『Authentically ADHD with Carmen』のカバーアート

Authentically ADHD with Carmen

Authentically ADHD with Carmen

著者： Where the chaos of ADHD meets self-acceptance growth and a whole lot of authenticity
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 Hi! I'm Carmen, a late-diagnosed ADHDer, ADHD life coach, and early childhood special education teacher who wants to spread awareness, relate to other ADHDers, and have fun while talking and learning about the difficulties, awesomeness, and new research behind the neurodiverse ADHD brain. ARE YOU READY?? Let's get started!

carmenauthenticallyadhd.substack.comCarmen Irace 個人的成功 心理学 心理学・心の健康 自己啓発 衛生・健康的な生活
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  • The Hidden World of Cognitive Disengagement Syndrome & ADHD

    The Hidden World of Cognitive Disengagement Syndrome & ADHD
    2025/06/14
    In this episode of Authentically ADHD, Carmen peels back the curtain on Cognitive Disengagement Syndrome (CDS)—sometimes called Sluggish Cognitive Tempo—to reveal why so many of us with ADHD feel stuck in a fog of daydreams, slow processing, and low energy. After a quick, relatable anecdote about spacing out in a meeting (and the panic that follows), we dive into what CDS actually is: a cluster of symptoms that overlaps with ADHD but isn’t the same thing. You’ll learn how CDS shows up differently than classic inattentive ADHD—think mental “brakes,” mind-wandering marathons, and that overwhelming sense that your brain is running underwater.Next, we explore how CDS can silently sabotage work, relationships, and self-esteem. Carmen shares listener stories—like the person who’s constantly five steps behind in conversations or the professional whose “slow load time” makes presentations feel like climbing Everest. We unpack the neuroscience in digestible terms: what brain networks are under-activated, how dopamine dysregulation plays a role, and why meds that help “hyperactive” ADHD often fall short for CDS symptoms.Finally, we shift to practical strategies. You’ll walk away with at least three tangible tools to test—everything from micro-bursts of movement to reframing your to-do list in ultra-small steps and scheduling “CDS-friendly breaks” before burnout sets in. By the end, you’ll understand that those moments of mental fog aren’t personal failings but part of a hidden ADHD subprofile—and you’ll have a roadmap for bringing more focus, energy, and self-compassion into your lifeShow Notes: IntroductionHello and welcome! Today, we’re diving into a fascinating and often underrecognized topic: Cognitive Disengagement Syndrome, or CDS. If that name doesn’t ring a bell, maybe its older label will — Sluggish Cognitive Tempo. (Yeah, I know, it sounds like an insult you’d hurl at a slow computer.) In this episode, we’re pulling back the curtain on what CDS really is, why it’s not just “laziness” or ordinary daydreaming, and why experts say it deserves far more attention than it gets.Hook: Ever feel like your brain is running on dial-up internet in a high-speed world? You’re trying to focus, but it’s like there’s a fog inside your head, and everything is moving in slow motion. Your thoughts wander off like they’ve got a mind of their own, and snapping back to reality is a bit like wading through molasses. If you’re nodding along (or if someone you know comes to mind), you might be familiar with what we’re talking about. And if you have ADHD or work with folks who do, you might have seen hints of this “slow-mo” attention state that often hides in plain sight.In this 25-30 minute episode, we’ll cover: what exactly Cognitive Disengagement Syndrome is and its key symptoms (in plain, relatable language), how it overlaps with but isn’t the same as ADHD, why it often gets misdiagnosed as something else (like depression or anxiety), and some practical, real-world tips for managing it. All of that with a professional tone and a little bit of sass — because learning should be engaging, right? So grab a coffee (you might need it for this topic!), and let’s get started.What Is Cognitive Disengagement Syndrome (CDS)?All right, first things first: what on Earth is Cognitive Disengagement Syndrome? In a nutshell, CDS is a term that describes a unique set of attention symptoms — think of it as a “cousin” to ADHD, but with its own personality. It used to be known as “Sluggish Cognitive Tempo,” which frankly sounds like your brain is a slow turtle. No surprise, experts decided to rebrand it to something less snarky and more accurateen.wikipedia.orgmedvidi.com. Now we call it Cognitive Disengagement Syndrome, highlighting how the mind can seem to disengage from the task at hand.So what does CDS look like? Picture a person (child or adult) who is constantly drifting off into their own world. We’re talking excessive daydreaming, blank staring, zoning out as if the lights are on but nobody’s homeadditudemag.com. Their mind wanders like it’s on an aimless road trip. They might appear mentally foggy, sluggish in their movements or thinking, and often slow to respond to what’s happening around themedgefoundation.org. Folks with CDS often seem underactive – the opposite of hyperactive – and may be described as lethargic or low energy. You might notice them blinking awake as if they were literally about to nod off, even during activities that aren’t boring for everyone else. In short, their alertness is inconsistent: one moment they’re tuned in, but the next they’ve drifted away on a cloud of thoughtsedgefoundation.org.Another hallmark is being easily confused or mentally “fogged.” It’s not that they can’t understand things, but their processing speed is slow. Imagine trying to stream a video with a weak Wi-Fi signal – the ...
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    59 分
  • BONUS EPISODE: Love on a Roller Coaster, The ADHD Guide to Spotting Toxic Partners

    BONUS EPISODE: Love on a Roller Coaster, The ADHD Guide to Spotting Toxic Partners
    2025/06/09
    Picture this: You’re on the wildest roller coaster of your life – dizzying highs, sudden drops, and your heart racing. For many of us with ADHD, early romance can feel exactly like that. Our brains light up with excitement and novelty, but those same traits that make us passionate can also leave us vulnerable to toxic relationships. Research shows that adults with ADHD often report childhood trauma and have brains that crave dopamine in high doses. That means the drama of a turbulent partner might feel familiar or even thrilling. As Dr. Gabor Maté puts it, people unconsciously “choose each other with an unerring instinct” for partners who mirror their own unresolved anxieties and pain. In plain terms, ADHD traits plus past stresses can set us up for danger if we’re not careful. Today on Authentically ADHD, we’re peeling back the curtain on why ADHD brains are wired to overlook red flags, and how to recognize and escape toxic dynamics – with a dose of neuroscience, expert insight, and real talk.Impulsivity & Novelty-SeekingFor someone with ADHD, new romance can be intoxicating. We crave excitement, and a high-energy partner often delivers. As ADHD experts explain, ADHD often means higher impulsivity and constant novelty-seeking. In one study’s key takeaways, ADHD “can cause increased impulsivity and novelty-seeking behavior — like constantly looking for new and exciting experiences”. In practice, that means you might rush headlong into a relationship without waiting to see the red flags. Dr. Edward Hallowell famously described how a person with ADHD “seldom feels bored”, instantly switching to something new at the first hint of dullness. When a toxic partner offers a rush of drama – extreme highs like bombarding you with affection (love-bombing), followed by sharp criticisms – your ADHD brain gets dopamine hits at every twist and turn. Those dopamine spikes can feel like love, making chaos seem exciting instead of dangerous.For example, imagine texting back instantly without thinking, even when something feels off. Or jumping into serious commitments with someone who’s shown controlling behaviors, simply because the initial chemistry is overwhelming. That’s ADHD impulsivity and thrill-seeking at work. We’re more likely to mistake high drama for passion. But remember: healthy relationships can be dynamic too, with steady excitement that builds trust, not tension. As one ADDitude expert notes, treating your ADHD through therapy, medication, or coaching can diminish the craving for those unhealthy dopamine hits, helping you choose more stable love over wild rides.Hyperfocus on the Wrong PartnersIt’s no secret: we can intensely fixate on a new crush. In ADHD terms, this is hyperfocus – pouring all our attention into one person. Early in romance, that means calling, texting, planning every detail together in a way that feels magical. But there’s a catch. As ADDitude editors point out, people with ADHD “feel emotions intensely and might hyperfocus on their partner, especially at the outset of a new, exciting relationship”. In practice, we hang on every word they say, overlook snide comments, and rewrite our own friend’s concerns as jealousy or misunderstanding.For instance, imagine the first few weeks with a new partner: your ADHD brain is 100% engaged. They text, you reply lightning-fast. They cancel plans unexpectedly, and you shrug it off because you’re so grateful to have their attention at all. That hyperfocus can blind us to manipulation. We might stay up all night chatting about their life story – even the parts that don’t add up – or excuse their mood swings because we’re convinced this time they really get us. In short, hyperfocus makes us all in right away. Unfortunately, that’s exactly when a toxic partner is most charming. The downside: once the infatuation fades, the problems you missed can hit hard.Emotional Dysregulation & RSDIf romance hits a rough patch, ADHD brains react strongly. Many of us experience big emotions and mood swings that non-ADHD folks don’t. This is by no accident: researchers like Dr. Russell Barkley show that emotional impulsiveness and deficient emotional self-regulation (DESR) are integral to ADHD. In plain terms, we can swing from zero to a hundred easily. One ADHD expert put it simply: many adults with ADHD “experience big emotions, and such intense emotions can easily destabilize even the strongest partnerships”. You might cry for hours over a forgotten text, or erupt in anger if you feel left out.On top of that, ADHD comes with something called Rejection Sensitive Dysphoria (RSD). RSD means we feel rejection or criticism as emotional pain so intense it’s almost physical. Even a partner’s mild critique might feel like a punch to the gut. Picture this: your partner says, “Maybe you should try to be on time,” and suddenly you’re convinced they’re plotting to dump you. That fear triggers panic;...
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    31 分
  • AuDHD and Processing Speed

    AuDHD and Processing Speed
    2025/06/07
    Today, we’re diving into the world of AuDHD – a unique neurotype that combines both Autism and ADHD. This blog post will unpack why your brain might feel sluggish, how overstimulation can quickly spiral, and how sensory overload interferes with communication. We’ll also take a closer look at Polyvagal Theory, a scientific concept that explains how your body reacts to stress – and why that reaction feels so intense for those of us with AuDHD. And don’t worry – we’ll finish things off with practical strategies to manage sensory overload, all backed by research and neuroscience.Processing Speed in AuDHD: Slowed But Not StoppedLet’s kick things off with processing speed – the ability to take in information, understand it, and respond. For those with AuDHD, this doesn’t always happen at lightning speed.Autistic processing speed: Many autistic individuals describe their thoughts as moving through molasses, not because they're slow, but because every detail stands out. In fact, research shows that autistic adults consistently perform slower on cognitive tasks, such as symbol search or coding tasks, than their neurotypical peers. This isn’t about intelligence – it’s about how your brain allocates attention. When the brain is processing a million sensory details, it has fewer resources to devote to thinking and responding.ADHD processing speed: ADHD adds another layer. People with ADHD often experience something called "sluggish cognitive tempo," meaning their minds wander, feel foggy, and take longer to complete tasks. This is especially true when there are multiple steps or a need for quick reactions. ADHD brains struggle to process quickly when distracted by the world around them.When you combine autism and ADHD – AuDHD – the challenges multiply. An AuDHD brain might analyze one piece of a problem deeply (a strength), but then struggle to move on to the next step. Or you may find yourself mentally fatigued after filtering distractions for just a few minutes. The result? Mental fatigue and frustration. Think of trying to work on a puzzle while the TV is blaring, someone’s talking to you, and the dog is barking. Your brain is juggling too much, so everything takes longer.The takeaway: Processing speed can feel slow in AuDHD, but it’s not about being “slow” – it’s about the brain working harder to process sensory information and complete tasks.Sensory Overload: Why Everything Feels Like Too MuchNext, let’s talk about sensory overload. For many people with AuDHD, everyday environments can quickly become overwhelming. The world feels too loud, too bright, and too busy.Research points to sensory gating – the brain's ability to filter out irrelevant stimuli. In neurotypical brains, unnecessary sensory input (like background noise) is ignored. But in autism, there’s a deficit in sensory gating, meaning the brain fails to filter out irrelevant or background stimuli. Sounds that others don’t notice – the ticking of a clock, the hum of a fluorescent light – feel like they’re blaring in your ears.On the ADHD side, things are no better. ADHD brains are bombarded by all sensory input because they have trouble filtering distractions. If you imagine your brain as a radio, a neurotypical brain might tune in to one station and block out static. An ADHD brain often has many stations playing at once – all competing for attention.Put both neurotypes together, and you get sensory overload. A gentle hum becomes unbearable, bright lights become blinding, and even the smallest sensory details can cause distress. The result? Overstimulation. One person with AuDHD might describe it as, “The world is speaking all at once, and I can’t make it stop.” This overload can trigger panic or anxiety – even if there’s no real threat.Story: The Café OverloadImagine this: Alex, who has AuDHD, goes to a coffee shop with a friend. There’s music playing, espresso machines whirring, people chatting, and flickering candles. For most people, these sounds might blend into the background. But for Alex, every sound and sight hits like a drum. The coffee grinder is unbearably loud. The flickering lights are dizzying. Even the wallpaper feels like it’s spinning.Alex starts to feel overwhelmed. Heart racing. Ears ringing. Brain foggy. They’re no longer able to focus on the conversation, and they don’t have the mental energy to process the noise and the people. This is sensory overload in action: everything becomes too much, and Alex’s brain simply shuts down.The body’s autonomic nervous system (ANS) – our stress response system – kicks in, signaling that something is wrong. Even though Alex is safe, the body’s reaction is the same as if they were in danger. This leads us to Polyvagal Theory.Communication Challenges During Sensory OverloadSo, what happens when we try to communicate under these conditions? If your brain is overwhelmed with sensory input, there’s little ...
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    37 分

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