Aug 26, 2026 · 1h 20m
Why ADHD often hides behind trauma and anxiety
The Real Root of ADHD Isn't Trauma, It's This | Dr. Sasha Hamdani
Misidentifying ADHD can delay effective treatment, especially for women whose symptoms are often attributed to anxiety, depression, or trauma.
- 1ADHD is primarily genetic, though trauma, anxiety, depression, and medical conditions can create similar attention problems.
- 2Women are frequently diagnosed later because traditional ADHD criteria emphasized hyperactive boys and overlook adult female presentations.
- 3Emotional regulation improves when people recognize overwhelm, pause, move their bodies, and reinterpret rejection with greater care.
Don't miss
Hamdani recounts how her father’s illness and death exposed the scale of her emotional overwhelm and changed how she understood regulation.
The brief
Psychiatrist Sasha Hamdani separates ADHD from trauma, anxiety, depression, and other causes of fragmented focus, arguing that genetics remain its primary root.
The episode examines why women are often diagnosed late: criteria built around hyperactive boys can miss inattentive symptoms, hormonal shifts, and adult emotional strain.
Hamdani explains rejection-sensitive dysphoria and emotional overwhelm through the interaction of the amygdala and prefrontal cortex, linking intense feelings to real functional consequences.
Her practical approach starts with noticing when the amygdala is activated, then pausing, moving the body, and rereading situations instead of reacting immediately.
The conversation closes on emotional literacy, supportive relationships, and understanding the brain as a way to turn sensitivity into a source of potential.
Books & mentions
Some links are affiliate links — PodLume may earn a commission if you buy.
