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.

In this deeply resonant episode of the ADHD-ish Podcast, Diann Wingert and guest Dave Greenwood unpack the liberating ideas behind The Courage to Be Disliked—and why its roots in Adlerian psychology are so powerful for ADHDers struggling with rejection sensitivity, burnout, and self-doubt. From radical self-acceptance to learning how to separate your responsibilities from others’ reactions, this episode is a must-listen for anyone ready to stop people-pleasing and start building real confidence, on their terms.