Finally Seen: Dr. Katie Penry on ADHD and the Women Who Go Unheard

In this episode, we open up a conversation that has been overlooked for far too long. Dr. Katie Penry joins me to talk about how women were excluded from clinical trials until the 1990s, and how that gap shaped the way ADHD and ADD were diagnosed for decades. Together, we challenge the old stereotype of the hyperactive boy and dig into the quieter signs that often show up in girls, signs that were dismissed or misunderstood for years.

We look at why inclusivity in diagnostics matters, how inattentiveness can go unnoticed, and what it means to finally support every child with clarity and compassion. This is an episode for anyone who wants to understand the full picture of mental health and be part of a more informed, more inclusive future.

Learn more about Dr. Katie Penry:

penrypsychology.com

@drkatiepenry on Instagram

Episode Chapters:

00:65 Insights and Analytics

03:59 Blending Clinical Psychology with AI Technology

07:03 Understanding Trauma-Informed AI

09:47 AI's Role in Mental Health and Trauma

12:41 Navigating Trust in AI for Emotional Support

14:53 The Silent Suffering of Women with ADHD

17:55 The Intersection of Trauma and ADHD

20:46 Community and Self-Diagnosis in ADHD Awareness

31:10 Understanding Labels and Self-Blame

32:23 Creativity and the 'Too Much' Label

33:48 The Superhuman Capabilities of Nonlinear Thinkers

37:10 Navigating ADHD in a Structured Society

40:15 The Importance of Early Emotional Education

43:54 AI and Emotional Regulation

46:08 Using AI to Support Parenting

48:47 Finding Trustworthy Professionals

49:45 The Search for Safe Spaces

53:01 AI's Role in Strengthening Community Connections

56:01 Closing Remarks