ADHD Chatter Leading Psychiatrist: How To Process A Late ADHD Diagnosis, Grief Is The First Stage!
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Jan 13, 2026 Dr. Asad Rafi, a leading consultant psychiatrist specializing in ADHD and autism, shares insights on processing a late diagnosis, particularly for women. He discusses the unique stresses faced by ADHD women, the impact of social and hormonal factors, and the emotional burden of missed opportunities. Dr. Rafi emphasizes the importance of understanding ADHD as a brain-body condition, addressing interoception, and offers practical advice for managing symptoms. He explores Rejection Sensitivity Dysphoria and highlights the need for better awareness and support in diagnosis.
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Female Presentation Often Missed
- ADHD assessment tools and guidelines are male-centric and miss the female presentation.
- Clinicians using checklists will struggle to diagnose many women, says Dr. Asad Rafi.
Mother's Sacrifice That Stayed With Clinician
- A mother with terminal illness prioritized her child's wellbeing over herself, revealing extreme sacrifice.
- Dr. Asad Rafi found the family's struggle heartbreaking and influential to his work.
Body Signals Affect Emotion Recognition
- Interoception and alexithymia link bodily signals and emotional awareness in neurodivergent people.
- Delayed recognition of hunger, pain, or stress explains sleep, eating, and health patterns, according to Dr. Asad Rafi.