Most people think ADHD is just “little boys bouncing off the walls.” But what if ADHD looks completely different in women and girls—and we’ve been missing it all along?

In this episode of The Journalism of Everything Podcast, host Darisse Smith speaks with Dr. Kathleen Nadeau, clinical psychologist, author of 15+ books on ADHD, and director of the Chesapeake ADHD Center. Dr. Nadeau has been at the forefront of research and advocacy for ADHD in women and girls for decades.

We dive deep into:

• Why ADHD often goes undiagnosed in girls and women

• How symptoms present differently between boys and girls

• The “hold it together and explode” pattern many girls experience

• The role of anxiety, perfectionism, and societal expectations

• The importance of recognizing ADHD as more than hyperactivity

• Strategies to support girls, women, and families living with ADHD

This interview explores the myths, the science, and the lived experience of ADHD in women—highlighting what’s been overlooked by schools, doctors, and even families.

If this resonates with you or someone you love, drop a comment below. You’re not alone.
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• (00:00:00) - Misconceptions about ADHD
• (00:01:00) - Introducing Dr. Kathleen Nadeau
• (00:02:00) - How Dr. Nadeau Entered the ADHD Field
• (00:04:00) - Early Beliefs: “Only Boys Had ADHD”
• (00:06:00) - Adults With ADHD: A New Understanding
• (00:07:00) - Shifting Focus to Girls and Women
• (00:08:00) - Discovering ADHD in Her Own Family
• (00:10:00) - Why ADHD Looks Different in Females
• (00:11:00) - Running the Largest Private ADHD Clinic
• (00:12:00) - Hyperactivity in Girls vs. Boys
• (00:14:00) - Holding It Together at School, Exploding at Home
• (00:17:00) - The “Hold and Explode” Pattern
• (00:18:00) - Parenting Challenges With ADHD Daughters
• (00:19:00) - Why Girls Face Stricter Expectations
• (00:21:00) - Why Girls Are Overlooked in Diagnosis
• (00:23:00) - Misdiagnosis: Anxiety vs. ADHD
• (00:24:00) - Lack of Training for Professionals
• (00:25:00) - Gender Bias in Medicine and Everyday Life
• (00:27:00) - Social Struggles of Girls With ADHD
• (00:29:00) - Why Inattentive Girls Go Unnoticed
• (00:30:00) - Living in a Social Web
• (00:33:00) - The Need to See ADHD Through a Female Lens
• (00:35:00) - ADHD Is Complex, Not One-Size-Fits-All
• (00:37:00) - The Pressures Women Put on Themselves
• (00:38:00) - The Unmade Bed” Story and Defining Your Own Rules
• (00:40:00) - Closing Thoughts and Takeaways