Before You Think Laughing at the “wrong” time, sideways jokes, and realizing humor might be doing more than just being funny. 01:00 – Why ADHD Brains Are Wired for Humor Fast associations, pattern spotting, sarcasm, and the neurological wiring behind ADHD humor. 03:20 – Nervous Laughter & Inappropriate Laughter Dark humor vs nervous laughter and how laughing can be a fight-or-flight nervous system response. 05:02 – Humor as Armor: Masking & Self-Deprecation Using jokes to stay likable, get ahead of judgment, and avoid being seen as “too much.” 05:39 – When Humor Is Misread (Diagnosis Story) Jess shares the moment self-deprecating humor was labeled a problem during her evaluation. 07:18 – When a Joke Undermines Credibility (Work Story) How humor meant to build connection can be interpreted as incompetence. 08:20 – Laughing Instead of Crying Humor as emotional regulation dopamine, release, and surviving big feelings. 10:49 – Self-Deprecating Humor & Emotional Cost The line between joking and hurting ourselves — and how others sometimes hear our jokes as truth. 12:50 – The Party Replay Spiral Post-social rumination, masking, and the “why did I say that?” loop. 15:26 – ADHD Women, Humor, and Being Moralized Gender expectations, being “put in our place,” and why women’s humor gets judged differently. 16:29 – Finding Your People Through Humor That moment when someone else laughs and you know you’ve found another ADHD brain. 20:06 – Humor in Relationships: Strength vs Shield Joking in hard conversations, nervous system regulation, and learning when humor protects vs hides.

Injustice on Repeat: ADHD Women and Justice Sensitivity Have you ever watched something unfair happen and felt it like it happened to you? This episode of Angry on the Inside, Jess and Jeannine talk about justice sensitivity in ADHD women. Why unfairness doesn’t just register, it sticks. ADHD brains don’t just notice injustice; they absorb it, replay it, and struggle to understand how other people seem able to move on while it’s still looping. From a grocery store line incident to the emotional toll of constant exposure to world events, they unpack the nervous system side of justice sensitivity: chest tightening, jaw clenching, hyperfocus, rumination, and the spiral that follows. They also talk about the self-doubt that creeps in: Why do I care this much? Why can’t I let this go? This isn’t about being dramatic or righteous. It’s about how ADHD wiring processes fairness, moral clarity, and unresolved experiences. Jess and Jeannine explore the difference between noticing injustice and being consumed by it and why pacing your exposure isn’t the same as stopping caring. If you: • replay unfair moments long after they’re over • feel pulled to speak up when others don’t • struggle to tune out news, conflict, or moral issues • wonder why injustice feels personal This episode is for you. Justice sensitivity is one reason many ADHD women feel angry on the inside their brains are wired to notice, connect, and care. The goal isn’t to shut that off. It’s learning how to care without being wrecked by it. You’re not the only one who’s angry on the inside 00:00 – When Unfairness Hits the Body Jess and Jeannine open with the physical experience of injustice chest tightening, jaw locking, hyperfocus, and why ADHD women don’t just notice unfairness… we feel it. 01:18 – Why Everything Feels Louder Right Now Emotional saturation, nervous system overload, and why injustice sensitivity can feel amplified in certain seasons of life. 02:04 – ADHD Women, Rumination, and Self-Doubt Why we replay unfair moments, question ourselves, and wonder why others move on so easily while we’re still carrying it. 03:34 – What Justice Sensitivity Actually Is Naming the pattern: how ADHD brains process unfairness deeply, personally, and persistently plus reassurance that this isn’t “just you.” 05:56 – The Grocery Store Line Story A real-life moment of everyday injustice that shows how justice sensitivity works in the moment and why speaking up can feel unavoidable. 08:14 – The Rumination Spiral After the Moment The “why didn’t I say something?” loop, moral processing, and how ADHD brains build entire narratives after small injustices. 09:25 – Media, Overload, and Nervous System Limits Why constant exposure to world events can overwhelm ADHD nervous systems and make injustice feel inescapable. 12:29 – Moral Clarity and the “Common Knowledge” Gap Why fairness can feel obvious to us but invisible to others and how that gap fuels frustration. 14:46 – The Mirror Moment A turning point: recognizing how we sometimes end up doing the same thing we were upset about and what that says about compassion and limits. 15:08 – Pacing, Boundaries, and Choosing Battles Living with justice sensitivity without trying to carry the whole world. This isn’t about stopping caring it’s about not turning it inward. 17:30 – “I Don’t Want to Be Wrecked by It” Emotional regulation without detachment. Caring deeply without burning out. 18:45 – Closing: Caring Without Carrying Everything Justice sensitivity, anger, values, and the reminder that you’re not the only one who feels this way.

Why do so many ADHD women find themselves picking fights, creating conflict, or feeling pulled toward anger without understanding why? In this episode of Angry on the Inside, Jess and Jeannine unpack the often-misunderstood link between ADHD restlessness and anger and why anger can temporarily feel like relief, clarity, or even motivation. They explore how chronic under-stimulation in the ADHD brain can turn restlessness into irritation, conflict, or rage, and why anger creates a powerful surge of activation through dopamine and adrenaline. For many late-diagnosed women, that surge can feel grounding, productive, and regulating even though it often comes with real emotional and relational costs. This conversation covers: Why ADHD restlessness is physical, emotional, and hard to tolerate How anger becomes a fast (but risky) form of activation Why conflict, doom scrolling, and rage can suddenly make things easier to do The shame cycle many ADHD women experience after anger passes How awareness helps interrupt the pattern without self-blame This episode isn’t about excusing harmful behavior or turning anger into a strategy. It’s about understanding what’s happening in the ADHD nervous system, naming the pattern honestly, and finding safer ways to meet the brain’s need for stimulation without blowing up relationships. If you’ve ever wondered “Why do I feel better after I snap?” or “Why does calm feel harder than chaos?” — this episode is for you. Take what resonates. Leave the rest. And remember: you’re not the only one angry on the inside.

The idea that ADHD women have unlimited capacity doesn’t usually feel like a goal  it feels like an assumption. One that quietly shapes how long we push, how much we tolerate, and how often we abandon ourselves before we stop. In this episode of Angry on the Inside, Jess and Jeannine unpack the difference between “good enough” and “fuck it” two states that often get confused but come from very different places. One is a conscious choice rooted in self-trust, pacing, and autonomy. The other happens after capacity has already been exceeded and the nervous system shuts everything down. They talk honestly about over functioning as a survival strategy, why “good enough” feels unsafe or wrong for so many ADHD women, and how perfectionism disguises itself as responsibility, morality, and work ethic. The conversation explores burnout, nervous system overload, people-pleasing, rejection sensitivity, and the belief that stress equals importance. Through real-life examples  including unfinished work, invisible labor, and the pressure to always go above and beyond this episode names a hard truth: pushing until you collapse isn’t strength, and stopping before you break isn’t failure. If you’ve ever walked away from something wondering whether you made a healthy choice or whether you just hit the point of “fuck it” this episode is for you. Explicit language. Honest conversation. No fixes, no hacks just clarity.   🎧 Podcast Chapter List 00:00 – Good Enough vs. Fuck It Why these two states look similar from the outside but feel completely different internally and how confusing them leads to exhaustion, shutdown, and self-doubt. 02:48 – Over functioning as Survival Why ADHD women don’t stop at “enough” we stop at empty and how perfectionism, people-pleasing, and control become survival strategies. 04:11 – What “Good Enough” Actually Means Good enough as a conscious choice, not giving up. Why stopping early feels unsafe and wrong, even when it’s the healthier option. 07:40 – When “Fuck It” Is a Shutdown Fuck it isn’t a boundary it’s a nervous system collapse. The brief relief, the chaos afterward, and why this moment isn’t empowerment. 09:15 – Capacity, Pacing, and Burnout How pushing past limits leads to recovery mode, unfinished work, and physical exhaustion and why ADHD women consistently overdraw their energy. 13:58 – The Myth of Unlimited Capacity Letting go of the woman we thought we were. Why unlimited focus never existed  and how this belief keeps ADHD women overextending. 20:36 – Choosing Good Enough Before Collapse Why recognizing good enough before shutdown takes awareness and practice and how learning to stop early becomes a real boundary.

Money isn’t just stressful for ADHD women. It often brings up anger, shame, and a deep sense of self-blame that’s hard to explain. In this episode of Angry on the Inside, Jess and Jeannine explore why money feels so hard for ADHD women and why these struggles are neurological, not moral. This conversation unpacks how ADHD impacts the nervous system around money, including time blindness, urgency, impulsivity, avoidance, and the emotional crash that follows trying to “do the right thing” and still feeling behind. From subscriptions you meant to cancel to returns that never quite make it back, they name the lived experience behind financial frustration — without advice, pressure, or judgment. This is not a budgeting episode or a list of fixes. It’s a grounded, validating conversation about money, anger, and ADHD and why feeling overwhelmed or resentful around finances does not mean you’re irresponsible or broken. If money has ever left you feeling angry, ashamed, or quietly overwhelmed on the inside, this episode is for you. 00:00 – Money, Anger & ADHD Women Why money triggers anger, frustration, and shutdown for ADHD women and why logic isn’t the problem. 03:18 – ADHD, Money & the Nervous System How time blindness, impulsivity, and overwhelm shape money struggles not morality or discipline. 07:46 – Urgency, Shame & the ADHD Money Spiral When everything feels on fire, avoidance kicks in, and self-blame takes over. 11:42 – Discipline, Dopamine & Internalized Messages Why “just be more disciplined” backfires for ADHD women and fuels anger and burnout. 15:06 – Returns, Subscriptions & Trying to Do Better The emotional toll of returns, forgotten subscriptions, and effort that still doesn’t pay off. 19:54 – Letting Go of Money Shame Why there’s no single right system and what relief looks like for ADHD women.  

New Year’s Eve is supposed to be magical. New Year’s Day is supposed to feel like a fresh start. But for many ADHD women especially those diagnosed later in life it often feels disappointing, exhausting, or quietly heavy instead. In this episode of Angry on the Inside, Jess and Jeannine talk about why New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day can be so anticlimactic for ADHD brains. From the pressure to have the “best night ever” to the expectation that everything should feel different just because the calendar changed, New Year’s often becomes another place where shame, comparison, and unrealistic expectations creep in. They explore the fantasy vs. reality of New Year’s Eve, the dopamine swings that make plans feel exciting one minute and unbearable the next, and why New Year’s Day can hit especially hard after the emotional and physical marathon of December. You’ll hear why exhaustion, disappointment, and self-blame aren’t personal failures they’re predictable responses when an ADHD brain is pushed to perform on a timeline that doesn’t fit. The conversation also touches on late diagnosis, novelty, and the slow shift that happens when you stop working against your brain and start understanding it. From learning song lyrics to buying a Rubik’s Cube you never open, this episode uses humor and lived experience to unpack why “fresh start” culture doesn’t land the same way for ADHD women. This isn’t about fixing yourself, setting better goals, or forcing a new version of you in January. It’s about permission to do New Year’s your way, to let go of the tropes that don’t work, and to remember that nothing is wrong with you because your brain didn’t magically change overnight. If New Year’s has always felt harder than it’s supposed to you’re not alone. 🎙️ Angry on the Inside is hosted by two Certified ADHD Coaches sharing lived experience, insight, and honest conversation. This podcast is not therapy or coaching take what resonates and leave the rest. 00:00 – New Year’s Eve Expectations vs Reality (ADHD Women) Why New Year’s Eve creates pressure, comparison, and stress for ADHD women and how expectations quietly build weeks before the night even arrives. 02:20 – ADHD Energy Swings on New Year’s Eve From party mode to total shutdown, Jess and Jeannine unpack ADHD energy swings on New Year’s Eve and why every version of showing up is valid. 05:40 – Why New Year’s Day Feels Anticlimactic with ADHD The post-midnight crash: exhaustion, disappointment, and why New Year’s Day rarely feels like a fresh start for ADHD brains. 08:45 – “The Whole Damn Time”: ADHD Expectations & Shame That realization moment when ADHD women see how pressure, self-blame, and unrealistic expectations have been running in the background all along. 09:40 – ADHD, New Year Goals, and the Novelty Trap Why New Year goals feel exciting at first, how novelty fades for ADHD brains, and what small stories reveal about motivation and follow-through. 12:00 – New Year, Same Brain: ADHD Women Doing It Their Way Late diagnosis, self-compassion, and permission for ADHD women to stop forcing New Year’s traditions that don’t fit without shame.

The holidays come with expectations and for ADHD women, those expectations often collide hard with reality. In this episode of Angry on the Inside, Jess and Jeannine talk honestly about why December feels so overwhelming for ADHD brains. From invisible “shoulds” and perfectionism to emotional overload and burnout, the holiday season becomes a pressure cooker for women who are already doing too much and trying to hold everything together. They explore how perfectionism often shows up as a learned coping strategy, why kids and partners feel stress even when we think we’re hiding it, and how hypervigilance and all-or-nothing thinking can turn one imperfect moment into a “ruined” day. You’ll also hear why the holidays we remember most aren’t the perfect ones they’re the messy, human stories where things went wrong and everyone survived anyway. This isn’t a checklist or a “just relax” conversation. It’s a grounded, validating discussion about setting realistic expectations, naming your limits, challenging the constant “shoulds,” and redefining what a good enough holiday actually looks like for an ADHD brain. If the holiday season leaves you feeling overwhelmed, short-tempered, or quietly angry on the inside you’re not alone. 🎙️ Angry on the Inside is hosted by Jess and Jeannine, certified ADHD life coaches, sharing honest conversations for ADHD women navigating life, relationships, and late diagnosis. 00:00 – The Holiday Script in Your Head Why ADHD women enter December with a mental script and why reality never seems to follow it. 02:05 – Perfectionism, “Shoulds,” and Holiday Pressure How invisible expectations, perfectionism, and lifelong “shoulds” collide during the holidays for ADHD women. 04:55 – Kids, Partners, and Emotional Wi-Fi Why the stress we think we’re hiding is felt by everyone around us especially kids. 07:45 – Hypervigilance and All-or-Nothing Holiday Thinking How trying to control holiday chaos drains ADHD women and turns one imperfect moment into “the whole day is ruined.” 11:45 – Capacity vs. Expectations (What Actually Breaks Us) The mismatch between real capacity and holiday plans and why ADHD women often don’t realize the limit until after the crash. 15:25 – Good Enough Holidays & Letting Go of “Should” ADHD-friendly strategies for setting realistic expectations, communicating limits, and redefining what “good enough” really means. 19:30 – The Holidays We Remember Aren’t the Perfect Ones Why the most meaningful holiday memories come from messy, human moments not perfectly executed plans.

The holidays hit different when you’re an ADHD woman trying to keep yourself regulated while your kids bounce between overstimulation, sugar crashes, and relative-induced chaos. In this episode, Jess and Jeannine break down real-world co-regulation strategies that actually work for ADHD moms and sensory-sensitive kids without shame, perfection pressure, or Pinterest-mom energy. We talk about: 🎄 Why co-regulation isn’t codependence (and how to tell the difference) 🧠 Using curiosity instead of control when your kid melts down 🙅‍♀️ Consent hellos, body autonomy, and navigating pushy relatives 🔊 Sensory overload survival: sunglasses, Loops, headphones & coping candy 👜 The ADHD “Santa Survival Kit” for car rides, stores, and family gatherings 💬 Emotional honesty & why your kids can always read your stress 💗 How to stay connected when everyone’s overstimulated (including you) This episode is for every ADHD mom who’s trying to make the holidays feel safe, manageable, and actually enjoyable without sacrificing your sanity or your kids’ nervous systems. If you’ve ever whispered “I need a timeout too,” this one’s your episode. 00:00 – Cold Open: Holiday Chaos Meets ADHD Brains Mariah Carey, meltdowns, pine-scented overstimulation, and why December hits different for ADHD women. 01:02 – Co-Regulation vs. Codependence (And Why It Matters Today) Understanding emotional regulation during the holidays — without absorbing everyone else’s stress. 03:10 – Curiosity Over Control: The ADHD-Friendly Parenting Reset Ditching the pre-party “be on your best behavior” script and using curiosity to defuse meltdowns. 07:14 – Consent, Autonomy, and Holiday Boundaries for Kids How to model body autonomy, support kids’ comfort, and handle pushy relatives without guilt. 12:32 – Sensory Overload: Prevent, Support, Protect Holiday environments are sensory traps. Tools that work: sunglasses, scents, Loop earplugs, headphones, coping candy, and more. 17:30 – The Santa Survival Kit & Reset Rituals How to create a car-ready regulation kit to prevent overstimulation and why modeling resets builds trust. 22:07 – Survival Mode, Emotional Honesty & Staying Connected How kids read your stress, why transparency matters, and how to co-regulate through holiday overwhelm.

December hits ADHD women differently and no one talks about it. One minute you’re thriving on holiday dopamine and twinkle lights, and the next you’re in the bathroom with a six-pack of Reese’s trees wondering why your nervous system has abandoned you for the holidays. In this episode, Jess and Jeannine break down the real ADHD holiday arc: overstimulation, disappearing routines, perfectionism pressure, emotional labor, family triggers, and the “why am I suddenly seven years old?” regression that shows up every year. We also talk about DESR, unapologetically, hitting emotional capacity, and how to build a December that actually fits your brain without shame, without perfection, and without the meltdown hangover. If you’ve ever cried in the Target parking lot during the holidays, you’re in the right place. 00:00 – The ADHD Holiday High The early-December dopamine surge, over-decorating, organizing, and the festive identity ADHD women know too well. 00:47 – The Holiday Crash No One Talks About Two days before Christmas: bathroom Reese’s trees, sugar crashes, and the emotional flip that hits out of nowhere. 01:27 – Who We Are: Late-Diagnosed, Overwhelmed, Still Here Jess & Jeannine introduce the episode: emotional whiplash, Target-parking-lot tears, and the ADHD reality of holiday season. 02:43 – Why December Breaks ADHD Brains Overstimulation, emotional overload, disappearing routines, and why December hits different for ADHD women. 05:19 – Family Triggers & Old Roles Rebooting Why holiday gatherings send ADHD women straight back into childhood dynamics, old labels, and old wounds. 07:08 – Perfectionism, Emotional Labor & the Mental Load The invisible work behind “perfect holidays,” unrealistic expectations, and why ADHD women hit emotional capacity fast. 09:29 – What Actually Helps ADHD Women in December Regulation basics, lowering standards, cutting the list in half, redefining traditions, and building a holiday that fits your capacity. 20:13 – “That’s Not Normal”: ADHD Holiday Edition Wrapping-paper crises, 2 a.m. cleaning, Clydesdale commercials, Reese’s trees in the bathroom — and why your holiday chaos is valid. 23:35 – Closing: Take What Fits, Leave the Rest A grounding reminder: nothing about your December makes you weak, and you're not the only one feeling angry on the inside.

Gratitude season hits different when you have ADHD. While the world is shouting “just be thankful,” most of us are stuck juggling overwhelm, rumination, perfectionism, emotional intensity, and a brain that cannot seem to slow down long enough to notice the good stuff. In this episode, Jess and Jeannine get honest about what gratitude actually looks like for ADHD women not the Pinterest version, not the toxic-positivity version, and definitely not the guilt-tripped version. From Jess’s real-life run-in with an aggressively cheerful quote at her oncologist’s office, to Jeannine’s abandoned gratitude journal, to the science behind dopamine, serotonin, rumination, micro-gratitude moments, and why joy feels so huge (and so rare) when it finally breaks through this is gratitude told through the lens of real neurodivergent life. Inside this episode: Why gratitude for ADHD brains is awareness, not performance The difference between gratitude and toxic positivity How comparison, ableism, and internalized shame sneak into “thankfulness” What the science says about gratitude, dopamine, serotonin, and ADHD emotional regulation Joy as a form of gratitude (hello, “wee moments”) Why perfectionism, RSD, and negative self-talk shut gratitude down How neuroplasticity supports changing emotional patterns at any age Micro-gratitude vs. forced routines and why tiny wins actually work Why ADHD women feel undeserving of good things (and how to shift that) The emotional power of handwritten letters and intentional connection Jess and Jeannine keep it real, keep it funny, and keep it grounded in lived ADHD experience. No pressure, no journals required, no guilt if you haven’t felt thankful today. Gratitude isn’t a task it’s a moment. And you deserve to let the good stuff count. If this episode hit home, share it with someone who gets it. We’re building a space where neurodivergent women can feel seen, validated, and a little less alone. 00:00 – When Gratitude Season Meets ADHD Reality Holiday pressure, “just be grateful,” and why it doesn’t land for ADHD brains. 01:27 – Toxic Positivity in a Serious Space Jess’s oncologist-office moment & why forced positivity feels invalidating. 02:21 – Ableism, Comparison, and Misunderstood Gratitude What gratitude is not — and how comparison hijacks it. 04:33 – The Science: Dopamine, Serotonin & the ‘Wee Moment’ ADHD joy, emotional intensity, and why gratitude hits differently. 07:09 – Perfectionism, Shame Cycles & Feeling Undeserving How negative self-talk blocks gratitude and keeps ADHD women small. 10:16 – Neuroplasticity & Rewiring Gratitude Patterns ADHD brains can change — even later in life. 12:06 – Gratitude Letters, RSD & Communicating Love Why writing feels safer, deeper, and emotionally clearer for ADHD folks. 14:22 – The Shirt Spiral: Perfectionism on Full Display A relatable, classic Jess story about overwhelm, appearance, and RSD. 17:06 – Gratitude in Chaos: ADHD, Rumination & Emotional Overload Why pausing is hard, and how ADHD blocks access to positive moments. 26:29 – Micro-Gratitude: Tiny Wins That Actually Work Realistic, ADHD-friendly gratitude without guilt, pressure, or perfection. 29:12 – A Moment of Gratitude Between Jess & Jeannine

Many ADHD women move through Thanksgiving with a mix of joy, pressure, sensory overload, and invisible labor that most people never see. This episode offers a grounded, honest look at how the holiday actually feels for neurodivergent women without shame, without judgment, and without telling you how you’re “supposed” to handle it. Jess and Jeannine explore the very real contrast between the parts of the holiday that feel comforting and the parts that drain us. From early-Christmas dopamine and all-day cooking marathons to childhood split-holidays and overstimulation before noon, they walk through the full spectrum of ADHD holiday experiences with warmth, humor, and compassion. In this episode, you’ll hear about: The playful chaos of getting into holiday mode early Why cooking energizes some ADHD women and overwhelms others How invisible labor shapes the emotional weight of Thanksgiving Delegating tasks in a way that feels supportive rather than stressful Building a “Minimum Viable Thanksgiving” that actually fits your nervous system Setting boundaries that keep the day peaceful, not perfect Why small or unconventional Thanksgivings count just as much as the traditional ones How to stay present enough to be part of the memories—not just the labor behind them This episode is for anyone who wants permission to make Thanksgiving simpler, calmer, and more reflective of how their brain actually works. You’re not alone in the way you experience this season, and you deserve a holiday that gives back more than it takes. 00:00 – Cold Open: Mariah in November & ADHD Holiday Vibes 00:39 – Invisible Labor & Why Thanksgiving Feels Like a Logistics Operation 01:08 – Show Intro: Two ADHD Women, One Holiday Season 02:31 – Split-Screen Thanksgiving: Cooking Dopamine vs. Holiday Whiplash 05:23 – Delegating, Letting People Help, and Letting Go of Perfect 07:47 – Minimum Viable Thanksgiving: Presence, Not Perfection 11:55 – Boundaries Without Being a Holiday Grinch 14:15 – Alternative Thanksgivings Count Too 16:00 – Closing: Peace, Pie & Permission to Rest

Ever gone from fine to furious in half a second? That flash of rage it's chemistry before it become emotion. In this episode, Jess and Jeannine explain how cortisol, the stress hormone, acts like fuel for the fire when ADHD brains are already running hot. They dive into: Why cortisol floods ADHD systems faster and sticks around longer The addictive hit of control you feel mid-rage What happens during the crash and why shame keeps you stuck How to interrupt the cortisol loop and step back into calm This isn’t about managing anger it’s about understanding what your body is actually doing when it thinks it’s in danger. No shame. No “shoulds.” Just truth, clarity, and compassion. 🎧 Angry on the Inside is where two late diagnosed ADHD women, Jess and Jeannine, talk honestly about the intersection of brain chemistry, identity, and burnout. It’s real talk for women who’ve been told they’re too much, when really they were just running on empty. 00:00 – Fine to Furious in Seconds The ADHD Rage Experience Cold open that hooks listeners instantly with a relatable ADHD rage moment. 00:21 – Welcome to Angry on the Inside Real Talk for ADHD Women Show intro and disclaimer; Jess and Jeannine set the tone for honest, grounded conversation. 00:57 – What ADHD Rage Really Is (and Why It Isn’t Just Anger) Defining ADHD rage as chemistry, not character breaking down the real mechanics behind emotional flooding. 02:23 – Cortisol Explained Your Body’s Stress Alarm System Understanding what cortisol does, how it spikes, and why ADHD brains stay on alert longer. 03:59 – Why Cortisol Feels Like Fuel for the Fire How cortisol creates that temporary sense of control and why it’s really feeding the flames. 04:40 – Chemistry First, Reaction Second Reframing ADHD Rage AOI’s core reframe: emotional outbursts aren’t moral failures; they’re chemical chain reactions. 05:21 – When Triggers Stack Electronics, Traffic, and Tiny Explosions Everyday stories that reveal how sensory overload and stress stack until rage feels inevitable. 09:44 – The Crash and Shame Cycle After ADHD Rage Exploring the emotional hangover the exhaustion, guilt, and shame that follow a cortisol spike. 13:07 – Regulation and Recovery Finding Your Exit Ramp How to pause, breathe, and come down gently after emotional flooding without judgment. 15:54 – You’re Not Broken Just Wired Differently Final reflections and grounding reminder that ADHD rage is human, not hopeless.

Jess & Jeannine explore the ADHD tipping point.  The moment everything you’ve been holding together finally slips, and what it really means to rebuild without shame, burnout, or masks. When ADHD women hit the tipping point, it’s not failure, it’s the truth finally catching up. In this episode of Angry on the Inside, Jess and Jeannine unpack why coping systems collapse, what “going over the edge” really means, and how to steady yourself when the scaffolding falls away. From masking fatigue and burnout to the relief and grief of diagnosis, this is the real conversation about ADHD overwhelm that most people don't get to hear. You’ll hear how life transitions, new jobs, parenthood, perimenopause, or pandemic chaos push many ADHD women to their limit, and how to recognize when that moment is coming again. ✨ What You’ll Hear: Why ADHD women hit tipping points (and how to see them sooner) How “structure” and “control” are often different things The link between burnout, hormones, and executive dysfunction Relief, grief, and what comes after diagnosis Why your next tipping point is a checkpoint, not a collapse Ways to communicate, prepare, and rebuild community support 00:00 – All the Plates Drop 00:30 – When Everything Finally Slips 01:08 – Parenthood, Promotion & Pandemic Chaos 02:26 – Masking, Overdoing, and the Slow Burn to Shutdown 05:54 – Structure Isn’t Control- It’s Capacity 10:40 – Scaffolding, Survival & Losing Your Map 14:01 – Relief & Grief: The Emotional Aftershock of Diagnosis 17:17 – The Cycles Keep Coming and That’s Okay 19:26 – Checkpoint, Not Failure 22:00 – Prepare, Communicate & Rebuild 22:59 – Outro | You’re Not Broken  

It’s Halloween, the dopamine’s high, and the masks are off, literally and figuratively for ADHD women. In this bonus “After Dark” episode, Jess and Jeannine get unmasked about ADHD, dopamine, chaos, and why Halloween feels like home for neurodivergent brains. From glow-stick jokes and dirty puns to executive dysfunction and dopamine hits, this episode celebrates the freedom, laughter, and chaos that come when the masks finally drop. It’s explicit, ridiculous, and weirdly validating exactly how AOI does Halloween. If you’re a late-diagnosed ADHD woman who’s ever loved the ritual, the chaos, or the permission to be someone else for a night, this one’s for you.     In this episode Why ADHD women love Halloween (and what dopamine has to do with it) Masking, unmasking, and the joy of pretending Chaos, costumes, and permission to be loud The AOI kind of “After Dark” unfiltered, funny, and a little filthy ⚠️ Explicit Content Notice This bonus episode is NSFW in the best way. Headphones recommended candy optional. 00:00 – The Neurodivergent Super Bowl Why ADHD women love Halloween chaos, creativity, and permission to be “too much.” 01:01 – Hot Glue Guns and False Starts Jess and Jeannine stumble through intros and burn jokes literally. 01:20 – Masking Meets Costume How pretending becomes power when ADHD women turn masking into play. 02:23 – Legalized Dopamine Candy, chaos, and serotonin Halloween as an executive-function win. 03:40 – Glow Sticks and Dirty Jokes From glow-stick daydreams to “After Dark” laughter unfiltered ADHD joy. 04:23 – The Only Holiday That Doesn’t Demand Happy Why Halloween feels safe, nostalgic, and sensory-friendly for neurodivergent brains. 06:10 – Belonging in the Weird Freedom, rebellion, and self-recognition the night our brains and the world align.  

For many women with ADHD, burnout doesn’t start with chaos it starts quietly. The slow burn builds in the background as we push harder, over-function, and hold everything together until it all gives way. In this episode of Angry on the Inside, Jess and Jeannine unpack the hidden signs of the slow burn, the exhaustion you dismiss, the scaffolding you build to stay afloat, and the moment you realize willpower isn’t enough anymore. Through humor, honesty, and lived experience, they name what ADHD women often don’t recognize: the creeping overwhelm that comes before collapse. If you’ve ever wondered why “holding it together” feels harder every year, this one’s for you. Topics include: ADHD burnout, late diagnosis, executive-function fatigue, masking, medical gaslighting, and finding self-compassion when the system breaks down. You’re not alone in this and it’s not just you. 🎧 What ADHD Women Don’t Recognize: The Slow Burn Before Burnout Chapters (Exact Transcript Timestamps) 00:00 – Juggling Everything Jeannine opens with the quiet chaos of balancing work, family, and the invisible load of ADHD life. 00:45 – Naming the Slow Burn Jess defines the “slow burn” the exhaustion and cracks in the armor that appear long before burnout. 01:45 – Jeannine’s Story: Losing Structure Jeannine shares how staying home upended her scaffolding and led to recognizing her ADHD. 04:03 – Jess’s Story: When the Structure Fades Jess reflects on losing her anchors smoking, kids’ routines, motivation and seeing herself change. 07:18 – Dopamine and the Disappearing Drive They unpack ADHD, menopause, and the loss of natural motivation that turns daily life into survival. 08:43 – Comparing ADHD Stories A reminder that ADHD looks different for every woman comparison only fuels shame. 09:53 – When You “Should” Be Happy but Aren’t How meeting life’s goals can still feel hollow when executive function collapses. 11:42 – The Burnout Loop Jess and Jeannine discuss chasing unrealistic standards that drain the body and brain. 15:26 – Misdiagnosis and Medical Gaslighting Many ADHD women are mislabeled with anxiety or depression before getting the right diagnosis. 19:12 – The Shame Cycle How “doing everything right” can still fail and the loneliness of feeling broken with no answers. 20:00 – Running Out of Willpower Jess explains how discipline and willpower eventually collapse under ADHD burnout. 22:03 – The Warning Before Burnout Jess’s reflection and Jeannine’s closing reminder: burnout isn’t failure it’s your system asking for help. ADHD women, ADHD burnout, ADHD slow burn, executive dysfunction, masking, medical gaslighting, late-diagnosed ADHD, burnout recovery, neurodivergent exhaustion.

October isn’t quiet for anyone living with ADHD. In Part 2 of “October Is Loud,” Jess and Jeannine continue their deep dive through the month’s overlapping awareness causes. From domestic-violence and bullying prevention to dyslexia, LGBTQ+ visibility, disability employment, and cyber-safety. They connect every theme back to empathy, inclusion, and how visibility changes lives. Thoughtful, grounded, and real. This bonus episode closes the series with compassion and community. 00:00 – Intro & Content Warning 00:24 – Domestic Violence Awareness & Resources 01:35 – Bullying Prevention Month & Long-Term Impact 03:11 – Healing and Boundaries for ADHD Adults 03:36 – Learning Disabilities & Dyslexia Awareness 04:14 – LGBTQ+ History & Intersex Awareness Day 05:42 – Filipino American History Month & Representation 06:17 – Disability Employment & Cyber Safety Awareness 07:29 – Digital Safety Tips for ADHD Brains 08:13 – Other October Awareness Causes 08:42 – Final Reflection & Outro

Ever feel like your ADHD brain only runs on two settings? All in or completely shut down. In this episode, Jess and Jeannine dive into the gray space between perfectionism and paralysis. They unpack rest guilt, hyper-independence, and why balance feels impossible for ADHD women. Honest, funny, and validating this conversation is a reminder that rest isn’t lazy, and living in the gray is its own kind of strength. 00:00 – The ADHD All-In or Shut-Down Cycle Jessica and Jeannine open with humor and honesty about living in extremes — why ADHD brains struggle to find the middle ground. 00:25 – Welcome to Angry on the Inside The hosts reintroduce themselves and clarify that these are lived experiences, not prescriptions — just real ADHD life talk. 01:14 – Rest vs. Laziness: The Myth That Won’t Die Exploring how ADHD, guilt, and conditioning make rest feel like failure — and how internalized “lazy” narratives start young. 02:42 – Feeling Perceived: ADHD, Help, and Hyper-Independence Why asking for help feels unsafe, how judgment shapes masking, and why many ADHD women equate support with weakness. 09:31 – Burnout and the Invisible Labor Load The conversation expands to hidden ADHD exhaustion — mental load, resentment, and constant overdrive that never fully stops. 11:37 – Social Media, Comparison, and Negative Independence Jeannine’s “rage about social media” leads into how ADHD brains chase impossible standards and equate worth with output. 11:48 – The Perfectionist Cycle Jessica outlines the 5-step ADHD perfectionism loop — unrealistic expectations, avoidance, paralysis, missed deadlines, shame. 16:17 – Reframing and Self-Compassion They unpack the role of reframing, self-talk, and running “in beta” — learning to release perfection and honor the process. 21:28 – What Else Could Be True? Tools vs. Tricks How to question assumptions, celebrate progress, and shift language — moving from “or” to “and” thinking for ADHD balance. 22:41 – That’s Not Normal: Turning Rest into Competition The classic AOI segment returns with ADHD humor: rest metrics, calendar guilt, and productivity cosplay gone wrong. 23:57 – Reclaiming the Gray From black-and-white thinking to naming what’s real — awareness as control, and permission to rest without earning it. 24:33 – Outro: Still Learning to Live in the Gray Signature AOI close — messy, funny, human. “If rest feels like guilt, you’re not alone… Maybe not. And that’s okay.”

October isn’t just busy it’s loud! Every awareness campaign seems to hit close to home for ADHD women. Why do they all circle back to us! In this bonus episode, Jess and Jeannine look at October through the ADHD lens: from breast cancer awareness and dysautonomia to health literacy, physical therapy, and mental health. They talk about how our bodies, our brains, and a healthcare system built on executive function collide and how self-awareness can become a form of self-advocacy. It’s honest, a little funny, and full of “oh that’s me” moments. Because if you’re an ADHD woman, October isn’t just about awareness — it’s about survival, curiosity, and learning to listen to your body 💛 Resources Mentioned 🩷 Breast Cancer Awareness Month Learn more about early detection, dense breast tissue, and screening guidelines: 👉 https://www.nationalbreastcancer.org 💙 The Dysautonomia Project Education and advocacy for people living with autonomic nervous system disorders (including POTS): 👉 https://www.dysautonomiaproject.org 🧘‍♀️ Physical Therapy Awareness Month Promoting movement, recovery, and access to neurodiversity-informed PT care: 👉 https://www.apta.org/ptmonth 📚 Health Literacy Month Building awareness around communication, understanding, and access in healthcare: 👉 https://healthliteracymonth.org 🧠 Mental Health Awareness / ADHD Resources Articles and screening tools for ADHD, depression, and anxiety: 👉 https://www.additudemag.com 👉 https://screening.mhanational.org 00:00 – October Through the ADHD Lens Jessica and Jeannine open with humor and hyperfocus, explaining how a simple follow-up turned into a deep dive into every awareness that October brings. 00:46 – Breast Cancer Awareness: Executive Function Meets Early Detection They discuss how ADHD impacts health maintenance, the realities of dense breast tissue, and the importance of MRI screenings and accountability buddies. 03:10 – Dysautonomia Awareness: The Overlap with ADHD The hosts unpack POTS, dysautonomia, and how misdiagnosis and medical gaslighting often mirror ADHD experiences. They highlight the Dysautonomia Project’s patient–clinician guide. 05:31 – Physical Therapy and the Neurodivergent Body They explore hypermobility, chronic pain, and the need for neurodiversity-informed PT care — reminding listeners that they’re not “just patients,” but customers deserving adaptable support. 06:57 – Health Literacy Month: When the System Runs on Executive Function Jessica and Jeannine connect ADHD with health communication gaps, emphasizing the need for neuroaffirming providers and resources that work for both sides of the exam room. 08:32 – Mental Health Awareness: Depression, Anxiety, and Missed ADHD They reflect on overlapping diagnoses, the importance of ADHD-informed therapy, and self-advocacy when working with clinicians. Links for Attitude Magazine and mental health screening tools are mentioned. 10:47 – Outro: The Body, the System, and What Comes Next Jessica and Jeannine close Part 1 with warmth and encouragement — a reminder to hydrate, rest, and schedule the appointments that have been waiting on the back burner.

Imposter syndrome hits differently for ADHD women especially those diagnosed later in life. In this episode, Jess and Jeannine unpack how perfectionism, people-pleasing, and impossible standards leave us questioning our worth. They talk about masking, burnout, and what it means to finally believe: you’re not the imposter the system is. Follow @angryontheinside for more candid ADHD conversations and unfiltered stories about late diagnosis, self-compassion, and neurodivergent life. 00:00 – Welcome & Disclaimer: ADHD, Imposter Feelings, and Real Talk Jess and Jeannine open the episode, define imposter feelings, and remind listeners that this is a real-life ADHD conversation, not therapy. 00:36 – What Is Imposter Syndrome in Women with ADHD? They unpack how self-doubt, fear of being “found out,” and difficulty accepting success often show up for ADHD women. 03:02 – Perfectionism, Negativity Bias, and ADHD Self-Doubt A discussion on how ADHD brains fixate on mistakes and confuse perfectionism with worthiness. 06:21 – Late ADHD Diagnosis and the Cycle of Self-Doubt Reflecting on the emotional mix of relief and doubt that comes with a late ADHD diagnosis. 08:27 – People-Pleasing, Overachievement, and ADHD Burnout How overworking and people-pleasing become survival tools that eventually lead to burnout. 11:03 – Letting Go of Coping Strategies and Finding Your Voice What happens when ADHD women stop people-pleasing and start speaking their truth aloud. 13:03 – Masking, Comparison, and Internalized Denial in ADHD How masking traits and comparing struggles feed denial and reinforce imposter feelings. 16:31 – That’s Not Normal: Calling Out ADHD Imposter Thoughts A lighthearted segment where Jess and Jeannine call out common ADHD imposter beliefs. 17:24 – Leaning Into ADHD: Diagnosis, Community & Acceptance Using diagnosis as a tool for self-understanding and finding connection in the ADHD community. 21:09 – Rewriting the Narrative: Self-Compassion & ADHD Women Closing reflections on journaling, acceptance, and reclaiming self-compassion for ADHD women. 23:32 – Kick Today in the Nuts: The Angry on the Inside Outro Jess and Jeannine wrap up with laughter, honesty, and that signature AOI reminder — you’re not alone, and you’ve got this (nuts and all).