How Interoception Affects Women with ADHD: Understanding Body Awareness

In this week’s episode, we’re diving into a fascinating and often overlooked area of ADHD: interoception. This is our ability to sense and interpret internal bodily signals like hunger, heartbeat, or emotional shifts. Understanding interoception is key to emotional regulation, self-awareness, and reconnecting with our bodies, especially for women with ADHD. I’m joined by Caroline Williams, a science journalist and author, whose new book, Inner Sense, brings the emerging science of interoception to a mainstream audience. Caroline has written for The Times, The Telegraph, and The Guardian, and is a former feature editor at New Scientist. She’s also the author of Override and Move!, the latter named a New Scientist Book of the Year. My new book, The ADHD Women's Wellbeing Toolkit, is OUT NOW! What You'll Learn: What interoception is, and how it differs from exteroception and proprioception Why those with ADHD often struggle to regulate internal signals How tuning into bodily cues helps with decision-making, intuition, and reducing stress Caroline’s motivation for writing her book The role of the vagus nerve in interoception How affective touch (like gentle stroking) supports calming and connection How hypermobility may impact interoception and sensory regulation Why ADHD brains and bodies can respond more strongly to stress, and how this links to RSD (Rejection Sensitive Dysphoria) How to find compassion for your needs and gently support yourself through dysregulation The emerging conversation around GLP-1 medications, fullness, and potential ADHD applications Tools to strengthen interoception: body scans, exercise awareness, reminder apps, floatation tanks, and more. Timestamps: 02:41 - Understanding The Science Behind Interoception 10:19 - Exploring Interoception and Its Impact on Mental Health 14:07 - The Importance of Interoception in Therapy 24:26 - Understanding The Difference Interoception Can Make 26:50 - Understanding Heart Sensitivity and Anxiety 34:33 - The Role of Interoception and Appetite Regulation 39:22 - The Impact of Interoception on Body Awareness 46:36 - The Power of Compassion when Navigating Neurodivergence Whether you’re newly diagnosed or deep into your ADHD journey, this episode offers empowering insights into how listening to your body can become a powerful part of your emotional wellbeing. Links and Resources: Order my book, The ADHD Women's Wellbeing Toolkit Join the Waitlist for my new ADHD community-first membership launching in September! Get exclusive founding offers [here]. Find my popular ADHD webinars and resources on my website [here]. Follow the podcast on Instagram: @adhd_womenswellbeing_pod Follow Caroline on Instagram: @carolinewilliams_science Kate Moryoussef is a women's ADHD lifestyle and wellbeing coach and EFT practitioner who helps overwhelmed and unfulfilled newly diagnosed ADHD women find more calm, balance, hope, health, compassion, creativity and clarity. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices