Show Notes
In this 8th episode of Neurodivergent Struggles, Dr. Kojo Sarfo and Emily explore sensory overload and how it affects individuals with ADHD and autism. They discuss common triggers such as strong smells, loud environments, and the anxiety around trying new foods, highlighting how routines like sticking to “safe foods” and meal planning can help regulate the nervous system.
The conversation shifts to navigating social environments, where they emphasize the importance of having exit plans during overwhelming events. Emily shares how certain spaces, like EDM raves, can surprisingly feel safe and freeing, allowing her to stim and express herself without judgment despite the high sensory input.
They close the episode by addressing the stigma around ADHD medication, encouraging listeners to prioritize their mental health and quality of life. The hosts stress that personal well-being should come before outside opinions, especially when it comes to treatment decisions.
More from The Neurodivergent Struggles Show
In this 15th episode of Neurodivergent Struggles, Dr. Kojo Sarfo and Sydney talk about how ADHD, autism, and modern dating intersect in today’s world. They discuss the challenges of balancing personal growth with relationships, the pressure of defining relationships, situationships, attachment styles, and why clear communication is especially important for neurodivergent individuals navigating romance.
In this 14th episode of Neurodivergent Struggles, Dr. Kojo Sarfo and Sydney talk about embracing change, navigating ADHD and autism, and stepping outside of familiar routines. Together, they discuss why novelty can be both exciting and overwhelming for neurodivergent people, the challenges of perfectionism, and how flexibility within structure helps regulate the nervous system. The conversation also explores storytelling, creativity, and the importance of supportive environments. Sydney reflects on her career in entertainment, while Dr. Kojo shares how understanding neurodivergence has shaped his work in psychiatry and content creation. They discuss celebrating accomplishments, building strong support systems, recognizing personal strengths, and knowing when to ask for help instead of trying to do everything alone. The hosts wrap up by answering relatable neurodivergent thoughts about staying up late for alone time, struggles with punctuality, and why working from home can become a trap for people with ADHD. They share practical strategies like setting boundaries, body doubling, creating external accountability, and designing routines that work with the neurodivergent brain rather than against it.
In this 13th episode of Neurodivergent Struggles, Dr. Kojo Sarfo and Emily explore the emotional intensity of mood swings in people with ADHD and autism. Emily shares how seemingly small frustrations can quickly spiral into overwhelming emotions, while Dr. Kojo explains why neurodivergent people often experience setbacks, perfectionism, and emotional dysregulation more intensely than neurotypical individuals. Together, they discuss practical ways to regulate emotions before they take over the day.
In this 12th episode of Neurodivergent Struggles, Dr. Kojo Sarfo and Emily explore avoidance and how it shows up in the lives of neurodivergent people. They discuss procrastination, executive dysfunction, rejection sensitivity, and the tendency to avoid difficult conversations, tasks, or decisions out of fear of conflict, failure, or disappointment. The hosts also examine how avoidance can impact relationships, friendships, finances, and everyday responsibilities.
In this 11th episode of Neurodivergent Struggles, Dr. Kojo Sarfo and Emily discuss the challenges neurodivergent people face with sleep, nighttime routines, and getting out of bed in the morning. They open up about insomnia, racing thoughts, overstimulation, depression, and how ADHD and autism can constantly battle between craving structure and resisting it. The hosts also share their personal experiences with medication, routines, and the difficulty of regulating their nervous systems.