ScienceWorks Behavioral Healthcare, PLLC

02/14/2026

If you’re in midlife and suddenly everything feels like “too much”…

You’re not imagining it.

What we often see is an overlap of:
🧠 Executive function strain (starting, switching, remembering)
🔊 Sensory overload (noise, lights, crowds, constant input)
😴 Sleep disruption + brain fog
⚡ Stress tolerance dropping fast

That overlap can look like ADHD.
It can look like autism.
It can also be menopause amplifying everything.

In our new article, we break down the patterns we look for (including AuDHD in women), and what a differential evaluation can clarify.

👇 See comments for the full report

02/13/2026

ERP can be life-changing for OCD — but for neurodivergent clients, how we deliver ERP matters just as much as what we deliver.

Many autistic and ADHD individuals come into treatment with a higher baseline level of anxiety and sensory stress. That doesn’t mean ERP isn’t appropriate — it means ERP needs to be more intentionally accessible.

A few clinician reflections:

🧠 Regulation first, not as avoidance
Supporting sensory needs (headphones, lighting, movement breaks, predictable structure) can reduce nervous system overload so exposures are actually possible. Regulation isn’t “safety behavior” by default — it can be the foundation for engagement.

📍 Rethink SUDS measurement
Instead of relying only on a 0–10 numerical scale, consider co-creating personalized anchor points:
“mild tension”
“buzzing overwhelm”
“shutdown risk”
“I can stay with this”
Client-defined labels are often more meaningful than abstract numbers.

🤝 Collaborative, values-aligned hierarchies
Exposure hierarchies work best when they’re built with the client, not imposed on them — and when they connect to what OCD steals from their life: autonomy, connection, parenting, creativity, justice.

🧩 Be careful not to pathologize autistic routines
Not every repetitive behavior is a compulsion. Some routines are regulation, predictability, or accessibility. ERP should target OCD rituals — not autistic coping strategies that aren’t driven by obsessional fear.

The goal is sustainable ERP: consent-based, neurodiversity-affirming, and rooted in functioning and values — not “white-knuckling through.”

02/13/2026

“High functioning” isn’t a compliment if it’s costing you your health.

Sometimes AuDHD shows up as:
🧠 impressive performance
🔥 intense internal strain
😮‍💨 shutdowns after social/work demands
📋 perfectionism that looks organized—but feels like survival

3 common myths we see:

“If I can do it sometimes, I should do it all the time.”

“If I’m competent, I don’t need support.”

“If I shut down, I’m being difficult.”

Our newest article explains what’s really happening - and how to reduce overload without blaming yourself.

02/12/2026

Perimenopause can feel like someone quietly removed the coping tools that used to work.

If you suspect AuDHD (ADHD + autism), you might be noticing:
🌪️ More task paralysis and “stuck” moments
😵‍💫 Faster overwhelm, slower recovery
🫠 Social exhaustion, even with people you like
⏰ Routines falling apart when sleep gets fragile

You are not broken. Your capacity and recovery may be changing, and high masking can make it harder to spot the pattern sooner.

See comments for a full report.

02/10/2026

“If you cared, you’d remember.” 💔

But ADHD often shows up as executive dysfunction - not a character flaw

Common relationship friction points include:
🗓️ Forgetting details that feel emotionally “big”
⏰ Time blindness (late, misjudging time)
🔁 Inconsistency with routines (even with good intentions)
🌪️ Overwhelm responses (snapping or shutting down)

This post shares practical ways to build an “external brain” together 🤝 so the relationship isn’t carrying the load.

🔗 Link below.

02/09/2026

Workplace overwhelm can look like “I’m fine” on the outside and total chaos on the inside.

If ADHD symptoms are colliding with perimenopause changes, it can help to know this: accommodations are often about removing friction, not “getting special treatment.”

Examples people sometimes explore:
🕰️ Protected focus time
📝 Written instructions + clear priorities
🔕 Fewer interruptions or a quieter workspace
📅 Schedule adjustments when feasible

And yes, documentation can matter. A workplace-relevant assessment report often focuses on function: what gets hard at work and what helps.

We can talk through next steps in a free consult, including telehealth options.

02/09/2026

If you are in perimenopause or menopause and noticing:

🔊 More sensory overload
🛑 More shutdowns or going quiet
💡 Less tolerance for noise, light, or heat
😮‍💨 Social exhaustion after normal interactions
🎭 Feeling “fine” on the outside but wiped out inside

You are not alone.

This can happen when sleep disruption and hormone shifts reduce your usual buffer time for recovery.

We wrote a guide to help you name what is happening and choose supports that fit.

Explore the full guide below.

02/08/2026

ADHD vs anxiety in women can look identical, especially in midlife.

Here are 5 clues clinicians use to tell the difference:

😟 Is your distraction driven by worry content, or more “losing the thread”?
🌿 Do symptoms improve when stress calms down, or stay pretty consistent?
🗓️ Is there a lifelong history of time, organization, and follow-through issues?
🎯 Do you get “interest-based focus” (hyperfocus) but struggle to start boring tasks?
😴 Are sleep changes and body symptoms adding fuel (common in perimenopause)?

If you’re in Tennessee and want a clearer answer, we broke it down step-by-step.

🔗 Link below.

02/08/2026

Especially in perimenopause.

Early waking, night sweats, and nighttime anxiety can turn bedtime into a spiral.

Our new post shares low-risk supports that can help while you seek care, including CBT-I (Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Insomnia):

🌙 Protecting a consistent sleep window
📝 Getting thoughts out of your head and onto paper
📵 Reducing evening light and stimulation
🧺 Lowering demand load so your nervous system can settle

If insomnia is taking over your focus and mood, CBT-I can be a strong next step.

See comments for the full post.

02/07/2026

Ever feel like “anxiety” doesn’t fully explain what’s going on?

For many midlife women, high masking autism gets misread as worry because it shows up as:
🗣️ Social scripting + constant self-monitoring
🔁 Post-conversation replaying + rumination
🤝 People pleasing to avoid conflict
🧊 “Holding it together” until a crash

If the outside looks calm but the inside feels like nonstop effort, it may be worth a closer look at what’s driving the strain.

See comments for a full report. 👇

02/07/2026

Ever feel like you’re “doing fine” on paper, but barely holding it together inside? 🫥

Late-diagnosed ADHD in women is often missed because it can look like:

📚 being the “good student” who still forgets everything
😰 anxiety-driven overpreparing
🤝 people-pleasing to avoid criticism
🫠 burnout that shows up as shutdowns and overwhelm

See comments for a full report. 💬

Late diagnosed ADHD in women is often missed because symptoms can look like anxiety, perfectionism, or “just being overwhelmed.” Learn how masking works, why midlife can trigger burnout, and what a quality adult evaluation looks for.

02/06/2026

Ever taken a “quick ADHD test” and felt more confused?

A quality adult ADHD assessment is more than a symptom checklist.

Here are a few green flags:

🗣️ Real clinical interview + life history (not just symptoms today)
🏠 Functional impact across work, home, and relationships
🔍 Ruling out common look-alikes (sleep, anxiety, burnout)
🧾 Clear feedback, documentation, and practical recommendations

See comments for the full guide.