Journalist and writer Hannah Harris Green shares her ADHD diagnosis story and discusses the overlapping symptoms of ADHD and PTSD. She delves into the challenges of transitioning to high school, navigating the ADHD label, and the emotional aspect of being evaluated for ADHD. Hannah highlights the importance of stability, access to resources, and a full evaluation before starting medication on the journey to diagnosis and relief.
Hannah's journey reminds us that ADHD can present differently than stereotypes suggest, and it is important to consider individual experiences and contexts.
The overlap of symptoms between ADHD and PTSD can create a complex web of challenges, including focus issues and difficulty distinguishing between the two.
Deep dives
Denial and skepticism before the ADHD diagnosis
Hannah initially dismissed the idea of having ADHD due to past negative experiences and misconceptions. She felt that her abilities in school contradicted the typical ADHD stereotype. However, conversations with her partner and therapist led her to reevaluate her perspective and consider seeking a diagnosis.
The connection between childhood experiences and ADHD
Reflecting on her childhood and how it contrasted with her struggles in high school, Hannah began to understand the impact of ADHD on her academic performance. She recognized that the shift to a more challenging academic environment, coupled with changing expectations, contributed to her fall from grace and feelings of disappointment.
Overlap of symptoms between ADHD and PTSD
Hannah discussed the Venn diagram she came across, highlighting the overlap of symptoms between ADHD and PTSD. This discovery resonated deeply with her as she realized how these conditions interacted and compounded certain challenges. She shared how focus issues, insomnia, and difficulty untangling ADHD and PTSD symptoms were common experiences.
ADHD and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms can look similar in many ways. And together, they can morph into what guest Hannah Harris Green calls “a trauma ball of blame that’s hard to untangle.”
Hannah is a podcast producer, journalist, and writer who works in public radio. She talked about ADHD and PTSD on KCRW’s Bodies podcast, which she produced. (It’s an incredible episode. Link below.) She shares her ADHD diagnosis story here and talks about her Venn diagram of ADHD and PTSD behaviors (insomnia, trouble focusing, and more). Also in this episode: a “fall from grace” when school got harder. Plus, adding ADHD to an already layered identity.
Hannah’s episode on the Bodies podcast: https://www.kcrw.com/culture/shows/bodies/adhd-women-ptsd-executive-function-messy
Understood is a nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering people with learning and thinking differences, like ADHD and dyslexia. If you want to help us continue this work, donate at understood.org/give
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