October isn’t quiet for anyone living with ADHD. In Part 2 of “October Is Loud,” Jess and Jeannine continue their deep dive through the month’s overlapping awareness causes. From domestic-violence and bullying prevention to dyslexia, LGBTQ+ visibility, disability employment, and cyber-safety. They connect every theme back to empathy, inclusion, and how visibility changes lives. Thoughtful, grounded, and real. This bonus episode closes the series with compassion and community.

00:00 – Intro & Content Warning 00:24 – Domestic Violence Awareness & Resources 01:35 – Bullying Prevention Month & Long-Term Impact 03:11 – Healing and Boundaries for ADHD Adults 03:36 – Learning Disabilities & Dyslexia Awareness 04:14 – LGBTQ+ History & Intersex Awareness Day 05:42 – Filipino American History Month & Representation 06:17 – Disability Employment & Cyber Safety Awareness 07:29 – Digital Safety Tips for ADHD Brains 08:13 – Other October Awareness Causes 08:42 – Final Reflection & Outro

Ever feel like your ADHD brain only runs on two settings? All in or completely shut down. In this episode, Jess and Jeannine dive into the gray space between perfectionism and paralysis. They unpack rest guilt, hyper-independence, and why balance feels impossible for ADHD women. Honest, funny, and validating this conversation is a reminder that rest isn’t lazy, and living in the gray is its own kind of strength.

00:00 – The ADHD All-In or Shut-Down Cycle Jessica and Jeannine open with humor and honesty about living in extremes — why ADHD brains struggle to find the middle ground.

00:25 – Welcome to Angry on the Inside The hosts reintroduce themselves and clarify that these are lived experiences, not prescriptions — just real ADHD life talk.

01:14 – Rest vs. Laziness: The Myth That Won’t Die Exploring how ADHD, guilt, and conditioning make rest feel like failure — and how internalized “lazy” narratives start young.

02:42 – Feeling Perceived: ADHD, Help, and Hyper-Independence Why asking for help feels unsafe, how judgment shapes masking, and why many ADHD women equate support with weakness.

09:31 – Burnout and the Invisible Labor Load The conversation expands to hidden ADHD exhaustion — mental load, resentment, and constant overdrive that never fully stops.

11:37 – Social Media, Comparison, and Negative Independence Jeannine’s “rage about social media” leads into how ADHD brains chase impossible standards and equate worth with output.

11:48 – The Perfectionist Cycle Jessica outlines the 5-step ADHD perfectionism loop — unrealistic expectations, avoidance, paralysis, missed deadlines, shame.

16:17 – Reframing and Self-Compassion They unpack the role of reframing, self-talk, and running “in beta” — learning to release perfection and honor the process.

21:28 – What Else Could Be True? Tools vs. Tricks How to question assumptions, celebrate progress, and shift language — moving from “or” to “and” thinking for ADHD balance.

22:41 – That’s Not Normal: Turning Rest into Competition The classic AOI segment returns with ADHD humor: rest metrics, calendar guilt, and productivity cosplay gone wrong.

23:57 – Reclaiming the Gray From black-and-white thinking to naming what’s real — awareness as control, and permission to rest without earning it.

24:33 – Outro: Still Learning to Live in the Gray Signature AOI close — messy, funny, human. “If rest feels like guilt, you’re not alone… Maybe not. And that’s okay.”

October isn’t just busy it’s loud! Every awareness campaign seems to hit close to home for ADHD women. Why do they all circle back to us!

In this bonus episode, Jess and Jeannine look at October through the ADHD lens: from breast cancer awareness and dysautonomia to health literacy, physical therapy, and mental health. They talk about how our bodies, our brains, and a healthcare system built on executive function collide and how self-awareness can become a form of self-advocacy.

It’s honest, a little funny, and full of “oh that’s me” moments. Because if you’re an ADHD woman, October isn’t just about awareness — it’s about survival, curiosity, and learning to listen to your body

🩷 Breast Cancer Awareness Month Learn more about early detection, dense breast tissue, and screening guidelines: 👉 https://www.nationalbreastcancer.org

💙 The Dysautonomia Project Education and advocacy for people living with autonomic nervous system disorders (including POTS): 👉 https://www.dysautonomiaproject.org

🧘‍♀️ Physical Therapy Awareness Month Promoting movement, recovery, and access to neurodiversity-informed PT care: 👉 https://www.apta.org/ptmonth

📚 Health Literacy Month Building awareness around communication, understanding, and access in healthcare: 👉 https://healthliteracymonth.org

🧠 Mental Health Awareness / ADHD Resources Articles and screening tools for ADHD, depression, and anxiety: 👉 https://www.additudemag.com 👉 https://screening.mhanational.org

00:00 – October Through the ADHD Lens Jessica and Jeannine open with humor and hyperfocus, explaining how a simple follow-up turned into a deep dive into every awareness that October brings.

00:46 – Breast Cancer Awareness: Executive Function Meets Early Detection They discuss how ADHD impacts health maintenance, the realities of dense breast tissue, and the importance of MRI screenings and accountability buddies.

03:10 – Dysautonomia Awareness: The Overlap with ADHD The hosts unpack POTS, dysautonomia, and how misdiagnosis and medical gaslighting often mirror ADHD experiences. They highlight the Dysautonomia Project’s patient–clinician guide.

05:31 – Physical Therapy and the Neurodivergent Body They explore hypermobility, chronic pain, and the need for neurodiversity-informed PT care — reminding listeners that they’re not “just patients,” but customers deserving adaptable support.

06:57 – Health Literacy Month: When the System Runs on Executive Function Jessica and Jeannine connect ADHD with health communication gaps, emphasizing the need for neuroaffirming providers and resources that work for both sides of the exam room.

08:32 – Mental Health Awareness: Depression, Anxiety, and Missed ADHD They reflect on overlapping diagnoses, the importance of ADHD-informed therapy, and self-advocacy when working with clinicians. Links for Attitude Magazine and mental health screening tools are mentioned.

10:47 – Outro: The Body, the System, and What Comes Next Jessica and Jeannine close Part 1 with warmth and encouragement — a reminder to hydrate, rest, and schedule the appointments that have been waiting on the back burner.