ADHD and Adult Diagnosis: Why Smart, Successful Women Get Missed Until Midlife

High-achieving women are often missed when it comes to ADHD diagnosis, only discovering it in adulthood or midlife when the weight of hidden struggles becomes undeniable. Therapists Diann Wingert and Lisa Lackey share their personal journeys of realizing they had ADHD after years of helping others, revealing how intelligence and adaptability can mask symptoms for decades. Their stories highlight how menopause and midlife often intensify ADHD challenges but also open the door to what Lisa calls the “second knowing”—a return to self, authenticity, and purpose.

This awakening is not just about diagnosis; it’s about transformation. By shedding perfectionism, embracing self-acceptance, and building community, women are redefining success on their own terms. As Lisa says, “You’re not unraveling or falling apart, you’re actually coming together.”