https://simplecast.com 2 Distractible Doctors Join psychologists Christie Pickel, Ph.D., and Sita-Marie Pillay, Psy.D., as they dive into the unique intersection of ADHD and psychology. In each episode, they share candid conversations about their personal experiences with ADHD, offering insights, humor, and relatable stories. This isn’t a therapy session; it’s a casual chat where they explore the challenges and joys of navigating life and work with ADHD. Whether you have ADHD yourself, know someone who does, or are simply curious about the topic, tune in for a friendly and enlightening discussion that combines professional knowledge with personal anecdotes. 2 Distractible Doctors en Mon, 1 Dec 2025 02:16:41 +0000 Mon, 1 Dec 2025 02:34:34 +0000 https://2-distractible-doctors.simplecast.com 2 Distractible Doctors https://image.simplecastcdn.com/images/55761c21-6492-459c-b7a4-2c64606aefe4/0fc034dc-7939-4160-a7e4-7c57a92a6193/3000x3000/96e4159a-5397-4628-87d4-8d286aee735e.jpg?aid=rss_feed https://2-distractible-doctors.simplecast.com episodic Join psychologists Christie Pickel, Ph.D., and Sita-Marie Pillay, Psy.D., as they dive into the unique intersection of ADHD and psychology. In each episode, they share candid conversations about their personal experiences with ADHD, offering insights, humor, and relatable stories. This isn’t a therapy session; it’s a casual chat where they explore the challenges and joys of navigating life and work with ADHD. Whether you have ADHD yourself, know someone who does, or are simply curious about the topic, tune in for a friendly and enlightening discussion that combines professional knowledge with personal anecdotes. Sita-Marie Pillay, Christie Pickel true https://feeds.simplecast.com/Uu_Uny_o psychologist, psychology, story, adhd, attention, conversation, distracted, doctor, mental health Sita-Marie Pillay spillaypsyd@gmail.com bc6b2ecb-5bf5-4f10-b595-a8df6db6f3e5 The Neurospicy + At Risk — Suicide Risk & Staying Alive Edited & produced by Dr. Sita-Marie Pillay

ADHD brains are emotional, impulsive, overwhelmed, and chronically misunderstood — which means suicide risk shows up differently here than it does in the textbooks.
In this episode, Christie and Sita-Marie break down what we actually see in our work with neurodivergent clients: the shame spirals, the “all-or-nothing” thinking, the executive dysfunction that makes it hard to reach out, and the moments when impulsivity turns dangerous.

We talk about what suicidal thoughts can look like for ADHDers, why they’re not always about wanting to die, and how support systems can fail (and how they can be rebuilt).
We also walk through real-world strategies: safety planning that works for neurodivergent brains, protective factors that really matter, and how to show up for someone without panicking, minimizing, or shaming them.

Heavy topic? Yes.
Hopeless? No.
This one’s about surviving the storm and understanding the terrain so no one has to walk it alone.

Resources Mentioned

  • 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline (U.S.)
  • Crisis Text Line: Text HOME to 741741
  • Local emergency services based on your region
  • Community-based ADHD and neurodivergent support groups
  • Trauma-informed therapy options via Grow Therapy, Headway, or your insurance provider

Content Warning

This episode discusses suicide, self-harm, and mental health crises. Listener discretion advised.

Credits

Hosts: Dr. Christie Pickel & Dr. Sita-Marie Pillay
Produced / Edited by: Dr. Sita-Marie Pillay
Artwork: JK Mythos Co.

EPISODE CREDITS:

Produced, edited, mixed, artwork by Sita-Marie Pillay, Psy.D.

A reminder that the podcast is not a replacement for therapy.  

Hosts are not liable for any information gained from listening. 

]]> Mon, 1 Dec 2025 02:16:41 +0000 spillaypsyd@gmail.com (JK Mythos Co, Sita-Marie Pillay, Christie Pickel) https://2-distractible-doctors.simplecast.com/episodes/the-neurospicy-crisis-episode-suicide-risk-staying-alive-UjzQUyy4 Edited & produced by Dr. Sita-Marie Pillay

ADHD brains are emotional, impulsive, overwhelmed, and chronically misunderstood — which means suicide risk shows up differently here than it does in the textbooks.
In this episode, Christie and Sita-Marie break down what we actually see in our work with neurodivergent clients: the shame spirals, the “all-or-nothing” thinking, the executive dysfunction that makes it hard to reach out, and the moments when impulsivity turns dangerous.

We talk about what suicidal thoughts can look like for ADHDers, why they’re not always about wanting to die, and how support systems can fail (and how they can be rebuilt).
We also walk through real-world strategies: safety planning that works for neurodivergent brains, protective factors that really matter, and how to show up for someone without panicking, minimizing, or shaming them.

Heavy topic? Yes.
Hopeless? No.
This one’s about surviving the storm and understanding the terrain so no one has to walk it alone.

Resources Mentioned

  • 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline (U.S.)
  • Crisis Text Line: Text HOME to 741741
  • Local emergency services based on your region
  • Community-based ADHD and neurodivergent support groups
  • Trauma-informed therapy options via Grow Therapy, Headway, or your insurance provider

Content Warning

This episode discusses suicide, self-harm, and mental health crises. Listener discretion advised.

Credits

Hosts: Dr. Christie Pickel & Dr. Sita-Marie Pillay
Produced / Edited by: Dr. Sita-Marie Pillay
Artwork: JK Mythos Co.

EPISODE CREDITS:

Produced, edited, mixed, artwork by Sita-Marie Pillay, Psy.D.

A reminder that the podcast is not a replacement for therapy.  

Hosts are not liable for any information gained from listening. 

]]> The Neurospicy + At Risk — Suicide Risk & Staying Alive JK Mythos Co, Sita-Marie Pillay, Christie Pickel 01:00:40 ADHD + big emotions + impulsivity = a perfect storm most people never talk about. So we’re talking about it. In this episode, Sita-Marie and Christie unpack how ADHD brains experience suicidal thoughts, why shame and overwhelm make it worse, and what actually helps when someone hits their breaking point. We walk through treatment options, safety planning, real-life clinical insight, and the myth that “talking about suicide makes it worse.” (It doesn’t.) Heavy topic, real hope, zero sugarcoating. ADHD + big emotions + impulsivity = a perfect storm most people never talk about. So we’re talking about it. In this episode, Sita-Marie and Christie unpack how ADHD brains experience suicidal thoughts, why shame and overwhelm make it worse, and what actually helps when someone hits their breaking point. We walk through treatment options, safety planning, real-life clinical insight, and the myth that “talking about suicide makes it worse.” (It doesn’t.) Heavy topic, real hope, zero sugarcoating. research, therapists, trauma, neurodiverse, psychology, psychologist, adhd, chat, trigger, therapy, suicide true full 7 e9dfecf4-02a7-41f2-b9f7-2cde2672f2fc Therapy in the Multiverse: Heroes, Villains & You In this episode, we’re not 2 Distractible Doctors — we’re three (because clearly one more doctor makes us more focused, right?). Dr. Christie Pickel, Dr. Sita-Marie Pillay, and our honorary third wheel, Dr. Francisco Rojas, geek out about heroes and villains in comic books and fandoms, straight from our WonderCon 2025 panel.

We break down how iconic comic book mentors mirror real-life therapist vibes (yes, your therapist might secretly be your Gandalf), what villains teach us about our darker bits, and how fandoms help us find belonging when real life feels like a chaotic multiverse.

Expect tangents, questionable analogies, and enough nerdy therapy talk to make your inner Batman weep happy tears.

EPISODE CREDITS:

Produced, edited, mixed, artwork by Sita-Marie Pillay, Psy.D.

A reminder that the podcast is not a replacement for therapy.  

Hosts are not liable for any information gained from listening. 

]]> Mon, 23 Jun 2025 02:50:19 +0000 spillaypsyd@gmail.com (fransico rojas, Sita-Marie Pillay, Christie Pickel) https://2-distractible-doctors.simplecast.com/episodes/therapy-in-the-multiverse-heroes-villains-you-Y4L0wHzC In this episode, we’re not 2 Distractible Doctors — we’re three (because clearly one more doctor makes us more focused, right?). Dr. Christie Pickel, Dr. Sita-Marie Pillay, and our honorary third wheel, Dr. Francisco Rojas, geek out about heroes and villains in comic books and fandoms, straight from our WonderCon 2025 panel.

We break down how iconic comic book mentors mirror real-life therapist vibes (yes, your therapist might secretly be your Gandalf), what villains teach us about our darker bits, and how fandoms help us find belonging when real life feels like a chaotic multiverse.

Expect tangents, questionable analogies, and enough nerdy therapy talk to make your inner Batman weep happy tears.

EPISODE CREDITS:

Produced, edited, mixed, artwork by Sita-Marie Pillay, Psy.D.

A reminder that the podcast is not a replacement for therapy.  

Hosts are not liable for any information gained from listening. 

]]> Therapy in the Multiverse: Heroes, Villains & You fransico rojas, Sita-Marie Pillay, Christie Pickel 01:14:15 In a shocking plot twist, 2 Distractible Doctors become 3 Distractible Doctors — because clearly, adding another highly educated nerd makes us way more organized. Join Dr. Christie Pickel, Dr. Sita-Marie Pillay, and our special guest Dr. Francisco Rojas as we fresh offload our WonderCon 2025 brain dump. We break down the heroics and villainy of comic books and fandoms, then hilariously spiral into how fictional mentors low-key double as therapy metaphors (spoiler: your therapist might be more Obi-Wan than Freud). If you’ve ever wished your therapist came with a cape — or at least an origin story — this one’s for you. Expect zero productivity, maximum tangents, and insights so deep even Batman would need a session afterward. In a shocking plot twist, 2 Distractible Doctors become 3 Distractible Doctors — because clearly, adding another highly educated nerd makes us way more organized. Join Dr. Christie Pickel, Dr. Sita-Marie Pillay, and our special guest Dr. Francisco Rojas as we fresh offload our WonderCon 2025 brain dump. We break down the heroics and villainy of comic books and fandoms, then hilariously spiral into how fictional mentors low-key double as therapy metaphors (spoiler: your therapist might be more Obi-Wan than Freud). If you’ve ever wished your therapist came with a cape — or at least an origin story — this one’s for you. Expect zero productivity, maximum tangents, and insights so deep even Batman would need a session afterward. research, humor, therapists, psychology, funny, psychologist, adhd, therapy, conversation true full 6 60f878f3-576c-4418-a318-64fea46e462b "Why do I suck?" & Other Negative Self-Talk Tue, 1 Apr 2025 01:20:42 +0000 spillaypsyd@gmail.com (Sita-Marie Pillay) https://2-distractible-doctors.simplecast.com/episodes/why-do-i-suck-other-negative-self-talk-ke549GXv "Why do I suck?" & Other Negative Self-Talk Sita-Marie Pillay 00:54:26 In this episode, we tackle the chaotic world of negative self-talk with a mix of humor and real talk—because who needs enemies when your own brain is roasting you 24/7? We break down how ADHD fuels that inner critic, share our own ridiculous (but relatable) mental spirals, and explore ways to quiet the noise without taking ourselves too seriously. If your brain’s ever told you, “You suck” while you’re just trying to find your car keys, this one’s for you. Tune in, laugh with us, and maybe even pick up a few tricks to shut down that self-sabotaging voice. In this episode, we tackle the chaotic world of negative self-talk with a mix of humor and real talk—because who needs enemies when your own brain is roasting you 24/7? We break down how ADHD fuels that inner critic, share our own ridiculous (but relatable) mental spirals, and explore ways to quiet the noise without taking ourselves too seriously. If your brain’s ever told you, “You suck” while you’re just trying to find your car keys, this one’s for you. Tune in, laugh with us, and maybe even pick up a few tricks to shut down that self-sabotaging voice. true full 5 d1c76c5b-83d5-4e52-b64c-f7f7d20b976b ADHD Medication: The Good, the Bad, and the Skeptical In this episode, Dr. Christie Pickel and Dr. Sita-Marie Pillay dive into the complex world of ADHD medication. From the benefits and challenges to the doubts and misconceptions, they break down what works, what doesn’t, and what still raises eyebrows. Whether you’re considering medication, already on a treatment plan, or just curious, this conversation sheds light on the realities of managing ADHD. Stick around until the end—we’re wrapping things up with a dose of hope.

https://www.dea.gov/submit-tip

https://open.spotify.com/playlist/31PDSFMOQqJ9XAWksGekqn?si=crOiY513TXaPOgkF3qJtYw&pi=LSMnTmNiStWBV

EPISODE CREDITS:

Produced, edited, mixed, artwork by Sita-Marie Pillay, Psy.D.

A reminder that the podcast is not a replacement for therapy.  

Hosts are not liable for any information gained from listening. 

]]> Fri, 7 Mar 2025 22:21:47 +0000 spillaypsyd@gmail.com (Christie Pickel, Sita-Marie Pillay) https://2-distractible-doctors.simplecast.com/episodes/adhd-medication-the-good-the-bad-and-the-skeptical-X05TXKfN In this episode, Dr. Christie Pickel and Dr. Sita-Marie Pillay dive into the complex world of ADHD medication. From the benefits and challenges to the doubts and misconceptions, they break down what works, what doesn’t, and what still raises eyebrows. Whether you’re considering medication, already on a treatment plan, or just curious, this conversation sheds light on the realities of managing ADHD. Stick around until the end—we’re wrapping things up with a dose of hope.

https://www.dea.gov/submit-tip

https://open.spotify.com/playlist/31PDSFMOQqJ9XAWksGekqn?si=crOiY513TXaPOgkF3qJtYw&pi=LSMnTmNiStWBV

EPISODE CREDITS:

Produced, edited, mixed, artwork by Sita-Marie Pillay, Psy.D.

A reminder that the podcast is not a replacement for therapy.  

Hosts are not liable for any information gained from listening. 

]]> ADHD Medication: The Good, the Bad, and the Skeptical Christie Pickel, Sita-Marie Pillay 01:01:47 In this episode, Dr. Christie Pickel and Dr. Sita-Marie Pillay dive into the complex world of ADHD medication. From the benefits and challenges to the doubts and misconceptions, they break down what works, what doesn’t, and what still raises eyebrows. Whether you’re considering medication, already on a treatment plan, or just curious, this conversation sheds light on the realities of managing ADHD. Stick around until the end—we’re wrapping things up with a dose of hope. In this episode, Dr. Christie Pickel and Dr. Sita-Marie Pillay dive into the complex world of ADHD medication. From the benefits and challenges to the doubts and misconceptions, they break down what works, what doesn’t, and what still raises eyebrows. Whether you’re considering medication, already on a treatment plan, or just curious, this conversation sheds light on the realities of managing ADHD. Stick around until the end—we’re wrapping things up with a dose of hope. mental health, psychology, psychologist, adhd, meds, medication true full 4 58fc8fe1-5bc5-4c97-ae9e-0213e1fbaa67 The Mindfulness Chat Mon, 2 Dec 2024 02:23:39 +0000 spillaypsyd@gmail.com (Sita-Marie Pillay, Christie Pickel) https://2-distractible-doctors.simplecast.com/episodes/the-mindfulness-chat-7GwR48Cd The Mindfulness Chat Sita-Marie Pillay, Christie Pickel 00:38:33 Ever find yourself trying to focus on something, only to get distracted by... well, pretty much everything? You're not alone! In this episode, Dr. Sita-Marie Pillay, clinical psychologist and professional gabber, and Dr. Christie Pickel, ADHD expert and all-around zen master, share how mindfulness can be a game-changer for people with ADHD. From dodging distractions to calming the inner chaos, they discuss how to stay grounded when your mind is doing its best impression of a squirrel on caffeine. So if you've ever thought, "Wait, what was I talking about again?"—this episode is for you. Tune in for practical tips, laughs, and a whole lot of "aha!" moments. Ever find yourself trying to focus on something, only to get distracted by... well, pretty much everything? You're not alone! In this episode, Dr. Sita-Marie Pillay, clinical psychologist and professional gabber, and Dr. Christie Pickel, ADHD expert and all-around zen master, share how mindfulness can be a game-changer for people with ADHD. From dodging distractions to calming the inner chaos, they discuss how to stay grounded when your mind is doing its best impression of a squirrel on caffeine. So if you've ever thought, "Wait, what was I talking about again?"—this episode is for you. Tune in for practical tips, laughs, and a whole lot of "aha!" moments. attention deficit disorder, mental health, humor, psychology, squirrel, psychologist, adhd, chat, mindfulness true full 3 5b134d54-f730-434b-9c43-b96d60b45931 The Gremlin & Mysterious Moving Objects Thu, 24 Oct 2024 02:27:10 +0000 spillaypsyd@gmail.com (Christie Pickel, Sita-Marie Pillay) https://2-distractible-doctors.simplecast.com/episodes/the-gremlin-mysterious-moving-objects-I6e7o7yD The Gremlin & Mysterious Moving Objects Christie Pickel, Sita-Marie Pillay 00:35:51 In this episode, join Dr. Pickel and Dr. Pillay as they delve into the challenges of navigating a constantly shifting environment and the quest for focus. They explore the unique struggles faced by those with ADHD, including the magnetic pull of distractions—those tempting shiny objects and trinkets that can derail our best intentions. Tune in for insightful discussions, personal anecdotes, and practical strategies to help you stay on task, even when the world around you is in flux. Whether you’re navigating your own ADHD journey or simply looking for tips on maintaining focus, this episode offers valuable insights and relatable experiences. Don't miss it! In this episode, join Dr. Pickel and Dr. Pillay as they delve into the challenges of navigating a constantly shifting environment and the quest for focus. They explore the unique struggles faced by those with ADHD, including the magnetic pull of distractions—those tempting shiny objects and trinkets that can derail our best intentions. Tune in for insightful discussions, personal anecdotes, and practical strategies to help you stay on task, even when the world around you is in flux. Whether you’re navigating your own ADHD journey or simply looking for tips on maintaining focus, this episode offers valuable insights and relatable experiences. Don't miss it! research, attention deficit disorder, humor, gremlin, planner, psychology, funny, psychologist, organization, adhd, distracted, stories true full 2 1a084966-19a7-4857-864a-9c4f27285605 The Struggle; an Introduction Thu, 3 Oct 2024 17:44:18 +0000 spillaypsyd@gmail.com (Christie Pickel, Sita-Marie Pillay) https://2-distractible-doctors.simplecast.com/episodes/introduction-EuXWNk0N The Struggle; an Introduction Christie Pickel, Sita-Marie Pillay 00:32:09 An introduction to the podcast, the hosts, and their experiences with getting diagnosed with ADHD. An introduction to the podcast, the hosts, and their experiences with getting diagnosed with ADHD. research, attention deficit disorder, mental health, school, psychology, funny, psychologist, diagnosis, graduate, adhd, assessment, conversation true full 1