Mother Plus Podcast
This is the podcast for "too much" moms who feel like they are failing at motherhood and don't want to fail anymore. Your hosts, Stacey Hutson and Stephanie Sprenger, two ADHD moms of four girls ages 4-18, most definitely don't have it all figured out. But we know one thing for sure: understanding our brains is the key to enjoying our motherhood, and our SELVES again.
Here, we are brutally honest about our ADHD motherhoods (the missed Spirit Weeks, the mountains of laundry, the nostalgia for our old "fun" pre-mom selves) so you know you're not the only one struggling.
When we don't know the answers, or aren't qualified to give them, we bring on the experts. Mental health therapists, psychologists, psychiatrists, women's doctors -- we want to learn from them all. Because we believe once you know how to work WITH your ADHD brain rather than against it, it changes everything.
You found your people. We're them. And you're ours. Let's figure this out together.
*To Join the ADHD Mom's Club so we can hang out, visit: https://www.motherplusser.com/ADHD-mom-club-waitlist**
Mother Plus Podcast
#137: How to Regulate Your Emotions When You’re “Too Sensitive”: A Conversation About RSD with Dr. Rebecca Richey
**Find your center and connect with a community that gets it—join the Rituals Library today.**
In this episode of the Mother Plus Podcast, we continue our deep dive into Rejection Sensitive Dysphoria (RSD) with Dr. Rebecca Richey. If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed by rejection, criticism, or failure, this episode offers practical tools to help you manage your emotional responses and regain control.
Four Tools for Managing RSD:
- Community Matters
Surround yourself with people who understand your ADHD experience. Having "your ADHD people" in your corner—friends who won’t judge or dismiss your feelings—can make all the difference. - Therapy is a Game-Changer
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) techniques like recognizing when you're catastrophizing or generalizing are powerful tools. Dr. Richey shares her strategy of "putting your thoughts on trial" to help defuse emotionally charged situations. Pro tip: Seek a therapist experienced with RSD. - Self-Understanding Brings Calm
Recognize when you’re having an RSD response. Simply saying, “This is my RSD talking,” can help you pause and stay mindful until your cognitive clarity returns. - Practice Self-Compassion
Self-compassion is a crucial habit to cultivate. Dr. Richey stresses that being kind to yourself is the foundation of managing RSD effectively.
Special Topics Covered in This Episode:
- Parenting and RSD: Learn how to recover and repair relationships when your child’s behavior triggers feelings of rejection.
- Misdiagnoses and ADHD: Dr. Richey discusses the overlap of symptoms between ADHD and other conditions, why many women are misdiagnosed, and the importance of getting the right diagnosis.
- Advocacy Alert: Partners, parents, and friends—this is for you. Understanding RSD and its impact can make a world of difference in your relationships with ADHD women.
Dr. Rebecca Richey, Psy.D., MBA, serves as the Clinical Director at CWHC, overseeing therapy, psychological evaluations, group programs, and integrated care services. A triple-licensed mental health professional with nearly 20 years of clinical experience, she specializes in psychological testing for women, including ADHD diagnosis.
Dr. Richey’s career highlights include serving as an Assistant Professor at the University of Colorado School of Medicine, where she directed behavioral health services and training programs. She is a Past President of the Colorado Psychological Association and currently chairs the APA’s Committee on Early Career Psychologists. With expertise in integrated care, leadership, and advocacy, she is passionate about advancing mental health for women.
Website: https://cowomenscare.com/
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