Hyperfocus with Rae Jacobson

I’ve never felt like a good woman: ADHD and femininity

How does ADHD collide with femininity and gender expression? This has been a big question on Rae’s mind. So recently, she sat down with her friend and colleague Cate Osbo

The brain is the last frontier of privacy. And you’re the target.

Your smartwatch tracks your steps and your pulse. Soon, devices like it could track your brainwaves, and even tell if the wearer is neurodivergent. Brain-monitoring wear

Is your ADHD brain fog actually CDS?

Many people with inattentive ADHD feel like something is missing from their diagnosis. That missing piece might be cognitive disengagement syndrome, or CDS: a cluster of

“Hope is not a plan:” How to manage ADHD at work (classic)

ADHD can create all kinds of challenges in the workplace. Like a list of infinite things to do and to remember. A busy, ever-changing schedule. And co-workers who don’t a

What the rise of fidget toys means for neurodivergence

Fidget toys, like NeeDohs, are sold out and  banned in classrooms. Journalist Anna North joins us to unpack how fidget toys went from gag gifts to a generational obsessio

Why people with ADHD quit therapy

Finding a therapist is hard. Finding one who actually understands ADHD? That’s a different problem entirely. Clinical psychologist Dr. Michelle Frank, who has ADHD hersel

Head, heart, hormones: Why women’s ADHD care should treat the whole person (classic)

Last year, Hyperfocus took a field trip to San Diego for an ADHD conference called APSARD, which stands for the American Professional Society of ADHD and Related Disorder

Why people with ADHD can’t sleep (and what actually helps)

If you have ADHD, you’re probably exhausted — and there’s a real neurological reason for it. Sleep expert Marlee Boyle, co-founder of Sleep Works, joins us to explain why

I’m an ADHD expert. My kid still can’t get help.

Today’s episode is a crossover with Understood’s new podcast, Everyone Gets a Juice Box. Host Jessica Shaw interviewed Rae about something she rarely discusses on Hyperfo

The gene that could change how we treat ADHD

What if your brain had a volume knob? Researcher Dr. Zachary Gershon joins Rae to explain Homer1a, a gene variant that may hold the key to how we focus. When levels are l

Can I get rid of my adult sensory issues?

Rae puts on her most uncomfortable pants (on purpose!) to ask a fashion designer and former special ed teacher whether adults can actually get over sensory issues. Julia

PMDD: Why women with ADHD are 4x more likely to struggle

Hyperfocus listener Jenna Plonsky opens a raw conversation about ADHD, late diagnosis, and the mental health struggles many women face in silence.  From postpartum depre

Is “ring of fire” ADHD real?

Our team has been seeing something called “ring of fire” ADHD spreading across the internet. It’s a supposed subtype of ADHD promoted by Daniel Amen, a celebrity psychiat

This changed my mind on what’s possible with a learning disability

Rae has a lifelong misconception about her dyscalculia turned on its head. And she learns why labels don’t mean limits. For more on this topic Listen: Kids are at a br

Why there’s no “gold standard” for adult ADHD tests

Last fall, I heard something that floored me: The tests we have for ADHD in adults don’t work very well. As an adult with ADHD, I think about this all the time because o

Conduct disorder: A controversial diagnosis with lifelong consequences

Diagnoses are meant to help people access care, but some diagnoses carry far more consequences than others. Conduct disorder is one of them. Diagnosing someone with cond

The ADHD content economy: How algorithms and incentives turn help into grift

The ADHD internet is crowded and not all content is created equal. From unlicensed coaches to miracle cures and viral “hacks,” misinformation spreads fast and wide. The

Kids are at a breaking point, and school policies might be to blame

U.S. kids are more depressed, stressed, and anxious than ever. ADHD and autism diagnosis rates are steadily rising. What’s going on?  In this episode of Hyperfocus, jour

How are ADHD and chronic pain connected?

If you have ADHD or autism, research shows you’re at a much higher risk for developing chronic pain — a connection many doctors and patients still don’t know about. In th

The over-pathologizing of ADHD (From Hacking Your ADHD)

This week on Hyperfocus, Rae is in the guest seat for an appearance on Hacking Your ADHD, a podcast hosted by William Curb.  Listen for a fascinating conversation on a t