ADHD: Are You Distracted or Is It a Disorder? (Part 1)

Wonder if your forgetfulness and zoning out is ADHD or just distraction? In this episode of Recovery, child psychologist and ADHD expert Dr. Carrie Jackson explains what ADHD really feels like and why it’s often underdiagnosed in women and BIPOC communities. You’ll learn how to tell the difference between normal distraction and clinically significant ADHD symptoms in women, men and kids and why executive functioning issues – not laziness – drive the forgetfulness, missed deadlines and day‑dreaming.Find mental health and addiction treatment near you: https://recovery.com/Learn more about Dr. Carrie Jackson: https://www.drcarriejackson.com/Dr. Jackson shares her own journey living with ADHD and breaks down the three presentations: inattentive, hyperactive/impulsive and combined. She debunks myths (no, sugar and screen time don’t cause ADHD), explains why girls often present as “quiet daydreamers” while boys are labelled disruptive, and explores the role of hormones and genetics in adult ADHD diagnosis. You’ll hear why there’s no brain scan for ADHD – diagnosis relies on interviews, questionnaires and observing behaviour across settings – and why many adults get diagnosed after childbirth or during major life transitions.⏱️ Chapters:00:00 – Introduction & why ADHD is often underdiagnosed00:24 – Do I have ADHD or am I just distracted?01:04 – Regulating attention: hyperfocus vs distractibility03:22 – Interest‑based attention & urgency (video games vs tasks)04:12 – How ADHD is diagnosed & who can diagnose it05:49 – No brain scans: interviews, questionnaires & criteria07:28 – Recognizing symptoms across school, work & home08:42 – Forgetting homework: performance vs intelligence10:03 – Misconceptions: laziness, discipline & executive function11:16 – Gender differences: ADHD in girls vs boys13:14 – Types of ADHD & how symptoms change with age15:07 – Inattentive signs: zoning out, random thoughts & losing things17:09 – Why ADHD is missed: hidden symptoms & doing well in school18:59 – The emotional toll: shame, self‑esteem & feeling “lazy”20:43 – Underdiagnosed or overdiagnosed? Changing criteria & awareness22:05 – Genetics, parental age & environmental factors23:29 – Key symptoms: attention, organization & impulsivity26:03 – Causes vs myths: sugar, screen time & diet27:29 – Does ADHD get worse with age? Hormones & adult life31:24 – Suspect ADHD? Finding qualified help & next steps32:45 – Diagnosing young kids & parent‑focused interventions34:32 – What’s next: medications, parenting strategies & support❓ Questions the Video Answers:How can I tell if I have ADHD or if I’m just distracted?What are the most common ADHD symptoms in women and girls?How does ADHD differ from normal forgetfulness or laziness?What’s the difference between inattentive and hyperactive/impulsive ADHD?How is ADHD diagnosed in adults without a brain scan?Why are so many women and BIPOC individuals underdiagnosed?Can you have ADHD and still hyperfocus on video games or work?Does ADHD get worse with age, or can it improve over time?Is ADHD genetic, and what environmental factors play a role?What are the myths about sugar, screen time and diet causing ADHD?How do hormones and pregnancy impact ADHD symptoms in women?What’s the difference between ADD and ADHD presentations?At what age can children be reliably diagnosed with ADHD?What help is available if my child shows signs but doesn’t meet the criteria?What should be my first step if I suspect ADHD for myself or my child?#ADHD #MentalHealth #Neurodiversity