ADHD for Smart Ass Women with Tracy Otsuka

Tired of ADHD strategies that don’t work? Here’s what actually does. FREE training here: https://programs.tracyotsuka.com/signup___In Episode #43 of ADHD for Smart Ass Women, Tracy speaks with the delightful Megan Margaret Burlingame. Megan is 34 years old, a wife and the mother of two very busy boys. Throughout her childhood, Megan struggled mightily with her ADHD but is clear about the fact that her struggles also led her to discover her Superpowers. Today Megan lives in Arlington, WA, where she works with cities, counties, and government agencies to advise them on zoning and legal land issues. In her free time, she operates a small flower farm where she also grows a large variety of organic heirloom tomatoes.Tracy invited Megan to her podcast after she posted this response to another member who said she was having trouble seeing anything positive about her ADHD:“The more I educate myself about it, the more I realize that it makes me who I am. I am so so good with people, I understand their natures and moods. Sometimes it is like a wave of emotions that hits me when I enter a room and, while inconvenient, let me see the true nature of people. I am also much more empathetic because of how much I was picked on for skipping around school constantly, saying the wrong things, laughing too loud, etc. I love to root for the underdog and think that cruelty from others for any reason is horrendous. In a crisis or when someone is swamped with work, I can jump in and formulate a plan, execute it with a maniacal glee, and excel beyond my peers.”Megan’s revelation around taking medication, non-pharmacological workarounds, and her best advice to those who are struggling with their ADHD and/or are parents of children with ADHD are also discussed in the episode.______________Resources:Youtube: How to ADHDwww.summitflowerfarm.comSend a Message: Your Name | Email | Message If this podcast helps you understand your ADHD brain, Shift helps you train it. Practice mindset work in just 10 minutes a day. Learn more at tracyotsuka.com/shiftInstead of Struggling to figure out what to do next? ADHD isn’t a productivity problem. It’s an identity problem. That’s why most strategies don’t stick—they weren’t designed for how your brain actually works. Your ADHD Brain is A-OK Academy is different. It’s a patented, science-backed coaching program that helps you stop fighting your brain and start building a life that fits. 👉Learn more here: https://programs.tracyotsuka.com/aok-academyLearn more by connecting with Tracy through Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, Pinterest, or visit adhdforsmartwomen.com.Are You Ready to Discover Your Brilliance? Order Now: https://tracyotsuka.com/book2 Visit our website:  https://tracyotsuka.com  

Tired of ADHD strategies that don’t work? Here’s what actually does. FREE training here: https://programs.tracyotsuka.com/signup___In this episode, Tracy talks about the myth that “everyone has ADHD.” Discover what behavioral characteristics the general population shares with those of us with ADHD. You’ll learn about the following: What distinguishes adults with ADHD from the general population who display ADHD characteristics?, the survey that Russell Barkley and his colleagues Kevin Murphy and MariEllen Fischer conducted that finally put to bed the EVERYONE HAS ADHD myth. The three different types of ADHD, the questions that those of us with ADHD often respond “yes” to, the domains of life in which those with ADHD often feel impaired by their symptoms, how we often don’t even realize we struggled or we’re struggling until we really reflect back on our experiences.______________Resources:Taking Charge of Adult ADHDADHD in Adults: What the Science SaysSend a Message: Your Name | Email | Message If this podcast helps you understand your ADHD brain, Shift helps you train it. Practice mindset work in just 10 minutes a day. Learn more at tracyotsuka.com/shiftInstead of Struggling to figure out what to do next? ADHD isn’t a productivity problem. It’s an identity problem. That’s why most strategies don’t stick—they weren’t designed for how your brain actually works. Your ADHD Brain is A-OK Academy is different. It’s a patented, science-backed coaching program that helps you stop fighting your brain and start building a life that fits. 👉Learn more here: https://programs.tracyotsuka.com/aok-academyLearn more by connecting with Tracy through Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, Pinterest, or visit adhdforsmartwomen.com.Are You Ready to Discover Your Brilliance? Order Now: https://tracyotsuka.com/book2 Visit our website:  https://tracyotsuka.com  

Tired of ADHD strategies that don’t work? Here’s what actually does. FREE training here: https://programs.tracyotsuka.com/signup___In this episode, Tracy talks to ICF and board-certified ADHD coach, Certified Career Development Coach and Life Coach, Lynn Miner-Rosen. Lynn works with high school seniors, college students, and young adults with ADHD, EF deficits and learning differences. Previous to coaching Lynn was a Special Education Teacher for 12 years. She was also an IEP coordinator. Lynn Miner-Rosen has a BS in business administration and two Masters Degrees in Education and Special Education. She lives in Boca Raton, Florida, and will be speaking at CHADD in November. Lynn spoke to us about ADHD and the workplace.We discuss: If you should disclose your ADHD to your boss, work colleagues, human resources, etc?, what are the positives and negatives of disclosure?, if you do choose to disclose, how do you go about doing so?, how to make your strengths clear so you’re not just focusing on everything you struggle with?, if tardiness can be overlooked in the ADHD workplace?, how to ask for help without disclosing your ADHD?, if you’re going to disclose who should you disclose to first?, how to create a descriptive and reasonable list if you are going to ask for accommodations, the Top 10 challenges of ADHD employees and how to manage the Time Management Long-term projects Paperwork Procrastination Poor Memory Distractibility Impulsivity Boredom Hyperactivity Social Skills.______________Resources:Instagram: @lynn_miner_rosenFREE downloadable checklist: www.lmrcoaching.comSend a Message: Your Name | Email | Message If this podcast helps you understand your ADHD brain, Shift helps you train it. Practice mindset work in just 10 minutes a day. Learn more at tracyotsuka.com/shiftInstead of Struggling to figure out what to do next? ADHD isn’t a productivity problem. It’s an identity problem. That’s why most strategies don’t stick—they weren’t designed for how your brain actually works. Your ADHD Brain is A-OK Academy is different. It’s a patented, science-backed coaching program that helps you stop fighting your brain and start building a life that fits. 👉Learn more here: https://programs.tracyotsuka.com/aok-academyLearn more by connecting with Tracy through Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, Pinterest, or visit adhdforsmartwomen.com.Are You Ready to Discover Your Brilliance? Order Now: https://tracyotsuka.com/book2 Visit our website:  https://tracyotsuka.com  

Tired of ADHD strategies that don’t work? Here’s what actually does. FREE training here: https://programs.tracyotsuka.com/signup___In this episode, Tracy gives you a simple, ADHD brain-friendly understanding of what is required to obtain an ADHD diagnosis. She also includes a checklist that she created to help you prepare for your meeting with an ADHD professional.______________Resources:adhdforsmartwomen.com/adhd-doctorSend a Message: Your Name | Email | Message If this podcast helps you understand your ADHD brain, Shift helps you train it. Practice mindset work in just 10 minutes a day. Learn more at tracyotsuka.com/shiftInstead of Struggling to figure out what to do next? ADHD isn’t a productivity problem. It’s an identity problem. That’s why most strategies don’t stick—they weren’t designed for how your brain actually works. Your ADHD Brain is A-OK Academy is different. It’s a patented, science-backed coaching program that helps you stop fighting your brain and start building a life that fits. 👉Learn more here: https://programs.tracyotsuka.com/aok-academyLearn more by connecting with Tracy through Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, Pinterest, or visit adhdforsmartwomen.com.Are You Ready to Discover Your Brilliance? Order Now: https://tracyotsuka.com/book2 Visit our website:  https://tracyotsuka.com  

Tired of ADHD strategies that don’t work? Here’s what actually does. FREE training here: https://programs.tracyotsuka.com/signup___In this episode, Tracy decided to bring on a real member of her ADHD for Smart Ass Women Facebook Group so she put out the word. A lot of members responded but Tracy decided to invite 24-year-old Josie Bowman who was diagnosed in May. Prior to her diagnosis, Josie was struggling but she didn’t understand how much she was struggling with everyday life. She thought everyone struggled like she did. If anything, she believed that her struggles were a result of her character flaws. It was her fault. But then her boyfriend came into the picture, told her what he observed and her life changed overnight.Josie shares information about her childhood, her ADHD symptoms in childhood, her ADHD symptoms in young adulthood, her college experience, her experience with medication, how she manages her ADHD, her future plans and goals. Learn what advice Josie would give to a young woman who really struggles and thinks she might have ADHD.Send a Message: Your Name | Email | Message If this podcast helps you understand your ADHD brain, Shift helps you train it. Practice mindset work in just 10 minutes a day. Learn more at tracyotsuka.com/shiftInstead of Struggling to figure out what to do next? ADHD isn’t a productivity problem. It’s an identity problem. That’s why most strategies don’t stick—they weren’t designed for how your brain actually works. Your ADHD Brain is A-OK Academy is different. It’s a patented, science-backed coaching program that helps you stop fighting your brain and start building a life that fits. 👉Learn more here: https://programs.tracyotsuka.com/aok-academyLearn more by connecting with Tracy through Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, Pinterest, or visit adhdforsmartwomen.com.Are You Ready to Discover Your Brilliance? Order Now: https://tracyotsuka.com/book2 Visit our website:  https://tracyotsuka.com  

Tired of ADHD strategies that don’t work? Here’s what actually does. FREE training here: https://programs.tracyotsuka.com/signup___ADHD and Drifting Off Topic This week’s podcast is all about drifting off topic; why we do it and how to do less of it. Discover what causes our brains to drift-off topic. Learn what linear vs. non-linear thinking is. What do linear thinkers look for in making decisions? What are linear thinkers usually good at? What imagination and creativity have to do with it? Which method of thinking focuses on the connections and relationships between things more than on specific bits of information.Tracy talks about how and why she believes ADHD has been misnamed. Discover why drifting off is not the problem and why a family trip to Cancun is the perfect example of why telling stories is always the best way to make information stick. Learn how to keep yourself from drifting off-topic by using: Meta-cognition The pause Being intentional Putting a stake down Being open and honest Soliciting help from your listeners.Send a Message: Your Name | Email | Message If this podcast helps you understand your ADHD brain, Shift helps you train it. Practice mindset work in just 10 minutes a day. Learn more at tracyotsuka.com/shiftInstead of Struggling to figure out what to do next? ADHD isn’t a productivity problem. It’s an identity problem. That’s why most strategies don’t stick—they weren’t designed for how your brain actually works. Your ADHD Brain is A-OK Academy is different. It’s a patented, science-backed coaching program that helps you stop fighting your brain and start building a life that fits. 👉Learn more here: https://programs.tracyotsuka.com/aok-academyLearn more by connecting with Tracy through Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, Pinterest, or visit adhdforsmartwomen.com.Are You Ready to Discover Your Brilliance? Order Now: https://tracyotsuka.com/book2 Visit our website:  https://tracyotsuka.com  

Tired of ADHD strategies that don’t work? Here’s what actually does. FREE training here: https://programs.tracyotsuka.com/signup___In this episode of ADHD for Smart Ass Women, Tracy talks to environmental scientist and fellow ADHDer, Crystal Edmonds about positive emotion, the ADHD brain and essential oils. Discover what Tracy turns to when she wakes up and feels unfocused, unmotivated, and in negative emotion and what boosts her mood every single time. How about exercise and nature.Learn how Tracy made the connection between scent and how scents not only influence her sense of well-being and happiness but also affect her focus. Crystal shares with Tracy how essential oils stimulate the limbic system — a part of the brain involved in memory, behavior, motivation, and emotion and how this also helps with: ADHD symptoms Emotional dysregulation Rumination Rejection sensitive dysphoria Discover why essential oils are a great place to start for relief from ADHD symptoms if medication doesn’t work for you. Learn: how quickly essential oils take to work in your body, which essential oils work well for ADHD, why essential oils require trial and error just like medication, what the difference is between high frequency and lower frequency vibration and how it affects our well-being.______________Resources:The Essential Life: 6th EditionNew Emotions & Essential Oils Wheel, 7th EditionCrystal's DoTerra ShopEssential OilsThe Essential Oils That Soothe My Daughter’s Symptoms of ADHD and AnxietyHow to Treat ADHD with Essential Oils — 10 IdeasSend a Message: Your Name | Email | Message If this podcast helps you understand your ADHD brain, Shift helps you train it. Practice mindset work in just 10 minutes a day. Learn more at tracyotsuka.com/shiftInstead of Struggling to figure out what to do next? ADHD isn’t a productivity problem. It’s an identity problem. That’s why most strategies don’t stick—they weren’t designed for how your brain actually works. Your ADHD Brain is A-OK Academy is different. It’s a patented, science-backed coaching program that helps you stop fighting your brain and start building a life that fits. 👉Learn more here: https://programs.tracyotsuka.com/aok-academyLearn more by connecting with Tracy through Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, Pinterest, or visit adhdforsmartwomen.com.Are You Ready to Discover Your Brilliance? Order Now: https://tracyotsuka.com/book2 Visit our website:  https://tracyotsuka.com  

Tired of ADHD strategies that don’t work? Here’s what actually does. FREE training here: https://programs.tracyotsuka.com/signup___In this episode, Tracy talks about the connection between dental health and ADHD. Believe it or not, it’s one more thing we need to add to our ADHD workarounds list! Discover why staying away from sweets, brushing religiously, and having no cavities, can still land you in the endodontist’s chair when you have ADHD. Learn what bruxism is and why 78% of those with ADHD are reported to have it. Recognize why you should wear a nightguard and how to reframe your thoughts around doing so if you hate yours and like Tracy are constantly fighting it. Explore why crowns, root canals, TMD, bruxism, grinding, and clenching are all connected to ADHD.Discover what happened when Tracy posted the following post to her ADHD Facebook Group, ADHD for Smart Ass Women: “Podcast question for those that are 45 or older only. Have you had a crown or root canal?” You will be surprised by the response. Learn about ADHD and comorbidity and how this often affects the success of ADHD medication. Explore the difference between TMJ and TMD. Which one is responsible for the clicking or popping sound, difficulty in moving your jaw, headaches, migraines, neck aches, and even back aches, and how they’re related to ADHD? Discover who has more TMD symptoms; women or men?What information do dentists have about ADHD and TMD?, what are common dental-related side effects caused by ADHD medication?, what are common dental-related side effects among children who have ADHD?, what brands of stimulant ADHD medication have been associated with TMD and side effects such as bruxism?, what brand of stimulant medication is less likely to report TMD symptoms Learn what you can do now to lessen the potential of developing TMD and bruxism as well as teeth that need crowns, root canals, or implants. Discover what supplement helps many women with TMD.______________Resources:www.health.harvard.eduwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.govSend a Message: Your Name | Email | Message If this podcast helps you understand your ADHD brain, Shift helps you train it. Practice mindset work in just 10 minutes a day. Learn more at tracyotsuka.com/shiftInstead of Struggling to figure out what to do next? ADHD isn’t a productivity problem. It’s an identity problem. That’s why most strategies don’t stick—they weren’t designed for how your brain actually works. Your ADHD Brain is A-OK Academy is different. It’s a patented, science-backed coaching program that helps you stop fighting your brain and start building a life that fits. 👉Learn more here: https://programs.tracyotsuka.com/aok-academyLearn more by connecting with Tracy through Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, Pinterest, or visit adhdforsmartwomen.com.Are You Ready to Discover Your Brilliance? Order Now: https://tracyotsuka.com/book2 Visit our website:  https://tracyotsuka.com  

Tired of ADHD strategies that don’t work? Here’s what actually does. FREE training here: https://programs.tracyotsuka.com/signup___In this episode, Tracy talks about how to respond when a friend, family member, teacher, coworker or boss tells you that there is no such thing as ADHD? Tracy starts out by sharing her thoughts with anyone who is listening to this episode and doesn’t believe in ADHD and tells them why their viewpoint is hurting their relationship with their ADHD friend, family member or colleague. Learn how to tell if a relationship is about connection or power. Discover the most helpful thing you can do for someone who has ADHD. Remember to have a little grace and don’t forget what you used to think you knew about ADHD before you really knew anything about ADHD.Learn how to respond to comments like: There’s no such thing as ADHD People with ADHD are stupid, unmotivated and lazy. It’s a character flaw of their own making. I read an article that there is no ADHD in France ADHD is strictly an American phenomenon Big Pharma made up ADHD so it could sell more drugs ADHD is new, it’s a product of modern society. Look at how many more kids are now diagnosed with it. Everyone has some ADHD Everyone has ADHD today We are medicating our kids and turning them into addicts And finally, Tracy shares how she responds when she’s dealing with a real know-it-all who clearly knows nothing about ADHD. She also ends with a discussion on how to figure out who should and shouldn’t be in your life.______________Resources: I especially dislike sharing this first link but here goes:www.psychologytoday.comwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.govadhdrollercoaster.orgalcohol.orgourworldindata.orgwww.nytimes.Send a Message: Your Name | Email | Message If this podcast helps you understand your ADHD brain, Shift helps you train it. Practice mindset work in just 10 minutes a day. Learn more at tracyotsuka.com/shiftInstead of Struggling to figure out what to do next? ADHD isn’t a productivity problem. It’s an identity problem. That’s why most strategies don’t stick—they weren’t designed for how your brain actually works. Your ADHD Brain is A-OK Academy is different. It’s a patented, science-backed coaching program that helps you stop fighting your brain and start building a life that fits. 👉Learn more here: https://programs.tracyotsuka.com/aok-academyLearn more by connecting with Tracy through Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, Pinterest, or visit adhdforsmartwomen.com.Are You Ready to Discover Your Brilliance? Order Now: https://tracyotsuka.com/book2 Visit our website:  https://tracyotsuka.com  

Tired of ADHD strategies that don’t work? Here’s what actually does. FREE training here: https://programs.tracyotsuka.com/signup___This week's topic is all about Repetitive Body Focused Behaviors (RBFBs). RBFBs are related to self-grooming, anxiety management and/or sensory stimulation. The most common BFRBs are trichotillomania (hair pulling, eyelashes), dermatillomania (skin picking), onychophagia (nail biting), dermatophagia (skin biting), teeth grinding (bruxism), tongue biting (morsicatio linguarum). They are complex conditions that cause people to repeatedly touch their hair and body in ways that result in physical damage.Learn why: It’s so hard to stop these behaviors. These behaviors normally begin when ADHD predisposes us to RBFBs Perfectionism may play a role in RBFBs ADHD medication may make RBFBs worse RBFBs may elevate our dopamine levels. Learn what: Condition RBFBB is normally associated with Percent of the members of our FB group having RBFB. It’s very surprising what Members say about their own RBFBs. What can you do to stop or at a minimum lessen these RBFBs? Amino acid supplements may help Workarounds have made a difference to our members.______________Resources:Overview of Body-Focused Repetitive Behaviors: Types, Treatments & ADHD LinksBody Focused Repetitive Behaviors Anxiety and ADHDBody-Focused Repetitive Behaviors (BFRBs)Send a Message: Your Name | Email | Message If this podcast helps you understand your ADHD brain, Shift helps you train it. Practice mindset work in just 10 minutes a day. Learn more at tracyotsuka.com/shiftInstead of Struggling to figure out what to do next? ADHD isn’t a productivity problem. It’s an identity problem. That’s why most strategies don’t stick—they weren’t designed for how your brain actually works. Your ADHD Brain is A-OK Academy is different. It’s a patented, science-backed coaching program that helps you stop fighting your brain and start building a life that fits. 👉Learn more here: https://programs.tracyotsuka.com/aok-academyLearn more by connecting with Tracy through Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, Pinterest, or visit adhdforsmartwomen.com.Are You Ready to Discover Your Brilliance? Order Now: https://tracyotsuka.com/book2 Visit our website:  https://tracyotsuka.com