Angry On The Inside - ADHD Women Talking Late Diagnosis

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 Drop00:30 – When Everything Finally Slips01:08 – Parenthood, Promotion & Pandemic Chaos02:26 – Masking, Overdoing, and the Slow Burn to Shutdown05:54 – Structure Isn’t Control- It’s Capacity10:40 – Scaffolding, Survival & Losing Your Map14:01 – Relief & Grief: The Emotional Aftershock of Diagnosis17:17 – The Cycles Keep Coming and That’s Okay19:26 – Checkpoint, Not Failure22:00 – Prepare, Communicate & Rebuild22:59 – 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 BowlWhy ADHD women love Halloween chaos, creativity, and permission to be “too much.”
01:01 – Hot Glue Guns and False StartsJess and Jeannine stumble through intros and burn jokes literally.
01:20 – Masking Meets CostumeHow pretending becomes power when ADHD women turn masking into play.
02:23 – Legalized DopamineCandy, chaos, and serotonin Halloween as an executive-function win.
03:40 – Glow Sticks and Dirty JokesFrom glow-stick daydreams to “After Dark” laughter unfiltered ADHD joy.
04:23 – The Only Holiday That Doesn’t Demand HappyWhy Halloween feels safe, nostalgic, and sensory-friendly for neurodivergent brains.
06:10 – Belonging in the WeirdFreedom, 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 EverythingJeannine opens with the quiet chaos of balancing work, family, and the invisible load of ADHD life.
00:45 – Naming the Slow BurnJess defines the “slow burn” the exhaustion and cracks in the armor that appear long before burnout.
01:45 – Jeannine’s Story: Losing StructureJeannine shares how staying home upended her scaffolding and led to recognizing her ADHD.
04:03 – Jess’s Story: When the Structure FadesJess reflects on losing her anchors smoking, kids’ routines, motivation and seeing herself change.
07:18 – Dopamine and the Disappearing DriveThey unpack ADHD, menopause, and the loss of natural motivation that turns daily life into survival.
08:43 – Comparing ADHD StoriesA reminder that ADHD looks different for every woman comparison only fuels shame.
09:53 – When You “Should” Be Happy but Aren’tHow meeting life’s goals can still feel hollow when executive function collapses.
11:42 – The Burnout LoopJess and Jeannine discuss chasing unrealistic standards that drain the body and brain.
15:26 – Misdiagnosis and Medical GaslightingMany ADHD women are mislabeled with anxiety or depression before getting the right diagnosis.
19:12 – The Shame CycleHow “doing everything right” can still fail and the loneliness of feeling broken with no answers.
20:00 – Running Out of WillpowerJess explains how discipline and willpower eventually collapse under ADHD burnout.
22:03 – The Warning Before BurnoutJess’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 Warning00:24 – Domestic Violence Awareness & Resources01:35 – Bullying Prevention Month & Long-Term Impact03:11 – Healing and Boundaries for ADHD Adults03:36 – Learning Disabilities & Dyslexia Awareness04:14 – LGBTQ+ History & Intersex Awareness Day05:42 – Filipino American History Month & Representation06:17 – Disability Employment & Cyber Safety Awareness07:29 – Digital Safety Tips for ADHD Brains08:13 – Other October Awareness Causes08:42 – 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 CycleJessica 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 InsideThe 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 DieExploring 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-IndependenceWhy 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 LoadThe conversation expands to hidden ADHD exhaustion — mental load, resentment, and constant overdrive that never fully stops.
11:37 – Social Media, Comparison, and Negative IndependenceJeannine’s “rage about social media” leads into how ADHD brains chase impossible standards and equate worth with output.
11:48 – The Perfectionist CycleJessica outlines the 5-step ADHD perfectionism loop — unrealistic expectations, avoidance, paralysis, missed deadlines, shame.
16:17 – Reframing and Self-CompassionThey 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. TricksHow 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 CompetitionThe classic AOI segment returns with ADHD humor: rest metrics, calendar guilt, and productivity cosplay gone wrong.
23:57 – Reclaiming the GrayFrom 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 GraySignature 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 MonthLearn more about early detection, dense breast tissue, and screening guidelines:👉 https://www.nationalbreastcancer.org
💙 The Dysautonomia ProjectEducation and advocacy for people living with autonomic nervous system disorders (including POTS):👉 https://www.dysautonomiaproject.org
🧘‍♀️ Physical Therapy Awareness MonthPromoting movement, recovery, and access to neurodiversity-informed PT care:👉 https://www.apta.org/ptmonth
📚 Health Literacy MonthBuilding awareness around communication, understanding, and access in healthcare:👉 https://healthliteracymonth.org
🧠 Mental Health Awareness / ADHD ResourcesArticles and screening tools for ADHD, depression, and anxiety:👉 https://www.additudemag.com👉 https://screening.mhanational.org
00:00 – October Through the ADHD LensJessica 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 DetectionThey 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 ADHDThe 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 BodyThey 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 FunctionJessica 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 ADHDThey 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 NextJessica 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 TalkJess 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-DoubtA discussion on how ADHD brains fixate on mistakes and confuse perfectionism with worthiness.
06:21 – Late ADHD Diagnosis and the Cycle of Self-DoubtReflecting on the emotional mix of relief and doubt that comes with a late ADHD diagnosis.
08:27 – People-Pleasing, Overachievement, and ADHD BurnoutHow overworking and people-pleasing become survival tools that eventually lead to burnout.
11:03 – Letting Go of Coping Strategies and Finding Your VoiceWhat happens when ADHD women stop people-pleasing and start speaking their truth aloud.
13:03 – Masking, Comparison, and Internalized Denial in ADHDHow masking traits and comparing struggles feed denial and reinforce imposter feelings.
16:31 – That’s Not Normal: Calling Out ADHD Imposter ThoughtsA lighthearted segment where Jess and Jeannine call out common ADHD imposter beliefs.
17:24 – Leaning Into ADHD: Diagnosis, Community & AcceptanceUsing diagnosis as a tool for self-understanding and finding connection in the ADHD community.
21:09 – Rewriting the Narrative: Self-Compassion & ADHD WomenClosing reflections on journaling, acceptance, and reclaiming self-compassion for ADHD women.
23:32 – Kick Today in the Nuts: The Angry on the Inside OutroJess and Jeannine wrap up with laughter, honesty, and that signature AOI reminder — you’re not alone, and you’ve got this (nuts and all).

Awareness Month isn’t just hashtags and graphics. It’s about being seen in a world that still misunderstands what ADHD actually looks like, especially for women.
In this bonus episode, Jess and Jeannine get real about the emotional side of visibility: why “awareness” can feel equal parts empowering and terrifying, how perfectionism and masking show up even in advocacy, and what it really means to stand up and say, “Yes, this is ADHD.”
They talk about representation that finally reflects our lived experience, the fear of being misunderstood (again), and the hope that comes from community and connection. Whether you’re loud and proud or still quietly figuring it out, you belong here.
💡 Mentioned in this episode:
ADHD Awareness Month 2025 Theme + Resources: https://www.adhdawarenessmonth.org
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) – ADHD Information: CDC Tool Kit (Partner Across a Lifetime)
Find a Certified ADHD Coach (ACO Directory): ADHD Coaches Organization (ACO)
ADDA – Attention Deficit Disorder Association: https://add.org
🎧 Listen wherever you get your podcasts — and remember: Visibility isn’t vanity. It’s survival.
#ADHD #ADHDAwarenessMonth #ADHDPodcast #WomenWithADHD #LateDiagnosedADHD #NeurodiverseWomen #ADHDCommunity #ADHDAwareness #ADHDResources #ADHDSupport