{"version":"1.0","type":"rich","provider_name":"Acast","provider_url":"https://acast.com","height":250,"width":700,"html":"<iframe src=\"https://embed.acast.com/$/6790d0371ab6c8a3677d4132/6a0390acb44336455683e9ce?\" frameBorder=\"0\" width=\"700\" height=\"250\"></iframe>","title":"ADHD in Women, RSD and Why You’re Not “Too Sensitive” with Kristen Carder (Encore)","description":"<p>In this encore episode of&nbsp;<em>Cancer Cured Me</em>, I’m joined by Kristen Carder, host of the&nbsp;<em>I Have ADHD</em>&nbsp;podcast, for a brutally honest and deeply validating conversation about ADHD in women, rejection sensitive dysphoria, emotional regulation, masking, parenting and learning to trust yourself again. We talk about why rejection can feel so painful, why ADHD mothers can be triggered by seeing their own struggles mirrored in their children and why you are not broken, lazy or “too sensitive”. A must-listen for women with ADHD, anyone exploring a late ADHD diagnosis and anyone who wants to understand RSD, nervous system regulation and self-compassion more deeply.</p><p><br></p><h2>In this episode, we talk about:</h2><ul><li>ADHD in women and why so many are diagnosed later in life</li><li>Rejection Sensitive Dysphoria, also known as RSD</li><li>Why rejection sensitivity can feel so painful and physical</li><li>The link between childhood criticism, masking and adult ADHD shame</li><li>Why ADHD parenting can be so triggering</li><li>Repairing after you’ve snapped at your child</li><li>The difference between ADHD symptoms and everyday struggles</li><li>Why “everyone gets distracted” is not the same as having ADHD</li><li>Emotional regulation and nervous system support</li><li>Therapy, coaching and medication for ADHD</li><li>Self-soothing tools for rejection spirals</li><li>Why the first sting of rejection may still happen, even when you’ve done a lot of healing</li><li>ADHD, perfectionism and the pressure to be palatable</li><li>Why women with ADHD often lose their voice, their “no” and their sense of self</li><li>How to start building self-trust again</li></ul><p><br></p><h2>Kristen’s simple tool for rejection sensitivity</h2><p>Kristen suggests:</p><p>First, honour the sting.</p><p>Don’t shame yourself for feeling hurt. Don’t tell yourself you’re being ridiculous. Don’t try to bulldoze the feeling away with “positive thinking” or any other nonsense that makes you want to throw a cushion across the room.</p><p>Let yourself acknowledge it.</p><p>Then soothe your body.</p><p>That might be breathing, placing a hand on your chest, asking someone safe for a hug, stepping outside or doing something that helps your nervous system settle.</p><p>Then, once your body has calmed down, check your thoughts.</p><p>Ask yourself:</p><p>Was this an actual rejection?</p><p>Or have I created a rejection story in my mind?</p><p>Because sometimes someone really has been unkind or dismissive. But very often, especially with ADHD and RSD, we are reacting to a scenario our brain has created to protect us.</p><p>It’s clever. It’s exhausting. And it is not always accurate.</p><p><br></p><h2>About Kristen Carder</h2><p>Kristen Carder is an ADHD coach, host of the&nbsp;<em>I Have ADHD</em>&nbsp;podcast and founder of Focused, a global coaching programme and community for adults with ADHD.</p><p>After being diagnosed with ADHD at 21, Kristen spent years learning how ADHD actually affects adult life, relationships, work, parenting, emotional regulation and self-trust. Through her podcast, coaching and community, she helps adults with ADHD feel less alone and learn practical ways to support themselves.</p><p>You can find Kristen here:</p><p><strong>Podcast:</strong>&nbsp;<em>I Have ADHD</em></p><p><strong>Instagram:</strong>&nbsp;@i.have.adhd.podcast</p><p><strong>Programme:</strong>&nbsp;Focused ADHD coaching programme</p><p><br></p><h2>Listen if you’re looking for support with:</h2><p>ADHD in women, adult ADHD, late ADHD diagnosis, rejection sensitive dysphoria, RSD, emotional regulation, nervous system regulation, ADHD parenting, ADHD mothers, ADHD and shame, ADHD and self-trust, masking in women, ADHD coaching, trauma-informed ADHD support, neurodivergence, ADHD relationships and feeling too sensitive.</p><p><br></p><h2>Final words from me</h2><p>This episode is such a gorgeous reminder that healing doesn’t mean never being triggered again.</p><p>It doesn’t mean never snapping, spiralling, overthinking or feeling that awful sting of rejection.</p><p>It means noticing sooner.</p><p>Repairing quicker.</p><p>Understanding yourself more gently.</p><p>And slowly, slowly learning that you are allowed to be human.</p><p>You are a human being, not a human doing.</p><p>And if this episode helps you feel even a tiny bit more understood, then I am so glad you’re here.</p>","author_name":"Alexandra Simms"}