Episode Details

In this episode of SHE MD, Mary Alice Haney and Dr. Thaïs Aliabadi sit down with Dr. Steven Storage to unpack one of the most common mental health misdiagnoses affecting women today: ADHD being mistaken for anxiety or depression. Dr. Storage explains why ADHD is often overlooked in girls and women, and how many patients spend years being treated for anxiety before discovering the real cause of their symptoms.

The conversation explores how ADHD can present differently in women, including emotional overwhelm, chronic stress, brain fog, and difficulty focusing. Dr. Storage also discusses the role of brain imaging in ADHD diagnosis and how different brain patterns may require different treatment approaches, highlighting why traditional symptom checklists often miss the full picture.

They also discuss how hormonal changes, especially during perimenopause, can intensify ADHD symptoms, which is why many women first seek answers later in life. This episode sheds light on the importance of accurate diagnosis and brain-based approaches to better support women navigating ADHD.

Subscribe to SHE MD Podcast for expert tips on PCOS, endometriosis, fertility, hormonal balance, mental health, and more. Share with friends and visit SHE MD website and Ovii for research-backed resources, holistic health strategies, and expert guidance on women’s health and well-being.

Sponsors

Premier Protein: Find your favorite flavor at PremierProtein.com or at Amazon, Walmart, and other major retailers. 

R+Co:  Visit randco.com and use code SheMD20 at checkout for 20% off your first purchase. Use code SheMD20 for 20% off your first order

ButcherBox: As an exclusive offer, new listeners can get their choice between organic ground beef, chicken breast or ground Tucker in every box for a year, PLUS $20 off when you go to ButcherBox.com/SHEMD

Pique Tea:  Redefine your standard of health. Secure 20% off your order and begin your intentional wellness journey today at Piquelife.com/shemd. 

Bobbie:  If you want to feed with confidence too, head to hibobbie.com - to the formula trusted by parents and loved by their babies - 700k and counting. 

Myriad:  GetMyRisk.com to learn more about hereditary cancer testing and how you can use Myriad’s virtual care option for fast, at-home testing - no office visit required. 

What You’ll Learn

• Why ADHD is so often misdiagnosed as anxiety or depression in women
• The key differences between ADHD and anxiety symptoms
• Why many women are diagnosed with ADHD later in life
• How hormonal shifts like perimenopause can worsen ADHD symptoms
• How brain imaging may help identify different types of ADHD

Key Timestamps

(0:00) Introduction to SHE MD

(03:09) What ADHD Actually Is (And Why the Name Is Misleading)

(07:05) ADHD in Women: Why It’s Often Missed or Misdiagnosed

(11:35) The ADHD Brain Explained: Dopamine & the Prefrontal Cortex

(18:08) ADHD Medications: Stimulants vs Non-Stimulants Explained

(21:28) ADHD vs Bipolar Disorder: Why Misdiagnosis Happens

(30:12) The 7 Differen