Lynn Layfield on Anxiety (Part 1)

In this deeply personal and emotional episode of the Grandma Has ADHD Podcast, Jami welcomes back her longtime friend and Sparkler Society co-founder, Lynn Layfield, for a conversation unlike any they’ve had publicly before.

What began as a private conversation about anxiety quickly turned into something much bigger. Jami realized their discussion needed to be recorded because Lynn’s story reflects something many women are just beginning to understand: the complicated relationship between ADHD, anxiety, and emotional regulation.

For the first time, Lynn opens up about the struggles she faced growing up — long before ADHD was widely understood in girls.

From sleepless nights and intense fears as a child to years of therapy and misinterpretation of her symptoms, Lynn shares how her childhood experiences shaped her life and how ADHD may have been influencing her anxiety all along.

This episode also highlights a growing realization happening today: many women are being diagnosed with ADHD later in life after decades of confusion, misdiagnosis, or being told their struggles were simply anxiety.

Jami and Lynn explore how creativity, emotional sensitivity, and imagination — strengths often found in ADHD brains — can also contribute to anxiety when left unsupported.

This conversation is honest, vulnerable, and deeply relatable for anyone who has ever wondered why their mind works the way it does.

Part 1 sets the stage for Lynn’s story and the childhood experiences that shaped her journey.

In This Episode

• Why this episode is different from any Lynn has shared before
• The emotional side of ADHD that many people never see
• The connection between ADHD and anxiety
• Why many adults — especially women — are being diagnosed later in life
• Lynn’s childhood experiences with anxiety and sleeplessness
• Growing up before ADHD in girls was widely recognized
• How ADHD creativity can amplify fears and imagination
• Early therapy approaches used in the 1970s and 1980s
• Reward systems, journaling, and childhood coping strategies
• The importance of community and shared experiences

Key Takeaways

 ADHD doesn’t always look the way people expect.
 Anxiety is common for people with ADHD but may not always be the root cause.
 Many adults are discovering their ADHD later in life.
 Creativity and imagination — strengths of ADHD brains — can also intensify anxiety.
 Community and understanding are powerful tools for people navigating ADHD.

About Lynn Layfield

Lynn Layfield is the co-founder of the Sparkler Society alongside Jami Shapiro. She brings humor, creativity, and honesty to conversations about ADHD, anxiety, and personal growth.

In this episode, Lynn courageously shares parts of her story she has rarely discussed publicly — offering insight and hope to others who may see themselves in her journey.

Resources Mentioned

• The upcoming Sparkler Society community
• Jami Shapiro’s ADHD coaching services
• Silver Linings Transitions (Jami’s senior move management and organizing company)

Join the Sparkler Society

Jami and Lynn are building a community for people with ADHD who want support, accountability, and connection.

Join the waitlist:

jamishapiro.me

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The more we talk about ADHD, the more people realize they’re not alone.