2 Distractible Doctors

Sita-Marie Pillay, Christie Pickel

Join psychologists Christie Pickel, Ph.D., and Sita-Marie Pillay, Psy.D., as they dive into the unique intersection of ADHD and psychology. In each episode, they share candid conversations about their personal experiences with ADHD, offering insights, humor, and relatable stories. This isn’t a therapy session; it’s a casual chat where they explore the challenges and joys of navigating life and work with ADHD. Whether you have ADHD yourself, know someone who does, or are simply curious about the topic, tune in for a friendly and enlightening discussion that combines professional knowledge with personal anecdotes.

Episodes

  1. 4d ago

    So Much Potential™

    This episode, we’re talking about what it was like growing up “gifted” while also having ADHD. For both of us, that meant a weird mix of being told we were smart, capable, and full of potential while also struggling with things like focus, boredom, procrastination, organization, perfectionism, and actually finishing the thing we definitely started with excellent intentions. We get into the contradiction of doing really well in some areas while completely falling apart in others, and how being academically successful can sometimes hide ADHD rather than rule it out. We also talk about the messages gifted kids tend to absorb early: that being smart is supposed to make things easy, that struggling means you aren’t trying hard enough, and that if you just “applied yourself,” everything would magically click into place. Spoiler: brains are more complicated than that. In this episode, we talk about: Growing up labeled as giftedADHD being overlooked in high-achieving kidsTwice-exceptionality and uneven strengthsBoredom and under-stimulationExecutive dysfunctionProcrastination and last-minute productivityPerfectionismMaskingBurnoutThe emotional weight of “you have so much potential”What it’s like to understand your brain differently as an adultAnd, naturally, several side quests occur along the way because this is 2 Distractible Doctors and we do have a brand to maintain. EPISODE CREDITS: Produced, edited, mixed, artwork by Sita-Marie Pillay, Psy.D. A reminder that the podcast is not a replacement for therapy. Hosts are not liable for any information gained from listening.

    So Much Potential™
  2. 12/01/2025

    The Neurospicy + At Risk — Suicide Risk & Staying Alive

    Edited & produced by Dr. Sita-Marie Pillay ADHD brains are emotional, impulsive, overwhelmed, and chronically misunderstood — which means suicide risk shows up differently here than it does in the textbooks. In this episode, Christie and Sita-Marie break down what we actually see in our work with neurodivergent clients: the shame spirals, the “all-or-nothing” thinking, the executive dysfunction that makes it hard to reach out, and the moments when impulsivity turns dangerous. We talk about what suicidal thoughts can look like for ADHDers, why they’re not always about wanting to die, and how support systems can fail (and how they can be rebuilt). We also walk through real-world strategies: safety planning that works for neurodivergent brains, protective factors that really matter, and how to show up for someone without panicking, minimizing, or shaming them. Heavy topic? Yes. Hopeless? No. This one’s about surviving the storm and understanding the terrain so no one has to walk it alone. Resources Mentioned988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline (U.S.)Crisis Text Line: Text HOME to 741741Local emergency services based on your regionCommunity-based ADHD and neurodivergent support groupsTrauma-informed therapy options via Grow Therapy, Headway, or your insurance providerContent WarningThis episode discusses suicide, self-harm, and mental health crises. Listener discretion advised. CreditsHosts: Dr. Christie Pickel & Dr. Sita-Marie Pillay Produced / Edited by: Dr. Sita-Marie Pillay Artwork: JK Mythos Co. EPISODE CREDITS: Produced, edited, mixed, artwork by Sita-Marie Pillay, Psy.D. A reminder that the podcast is not a replacement for therapy. Hosts are not liable for any information gained from listening.

    The Neurospicy + At Risk — Suicide Risk & Staying Alive

Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
4 Ratings

About

Join psychologists Christie Pickel, Ph.D., and Sita-Marie Pillay, Psy.D., as they dive into the unique intersection of ADHD and psychology. In each episode, they share candid conversations about their personal experiences with ADHD, offering insights, humor, and relatable stories. This isn’t a therapy session; it’s a casual chat where they explore the challenges and joys of navigating life and work with ADHD. Whether you have ADHD yourself, know someone who does, or are simply curious about the topic, tune in for a friendly and enlightening discussion that combines professional knowledge with personal anecdotes.