Understood.org Launches "Climbing the Walls," a Limited-Series Podcast Investigating the Surge of ADHD Diagnoses in Women

The first episode, "I Didn't Want to Have ADHD," drops on April 9, 2025.

NEW YORK, April 2, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Understood.org, a leading resource for people with learning and thinking differences, today announced the launch of Climbing the Walls, a new limited-series investigative podcast. Hosted by health and science journalist and documentarian Danielle Elliot, the podcast explores why women weren't diagnosed with ADHD for so long and what led to new ADHD diagnoses among women ages 20–49 nearly doubling between 2020 and 2022 (CDC).

Across six episodes, Elliot weaves together scientific explanations with personal stories, including her own, from the many women who know ADHD all too well. Through their lived experiences and candid conversations with experts, she explores big questions around the surge in ADHD diagnoses, like why women? And why now? Among those Elliot speaks with are Sari Solden, MS, a psychotherapist and pioneer in the field of ADHD counseling, and Terry Matlen, MSW, a psychotherapist and ADHD coach specializing in women's experiences.

"When I was diagnosed with ADHD at 36, I didn't understand how we'd missed this — not just in me, but in, apparently, an entire generation of women and all those who came before us," says Elliot. "I wanted to know if there was something different about the world now, or different about women, or something else underlying this rise in diagnosis."

As Elliot searched for answers to her original questions in Climbing the Walls, new ones arose. Now that the diagnosis gap between men and women with ADHD is closing, more women require medical and emotional support in ways that differ from men. Are our systems equipped to support these women? And how do we ensure that women with ADHD get the support they need?

"Danielle's impressive background as a journalist and storyteller, combined with her personal experience, allowed us to create a series that validates the experiences of women, especially those with ADHD," says Laura Key, vice president of content strategy at Understood.org. "The first-of-its-kind limited series empowers women to advocate for themselves and find the support they have long been denied by society and the medical community."

This new podcast builds upon Understood.org's commitment to supporting women who learn and think differently, which includes the launch of MissUnderstood: The ADHD in Women Channel and a dedicated resource page with free, accessible resources – created by and for women with ADHD – from expert information to personal stories.

Climbing the Walls consists of six 30-minute episodes released weekly, each offering in-depth analysis and personal narratives that shed light on the multifaceted nature of ADHD in women.

Subscribe to Climbing the Walls on all major listening platforms, and visit Understood.org for free expert-vetted resources and support.

About Understood:
Understood is a nonprofit focused on shaping the world for difference. We raise awareness of the challenges, skills, and strengths of people who learn and think differently. Our resources help people navigate challenges, gain confidence, and find support and community so they can thrive. Together, we can build a world where everyone can reach their full potential. Understood is a 501(c)(3) organization headquartered in New York. For more information, to donate, or to partner, visit u.org/media and follow us @UnderstoodOrg.

About Danielle Elliot:
Danielle Elliot is a documentarian and writer based in Brooklyn. She focuses on character-driven narratives that seek to explain cultural phenomena. Her films, features and series have appeared on HBO, ESPN, FX, iHeart, Audible, NBC, the New York Times, The Atlantic, Grantland, National Geographic, and more. After earning an M.A. from the Graduate School of Journalism at Columbia University, she became science editor at CBSNews.com and began writing long-form features for The Atlantic, The New York Times, National Geographic, Nautilus, Grantland, Popular Mechanics, SB Nation Longform, Vice Sports, and others. In addition to reporting, writing, and producing, she works with documentary filmmakers to develop and structure films and series and with Fortune 100 brands to direct and produce docu-style campaigns.

SOURCE Understood