Figuring It Out

How are autism and OCD connected? And why can it be so difficult to tell the difference between the two?In Part 2 of Figuring It Out, Dr Alex George and research scientist Dr Kathryn Bates answer two listener questions about the overlap between autism and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), and how to accept yourself when the people around you don't always understand you.They explore why autism and OCD often occur together, how certain behaviours can look similar but have very different motivations, and why OCD can sometimes be harder to recognise in autistic people.They also tackle a deeply personal question about self-acceptance, exploring how stigma can affect the way we see ourselves, the importance of self-compassion, and why finding people who understand your experiences can make such a difference.You can find more information through the International OCD Foundation (https://iocdf.org/), Mind (www.mind.org.uk) and the National Autistic Society (https://www.autism.org.uk/).No lectures. No easy answers. Just two people trying their best to figure it out.We're not here to give medical advice, we're just two friends exploring the science and figuring out life together. If you have any concerns about your health, please speak to your doctor.Each episode arrives in three parts from Monday to Wednesday. Part One tackles the Big Question. Part Two answers a real dilemma sent in by a listener. Part Three puts the most common claims to the test in Myth, Fact and It's Complicated.Produced by Kathryn BatesHave a question or dilemma you'd like us to tackle in a future episode? We'd love to hear from you. Email us at hello@figuringitoutpod.com.

Are we all really 'a bit OCD'? Or is obsessive-compulsive disorder something far more complex than the way we often talk about it?In Part 1 of Figuring It Out, Dr Alex George and research scientist Dr Kathryn Bates explore what OCD really is, why it's so much more than being tidy or organised, and what living with intrusive thoughts and compulsions can actually feel like.They unpack the cycle of obsessive thoughts, anxiety and compulsive behaviours, why it can be so difficult to break, and what the science tells us about the causes of OCD, from genetics and brain circuits to life experiences.They also explore why using the term 'OCD' casually can be harmful, the different ways the condition can show up, and what support and treatments are available.You can find more information through the International OCD Foundation (https://iocdf.org/), Mind (www.mind.org.uk) and the National Autistic Society (https://www.autism.org.uk/).No lectures. No easy answers. Just two people trying their best to figure it out.We're not here to give medical advice, we're just two friends exploring the science and figuring out life together. If you have any concerns about your health, please speak to your doctor.Each episode arrives in three parts from Monday to Wednesday. Part One tackles the Big Question. Part Two answers a real dilemma sent in by a listener. Part Three puts the most common claims to the test in Myth, Fact and It's Complicated.Produced by Kathryn BatesHave a question or dilemma you'd like us to tackle in a future episode? We'd love to hear from you. Email us at hello@figuringitoutpod.com.

How much of what we see about ADHD on social media is actually true? And are some of the most common beliefs about ADHD backed by science?In Part 3 of Figuring It Out, Dr Alex George and research scientist Dr Kathryn Bates put some of the biggest claims about ADHD to the test in Myth, Fact and It's Complicated.From misleading ADHD advice on TikTok to the links between ADHD and smartphone use, they explore what the evidence really tells us.They also look at how menopause may affect ADHD symptoms, whether people with ADHD can thrive in creative environments, and whether children really grow out of ADHD.Plus, is ADHD genuinely becoming more common, or have we simply got better at recognising it?No lectures. No easy answers. Just two people trying their best to figure it out.We're not here to give medical advice, we're just two friends exploring the science and figuring out life together. If you have any concerns about your health, please speak to your doctor.Each episode arrives in three parts from Monday to Wednesday. Part One tackles the Big Question. Part Two answers a real dilemma sent in by a listener. Part Three puts the most common claims to the test in Myth, Fact and It's Complicated.Produced by Kathryn BatesHave a question or dilemma you'd like us to tackle in a future episode? We'd love to hear from you. Email us at hello@figuringitoutpod.com.

Is ADHD linked to drinking too much? And why might people with ADHD be more likely to experience difficulties with alcohol and other substances?In Part 2 of Figuring It Out, Dr Alex George and research scientist Dr Kathryn Bates tackle a listener's question about ADHD, impulsivity and alcohol.They explore why substance use difficulties are more common in people with ADHD, from impulsivity and self-medication to the possible role of dopamine. Alex also reflects on his own relationship with alcohol and his decision to stop drinking.Plus, they answer listener questions about ADHD and eating, including how medication can affect appetite, why eating difficulties can occur alongside ADHD, and what people really mean by 'food noise'.No lectures. No easy answers. Just two people trying their best to figure it out.We're not here to give medical advice, we're just two friends exploring the science and figuring out life together. If you have any concerns about your health, please speak to your doctor.Each episode arrives in three parts from Monday to Wednesday. Part One tackles the Big Question. Part Two answers a real dilemma sent in by a listener. Part Three puts the most common claims to the test in Myth, Fact and It's Complicated.Produced by Kathryn BatesHave a question or dilemma you'd like us to tackle in a future episode? We'd love to hear from you. Email us at hello@figuringitoutpod.com.

Why do people with ADHD sometimes act before they think? And why can waiting for something feel so difficult?In Part 1 of Figuring It Out, Dr Alex George and research scientist Dr Kathryn Bates explore what ADHD really is, what causes it, and why there's no single explanation for what's happening in the brain.From genetics and dopamine to the science of impulsivity, they unpack why some people struggle to resist immediate rewards, how impulsivity can show up in everyday life, and whether a new theory around 'hypercuriosity' could help explain some ADHD traits.No lectures. No easy answers. Just two people trying their best to figure it out.We're not here to give medical advice, we're just two friends exploring the science and figuring out life together. If you have any concerns about your health, please speak to your doctor.Each episode arrives in three parts from Monday to Wednesday. Part One tackles the Big Question. Part Two answers a real dilemma sent in by a listener. Part Three puts the most common claims to the test in Myth, Fact and It's Complicated.Produced by Kathryn BatesHave a question or dilemma you'd like us to tackle in a future episode? We'd love to hear from you. Email us at hello@figuringitoutpod.com.

Are we really overdiagnosing ADHD and autism? And does understanding someone's differences automatically make relationships easier?In Part 3 of Figuring It Out, Dr Alex George and research scientist Dr Kathryn Bates tackle some common assumptions about neurodivergence in Myth, Fact and It's Complicated.They explore whether emotional dysregulation is unique to neurodivergent people, whether we build or discover our identity, and why understanding each other's differences isn't always enough to improve a relationship.Plus, do two neurodivergent people automatically understand each other? And what does the research actually tell us about rising ADHD and autism diagnoses?No lectures. No easy answers. Just two people trying their best to figure it out.We're not here to give medical advice, we're just two friends exploring the science and figuring out life together. If you have any concerns about your health, please speak to your doctor.Each episode arrives in three parts from Monday to Wednesday. Part One tackles the Big Question. Part Two answers a real dilemma sent in by a listener. Part Three puts the most common claims to the test in Myth, Fact and It's Complicated.Produced by Kathryn BatesHave a question or dilemma you'd like us to tackle in a future episode? We'd love to hear from you. Email us at hello@figuringitoutpod.com.

Why can an upsetting interaction stay with you for days, or even weeks? And why can emotional pain feel so difficult to move on from?In Part 2 of Figuring It Out, Dr Alex George and research scientist Dr Kathryn Bates answer a listener's question about why emotional pain can feel stronger and last longer for some people with ADHD and autism.They explore emotional regulation, rumination, rejection sensitivity and alexithymia, which can make it difficult to identify and describe what you're feeling. Alex opens up about how he experiences frustration, why it can take him days to understand his own emotions, and how this has affected his relationships. They also discuss why misunderstandings between neurodivergent and neurotypical people can go both ways, and how learning to understand each other's needs can help.No lectures. No easy answers. Just two people trying their best to figure it out.We're not here to give medical advice, we're just two friends exploring the science and figuring out life together. If you have any concerns about your health, please speak to your doctor.Each episode arrives in three parts from Monday to Wednesday. Part One tackles the Big Question. Part Two answers a real dilemma sent in by a listener. Part Three puts the most common claims to the test in Myth, Fact and It's Complicated.Produced by Kathryn BatesHave a question or dilemma you'd like us to tackle in a future episode? We'd love to hear from you. Email us at hello@figuringitoutpod.com.

Have you ever felt different without really understanding why? And what happens when an autism or ADHD diagnosis changes the way you've always seen yourself?In Part 1 of Figuring It Out, Dr Alex George and research scientist Dr Kathryn Bates explore how we develop our sense of identity, why it continues to change throughout our lives, and how a late diagnosis can bring a complicated mix of relief, grief and self-discovery.Alex opens up about questioning his own identity after being diagnosed with ADHD, OCD and autism, while Kathryn explores the research behind how our sense of self develops. They also discuss why receiving a diagnosis doesn't always mean getting the support you need, and how finding a community of people who understand your experiences can make such a difference.No lectures. No easy answers. Just two people trying their best to figure it out.We're not here to give medical advice, we're just two friends exploring the science and figuring out life together. If you have any concerns about your health, please speak to your doctor.Each episode arrives in three parts from Monday to Wednesday. Part One tackles the Big Question. Part Two answers a real dilemma sent in by a listener. Part Three puts the most common claims to the test in Myth, Fact and It's Complicated.Produced by Kathryn BatesHave a question or dilemma you'd like us to tackle in a future episode? We'd love to hear from you. Email us at hello@figuringitoutpod.com.

Could your special interests be doing more for your wellbeing than you realise? For autistic people, these interests can be much more than hobbies, potentially helping with emotional regulation, reducing stress and providing a sense of comfort.In Part 3 of Figuring It Out, Dr Alex George and research scientist Dr Kathryn Bates explore the surprising benefits of autistic special interests and what the research tells us about their role in emotional wellbeing.They also put common claims about ADHD and autism to the test in Myth, Fact and It's Complicated. Does masking look different in autistic girls and women? Is ADHD masking the same as autistic masking? And how does recovery from ADHD burnout compare with autistic burnout?Plus, why is there still so much we don't know about masking, and what questions are researchers trying to answer?No lectures. No easy answers. Just two people trying their best to figure it out.We're not here to give medical advice, we're just two friends exploring the science and figuring out life together. If you have any concerns about your health, please speak to your doctor.Each episode arrives in three parts from Monday to Wednesday. Part One tackles the Big Question. Part Two answers a real dilemma sent in by a listener. Part Three puts the most common claims to the test in Myth, Fact and It's Complicated.Produced by Kathryn BatesHave a question or dilemma you'd like us to tackle in a future episode? We'd love to hear from you. Email us at hello@figuringitoutpod.com.