Climbing the Walls

4.7 (332)
SOCIETY & CULTURE
WEEKLY SERIES

From Understood.org, Climbing the Walls is an investigative limited-series podcast that explores why women weren’t diagnosed with ADHD for so long — and how the massive uptick in diagnoses since the pandemic is changing the ways we think about ADHD.

EPISODE 1

I didn’t want to have ADHD | 1

When Danielle Elliot finds herself among the many women diagnosed with ADHD during the pandemic, she gets curious. Why women? And why now? This question takes her to northern Michigan, to meet a friend’s mom. More on this story: ADHD and rejection sensitive dysphoria (RSD)Older women and ADHD: How the lost generation got foundA day in the life with ADHDFor a transcript of this episode and more resources, visit the Climbing the Walls page on Understood. Understood.org is a nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering people with learning and thinking differences, like ADHD and dyslexia. If you want to help us continue this work, donate at understood.org/give

30 min
EPISODE 2

She wrote the book on women, shame, and ADHD | 2

Sari Solden was looking for answers. Why was she having memory issues? Why couldn’t she get her life organized? Where did this feeling of deep shame come from? Sari’s books have changed the lives of generations of women with ADHD. Her early research uncovered the truth that the disorder looks different in women. More on this story: A history of ADHD medicationsADHD and shameADHD symptoms in womenFor a transcript of this episode and more resources, visit the Climbing the Walls episode page on Understood. Understood.org is a nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering people with learning and thinking differences, like ADHD and dyslexia. If you want to help us continue this work, donate at understood.org/give

35 min
EPISODE 3

How social media changed ADHD forever | 3

As ADHD content explodes during the Covid pandemic, countless people seek care for the first time, including many Black women. But new telehealth rules also open the door for potential misdiagnosis. More on this story: ADHD symptoms in womenHow to handle a misdiagnosisA day in Danielle’s lifeFor a transcript and more resources, visit the episode page on Understood. Understood.org is a nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering people with learning and thinking differences, like ADHD and dyslexia. If you want to help us continue this work, donate at understood.org/give

36 min
EPISODE 4

ADHD: From stigma to superpower | 4

ADHD finds itself at the center of mental health discourse, and some see it not as a disorder but as a strength. Danielle investigates the origins of this theory and questions who benefits from the rebranding of ADHD. More on this story: What does “thriving” with ADHD actually look like?The myth of the ADHD “superpower”For a transcript and more resources, visit the episode page on Understood.org. Understood.org is a nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering people with learning and thinking differences, like ADHD and dyslexia. If you want to help us continue this work, donate at understood.org/give

34 min
EPISODE 5

Stories from ADHD camp | 5

Danielle attends an ADHD camp in Michigan and hears stories from several women about being diagnosed with ADHD later in life. Many of them have one thing in common. More on this story: I’m sure my mom has ADHD. Should I tell her?What is the ADHD tax?“Who are we missing?” One doctor’s lifelong fight for women with ADHDFor a transcript and more resources, visit the the show page on Understood.org. Understood.org is a nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering people with learning and thinking differences, like ADHD and dyslexia. If you want to help us continue this work, donate at understood.org/give

37 min
EPISODE 6

Are hormones the final frontier for women with ADHD? | 6

Women with ADHD are frustrated with a medical community that can’t answer their questions about how hormones impact ADHD. Searching for answers, they turn to online communities for information and support. Danielle talks to experts about the latest research on ADHD in women, and what the future of treatment could look like. More on this story: A guide to hormones and ADHDADHD and periodsADHD and menopauseFor a transcript and more resources, visit the episode page on Understood.org. Understood.org is a nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering people with learning and thinking differences, like ADHD and dyslexia. If you want to help us continue this work, donate at understood.org/give

29 min
EPISODE 7

Danielle’s story: A breakup, an intense reaction, and ADHD diagnosis (from “ADHD Aha!”)

This week, we’re sharing an episode of ADHD Aha!, a show about that pivotal moment when someone realizes they have ADHD. Danielle recently visited the podcast to share more about her own diagnosis story. If you’re interested in personal stories that bring clarity and connection to the ADHD experience, you won’t want to miss this one. To get a transcript of this show and more resources, visit the episode page at Understood.org. Follow ADHD Aha! wherever you get your podcasts, or click here to listen. Understood.org is a nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering people with learning and thinking differences, like ADHD and dyslexia. If you want to help us continue this work, donate at understood.org/give

31 min
EPISODE 8

Behind the scenes of “Climbing the Walls” (from “Hyperfocus”)

Hyperfocus is a great podcast to listen to next. It investigates some of the most pressing issues in the ADHD world. To get a transcript of this show and more resources, visit the episode page at Understood.org. Follow Hyperfocus wherever you get your podcasts, or click here to listen. Understood.org is a nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering people with learning and thinking differences, like ADHD and dyslexia. If you want to help us continue this work, donate at understood.org/give

28 min
SEASON 1 TRAILER

Introducing “Climbing the Walls”

From Understood.org, Climbing the Walls is an investigative limited-series podcast that explores why women were historically underdiagnosed with ADHD — and how the recent surge in diagnoses is reshaping our understanding of ADHD. Join host Danielle Elliot, a health and science journalist, as she digs into the recent rise of ADHD diagnoses among women. She weaves scientific insights with personal stories — including her own. Through candid conversations with mental health experts and women who’ve been through it, Danielle starts getting answers to some of her big questions around the surge in ADHD diagnoses, like: Why women? And why now? Understood.org is a nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering people with learning and thinking differences, like ADHD and dyslexia. If you want to help us continue this work, donate at understood.org/give

2 min

TRAILER

Introducing “Climbing the Walls”

From Understood.org, Climbing the Walls is an investigative limited-series podcast that explores why women were historically underdiagnosed with ADHD — and how the recent surge in diagnoses is reshaping our understanding of ADHD. Join host Danielle Elliot, a health and science journalist, as she digs into the recent rise of ADHD diagnoses among women. She weaves scientific insights with personal stories — including her own. Through candid conversations with mental health experts and women who’ve been through it, Danielle starts getting answers to some of her big questions around the surge in ADHD diagnoses, like: Why women? And why now? Understood.org is a nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering people with learning and thinking differences, like ADHD and dyslexia. If you want to help us continue this work, donate at understood.org/give

S1

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2 min

4.7

out of 5

332 Ratings

53 y/o woman

May 30

momma adhd

i was diagnosed in my 30s. i was told in my mid 20s that i couldn’t possibly be adhd because i could hold down a job. we’ve come a long way, but there is so much more to learn & so many need educated. thank you for this. it’s so easy to feel the need to apologize for being who i am. your information helped me feel unapologetic for being me.
FLOWERS

May 14

Another ADHDER

Giving flowers to your insane research ! Love learning all things ADHD! My so was “diagnosed” by a pre-K teacher noticing his trouble in the classroom. fun fact I have boy girl twins and early on my kids behavioral therapist told me she saw signs in both of them, but school will always point out the boy before the girls! ADHD is a different world and we are behind! Thank you for shedding light where it’s definitely due!
Great pod cast!!

May 10

Aspen558877

I found this pod cast to be a wealth of information on ADHD and women. I have loved all the post cast I have listened to from understood.org but this is my favorite. I will definitely be liking to this one over again.
Amazing Insight by Danielle Elliot

May 7

frenchathart

She does not give herself the credit she deserves. She’s addressing extremely important topics that generally fly under the radar. She’s a brilliant, extraordinary brain!

From Understood.org, Climbing the Walls is an investigative limited-series podcast that explores why women weren’t diagnosed with ADHD for so long — and how the massive uptick in diagnoses since the pandemic is changing the ways we think about ADHD.