The Real Root of ADHD Isn't Trauma, It's This | Dr. Sasha Hamdani

That feeling when a small comment ruins your entire day? There's actually a name for it, and it's not a character flaw. Dr. Sasha Hamdani is a board certified psychiatrist and ADHD specialist who spent years thinking something was fundamentally wrong with her before she connected the dots between her emotions and her ability to function. She was diagnosed with ADHD in fourth grade but her parents never told her, calling her medication a “vitamin” until she found out by accident in medical school, mid breakdown, after a grade crash she couldn't explain. In this conversation she breaks down why ADHD is genetic rather than trauma driven, why women are diagnosed on average at 35 instead of childhood, and why so many get handed antidepressant after antidepressant for the wrong diagnosis. She also opens up about rejection sensitive dysphoria, the moment her father's sudden death taught her that unregulated emotion can shut down your whole life, and the years she spent secretly dating her now husband while terrified of rejecting her family's expectations. If you've ever felt like your emotions hijack your entire day, or you've been told to just calm down when your whole nervous system feels like it's on fire, this one will change how you see yourself. Pre-Order Too Sensitive: Rejection, Resilience, and the Science of Feeling Deeply Self-Care for People with ADHD: 100+ Ways to Recharge, De-Stress, and Prioritize You! Dr. Hamdani Instagram In this episode you will: Distinguish real ADHD from anxiety, trauma, and depression so you stop cycling through the wrong diagnosis and medications Uncover why women are diagnosed with ADHD nearly three decades later than men, and what that misdiagnosis actually costs Recognize Rejection Sensitive Dysphoria (RSD) as a neurological response, not a character flaw, so you can finally make sense of overwhelming emotional pain Replace well-meaning but harmful advice like “just calm down” with language that actually helps someone spiraling from rejection Transform deep sensitivity into a genuine strength instead of a source of shame Build emotional regulation habits early so grief, rejection, and stress stop hijacking your ability to function For more information go to https://lewishowes.com/1972 More SOG episodes we think you’ll love! Get More From Lewis! Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.