Figuring It Out

Why can an upsetting interaction stay with you for days, or even weeks? And why can emotional pain feel so difficult to move on from?
In Part 2 of Figuring It Out, Dr Alex George and research scientist Dr Kathryn Bates answer a listener's question about why emotional pain can feel stronger and last longer for some people with ADHD and autism.

They explore emotional regulation, rumination, rejection sensitivity and alexithymia, which can make it difficult to identify and describe what you're feeling. Alex opens up about how he experiences frustration, why it can take him days to understand his own emotions, and how this has affected his relationships. They also discuss why misunderstandings between neurodivergent and neurotypical people can go both ways, and how learning to understand each other's needs can help.

No lectures. No easy answers. Just two people trying their best to figure it out.

We're not here to give medical advice, we're just two friends exploring the science and figuring out life together. If you have any concerns about your health, please speak to your doctor.

Each episode arrives in three parts from Monday to Wednesday. Part One tackles the Big Question. Part Two answers a real dilemma sent in by a listener. Part Three puts the most common claims to the test in Myth, Fact and It's Complicated.

Have a question or dilemma you'd like us to tackle in a future episode? We'd love to hear from you. Email us at hello@figuringitoutpod.com.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Have you ever felt different without really understanding why? And what happens when an autism or ADHD diagnosis changes the way you've always seen yourself?

In Part 1 of Figuring It Out, Dr Alex George and research scientist Dr Kathryn Bates explore how we develop our sense of identity, why it continues to change throughout our lives, and how a late diagnosis can bring a complicated mix of relief, grief and self-discovery.
Alex opens up about questioning his own identity after being diagnosed with ADHD, OCD and autism, while Kathryn explores the research behind how our sense of self develops. They also discuss why receiving a diagnosis doesn't always mean getting the support you need, and how finding a community of people who understand your experiences can make such a difference.

No lectures. No easy answers. Just two people trying their best to figure it out.

We're not here to give medical advice, we're just two friends exploring the science and figuring out life together. If you have any concerns about your health, please speak to your doctor.

Each episode arrives in three parts from Monday to Wednesday. Part One tackles the Big Question. Part Two answers a real dilemma sent in by a listener. Part Three puts the most common claims to the test in Myth, Fact and It's Complicated.

Have a question or dilemma you'd like us to tackle in a future episode? We'd love to hear from you. Email us at hello@figuringitoutpod.com.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Could your special interests be doing more for your wellbeing than you realise? For autistic people, these interests can be much more than hobbies, potentially helping with emotional regulation, reducing stress and providing a sense of comfort.

In Part 3 of Figuring It Out, Dr Alex George and research scientist Dr Kathryn Bates explore the surprising benefits of autistic special interests and what the research tells us about their role in emotional wellbeing.

They also put common claims about ADHD and autism to the test in Myth, Fact and It's Complicated. Does masking look different in autistic girls and women? Is ADHD masking the same as autistic masking? And how does recovery from ADHD burnout compare with autistic burnout?

Plus, why is there still so much we don't know about masking, and what questions are researchers trying to answer?

No lectures. No easy answers. Just two people trying their best to figure it out.

We're not here to give medical advice, we're just two friends exploring the science and figuring out life together. If you have any concerns about your health, please speak to your doctor.

Each episode arrives in three parts from Monday to Wednesday. Part One tackles the Big Question. Part Two answers a real dilemma sent in by a listener. Part Three puts the most common claims to the test in Myth, Fact and It's Complicated.

Have a question or dilemma you'd like us to tackle in a future episode? We'd love to hear from you. Email us at hello@figuringitoutpod.com.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Autistic burnout is more than just feeling tired. It can involve overwhelming exhaustion, difficulty managing everyday tasks and a reduced tolerance to sensory input. But what causes it, and what can help?

In Part 2 of Figuring It Out, Dr Alex George and research scientist Dr Kathryn Bates explore what autistic burnout actually is, how masking, sensory overload and the pressure to meet everyday expectations can contribute, and why recovery isn't always straightforward.

They also answer a listener's dilemma: can you realistically manage a demanding full-time career as an autistic person without burning out?

From workplace adjustments and supportive managers to the challenges of asking for help, Alex and Kathryn discuss what the research tells us about preventing burnout, and why the responsibility shouldn't fall entirely on the individual.

No lectures. No easy answers. Just two people trying their best to figure it out.

We're not here to give medical advice, we're just two friends exploring the science and figuring out life together. If you have any concerns about your health, please speak to your doctor.

Each episode arrives in three parts from Monday to Wednesday. Part One tackles the Big Question. Part Two answers a real dilemma sent in by a listener. Part Three puts the most common claims to the test in Myth, Fact and It's Complicated.

Have a question or dilemma you'd like us to tackle in a future episode? We'd love to hear from you. Email us at hello@figuringitoutpod.com.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ever come home from a social event feeling completely drained? For many autistic people and people with ADHD, socialising can be exhausting, particularly when masking and sensory overload come into play.

In Part 1 of Figuring It Out, Dr Alex George and research scientist Dr Kathryn Bates explore what ADHD and autistic masking actually look like, why people feel the need to hide certain traits, and the emotional toll of constantly trying to fit in.

They also unpack the science behind sensory overload, why everyday environments can feel overwhelming, and what researchers are still discovering about how autistic people and people with ADHD process sensory information.

No lectures. No easy answers. Just two people trying their best to figure it out.

We're not here to give medical advice, we're just two friends exploring the science and figuring out life together. If you have any concerns about your health, please speak to your doctor.

Each episode arrives in three parts from Monday to Wednesday. Part One tackles the Big Question. Part Two answers a real dilemma sent in by a listener. Part Three puts the most common claims to the test in Myth, Fact and It's Complicated.

Have a question or dilemma you'd like us to tackle in a future episode? We'd love to hear from you. Email us at hello@figuringitoutpod.com.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.