Invisible ADHD in Women: Misdiagnosis, Signs, and Tools That Work with Shanna Pearson

This is StRest! Shanna Pearson—founder of Expert ADHD Coaching, the world’s largest 1:1 ADHD coaching company (nearly 500,000 sessions delivered)—joins Kerstin to reframe adult ADHD, especially in women. They unpack why so many midlife women are missed or misdiagnosed with anxiety/depression, the “everything-all-at-once-now” brain, and how ADHD often shows up internally for women (rumination, emotional surges, drama-magnets) versus more external risk-seeking in men. You’ll learn practical, ADHD-friendly systems: mood-based scheduling, “facts over what-ifs,” physical state changes (from stairs to mint+cold water), and why exercise reliably boosts focus. Shanna explains how meds can help you focus—but won’t help you focus on the right thing without skills and structure. If social media hijacks your day, relationships feel like eggshells, or overwhelm stalls you at point A, this episode gives concrete tools—and a path to proper diagnosis—with insights from Shanna’s new book, Invisible ADHD: Proven Mood and Life Management for Smart Yet Scattered Women (foreword by Dr. Daniel Amen). Thanks to our sponsors ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Ancient Nutrition⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ - Use code STREST25 ⁠Waco Shoe Company⁠ - KERSTIN20 CHAPTERS 00:00 Social Media Triggers 00:54 Why ADHD Now; Meet Shanna 05:03 Writing the Book; ADHD-I Basics 07:31 Signs Start Early; Not Late-Onset 11:27 Women vs. Men: Internal vs. External 16:34 Coaching That Works (Action-Based) 22:58 Meds Help; Skills Make It Stick 25:47 Mood Scheduling & Focus Routines 30:34 State Changes & Exercise Gains 40:05 Relationships, Misdiagnosis, Next Steps Work with Kerstin ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Workshops & Events⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ – Join upcoming events & retreats. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Health Coaching with Kerstin⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ – 1:1 coaching for stress reduction & wellness. Connect with Shanna Pearson LinkedIn: Shanna Pearson More about Kerstin Website:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠kerstin-lindquist.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Instagram:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ @kerstin.lindquist⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Facebook:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Kerstin Lindquist⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ YouTube:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ @Kerstin.lindquist⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ TikTok:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ @kerstin.lindquist⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Production, Distribution, and Marketing By Massif Studio & Production & The Tallawah Group Website:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠www.massifsp.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ LinkedIn:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Massif Studio & Production⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Website:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ www.TallawahWorldwide.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ LinkedIn:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ The Tallawah Group⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ For inquiries about sponsoring the podcast, email [email protected]. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices