Episode

An unexpected ADHD diagnosis following her daughter’s traumatic birth (Erica Shoemate’s story)

Podcast: ADHD Aha!
Published: Aug 19, 2025
Duration seconds: 1412
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Canonical source: https://www.understood.org/en/podcasts/adhd-aha/postpartum-unexpected-adhd-diagnosis
Audio: https://mgln.ai/e/1245/afp-935247-injected.calisto.simplecastaudio.com/608ae5c9-7135-4564-9708-367bb0e6dc78/episodes/dbe802f4-9aaa-415e-bc00-0fb7b0475160/audio/128/default.mp3?aid=rss_feed&awCollectionId=608ae5c9-7135-4564-9708-367bb0e6dc78&awEpisodeId=dbe802f4-9aaa-415e-bc00-0fb7b0475160&feed=yjHKUkkH
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Summary

When Erica Shoemate gave birth to her daughter Nia, she was told Nia wouldn’t survive. But today, Nia is 7 years old — and that traumatic birth became a turning point in Erica’s life. Erica shares how her postpartum experience led to diagnoses of anxiety and PTSD, and eventually ADHD. A former national security analyst turned maternal health strategist and policy advocate, Erica reflects on the layered stigma of mental health in the Black community. She also talks with Laura about ADHD and hormones. And she shares the comment her husband made that sparked her ADHD evaluation.