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This episode dives into one of the most frustrating realities facing the neurodivergent community: getting an autism diagnosis is harder than it should be — and that's not an accident.

We explore the flaws of the ADOS assessment, the financial and systemic incentives that drive gatekeeping, and the lack of adequate training among professionals evaluating adults. Maria and Tabitha also discuss why self-diagnosis and community-based knowledge are not only valid but vital, and what meaningful advocacy for change looks like.

Key topics covered:

• Systemic barriers in autism diagnosis
• Critique of the ADOS and its limitations
• Financial incentives behind diagnostic gatekeeping
• Neurodiversity beyond standard testing
• Advocacy for broader access to evaluations

🌸 We're joining this year's #Podcasthon and proudly supporting the Paperflower Foundation, which works to bridge mental health access gaps for underserved Arizonans.

Socials:
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Instagram&Threads: @paperflowerpsychiatry
Tiktok: @dr.mariaingalla
Websites:
www.paperflowerpsychiatry.com
www.paperflowerinstitute.com
www.courses.paperflowerinstitute.com

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In this episode of Brain Trash, Maria and Tabitha unpack how hormones hijack mental health, especially for people with ADHD navigating birth control, perimenopause, menopause, and hormone replacement therapy (HRT).

They explore how hormonal shifts affect dopamine, medication response, mood regulation, and executive function, why ADHD symptoms often worsen during hormonal transitions, and how testosterone, estrogen, and progesterone interact with psychiatric treatment.

The conversation also highlights gaps in women’s health research, the importance of individualized care, and why patients must advocate for themselves when treatment suddenly stops working.

If you’ve ever wondered why your meds feel different, your symptoms escalated out of nowhere, or no one warned you about menopause being a mental health event, this episode is for you.

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🌸 learn more at paperflowerpsychiatry.com

Socials:
Facebook: Paperflower Psychiatry
Instagram&Threads: @paperflowerpsychiatry
Tiktok: @dr.mariaingalla
Websites:
www.paperflowerpsychiatry.com
www.paperflowerinstitute.com
www.courses.paperflowerinstitute.com

Send us questions here!

In this episode of Brain Trash, Maria and Tabitha unpack the hormonal chaos of pregnancy and postpartum through a neurodivergent lens. They explore what happens to neurotransmitters during pregnancy, why postpartum can feel like a neurochemical ambush, and how ADHD and other forms of neurodivergence intersect with hormonal shifts.

The episode also addresses medication management during pregnancy, the emotional and hormonal aftermath of miscarriage, and the long-term changes many people experience for years after giving birth. Maria and Tabitha highlight the importance of supportive providers, evidence-based guidance, and compassionate community care.

Whether you are pregnant, postpartum, navigating loss, or supporting someone through it, this episode offers validation, clarity, and practical tools grounded in clinical experience.

Key Topics Covered:
• How pregnancy hormones reshape mental health
• Why postpartum depression is common and often overlooked
• The unique challenges neurodivergent individuals face postpartum
• ADHD and hormonal fluctuations
• Medication safety and management during pregnancy
• Miscarriage and the neurochemical fallout
• The long game of hormonal change
• Finding providers who understand both hormones and neurodivergence
• Support systems and community resources, including PSI

Socials:
Facebook: Paperflower Psychiatry
Instagram&Threads: @paperflowerpsychiatry
Tiktok: @dr.mariaingalla
Websites:
www.paperflowerpsychiatry.com
www.paperflowerinstitute.com
www.courses.paperflowerinstitute.com