The Bar is Ankle High

Episode 27: A Neuro Spicy Interview

Happy Belated Galentine's Day! This week we have the outrageously talented, wildly popular, and wholly intelligent majestic land mermaid glowing female warrior The Neurodivergent Nurse on our podcast - Jami Frageau is here to share with us her perspective on getting diagnosed with ADHD in your 30's, what that looked like and felt like for her, how to go about getting a diagnosis and what to do if you don't get a diagnosis but are still convinced you have ADHD. We are so excited to bring this interview to you and we are certain we will have Jami back on the podcast very very soon. Enjoy! 
You can keep up with Jami every day on her Instagram page by following @theneurodivergentnurse and subscribing to her podcast on your favorite podcast streaming platform by searching for The Neurodivergent Nurse Podcast or find a link on her website at www.theneurodivergentnurse.com .
Subscribers to our Limbo Champion tier in addition to an ad free version of this episode will also be getting a FULL video version of this interview -- subscribe today to get access to that special edition of this episode at www.patreon.com/thebarisanklehigh 

Episode 26: Pubert the Hormone Monster

We are rounding out our initial hormone series with a detailed discussion on perimenopause and menopause. Garet takes Katie into a side quest where they fawn over the immortal magic of Maya Rudolph and Nick Kroll in Big Mouth and Katie demands that her uterus be removed and donated to Goodwill or someone who wants one. There's an outstanding callback to Episode 25 in the first five minutes of this episode, and we eventually get into the effect all these hormones have had on ADHD and what ADHD looks like in a post-menopause body. Garet also leaves us with some great tips on how to monitor our hormonal systems and how to advocate for ourselves to our healthcare providers. Stay tuned to the end of the episode for some discussions on what we have planned in the coming weeks and months for this podcast! It's gonna be a great year!
 
All sources for this episode are included in the show notes for Episode 23. If you have a hormone-related topic you would like us to address fill out the form on our website at https://www.thebarisanklehigh.com/contact-us and join our Patreon at www.patreon.com/thebarisanklehigh to get your own high kick and shout out in a future episode!

Episode 25: Queen Elizabeth: Testosterone Junkie

It's Part 3 of our hormone extravaganza and this week we start off discussing the curious case of testosterone surges and how they were meant to fight off saber tooth tigers but instead Queen Elizabeth used them to become the largest imperialist society in the world. Or something like that. In reality, the ladies tackle pregnancy this week and all the placenta magic that entails -- and they spent a good amount of time learning what the hell a placenta is and also why are we suddenly hungry for a good old fashioned Nature Valley Oats 'n Honey bar? This episode has lots of tangents and weird references so it's perfect for you longtime listeners who know the lore and first time listeners who just want to fast forward and be part of the cool kids club. 
Sources for today's episode can be found in the show notes of Episode 23, but before you check that out, head on over to www.patreon.com/thebarisanklehigh to get access to bonus episodes, horoscopes, and ad free episodes depending on what tier you pick! 

Episode 24: Unitard Maxi Pads

Welcome to Part 2 of our series on hormones and the AFAB experience! This week, Katie stays mad at the patriarchy and both ladies take a moment to marvel at the magic that is human evolution. This episode gets another Flappy Doodle (tm) reference, so hold onto your maxi pad unitard and make sure you go poop before this gravy train leaves the station. In the meantime, remember to be kind to yourself because --- well you made it this far so you know the drill -- the bar is ankle high and hormones make everything impossible. 
 
Sources for this week's episode were included in the show notes for Episode 23. 

Episode 23: Wallpaper Underwear

Are you feeling moody? This is Part 1 of our Hormone Series and we are fired up! We have decided to fight the entire patriarchy this week and demand an adjustment to the gender pay gap so AFABs are accurately compensated for the full bullshit we have to put up with strictly because of our natural hormonal cycles. This week we begin with tackling puberty and menstrual cycles. Garet handled the research on this one but the ladies shared their experiences with early puberty and, of course, reflecting on how their late diagnosis really impacted how they were able to understand their own hormonal cycles and mental health over the years. Although we are discussing hormones in general this episode, we inevitably revisit the effects of our hormones on ADHD, medication efficacy, and comorbid conditions. 
 
Sources for Episodes 23, 24, and 25: 
https://www.verywellmind.com/does-puberty-affect-adhd-in-girls-20738
https://www.verywellmind.com/adhd-overview-4581801
https://www.verywellmind.com/what-is-self-esteem-2795868
https://www.additudemag.com/author/dr-patricia-quinn-m-d/
https://www.merckmanuals.com/home/women-s-health-issues/biology-of-the-female-reproductive-system/puberty-in-girls
https://www.merckmanuals.com/home/women-s-health-issues/menopause/menopause
https://www.additudemag.com/puberty-and-adhd-symptoms-teens/
https://www.additudemag.com/adhd-neuroscience-101/
http://www.frontiersin.org/books/Brain_Development_and_the_Attention_Spectrum/579
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4335177/
https://www.additudemag.com/what-is-anxiety-disorder/
https://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/birthdefects/gastroschisis.html
https://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/birthdefects/omphalocele.html
https://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/birthdefects/ul-limbreductiondefects.html
https://www.healthline.com/health/adhd/adhd-and-hormonal-changes-in-women#estrogen
https://www.additudemag.com/women-hormones-and-adhd/
https://chadd.org/adhd-weekly/hormonal-fluctuations-affect-womens-adhd-symptoms-part-one/
https://kidshealth.org/en/teens/puberty.html
https://www.merckmanuals.com/home/women-s-health-issues/biology-of-the-female-reproductive-system/menstrual-cycle
https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/conditions-and-diseases/staying-healthy-during-pregnancy/hormones-during-pregnancy
https://www.cdc.gov/pregnancy/meds/treatingfortwo/features/keyfinding-ADHD-med-increase.html
https://www.acog.org/womens-health/faqs/perimenopausal-bleeding-and-bleeding-after-menopause
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/menopause/symptoms-causes/syc-20353397
https://www.healthline.com/health/menopause/adhd-and-menopause#worsening-symptoms
 

Episode 22: Grumpy Rattlesnake Disorder

Happy New Year!!! Or whatever Frosty the Snowman said. It's that time of year again - the time of year where the sun dies and we're thrust into a cold, damp, reality where everything is gray and tanning beds are trying to kill you. Okay maybe we're being dramatic, but the reality is that Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) affects up to 5% of Americans and can happen in the winter OR the summer! Who knew?! This week Garet takes us on a magical journey of analogies and treatments for our SAD. The best part is, even if you're not sure you struggle with SAD, you will probably benefit from most of these treatments! Have you taken the time to check out our ALL NEW merch?? Head on over to our website at www.thebarisanklehigh.com and click the 'Merch' link at the top to find our store! Hate our new ads? You can get access to ad-free episodes every week by signing up for our Patreon as a Limbo Champion at www.patreon.com/thebarisanklehigh
If you or someone you care about is struggling with thoughts of harming themselves, in the US you can text or call 988 at any time, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to be put in touch with a trained counselor to help you find resources or just discuss what is bothering you. More resources are available at https://988helpline.org
In the UK you can text SHOUT to 85258 at any time to text with trained personnel or visit https://www.nhs.uk/mental-health/feelings-symptoms-behaviours/behaviours/help-for-suicidal-thoughts/ for more resources. 
 
Sources: 
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/seasonal-affective-disorder/symptoms-causes/syc-20364651
https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/publications/seasonal-affective-disorder
 

Episode 21: A Very Smelly Gameshow

Our holiday break is nearly over but this week we're giving you another Patreon Preview -- a gameshow borne from the twisted mind of one of our very own, and very first, patronus subscriber! This is a laugh-fest from start to finish but one that we think we can turn into a recurring feature on Patreon. If you enjoy these types of episodes and have a few dollars to spare, all Anklet and Limbo Champion tier members get access to our bi-weekly dysfunction junction episodes! Join now at www.patreon.com/thebarisanklehigh 

Episode 20: How Do You Know Your Airbags Work?

Happy Holiday Break, darlings! This week Katie & Garet are bringing you another sweet sweet Patreon preview of our Dysfunction Junction bonus episodes. In this edition, we discuss how we were not actually a pleasure to have in class, in fact, we were frequently a menace to have in class, and also how we probably should have been taken out by airbags already. If you love what you hear, subscribe to our Patreon at www.patreon.com/thebarisanklehigh -- as an Anklet or Limbo Champion subscriber you will get access to all our bonus episodes and Limbo Champion patronuses also get AD FREE episodes every week! Remember to laugh before you explode, because The Bar is Ankle High. 

Episode 19: Saint Nick and the Cursed Pickle

Frohe Krampusnacht, Anklets! This week Garet took us down a goat themed, sacky rabbit hole of skin tags, craisins, cursed pickles, and Harvey Weinstein's flappy doodles. The history of Krampus dates back to a billion years ago, which is basically how anything sounds that happened before 1500CE to our dumb American brains. So make sure to be nice this year….or naughty if you're into Christmas demons and getting spanked with a bundle of sticks. Join our Patreon and share us with EVERYONE you know so we can go to Krampuslauf next year by heading to www.patreon.com/thebarisanklehigh.
Sources: 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tuSrajd9D8khttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=de9C-vACsvc
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Krampus#Regional_variation
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SfndOXfJSqA

Episode 18: The Hamster Wheel Mythos

Welcome to our last ADHD-focused episode of 2022 and this week we're handling a topic that effects everyone -- Neurotypical or Neurospicy -- this episode is for you! We're tackling BURNOUT -- what is it, what causes it, how to combat it, and how to set healthy boundaries so you can identify when you're getting overwhelmed before you get burnt out. The ladies discuss how burnout effects them both, equally, for once! The girls discuss several different movies and different ADHD-related symptoms such as masking, exhaustion, over-committing, and negative self-talk. 
 
Don't forget to get your Ankle High Merch on our website at www.thebarisanklehigh.com/merch-1 -- we are working on figuring out how to ship our designs overseas, but if you're not in the US you can always join our Patreon at www.patreon.com/thebarisanklehigh -- Toe Ring Patreon subscribers get monthly horoscopes and our undying devotion, and Patronuses in the Anklet and Limbo Champion tiers get episode shout-outs, bi-weekly bonus episodes, theme song ringtones, and Limbo Champion members get ad-free episodes! We love you!!
Sources: 
https://www.webmd.com/add-adhd/adult-adhd-burnout https://www.klarityadhd.com/post/adhd-burnout/  https://www.theminiadhdcoach.com/blog/adhd-burnout https://psychcentral.com/adhd/adhd-burnout#summary