ADHD Isn’t Just Distractibility, The Truth About Emotional Dysregulation

ADHD is often misunderstood as mere distraction or restlessness, yet for women it frequently shows up in more invisible ways: emotional overwhelm, chronic masking, and a lingering sense of being misunderstood. Emotional dysregulation—the quick shifts between joy, frustration, and sadness—can complicate relationships and fuel rejection sensitivity, often leading to misdiagnosis as anxiety or mood disorders. But alongside these struggles lie remarkable strengths: curiosity, creativity, and a playful perspective that drives innovation and resilience. By naming and validating these experiences, we not only rewrite the ADHD narrative for women but also highlight the strengths that make neurodivergent minds essential in work, life, and leadership.