DISTRACTD november Live
DISTRACTD November 4 2026
Dopamine, Decision and December
When an ADHD brain meets the busiest time of the year
Black Friday.
Christmas shopping.
Parties.
Family.
School finishing.
Work deadlines.
Money.
Food.
Travel.
Presents.
And approximately 400 decisions before breakfast.
Welcome to the end of the year.
READ MORE ⬇️
For ADHD brains, this combination of increased demands, tempting rewards, disrupted routines and decision-making can be particularly challenging.
We might spend impulsively.
Say yes before checking the calendar.
Overcommit.
Put decisions off until they become urgent.
Or reach a point where choosing what to cook for dinner feels like one decision too many.
This month at DISTRACTD, we’re exploring dopamine, reward, impulsivity and decision-making and what happens when these meet the pressure of November and December.
We’ll look at decision fatigue, spending and overcommitting, relationships under pressure, food and routines during busy periods, and practical ways to create a little more space between an impulse and a decision.
Because the goal isn’t to make perfect decisions.
It’s to understand what makes decisions harder and give ourselves a better chance of making the ones that matter.
A note from amanda
Someone once told me we make around 400 decisions before breakfast.
In November, it feels like 400 before I've found my keys.
This is the time of year when everything arrives at once.
Black Friday emails.
Christmas shopping lists. End-of-year concerts, school finishing up, work deadlines, parties, family plans, travel, food, presents, and the quiet maths of what all of it is going to cost.
Continue Reading below
For an ADHD brain, that's not just a busy calendar. It's a never-ending queue of small choices, each one asking for a little bit of the same limited fuel.
By the time the big decisions turn up, the tank is often already empty. Then comes the impulse buy, the forgotten RSVP, the gift wrapped at midnight, and the voice that says you should be better at this by now.
You're not failing at December. December is a lot.
This month we're talking about what's actually going on with dopamine, decision fatigue and the festive season, and some practical ways to make it feel a little lighter.
Not a perfect plan. Just one that fits.
We are on Mentimeter again tonight. Here is the link to join
Please follow and share our socials
Be updated with our 2026 live events
this link will put the dates into your calendar
Support the Movement
Our DISTRACTD T-shirts and ADHD affirmation pencils are available tonight at the merch table. We also have a few new T-shirt designs to check out alongside our favourites.
Join the movement of unity and support with a DISTRACTD tee for $30.
CHECK OUT OUR NEURO-FRIENDLY TEES
Gifts that give back
Shopping for the season? Our merch makes thoughtful gifts, and every purchase helps keep DISTRACTD free.
DISTRACTD tees: $30
ADHD affirmation pencils: $8.50
Christmas cards: $12 per twin pack
Gift tags: $10 per pack of 9
Find them in the DISTRACTD shop or at the merch table on the night.
“These shirts are more than just clothing. They are a symbol of solidarity and acceptance. Wear it proudly to show that you stand with those with ADHD, offering a silent nod of understanding and support. Together, let’s create a community where everyone feels seen, accepted and valued.” -Amanda Gorman
Quirky Reminders for Busy Minds
Whether you’re navigating life’s whirlwind or simply trying to remember that free trial you still haven’t cancelled, these pencils are here to bring a smile and a gentle nudge.
With delightfully relatable phrases like “I knew better but I did it anyway” and “Is there wet washing to hang out?”, they’re perfect for taming the chaos or embracing it with a grin.
A cute little desk companion or thoughtful gift for someone with ADHD — a small way to say, “I see you.”
$8.50 each.
DISTRACTD Christmas Cards & Gift Tags
A little Christmas cheer with a whole lot of ADHD humour!
Our 12 Days of Christmas – ADHD Edition cards and Christmas gift tags celebrate the funny, chaotic and wonderfully relatable moments of life with an ADHD brain.
From impulse purchases to forgotten presents and wrapping disasters, these playful designs are guaranteed to bring a smile (and probably a few knowing laughs!).
Christmas Cards – $12 per twin pack
Christmas Gift Tags – $10 per pack of 9, with four different packs to choose from.
Perfect for gifting, giggling and spreading a little neurodivergent Christmas cheer.
Every purchase supports DISTRACTD, helping us continue providing free community events that bring people together through education, understanding and connection.
A little gift that gives back!
MEET YOUR SPEAKERS
Host
Amanda Gorman - DISTRACTD Founder
Check out more of Amanda ⬇️
Amanda is the founder of Distractd, a TEDx speaker, ADHD educator and advocate, visual artist, and textile designer. As a co-founder of the GC Music Network and Director of Strategic Partnerships, Amanda is deeply involved in her community, both as a professional and as a devoted mother and wife on the Gold Coast.
Passionate about bridging the gap between industry experts and individuals with ADHD, Amanda is committed to fostering understanding and empowerment. She believes in the power of self-advocacy and is dedicated to helping those with ADHD embrace their uniqueness while gaining deeper insights into their condition. Through Distractd, Amanda has created a platform that supports connection, solidarity, and community—a place for individuals to find the support they need on their journey toward greater understanding and self-empowerment.
Follow Amanda: https://www.instagram.com/amandagormanartist/
Speaker 1: Dr chris stapelberg
Psychiatrist
Chris is a psychiatrist and academic. He has previously served as the Professor for Mental Health at Bond University and as the lead for mental health research at Gold Coast Hospital, while working in clinical psychiatry.
Read more about Dr Chris ⬇️
As a researcher, Chris investigated how stress, mental illness and chronic lifestyle diseases are inter-related. He has also worked in the field of artificial intelligence called machine learning, creating computer programs which teach themselves to recognise mental health presentations in emergency department data.
Chris currently works in private practice, providing telehealth services to regional, rural and remote Australians, while writing science fiction novels and composing music.
Speaker 2: Melanie Henry
Family Therapy, Psychotherapy & Play Therapy
Melanie is a highly experienced Registered Family and Play Therapist supporting individuals and families of all ages.
Read more about Melanie ⬇️
Through her collaborative and individualised approach, she honours each client’s unique journey and works alongside them to create tailored therapeutic plans that promote healing, personal growth, and lasting transformation.
Having honed her skills over the past 22 years, Melanie specialises in life transitions, family dynamics, relationship challenges, trauma and stress, identity and self-esteem, grief and loss, school refusal, and emotional regulation.
Her sessions offer a safe, empathetic environment for clients to receive the tools, guidance, and strategies required to navigate life’s complexities with ease.
Speaker 3: Melissa tait
Credentialled Diabetes Educator & Sandtray Therapist
Melissa is a Registered Clinical Nurse Specialist and Credentialled Diabetes Educator with over 18 years’ experience managing chronic diseases in both public and private health sectors, as well as her own private practice.
Read more about Melissa ⬇️
She specialises in newly diagnosed and insulin-managed diabetes, insulin pump therapy, and diabetes technology, such as continuous glucose monitoring systems (CGMS) and flash glucose monitoring (FGM) to provide comprehensive support for individuals with type 1, type 2, and gestational diabetes. Through a wellness and client-centred approach, Melissa works collaboratively with each client’s multidisciplinary team to achieve an optimal outcome in their diabetes management.
Melissa’s public health service led her to Sandtray Therapy, where she combines her medical expertise and trauma-informed care with holistic and non-traditional talk therapies to support clients who have experienced medical or complex trauma, those with ADHD or Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), or who are navigating grief, loss, anxiety, or depression. She is passionate about working with families, particularly paediatric and young adults, to foster expression, processing, and advocacy within these individuals.
In addition to her clinical work, Melissa enjoys contributing to the professional development of future healthcare practitioners and is a learning facilitator and lecturer for Southern Cross University’s postgraduate Diabetes Education program.
Melissa is registered with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA) and the Australian Diabetes Educators Association (ADEA).
THANK YOU TO OUR LOVELY VOLUNTEERS
BRONWYN DAY
CHARLEY DAY
AMBER GORMAN
JAKE GORMAN
KIRA JAECHEL
Free Resources to Share
We’ve created downloadable DISTRACTD info packs that you’re welcome to print and share — with your workplace, friends, family, clients, or even pin up at your local community noticeboard or shopping centre! We would love you to snap a pic of where you pin them and tag us on our socials so we can see.
You can help spread the word and spark more conversations about ADHD, neurodivergence, and mental health.
Link here Print, share, stick it up — we’d love your help.
NEUROINCLUSIVE TRAINING FOR WORKPLACES
Practical. Strengths-based. Built for real teams.
DISTRACTD has developed a workplace training program to help organisations better understand, support, and retain neurodivergent talent.
Think of it like a first aid refresher, but for neuroinclusion.
Learn More about DISTRACTD coming to your workplace ⬇️
Our facilitators come to you, in person or online, guiding your team through practical strategies like neuroinclusive onboarding, inclusive hiring practices, simple workplace accommodations, and policies that help different brains thrive.
Neurodivergent people are often innovators, problem-solvers, and big-picture thinkers. With the right support, those differences become strengths that lift whole teams.
Developed in collaboration with GPs, psychologists, and psychiatrists, this program is strengths-based, realistic, and grounded in lived experience.
Bookings open now
Help your team work better together.
Register your interest in neuroinclusion training for your workplace and we will get in touch with your organisation.
Register here
Support DISTRACTD
DISTRACTD is community-led and independently run.
Every month we welcome around 50 people to a free evening of evidence-based ADHD education, practical strategies and connection.
While attendance is free, it costs around $26 for every person who walks through the door. Across the whole evening, that’s approximately $1,300 in direct costs.
When you include the incredible generosity of our speakers, volunteers and the many hours of donated planning and coordination, each DISTRACTD event represents over $6,000 worth of value.
We don’t want cost to be a barrier to understanding ADHD, so we rely on merchandise sales, donations and the generosity of our community to keep these events free.
If DISTRACTD has made a difference to you or someone you love, perhaps you’d consider covering the cost of one person’s place ($26),
$10 helps cover the printing of event resources, run sheets and volunteer materials.
$26 helps cover the cost of one person’s free attendance at a DISTRACTD event.
$50 helps cover refreshments and volunteer support, creating a welcoming space for our community.
$100 contributes towards professionally recording an event, helping us build a future library of trusted ADHD education.
$200 funds the professional recording of an entire DISTRACTD event or simply giving whatever feels right.
Every contribution helps someone else walk through the door.
Donate here → show some love here
Sponsors & Partners
We’re currently inviting a small number of values-aligned sponsors and partners to support DISTRACTD’s growth.
DISTRACTD is building a trusted, consistent space for neurodivergent adults on the Gold Coast — and this work is only possible through thoughtful partnerships.
Beyond financial sponsorship, we also warmly welcome donated skills, services, or equipment. Areas we currently need support in include accounting, printing, merch supply, podcast and recording equipment, tech hardware, catering, and event supplies.
Every contribution helps us keep these events free and accessible, while building a stronger, more connected neurodivergent community.
If you or your business would like to get involved, we’d love to chat.
Contact us at → hello@distractd.org
Resources and Recommendations from our Community.
Our ever growing list of podcasts, books, services and tools to explore
Explore more here
PODCAST
The Neurodivergent Woman – Monique Mitchelson & Michelle Livock
I Have ADHD – Kristen Carder
Scattered Minds – Inspired by Dr Gabor Maté
ADHD Experts Podcast (ADDitude Magazine)
The ADHD Women’s Wellbeing Podcast
Emsolation – Em Rusciano
I second Morbid! - I Catch Killers with Gary Jubelin
Emsolation (Podcast) - Em Rusciano
Morbid - Ash Kelley & Alaina Urquhart
Muse - essential neurofeedback
BOOKS
The Year I Met My Brain – Matilda Bosely
Scattered Minds – Dr Gabor Maté
How to Keep House While Drowning – KC Davis
Atomic Habits – James Clear
ADHD 2.0 – Edward Hallowell & John Ratey
Your Brain’s Not Broken – Tamara Rosier
A Radical Guide for Women with ADHD – Sari Solden & Michelle Frank
Organizing Solutions for People with ADHD – Susan C. Pinsky
Blood, Sweat and Glitter – Em Rusciano (NEW and on Amandas Christmas List)
APPS & DIGITAL SUPPORT
Forest – Grow a tree while you focus.
Todoist – Simple task manager with reminders.
Notion – Build a system for your brain.
Finch – Self-care turned into a gentle game.
Dubbi App – ADHD-friendly voice journaling.
Insight Timer – Meditation, sleep, grounding.
Yoto Audio Player – Screen-free stories/music for ND kids.
CREATORS & ACCOUNTS
@adhdmemetherapy – The memes that keep us alive.
@tarah.and.barry – ND + NT couple navigating life.
@adhd_love – Creators of Dubbi; great ADHD education.
@domesticblisters / @strugglecare – KC Davis and the “good enough” approach.
@tarahelizabeth – Chaos, colour, creativity, and honesty.
How to ADHD (Jessica McCabe, YouTube)
HealthyGamerGG (YouTube) – Mental health + gaming + ADHD.
ADHD Mums (adhdmums.com.au/resources) – Massive Australian resource hub.
ND-FRIENDLY TOOLS, SUPPORTS & SERVICES
NeuroFit Program (Daniel Bennett, ARRC + Tidal Health) – Inclusive movement for neurodivergent bodies.
hellowable.com – Dating for neurodivergent people.
ADDitude Magazine – Articles, webinars, community stories.
CHADD.org – Evidence-based ADHD education & advocacy.
WEBSITES & ONLINE RESOURCES
ADDitude Magazine
ADHD Mums (Australia): https://adhdmums.com.au/resources/
hellowable.com – ND dating
Neurokind insight - free resource
Neurokind insights - https://neurokindinsights.com.au/
LOCAL SUPPORTS & COMMUNITY
and Weekend study squad body doubling
Watch Amandas Ted Talk here
Thank you for being part of our growing community! We’re so excited to have you with us — stay connected, stay curious, and join us at our monthly events to keep the conversation going.
We’d love to hear about the podcasts, books, videos, or groups that inspire you, so we can share them with our audience. Drop us a line anytime at hello@distractd.org— we’d love to hear from you!
A heartfelt thanks this month to our speakers Dr Chris Stapelberg, Melissa Tait and Melanie Henry for generously sharing their time, expertise, and insights with us.
Finally, I’m endlessly grateful to my family, friends, and the incredible staff at HOTA for their ongoing support in bringing these events to life every month. A special thank you to Rocinie, Bronwyn, Amber, Jake and Charley
Thank you to our sponsors for showing us the support we need to be able to make this happen each month and to all of the individuals who have so generously donated to us.
With appreciation,
Amanda & the DISTRACTD team xx
UP NEXT –OUr last event for the year.
You Did Enough
Rest, recovery and ending the year without fixing yourself
December has a strange way of making us feel like we should be doing more.
Finish the work.
Buy the presents.
See everyone.
Make Christmas magical.
Clean the house.
Answer the messages.
Get organised.
And somewhere amongst all of that, apparently we’re also supposed to reflect on the year and start planning a better version of ourselves for January.
For our final DISTRACTD of the year, we’re doing something different.
We’re talking about rest.
End-of-year overload.
Fatigue.
Recovery.
Communication when our capacity is low.
Letting go of expectations.
And what happens when we stop treating rest as something we have to earn.
There will always be another system to try, habit to build, book to read or part of ourselves we could attempt to optimise.
But sometimes the most useful thing we can do for an overloaded nervous system is stop adding more.
So we’re ending the DISTRACTD year without asking you to become better at anything.
Come as you are.
Take what you need.
Leave what you don’t.
You did enough.
Wednesday 2 December HOTA Basement Theatre 6pm FREE
See you in December
Comments