For The Moms With ADHD with Amy Marie Hann
1Digest
Kim and Ben Holderness, hosts of the Holderness Family Podcast, delve into the topic of ADHD, specifically focusing on the underdiagnosis of ADHD in women and girls. They discuss how ADHD can manifest differently in women compared to men, often presenting as perfectionism, anxiety, and emotional dysregulation rather than hyperactivity. They also highlight the challenges of ADHD in motherhood, including the overwhelming demands of executive functioning, the pressure to be the perfect mom, and the potential for burnout. The episode features Amy Marie Han, creator of Master the Mundane, an online course for moms with ADHD. Amy shares her personal experiences as a woman with ADHD whose entire family also has the condition, discussing the unique challenges and joys of navigating life with ADHD. She emphasizes the importance of self-awareness, modeling healthy coping mechanisms for children, and finding strategies that work for individual brains. The episode concludes with a discussion about the importance of reframing ADHD as a unique strength and celebrating the diverse ways ADHD brains contribute to the world.
Outlines
Intro
This Chapter introduces the Holderness Family Podcast and the topic of ADHD, specifically focusing on the underdiagnosis of ADHD in women and girls.
ADHD in Women and Girls
This Chapter delves into the unique ways ADHD manifests in women and girls, highlighting the challenges of underdiagnosis and the impact on motherhood.
Amy Marie Han: ADHD Mom and Expert
This Chapter introduces Amy Marie Han, creator of Master the Mundane, an online course for moms with ADHD. Amy shares her personal experiences and insights on navigating life with ADHD as a woman and a mother.
ADHD Burnout and Motherhood
This Chapter explores the concept of ADHD burnout in women, discussing the daily stressors of motherhood and the impact on mental health and well-being.
Letting Go of Perfectionism
This Chapter focuses on the importance of letting go of perfectionism and finding strategies that work for individual brains, particularly in the context of ADHD and motherhood.
The ADHD Brain: A Unique Strength
This Chapter explores the unique strengths and gifts of the ADHD brain, emphasizing the importance of embracing individuality and celebrating diverse perspectives.
Keywords
ADHD
Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder that affects a person's ability to focus, control impulses, and organize tasks. It is characterized by inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity. ADHD is often diagnosed in childhood, but it can persist into adulthood. There are three main types of ADHD: inattentive, hyperactive-impulsive, and combined. The symptoms of ADHD can vary from person to person, and they can impact different areas of life, including school, work, and relationships.
Underdiagnosis
Underdiagnosis refers to the situation where a condition is present but not recognized or diagnosed. In the context of ADHD, underdiagnosis is particularly prevalent in women and girls, as well as minorities and highly intelligent individuals. This is because ADHD can manifest differently in these groups, and traditional diagnostic criteria may not fully capture their experiences.
Executive Functioning
Executive functioning refers to a set of mental processes that help us plan, organize, and manage our time and behavior. These processes include working memory, attention, inhibition, and flexibility. People with ADHD often have challenges with executive functioning, which can impact their ability to complete tasks, manage their time, and control their impulses.
Perfectionism
Perfectionism is a personality trait characterized by a strong desire to achieve flawlessness and a fear of making mistakes. While perfectionism can be beneficial in some situations, it can also be detrimental to mental health and well-being. In the context of ADHD, perfectionism can lead to procrastination, anxiety, and feelings of inadequacy.
Burnout
Burnout is a state of emotional, physical, and mental exhaustion caused by prolonged or excessive stress. It is often characterized by feelings of cynicism, detachment, and a lack of accomplishment. Burnout can impact various aspects of life, including work, relationships, and overall well-being.
Homeschooling
Homeschooling is a form of education where children are taught at home rather than in a traditional school setting. It can be a viable option for families with children who have ADHD, as it allows for greater flexibility and individualized learning. However, homeschooling can also be challenging, particularly for parents who have ADHD themselves.
Modeling
Modeling refers to the process of demonstrating a behavior or skill for others to learn from. In the context of ADHD, modeling is particularly important for parents who have ADHD themselves. By modeling healthy coping mechanisms and strategies, parents can help their children learn how to manage their ADHD effectively.
Amy Marie Han
Amy Marie Han is the creator of Master the Mundane, a unique online course and community that empowers moms with ADHD to manage their home and family in a way that works for their brains. She is a passionate advocate for ADHD awareness and understanding, and she shares her personal experiences and insights through her online platform and speaking engagements.
Master the Mundane
Master the Mundane is an online course and community created by Amy Marie Han for moms with ADHD. The course provides practical strategies and tools to help moms manage their home and family in a way that works for their ADHD brains. It covers topics such as time management, organization, routines, and self-care.
ActivatedADHDmama
ActivatedADHDmama is the Instagram handle of Amy Marie Han, where she shares her insights on ADHD, motherhood, and self-care. Her Instagram account is a valuable resource for moms with ADHD who are looking for support, inspiration, and practical tips.
Q&A
How does ADHD manifest differently in women compared to men?
ADHD in women often presents with more internalized symptoms like perfectionism, anxiety, and emotional dysregulation, rather than the hyperactivity commonly associated with men. This can make it harder to diagnose in women, especially if they were not diagnosed as children.
What are some of the challenges of ADHD in motherhood?
Motherhood can be particularly demanding for women with ADHD, as it requires a high level of executive functioning, organization, and time management. The pressure to be the perfect mom can also exacerbate feelings of inadequacy and anxiety. Additionally, the constant demands of motherhood can lead to burnout.
What are some strategies for managing ADHD in motherhood?
Amy Marie Han suggests finding strategies that work for individual brains, such as chunking tasks, setting realistic expectations, and seeking support from others. She also emphasizes the importance of self-awareness and modeling healthy coping mechanisms for children.
What are some of the unexpected joys of having a family with ADHD?
Amy Marie Han highlights the importance of modeling healthy coping mechanisms for children and the joy of seeing them develop self-awareness and advocate for themselves. She also emphasizes the unique perspectives and creative solutions that ADHD brains bring to the world.
What are some resources for moms with ADHD?
Amy Marie Han's online course, Master the Mundane, provides practical strategies and tools for managing ADHD in motherhood. Her Instagram account, @activatedADHDmama, offers support, inspiration, and practical tips. Additionally, there are many online communities and support groups for moms with ADHD.
How can we reframe ADHD as a strength?
Amy Marie Han believes that ADHD brains are uniquely created to bring good to the world. She emphasizes the importance of embracing individuality and celebrating the diverse perspectives and creative solutions that ADHD brains offer.
What are some tips for supporting a child with ADHD?
Parents of children with ADHD can benefit from learning about the condition and its unique challenges. They can also model healthy coping mechanisms, provide structure and support, and advocate for their child's needs.
What are some signs of ADHD burnout in women?
Signs of ADHD burnout in women can include feelings of failure, overwhelm, and a lack of accomplishment. They may also experience difficulty managing daily tasks, difficulty regulating emotions, and a sense of resignation to chaos.
How can we create a more supportive environment for women with ADHD?
We can create a more supportive environment for women with ADHD by increasing awareness and understanding of the condition. We can also challenge societal expectations and stereotypes that can contribute to underdiagnosis and stigma.
What are some ways to find a balance between motherhood and self-care?
Finding a balance between motherhood and self-care is essential for women with ADHD. This may involve setting boundaries, prioritizing self-care activities, and seeking support from others.
Show Notes
What a journey this past month has been. Kim and I finished up our final book tour appearance last week in Minneapolis - and we loved meeting all of you! ADHD Is Awesome is research-based and we interviewed many doctors, psychologists, and psychiatrists to get as broad a perspective as possible. But in the end, it's written from my perspective. When I look back at the process of writing this book, I wish I'd had the opportunity to talk more about other perspectives than my own. In particular, the perspective of the under-diagnosed woman with ADHD and minorities.
In this week’s podcast, we got a chance to speak with Amy Marie Hann, a mother of 3 children with ADHD. Amy herself was diagnosed with ADHD as a child. Her father and sister are also ADHD, as is her husband. Needless to say, ADHD has permeated every corner of her life. It was incredibly enlightening to talk to her about her own journey and how she has adapted her routines in order to not only keep her own ADHD in check, but also be able to be present and effective in raising her children. You can learn more about Amy Marie here: https://www.amymariehann.com/
Also, you can attend our last book event (for now) this Thursday, June 6th: https://theholdernessfamily.com/adhd-is-awesome/#tour
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Kim and Penn are online content creators known for their award-winning videos, including original music, song parodies, and comedy sketches. Their videos have resulted in over 2 billion views and 8 million followers across their social media platforms since they (accidentally) went viral in 2013. They have a best-selling book on marriage communication, a top-rated podcast, a fun-filled family card game, and most recently, they were the winners on Season 33 of The Amazing Race.
The Holderness Family Podcast is edited and engineered by Max Trujillo of Trujillo Media and produced by Ann Marie Taepke, Julie Frahm, and Sam Allen.
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