Feeling Chronically Misunderstood as a Woman with ADHD
ADHD-ish
Growing Up Misunderstood and Small-T Trauma
Diann and Gilly explore how childhood misunderstanding leads to lasting emotional scar tissue and impacts self-esteem and careers.
Welcome back to ADHD-ish! In this episode, host Diann Wingert sits down with Dr. Gilly Kahn, author of the recently published Allow Me to Interrupt: A Psychologist Reveals the Emotional Truth Behind Women’s ADHD. Together, Gilly and Diann tackle often overlooked elements of ADHD, like emotional dysregulation and rejection sensitivity, shining a light on the daily realities that many women face but rarely see reflected in mainstream ADHD narratives.
Drawing on both personal experiences and clinical insights, Gilly and Diann unpack hot-button topics such as the gaps in diagnostic criteria, why women are often diagnosed later in life, and the profound impact of being emotionally sensitive in a world that expects conformity.
Whether you’ve been told you’re “extra,” struggled with impulsivity, or have battled feelings of not belonging, this conversation will offer validation, strategies, and a healthy dose of humor. Grab your headphones—it’s time to celebrate the quirks, strengths, and unique challenges of being a woman with ADHD.
What you’ll hear in this episode:
Emotional Dysregulation is Fundamental (and Overlooked): While most people associate ADHD with distractibility and impulsivity, Diann and Dr. Kahn remind us that emotional sensitivity and reactivity are just as central—especially for women. Emotional outbursts, rejection sensitivity, and the complexities of self-regulation often remain unaddressed but profoundly impact daily life and professional relationships.
Misdiagnosis & Misunderstanding Persist: Many women spend years feeling misunderstood, misdiagnosed with anxiety, depression, or even personality disorders, before discovering ADHD’s unique presentation in females. Trauma from chronic misunderstanding—whether “big T” or “little t”—leaves lasting scars on self-esteem and career confidence.
Diversity of Thought = Business Advantage: The strengths that come with ADHD—creativity, expansive curiosity, resilience in the face of rejection—aren’t just “superpowers” for individuals. As Dr. Kahn eloquently puts it, teams excel when they have true diversity of thought. Those who think differently spark innovation and challenge the status quo.
Mic Drop Moment:
“You can’t have strengths without also having weaknesses, especially when the strengths are extreme.” – Gilly Kahn, PhD
Guest Bio
Gilly Kahn, PhD, is a clinical psychologist, ADHD advocate, researcher, and author in private practice in Atlanta, GA, USA. Before pursuing a master's in experimental psychology and a doctorate in clinical psychology, Gilly studied creative writing, a passion since childhood, and regularly publishes articles on Psychology Today and ADDitude Magazine. Gilly and Diann are both members of the Committed Partners of FindTheADHDGirls.org, an advocacy group for ensuring that future generations of girls with ADHD are not overlooked.
Find Gilly Kahn, PhD, online:
Website: https://www.drgillykahn.com/
ADHD experts mentioned during the episode:
Want to know more about ADHD in girls and women? #FindTheADHDGirls.org
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© 2025 ADHD-ish Podcast. Intro music by Ishan Dincer / Melody Loops / Outro music by Vladimir / Bobi Music / All rights reserved.
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