Is It ADHD or Anxiety? Why Women Are So Often Misdiagnosed

What if the anxiety, emotional sensitivity, and overwhelm you've experienced for years are actually connected to ADHD? On this episode of SHE MD, Mary Alice sits down with board-certified psychiatrist and ADHD specialist Dr. Sasha Hamdani to unpack why ADHD is so often missed or misdiagnosed in women. They discuss the emotional side of ADHD, rejection sensitive dysphoria (RSD), hormones and ADHD symptoms, ADHD during perimenopause and postpartum, medication options, and why treating ADHD is about so much more than improving focus. Dr. Hamdani also shares the science behind her new book, Too Sensitive: Rejection, Resilience, and the Science of Feeling Deeply.

Subscribe to SHE MD Podcast for expert tips on PMOS, endometriosis, fertility, hormonal balance, mental health, and more. Share with friends and visit SHE MD website and Ovii for research-backed resources, holistic health strategies, and expert guidance on women’s health and well-being.

Sponsors

Sera: To learn more you can visit PreTRM.com. Talk with your provider about whether the PreTRM Test might be right for you.

Momentus: If you want to try Momentous Signature Spec Creatine, head to livemomentous.com and use code SheMD or SheMDpod for up to 35% off your entire first order.

Talkiatry: Head to talkiatry.com/shemd to complete the short assessment and get matched with an in-network psychiatrist in just a few minutes.

Larine: Right now, Larinco is offering our listeners up to 50% off at buylarine.com/shemd.

DripDrop: Right now, DripDrop is offering podcast listeners 20% off your first order. Go to dripdrop.com and use promo code SheMD.

Olly: You can find OLLY Precise Probiotics with skin, stress, or metabolism support at a Walmart near you.

What You’ll Learn

• Why ADHD can look different in women than in men
• Why women with ADHD are often diagnosed with anxiety or depression instead
• How estrogen fluctuations can affect ADHD symptoms and dopamine regulation
• What happens to ADHD symptoms during PMS, pregnancy, postpartum, perimenopause, and menopause
• The difference between stimulant and non-stimulant ADHD medications
• How medication decisions can be personalized for women and children
• What rejection sensitive dysphoria (RSD) is and how it can affect relationships and daily life
• Why emotional dysregulation is an important part of the ADHD conversation
• Whether supplements can help with ADHD symptoms
• Why you can't “give yourself” ADHD by spending too much time on your phone
• Dr. Hamdani's favorite ADHD sleep hack

Key Timestamps

00:00 Welcome Dr. Sasha Hamdani

02:40 Sasha's ADHD Diagnosis & Her Journey Through Medical School

07:28 Why ADHD Looks Different In Women

09:07 Why So Many Women Are Misdiagnosed With Anxiety & Depression

10:20 How Hormones Can Make ADHD Symptoms Worse

16:43 Estrogen, Menopause & ADHD Symptoms

18:50 ADHD Medication vs. HRT: What's The Difference?

20:56 Finding The Right ADHD Medication

23:09 Stimulants Vs. Non-Stimulants & The 80/20 Approach

25:26 ADHD Medication For Children

31:44 Why ADHD Medication Can Stop Working During Perimenopause

32:49 The Long-Term Effects Of ADHD Medication

34:11 Are Medication Holidays Helpful?

36:40 Understanding Rejection Sensitive Dysphoria (RSD)

40:59 How To Regulate Emotional Dysregulation

41:36 Inside "Too Sensitive" & The Science Of Feeling Deeply

44:52 Dating Advice For Women With RSD

47:16 Do Supplements Actually Help ADHD?

48:46 Can Your Phone Make ADHD Worse?

50:16 The Biggest Misconceptions About ADHD

51:05 Sasha's Favorite ADHD Hack For Better Sleep

52:28 Final Thoughts & Takeaways

Key Takeaways

• ADHD is about much more than attention and focus. It can affect emotions, relationships, sleep, eating, executive function, and everyday life.
• Women are frequently missed because they may present primarily with inattentive symptoms rather than the stereotypical hyperactive presentation.
• Hormonal changes can worsen ADHD symptoms, particularly when estrogen drops during the menstrual cycle, postpartum period, and perimenopause.
• Anxiety and depression can coexist with ADHD, but they can also be diagnoses that obscure underlying ADHD.
• Rejection sensitive dysphoria describes an intense emotional or physical response to real or perceived rejection or criticism and can be particularly disruptive for people with ADHD.
• Finding the right ADHD treatment is highly individualized. Medication can be one tool alongside behavioral strategies and other forms of support.
• Dr. Hamdani emphasizes that the goal of ADHD medication isn't to make someone feel “perfect,” but to provide consistent support that allows them to function more like they do on a good day.
• Emotional sensitivity isn't necessarily something that needs to be eliminated. The goal can be learning to better understand and regulate it.

Guest Bio: Dr. Sasha Hamdani

Dr. Sasha Hamdani is a board-certified psychiatrist and ADHD specialist who has both personal and professional experience with ADHD. After being diagnosed with ADHD as a child, she went on to become a physician and now specializes in treating ADHD and helping patients better understand the condition beyond traditional symptoms of inattention and hyperactivity. She is also the author of Too Sensitive: Rejection, Resilience, and the Science of Feeling Deeply, which explores the neuroscience of emotional sensitivity, rejection, hormones, and practical tools for managing intense emotions.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.