S1 E10 October Overwhelm: Why ADHD Awareness Month Feels So Personal (and Exhausting)

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.