How I approach working with ADHD
ADHD is often misunderstood and misdiagnosed (especially in women) and I see it show up with substance use frequently. Whether you already have a diagnosis or just have a feeling that you might have ADHD, let’s talk about it.
What can it feel like?
You might notice:
Constantly feeling less than because you couldn't function the same way everyone else seemed to
Being late diagnosed and grieving the life you might have had if someone had caught it sooner
People not taking you seriously when you raise concerns, "everyone has ADHD now" is something you've heard more than once
Struggling to start tasks, finish them, or remember what you were doing in the middle of them
Time blindness where you losing hours without noticing, or being chronically late no matter how hard you try
Emotional dysregulation that feels disproportionate and leaves you exhausted
Trying to reach your goals but feeling like your brain keeps getting in the way
Medication being out of reach financially and trying to cope without it
Masking at work or in social situations and being completely depleted by the end of the day
Where does it come from?
The way that ADHD shows up and affects your life is shaped by a lot:
Medical misogyny and years of being missed. Research on ADHD wasn’t built around women. People who presented differently share that they were overlooked, misdiagnosed, or told their struggles weren't real. That history has left a lot of people without support they deserved much earlier
Masking and its cost. Many people with ADHD learn early to hide their struggles to fit in. Masking works until it doesn't, and by the time people reach therapy the exhaustion is often profound
Systems that weren't built for neurodivergent people. School, work, and social expectations are largely designed for neurotypical brains. Struggling within those systems doesn't mean something is wrong with you
Undiagnosed or unmanaged ADHD and substance use. Many people with ADHD self-medicate without realizing it, by using alcohol or drugs to quiet a busy mind, slow down, or feel more regulated. Understanding that link can be a turning point
The emotional weight of late diagnosis. Finding out later in life that you have ADHD can bring enormous relief but also enormous grief. Grief for the years of self-blame, the opportunities missed, and the version of yourself that never got the right support
How therapy can support you with ADHD
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Learning to work with your brain
Building practical neurodivergent-friendly strategies that work for you.
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Making sense of the systems around you
Understanding how work, relationships, finances, routines, etc. impact you
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Working through shame
Therapy helps you meet yourself with a lot more self-compassion.