In this week’s 'Wisdom' episode, we explore the connection between ADHD, perfectionism, and burnout, and how these patterns often shape our daily lives without us realising.

I've also written about this deeply personal topic in Chapter 6 (Prevent Burnout) of my upcoming new book, The ADHD Women's Wellbeing Toolkit. On today's episode, we revisit conversations with Natalie Englander, an accredited senior CBT therapist and Michaela Thomas, a Clinical Psychologist, coach and author.

From procrastination and people-pleasing to self-criticism and the pressure to keep going, we unpack the emotional toll perfectionism can take. We also discuss practical tools like mindfulness and how reframing perfectionism with curiosity and compassion can help us work with our brains, not against them.

🌟 My new book, The ADHD Women's Wellbeing Toolkit, is available to preorder here🌟

What You’ll Learn:

• What perfectionism can look like in ADHD women - including procrastination, overthinking, people pleasing, self-criticism and imposter syndrome
• The strong link between self-worth, achievement and burnout, and why this dynamic is so common in neurodivergent minds
• How to reframe perfectionism so it becomes something you work with, rather than constantly fighting against
• Why ADHD brains are more likely to fall into the boom and bust cycle, and how it can lead to burnout
• Understanding the ADHD brain’s dopamine response and why pushing through isn’t always the answer
• The reasons ADHD makes us more vulnerable to burnout, and how we can start making small, protective changes
• How to use mindfulness and thought-challenging tools to quiet your inner critic and reduce feelings of shame
• The power of self-compassion in making sense of your ADHD and building sustainable, supportive habits that actually work for you

Timestamps:

• 05:30 - Understanding Perfectionism and ADHD
• 07:37 - Considering the Root of Perfectionism in ADHD
• 14:56 - Using Mindfulness and Thought Checking as a Tool for Perfectionism
• 16:40 - Introduction to Michaela Thomas
• 17:33 - Discussing the Boom or Bust Cycle
• 20:42 - Navigating Burnout and Self-Care
• 27:31 - Finding Compassion for Understanding and Taking Action with ADHD

If you’re facing common ADHD challenges like perfectionism, imposter syndrome, people pleasing and procrastination, please know you're not alone. If you'd like to learn more about how to navigate burnout, you can watch Kate's latest workshop [here].

Links and Resources:

• Missed our ADHD Women’s Summer Series? Get the Perfectionism and Procrastination workshop [here].
• Preorder my book: The ADHD Women's Wellbeing Toolkit [here].
• Join the Waitlist for my new ADHD community-first membership launching in September [

Preorder my book: The ADHD Women's Wellbeing Toolkit here.

This special bonus episode features an insightful conversation between Kate and Alex Partridge, host of the ADHD Chatter Podcast. Originally recorded for Alex’s show, this episode delves into the realities of being a woman with ADHD, the emotional toll it can take, and how Kate’s new book, The ADHD Women’s Wellbeing Toolkit, was born out of her personal and professional experiences as an ADHD wellbeing coach.

Alex founded 2 social media giants, UNILAD and LADBible, aged just 21 and was then diagnosed with ADHD at 34. Since then, he has become a powerful advocate for neurodiversity online, reminding us all that we're not broken; we're different and have always been enough.

Key Takeaways:

• Why understanding ADHD is crucial for women and girls to dismantle shame and stigma
• How ADHD impacts women’s mental and physical health, often in overlooked ways
• The emotional toll of being misunderstood, judged, or feeling like you don’t fit in
• Common ADHD struggles like overwhelm, anxiety, people-pleasing, and a harsh inner critic
• How ADHD shows up uniquely for women, especially across life stages and hormonal changes
• The importance of neuro-affirming support, creating a sense of safety, and building self-trust
• The power of boundaries, self-awareness, and community for women with ADHD
• Kate's heartfelt advice for her younger self and women recently diagnosed with ADHD

This episode is a powerful reminder that awareness, compassion, and connection can transform the ADHD journey for women, helping them to feel seen, supported, and empowered to thrive.

Links and Resources:

• Missed our ADHD Women’s Summer Series? Get the workshops on demand [here].
• Join the Waitlist for my new ADHD community-first membership launching in September! Get exclusive founding offers [here].
• Find my popular ADHD webinars and resources on my website [here].
• Follow the podcast on Instagram: @adhd_womenswellbeing_pod

Kate Moryoussef is a women's ADHD lifestyle and wellbeing coach and EFT practitioner who helps overwhelmed and unfulfilled newly diagnosed ADHD women find more calm, balance, hope, health, compassion, creativity and clarity.

Cycle tracking isn't a fad or something you can only do if you menstruate. Rooted in ancient wisdom, modern science, and female empowerment, understanding your cycles is key to helping you channel and nurture your energy, enhance your strengths, honour your needs and boost emotional well-being.

Many of us are navigating the complex interplay between our hormonal cycles and ADHD, and this conversation aims to shed light on how cycle tracking can help us reconnect with our bodies. We’ll explore how hormonal fluctuations impact our well-being and the importance of recognising these changes, not just as symptoms to endure, but as valuable insights into our overall health.

In this episode of the ADHD Women’s Wellbeing Podcast, Kate is joined by Laura Federico and Morgan Miller, co-authors of The Cycle Book. Together, they offer practical insights, personal stories, and expert guidance on how understanding your hormonal cycle can transform your wellbeing.

Laura, a certified sex and couples therapist, and Morgan, a seasoned midwife and reproductive care advocate, share their unique perspectives on navigating hormonal health through PMDD, endometriosis, postnatal depression, and beyond.

Preorder my book: The ADHD Women's Wellbeing Toolkit here.

What You'll Learn:

• The power of cycle tracking as a tool for self-understanding, self-advocacy, and healing
• Why no two cycles are the same, and how learning your hormonal patterns is essential
• The emotional and physical realities of conditions like PMDD, endometriosis, and postnatal depression (especially in neurodivergent women)
• How to begin advocating for yourself in a medical system that often overlooks women's hormonal health
• What to do when you’re not getting the support you need from healthcare providers, and how to persist without burning out
• Why it’s vital to start these conversations young, empowering girls to understand and trust their bodies
• The value of community, curiosity, and consistency in your hormone health journey

This episode is a compassionate call to action: your body is not a mystery, it’s a source of wisdom. With the right tools and support, every woman can learn to track, understand, and advocate for her hormonal wellbeing.

You can connect with Laura and Morgan via their Instagram page (@thecyclebook).

Timestamps:

• 06:20 - Understanding Hormonal Cycles and Neurodivergence
• 10:40 - Understanding Hormonal Fluctuations and Neurodivergence
• 19:24 - Understanding Cycle Tracking and Its Impact on Wellbeing
• 32:33 - Exploring Hormonal Impacts on Mental Health
• 40:50 - Navigating the Healthcare System: Advocacy and Challenges

Links and Resources:

• Missed our ADHD Women’s Summer Series? Get the workshops on demand [here].
• Join the Waitlist for my new ADHD community-first membership, launching in September [