
MissUnderstood: The ADHD in Women Channel Climbing the Walls | Ep. 2: She wrote the book on women, shame, and ADHD
Dec 4, 2025
Sari Solden, a therapist and author, has been pivotal in shedding light on the unique experiences of women with ADHD. In this discussion, she shares her own struggles with memory and organization, the shame often felt by women, and how their symptoms frequently go unnoticed. Sari emphasizes the cultural pressures that exacerbate these feelings and highlights the importance of her groundbreaking book, which has validated countless women's experiences. Her insights reveal the deep emotional legacies of ADHD and its impact on identity.
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Sheep Shame Reveals Persistent Internalized Shame
- Sari moved to a farm thinking isolation would remove social pressure, but still felt ashamed because her sheep were messy.
- She coined “sheep shame” to show shame followed her regardless of context.
Late Diagnosis And Immediate Change
- After a neuropsych exam at 43, Sari was diagnosed with ADHD and prescribed Ritalin.
- The medication reduced her fears and enabled her to present and later lead the clinic.
Shame Shapes How Women Experience ADHD
- Sari noticed men and women report similar ADHD difficulties but react differently, with women hiding and feeling intense shame.
- Cultural expectations about women's domestic roles deepen secrecy and self-blame.






