Sensory overload and self-advocacy with ADHD (Margaux Joffe’s story)

Join health and science journalist Danielle Elliot as she investigates the rise of women recently diagnosed with ADHD. Listen to Climbing the Walls now.

Margaux Joffe’s “aha” moment came during a shopping trip to IKEA with her mom. She had an intense sensory overload experience, which her mom later suggested could be ADHD-related. Margaux, who’d been diagnosed with anxiety and depression as a teenager, had never considered ADHD.

She was diagnosed with ADHD at age 29. In the years since, she’s become a global advocate for neurodiversity and accessibility. Check out her conversation with host Laura Key about justice sensitivity, workplace accommodations, and self-harm in undiagnosed women. 

Related resources

• ADHD and sensory overload
• ADHD and depression
• Understood.org’s 2024 Neurodiversity at Work Survey Fact Sheet
• Margaux’s website, margauxjoffe.com

Timestamps

(01:55) Margaux’s IKEA story, and “aha” moment

(07:34) Sensory sensitivity and ADHD

(09:03) Undiagnosed ADHD leading to anxiety and depression

(12:38) Breaking down during transitional periods

(14:16) Being told she was just “too much” as a child

(18:44) What has she learned in the 10 years since being diagnosed?

(21:12) What has she learned through working with other women with ADHD?

(23:29) Self-advocacy and disclosure at work

(26:35) What’s Margaux up to now?

For a transcript and more resources, visit the ADHD Aha! page on Understood.

Want to share your “aha” moment? We love hearing from our listeners. Email us at [e-mail].

Understood.org is a nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering people with learning and thinking differences, like ADHD and dyslexia. If you want to help us continue this work, donate at understood.org/give