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Have you ever felt different without really understanding why? And what happens when an autism or ADHD diagnosis changes the way you've always seen yourself? In Part 1 of Figuring It Out, Dr Alex George and research scientist Dr Kathryn Bates explore how we develop our sense of identity, why it continues to change throughout our lives, and how a late diagnosis can bring a complicated mix of relief, grief and self-discovery. Alex opens up about questioning his own identity after being diagnosed with ADHD, OCD and autism, while Kathryn explores the research behind how our sense of self develops. They also discuss why receiving a diagnosis doesn't always mean getting the support you need, and how finding a community of people who understand your experiences can make such a difference. No lectures. No easy answers. Just two people trying their best to figure it out. We're not here to give medical advice, we're just two friends exploring the science and figuring out life together. If you have any concerns about your health, please speak to your doctor. Each episode arrives in three parts from Monday to Wednesday. Part One tackles the Big Question. Part Two answers a real dilemma sent in by a listener. Part Three puts the most common claims to the test in Myth, Fact and It's Complicated. Have a question or dilemma you'd like us to tackle in a future episode? We'd love to hear from you. Email us at [email protected]. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

***Hear this week’s episode AD free and in full by subscribing to FIGURING IT OUT+ above*** Who are you when you've spent your whole life feeling different? And what happens when an autism or ADHD diagnosis changes the way you've always seen yourself? This week on Figuring It Out, Dr Alex George and research scientist Dr Kathryn Bates explore how we develop our sense of identity and why a late diagnosis can bring a complicated mix of relief, grief and self-discovery. Alex opens up about questioning his own identity after being diagnosed with ADHD, OCD and autism, and how understanding his neurodivergence has changed the way he sees himself and navigates relationships. They also answer a listener's question about why emotional pain can hit harder and last longer for neurodivergent people, exploring rumination, rejection sensitivity, alexithymia and the challenges of feeling misunderstood. Plus, in Myth, Fact and It's Complicated: can you really find your true self? Does understanding each other's differences make relationships easier? And are we really overdiagnosing ADHD and autism? No lectures. No easy answers. Just two people trying their best to figure it out. We're not here to give medical advice, we're just two friends exploring the science and figuring out life together. If you have any concerns about your health, please speak to your doctor. Each episode arrives in three parts from Monday to Wednesday. Part One tackles the Big Question. Part Two answers a real dilemma sent in by a listener. Part Three puts the most common claims to the test in Myth, Fact and It's Complicated. Have a question or dilemma you'd like us to tackle in a future episode? We'd love to hear from you. Email us at [email protected].

Could your special interests be doing more for your wellbeing than you realise? For autistic people, these interests can be much more than hobbies, potentially helping with emotional regulation, reducing stress and providing a sense of comfort. In Part 3 of Figuring It Out, Dr Alex George and research scientist Dr Kathryn Bates explore the surprising benefits of autistic special interests and what the research tells us about their role in emotional wellbeing. They also put common claims about ADHD and autism to the test in Myth, Fact and It's Complicated. Does masking look different in autistic girls and women? Is ADHD masking the same as autistic masking? And how does recovery from ADHD burnout compare with autistic burnout? Plus, why is there still so much we don't know about masking, and what questions are researchers trying to answer? No lectures. No easy answers. Just two people trying their best to figure it out. We're not here to give medical advice, we're just two friends exploring the science and figuring out life together. If you have any concerns about your health, please speak to your doctor. Each episode arrives in three parts from Monday to Wednesday. Part One tackles the Big Question. Part Two answers a real dilemma sent in by a listener. Part Three puts the most common claims to the test in Myth, Fact and It's Complicated. Have a question or dilemma you'd like us to tackle in a future episode? We'd love to hear from you. Email us at [email protected]. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Autistic burnout is more than just feeling tired. It can involve overwhelming exhaustion, difficulty managing everyday tasks and a reduced tolerance to sensory input. But what causes it, and what can help? In Part 2 of Figuring It Out, Dr Alex George and research scientist Dr Kathryn Bates explore what autistic burnout actually is, how masking, sensory overload and the pressure to meet everyday expectations can contribute, and why recovery isn't always straightforward. They also answer a listener's dilemma: can you realistically manage a demanding full-time career as an autistic person without burning out? From workplace adjustments and supportive managers to the challenges of asking for help, Alex and Kathryn discuss what the research tells us about preventing burnout, and why the responsibility shouldn't fall entirely on the individual. No lectures. No easy answers. Just two people trying their best to figure it out. We're not here to give medical advice, we're just two friends exploring the science and figuring out life together. If you have any concerns about your health, please speak to your doctor. Each episode arrives in three parts from Monday to Wednesday. Part One tackles the Big Question. Part Two answers a real dilemma sent in by a listener. Part Three puts the most common claims to the test in Myth, Fact and It's Complicated. Have a question or dilemma you'd like us to tackle in a future episode? We'd love to hear from you. Email us at [email protected]. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ever come home from a social event feeling completely drained? For many autistic people and people with ADHD, socialising can be exhausting, particularly when masking and sensory overload come into play. In Part 1 of Figuring It Out, Dr Alex George and research scientist Dr Kathryn Bates explore what ADHD and autistic masking actually look like, why people feel the need to hide certain traits, and the emotional toll of constantly trying to fit in. They also unpack the science behind sensory overload, why everyday environments can feel overwhelming, and what researchers are still discovering about how autistic people and people with ADHD process sensory information. No lectures. No easy answers. Just two people trying their best to figure it out. We're not here to give medical advice, we're just two friends exploring the science and figuring out life together. If you have any concerns about your health, please speak to your doctor. Each episode arrives in three parts from Monday to Wednesday. Part One tackles the Big Question. Part Two answers a real dilemma sent in by a listener. Part Three puts the most common claims to the test in Myth, Fact and It's Complicated. Have a question or dilemma you'd like us to tackle in a future episode? We'd love to hear from you. Email us at [email protected]. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

***Hear this week’s episode AD free and in full by subscribing to FIGURING IT OUT+ above*** Why does socialising leave some autistic people and people with ADHD feeling completely drained? From masking your natural behaviours to navigating overwhelming sensory environments, everyday interactions can take far more energy than people realise. This week on Figuring It Out, Dr Alex George and research scientist Dr Kathryn Bates explore the hidden cost of ADHD and autistic masking, what happens during sensory overload, and how these experiences can contribute to burnout. They also answer a listener's dilemma about managing a demanding career as an autistic person without burning out, exploring what autistic burnout actually looks like, why recovery can be challenging and the role workplaces have to play in providing support. Plus, could special interests help regulate emotions? Does masking look different in autistic girls and women? And what's the difference between ADHD and autistic burnout? No lectures. No easy answers. Just two people trying their best to figure it out. We're not here to give medical advice, we're just two friends exploring the science and figuring out life together. If you have any concerns about your health, please speak to your doctor. Each episode arrives in three parts from Monday to Wednesday. Part One tackles the Big Question. Part Two answers a real dilemma sent in by a listener. Part Three puts the most common claims to the test in Myth, Fact and It's Complicated. Have a question or dilemma you'd like us to tackle in a future episode? We'd love to hear from you. Email us at [email protected].

Does exercise help chronic pain, or could it make things worse? And what does the science actually say about treating chronic pain? In Part 3 of Figuring It Out, Dr Alex George and research scientist Dr Kathryn Bates investigate common myths about chronic pain and pain management in Myth, Fact and It's Complicated. From exercise and physical activity to pain medication, the nervous system and ageing, they explore what research tells us about chronic pain treatment, why there's no one-size-fits-all solution and why finding the right balance between movement and rest matters. No lectures. No easy answers. Just two people trying their best to figure it out. We're not here to give medical advice, we're just two friends exploring the science and figuring out life together. If you have any concerns about your health, please speak to your doctor. Each episode arrives in three parts from Monday to Wednesday. Part One tackles the Big Question. Part Two answers a real dilemma sent in by a listener. Part Three puts the most common claims to the test in Myth, Fact and It's Complicated. Have a question or dilemma you'd like us to tackle in a future episode? We'd love to hear from you. Email us at [email protected]. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Can your mind change how much pain you feel? And why does chronic pain sometimes come and go, even when nothing else seems to have changed? In Part 2 of Figuring It Out, Dr Alex George and research scientist Dr Kathryn Bates answer a listener's dilemma about fluctuating chronic pain and explore the fascinating relationship between the brain, nervous system and our experience of pain. They unpack the mind-body connection, the cycle of pushing through pain and then crashing, and how our beliefs about our bodies may influence pain management. Plus, what can you do when your symptoms are invisible or difficult to explain to your doctor? No lectures. No easy answers. Just two people trying their best to figure it out. We're not here to give medical advice, we're just two friends exploring the science and figuring out life together. If you have any concerns about your health, please speak to your doctor. Each episode arrives in three parts from Monday to Wednesday. Part One tackles the Big Question. Part Two answers a real dilemma sent in by a listener. Part Three puts the most common claims to the test in Myth, Fact and It's Complicated. Have a question or dilemma you'd like us to tackle in a future episode? We'd love to hear from you. Email us at [email protected]. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Most of us think pain is simple: you get hurt, a signal travels to your brain, and it hurts. But what happens when there’s no injury to see, and no one believes you? In Part 1 of the Figuring It Out podcast, Dr Alex George and research scientist Dr Kathryn Bates explore what pain actually is, how the way experts define it has changed, and why chronic pain can be real even when scans show nothing. They also ask why some people are believed more than others. From the gender pain gap to the years it can take to get an endometriosis diagnosis, they look at how stereotypes shape whose pain is taken seriously. No lectures. No easy answers. Just two people trying their best to figure it out. We're not here to give medical advice, we're just two friends exploring the science and figuring out life together. If you have any concerns about your health, please speak to your doctor. Each episode arrives in three parts from Monday to Wednesday. Part One tackles the Big Question. Part Two answers a real dilemma sent in by a listener. Part Three puts the most common claims to the test in Myth, Fact and It's Complicated. Have a question or dilemma you'd like us to tackle in a future episode? We'd love to hear from you. Email us at [email protected]. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Why is women's pain so often dismissed? Can your mind change how much pain you feel? And what actually works when it comes to managing chronic pain? This week on Figuring It Out, Dr Alex George and research scientist Dr Kathryn Bates explore the science behind chronic pain, the gender pain gap and why some people's experiences of pain are taken more seriously than others. From medical bias and the years it can take to diagnose conditions like endometriosis, to the fascinating relationship between the brain, nervous system and our experience of pain, Alex and Kathryn unpack why chronic pain is so often misunderstood. They also answer a listener's dilemma about fluctuating chronic pain, explore how our beliefs about our bodies can influence our experience of pain, and put common pain myths to the test. Is pain really all in your head? Can exercise help or make things worse? And is there a one-size-fits-all treatment? No lectures. No easy answers. Just two people trying their best to figure it out. We're not here to give medical advice, we're just two friends exploring the science and figuring out life together. If you have any concerns about your health, please speak to your doctor. Each episode arrives in three parts from Monday to Wednesday. Part One tackles the Big Question. Part Two answers a real dilemma sent in by a listener. Part Three puts the most common claims to the test in Myth, Fact and It’s Complicated. Have a question or dilemma you'd like us to tackle in a future episode? We'd love to hear from you. Email us at [email protected].

“Never give up” sounds like good advice. But is pushing through always helpful, or can being resilient mean knowing when to stop? In Part 3 of the Figuring It Out podcast, Dr Alex George and research scientist Dr Kathryn Bates put common claims about resilience to the test in Myth, Fact and It’s Complicated. Are we born resilient, or can we build resilience at any age? Can resilience and emotional distress exist at the same time? And how much does financial security affect our ability to cope? Alex and Kathryn explore the pressure to keep going, the importance of being adaptable and what the research tells us about getting through difficult times. No lectures. No easy answers. Just two people trying their best to figure it out. We're not here to give medical advice, we're just two friends exploring the science and figuring out life together. If you have any concerns about your health, please speak to your doctor. Each episode arrives in three parts from Monday to Wednesday. Part One tackles the Big Question. Part Two answers a real dilemma sent in by a listener. Part Three puts the most common claims to the test in Myth, Fact and It's Complicated. Have a question or dilemma you'd like us to tackle in a future episode? We'd love to hear from you. Email us at [email protected]. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Everyone tells you how strong you are. But inside, you feel like you’re barely holding it together. Does that mean you’re not actually resilient? In Part 2 of the Figuring It Out podcast, Dr Alex George and research scientist Dr Kathryn Bates explore resilience and coping with stress through a listener’s dilemma: why is there such a gap between how others see them and how they really feel? Together, they explore what building resilience can look like day to day, from reframing difficult situations and asking for help to finding purpose and making space for rest. What might help when you’re struggling, and does coping have to feel the way we expect it to? No lectures. No easy answers. Just two people trying their best to figure it out. We're not here to give medical advice, we're just two friends exploring the science and figuring out life together. If you have any concerns about your health, please speak to your doctor. Each episode arrives in three parts from Monday to Wednesday. Part One tackles the Big Question. Part Two answers a real dilemma sent in by a listener. Part Three puts the most common claims to the test in Myth, Fact and It's Complicated. Have a question or dilemma you'd like us to tackle in a future episode? We'd love to hear from you. Email us at [email protected]. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ever looked at someone going through a difficult time and wondered how they’re coping so well? What makes us more resilient, and how much of it comes from things we don’t see? In Part 1 of the Figuring It Out podcast, Dr Alex George and research scientist Dr Kathryn Bates explore what resilience really means, how researchers study it, and why there’s more to coping with adversity than individual willpower. From the way our brains and bodies respond to stress to the support we get from other people, they unpack what shapes our capacity to cope. And they ask an uncomfortable question: when we praise someone for being resilient, are we overlooking why they’ve had to be? No lectures. No easy answers. Just two people trying their best to figure it out. We're not here to give medical advice, we're just two friends exploring the science and figuring out life together. If you have any concerns about your health, please speak to your doctor. Each episode arrives in three parts from Monday to Wednesday. Part One tackles the Big Question. Part Two answers a real dilemma sent in by a listener. Part Three puts the most common claims to the test in Myth, Fact and It's Complicated. Have a question or dilemma you'd like us to tackle in a future episode? We'd love to hear from you. Email us at [email protected]. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

***Hear this week’s episode AD free and in full by subscribing to FIGURING IT OUT+ above*** Can you build resilience when you feel like you’re barely holding it together? And why do some people seem to cope better when life gets hard? This week on the Figuring It Out podcast, Dr Alex George and research scientist Dr Kathryn Bates explore the psychology of resilience, how we respond to stress and adversity, and the role our relationships, circumstances and communities play in helping us cope. They answer a listener who everyone calls resilient, despite feeling like they’re falling apart, and explore what can help us navigate difficult times. Plus, is resilience genetic? Is it ever too late to build it? And does being resilient really mean never giving up? No lectures. No easy answers. Just two people trying their best to figure it out. We're not here to give medical advice, we're just two friends exploring the science and figuring out life together. If you have any concerns about your health, please speak to your doctor. Each episode arrives in three parts from Monday to Wednesday. Part One tackles the Big Question. Part Two answers a real dilemma sent in by a listener. Part Three puts the most common claims to the test in Myth, Fact and It’s Complicated. Have a question or dilemma you'd like us to tackle in a future episode? We'd love to hear from you. Email us at [email protected].

Is loneliness really as bad for you as smoking? In Part 3, Dr Alex George and research scientist Dr Kathryn Bates put some of the most common claims about loneliness to the test. Does the quality of our relationships matter more than the quantity? Can being in a crowd actually make us feel lonelier? And are humans the only animals that experience loneliness? No lectures. No easy answers. Just two people trying their best to figure it out. We're not here to give medical advice, we're just two friends exploring the science and figuring out life together. If you have any concerns about your health, please speak to your doctor. Each episode arrives in three parts from Monday to Wednesday. Part One tackles the Big Question. Part Two answers a real dilemma sent in by a listener. Part Three puts the most common claims to the test in Myth, Fact and It's Complicated. Have a question or dilemma you'd like us to tackle in a future episode? We'd love to hear from you. Email us at [email protected]. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.