ADHD Unplugged: Candid Conversations

The Society for ADHD
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The Society for ADHD is shedding light on how ADHD shows up in late diagnosed adults and marginalized communities where it’s often misread, misunderstood, and deeply stigmatized. Join us for honest conversations with neurodivergent voices, alongside doctors, educators, wellness pros, and public figures who are passionate about shifting the narrative and supporting real understanding. It’s smart, soulful, and sometimes hilarious , the kind of real talk that builds awareness, breaks shame, and bridges gaps. You’ll laugh, you’ll learn, and you just might find your tribe.

Episodes

  1. Sep 19

    I Thought I Was Losing My Mind - Late Diagnosed ADHD in Perimenopausal Women

    For countless women, the path to an ADHD diagnosis does not begin in childhood. It begins in midlife, when the hormonal shifts of perimenopause and menopause strip away the coping strategies they spent decades building without ever knowing why they needed them. Suddenly, the brain fog, the emotional overwhelm, the inability to focus feel unbearable and unfamiliar. Many fear they are developing dementia or simply falling apart. Research confirms that although ADHD begins in early childhood, the symptoms and impairment in women may only be recognized for the first time during perimenopause or menopause. For many women, struggling through this transition becomes the very catalyst that leads them to finally seek and receive an ADHD diagnosis, opening the door to understanding why they struggled all their lives. Leading this conversation is Dr. Sonia Syed Rehman, a Clinical Psychologist and Lifespan Neuropsychologist with extensive experience in neuropsychological assessment and treatment of cognitive, learning, and emotional disorders across all life stages. Dr. Rehman earned her PhD from Fielding Graduate University and completed her lifespan neuropsychology fellowship at the Chesapeake Training Consortium, building on clinical experience from institutions including the Alexander T. Augusta Military Medical Center and the Washington DC VA Medical Center. Her work has been recognized by national organizations including the National Academy of Neuropsychology. At the heart of her professional mission is a commitment to dismantling barriers to care, ensuring that language, culture, disability, and other factors do not prevent individuals from diverse backgrounds from accessing the high-quality healthcare they deserve. Dr. Rehman's expertise at the intersection of lifespan neuropsychology, hormonal health, and culturally conscious care makes her exceptionally well suited to lead this conversation. This webinar centers the experience of women who have spent years being dismissed, misdiagnosed, or simply told they were falling apart, and offers clinical clarity, validation, and a path forward.

    I Thought I Was Losing My Mind - Late Diagnosed ADHD in Perimenopausal Women

  2. Aug 14

    ADHD and Mood Disorders: Which Comes First?

    Depression, anxiety, and bipolar disorder appear alongside ADHD at rates that are impossible to ignore. Over 80 percent of adults with persistent ADHD experience at least one other mental health condition, with more than half presenting with two or more comorbid disorders. But the question of which condition is driving the other, and whether they are even separate conditions at all, is one that clinicians and researchers are still working to answer. There is significant shared heritability between ADHD, major depressive disorder, and bipolar disorder, and the therapeutic implications of these combinations remain largely unknown. For families and individuals caught in cycles of misdiagnosis and ineffective treatment, this ambiguity carries real consequences. This webinar brings clinical clarity to a genuinely complex question, helping participants understand the relationship between ADHD and mood disorders and what it means for diagnosis, treatment, and daily life. Leading this conversation is Dr. Carlos Rico, a PGY-2 psychiatry resident at the Johns Hopkins Hospital, bringing to this session a depth of scientific and clinical training that is genuinely exceptional. Born and raised in León, Guanajuato, Mexico, Dr. Rico immigrated to Los Angeles before completing his undergraduate studies at Hamilton College, where he majored in chemical physics. He went on to earn a PhD in Chemical Biology through the Tri-Institutional Training Program in Chemical Biology in New York City, conducting groundbreaking single-molecule research in the laboratory of Dr. Thomas Sakmar at The Rockefeller University. His scientific curiosity eventually led him to a new passion in mental health, and he earned his MD from Weill Cornell Medicine in 2024 before beginning his psychiatric residency at one of the most prestigious medical institutions in the world. Dr. Rico is also a qualified bilingual staff member, bringing the full depth of his clinical expertise to both English and Spanish-speaking communities. The intersection of rigorous scientific training, clinical psychiatric practice, and a personal journey that mirrors the experience of many in the communities The Society serves makes Dr. Rico a uniquely powerful voice for this conversation.

  3. Jul 13

    ADHD in Girls: Why Early Diagnosis Changes Everything

    Today Tanya welcomes Cynthia Hammer of FindTheADHDGirls.org. Few voices in this conversation carry the depth of lived experience and advocacy that Cynthia Hammer brings. in 1992, at the age of 49, Cynthia was diagnosed with Inattentive ADHD, what was then call ADD, at a time when many doctors didn't yet recognize that ADHD outlasted childhood. Rather than quietly accept her diagnosis, she channeled it into action. Cynthia founded and led ADD Resources for fifteen years, a nonprofit organization dedicated to helping adults recognize their ADHD and build better lives. She then went on to found Inattentive ADHD Coalition after learning that 30 percent of people with ADHD have the Inattentive type and are significantly less frequently diagnosed and treated than their peers. Her life's work has been singular in its focus: ensuring that children with Inattentive ADHD are identified during childhood, and that adults who have spent decades questioning themselves finally receive an accurate diagnosis and the support they deserve.

  4. Jun 16

    Who Can Help Me? Expanding Access to ADHD Evaluations and Treatment

    Child, Adolescent, and Adult Psychiatrist Dr. Napoleon B. Higgins, Jr. MD discusses the nuances with ADHD in the Black community. Dr. Higgins explains: What ADHD is, How ADHD can present, The role medical bias plays in misdiagnosis and underdiagnosis in communities of color, What medical practitioners can diagnose and treat ADHD, and Barriers to care in the Black community.

  5. Jun 16

    Black History Month Centennial Webinar Series (1926-2026) - Healing in Community: Faith, Culture and Collective Care, Part 2

    Join the continuation of Tanya Murphy and Brandi Walker, Ph.D.'s conversation for Black History Month on Healing in Community: Faith, Culture and Collective Care. This is part two of a two part series.

  6. Jun 16

    Black History Month Centennial Webinar Series (1926-2026) - Healing in Community: Faith, Culture and Collective Care, Part 1

    Join Tanya Murphy, President & CEO of The Society for ADHD and Co-Occurring Conditions for this Black History Month Centennial Series. Tanya and Brandi Walker, Ph.D. of VOICE for Neurodiversity discuss healing in community through faith, culture and collective care. This is part one of a two part series.

  7. Jun 16

    Spiritual Foundations for Emotional Wellbeing and Resilience in Marginalized Communities

    Join us as Rev. Dr. Guy Robinson discusses the importance of emotional wellbeing and how communities of color have relied on their faith to support and maintain their resilience.

  8. 07/09/2025

    Beyond ADHD: Unpacking Comorbidities (Anxiety, Depression, and More)

    In this conversation, Dr. Brandi and Tanya discuss the complexities of ADHD and its co-occurring conditions, emphasizing the importance of understanding how these conditions impact daily life. They explore the significant role of sleep in managing ADHD symptoms, the nature of anxiety, and how cultural factors influence the experience of ADHD. The discussion also highlights the necessity of a holistic approach to treatment, including the importance of community support and self-care strategies. Time stamps 00:00 Introduction to Co-Occurring Conditions with ADHD 01:13 Understanding the Impact of Co-Occurring Conditions 02:40 The Importance of Sleep in ADHD 09:06 Consequences of Sleep Deprivation 14:28 The Interconnectivity of ADHD and Co-Occurring Conditions 20:01 Defining Anxiety and Its Effects 22:29 Grounding Techniques for Anxiety Management 25:19 Cultural Perspectives on Co-occurring Conditions 28:36 Navigating Systemic Challenges and Mental Health 32:25 Strategies for Managing ADHD and Mental Well-being 37:10 The Importance of Community and Holistic Approaches

  9. 06/19/2025

    The Overlooked & Misunderstood: ADHD in Culturally Diverse Communities

    In this episode of ADHD Unplugged, host Tanya Murphy welcomes Dr. Brandy Walker, a licensed clinical psychologist and advocate for neurodiversity. They discuss the complexities of ADHD, including its definition, misconceptions, and the spectrum of symptoms. The conversation highlights the unique challenges faced by communities of color regarding diagnosis and access to care. They explore the impact of cultural stigma, the hereditary nature of ADHD, and the importance of community and advocacy in raising awareness and providing support for those affected by ADHD.

  • 9 Episodes

About

The Society for ADHD is shedding light on how ADHD shows up in late diagnosed adults and marginalized communities where it’s often misread, misunderstood, and deeply stigmatized. Join us for honest conversations with neurodivergent voices, alongside doctors, educators, wellness pros, and public figures who are passionate about shifting the narrative and supporting real understanding. It’s smart, soulful, and sometimes hilarious , the kind of real talk that builds awareness, breaks shame, and bridges gaps. You’ll laugh, you’ll learn, and you just might find your tribe.

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