Figuring It Out

Is ADHD linked to drinking too much? And why might people with ADHD be more likely to experience difficulties with alcohol and other substances?

In Part 2 of Figuring It Out, Dr Alex George and research scientist Dr Kathryn Bates tackle a listener's question about ADHD, impulsivity and alcohol.

They explore why substance use difficulties are more common in people with ADHD, from impulsivity and self-medication to the possible role of dopamine. Alex also reflects on his own relationship with alcohol and his decision to stop drinking.

Plus, they answer listener questions about ADHD and eating, including how medication can affect appetite, why eating difficulties can occur alongside ADHD, and what people really mean by 'food noise'.

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.

Why do people with ADHD sometimes act before they think? And why can waiting for something feel so difficult?

In Part 1 of Figuring It Out, Dr Alex George and research scientist Dr Kathryn Bates explore what ADHD really is, what causes it, and why there's no single explanation for what's happening in the brain.

From genetics and dopamine to the science of impulsivity, they unpack why some people struggle to resist immediate rewards, how impulsivity can show up in everyday life, and whether a new theory around 'hypercuriosity' could help explain some ADHD traits.

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.

Are we really overdiagnosing ADHD and autism? And does understanding someone's differences automatically make relationships easier?

In Part 3 of Figuring It Out, Dr Alex George and research scientist Dr Kathryn Bates tackle some common assumptions about neurodivergence in Myth, Fact and It's Complicated.

They explore whether emotional dysregulation is unique to neurodivergent people, whether we build or discover our identity, and why understanding each other's differences isn't always enough to improve a relationship.
Plus, do two neurodivergent people automatically understand each other? And what does the research actually tell us about rising ADHD and autism diagnoses?

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.

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.