Krishna Vora Therapy

Photo Credit: Annie Spratt

When most people think of ADHD, they picture a restless child bouncing off the walls or someone who can’t sit still long enough to finish homework. But in reality, ADHD — especially in adults — looks far more complex and nuanced. Many adults live for years without realizing their struggles with focus, organization, and emotional regulation are actually rooted in ADHD.

And for women and people of colour, the signs of ADHD are often missed or misunderstood entirely.

Understanding ADHD Beyond the Myths

ADHD (Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder) is not just about being “distracted” or “hyper.” It’s a neurodevelopmental difference that affects how the brain regulates attention, energy, and emotions. While ADHD can bring challenges, it also shapes creativity, intuition, and problem-solving in unique ways.

The issue is that most ADHD research and diagnostic criteria were built around young boys — which means many adults, particularly women and racialized individuals, have been overlooked.

How ADHD Can Show Up in Adults

Adult ADHD can look subtle on the surface. Instead of hyperactivity, it often appears as mental restlessness or chronic overwhelm. You might notice patterns such as:

• Constantly juggling tasks but struggling to finish them
• Forgetting appointments, deadlines, or where you placed your phone (again)
• Difficulty starting tasks — even ones you care about deeply
• Feeling “lazy” or “unmotivated,” despite wanting to do well
• Overthinking and replaying conversations
• Intense emotions that feel hard to regulate
• Periods of hyperfocus where you lose track of time entirely
• Struggles with maintaining routines or structure

Many adults describe their experience as living in “organized chaos” — capable and intelligent, but constantly exhausted by the effort it takes to keep up.

Why ADHD Often Gets Missed in Women and People of Colour

For women and racialized adults, ADHD often hides behind coping mechanisms and cultural expectations.

• Women are more likely to internalize their symptoms, leading to anxiety, depression, or burnout rather than obvious hyperactivity. Many become “high-functioning” perfectionists who mask their struggles behind productivity and people-pleasing.
• People of colour may face additional barriers — cultural stigma, lack of awareness, or biases in healthcare that dismiss their concerns as stress or poor time management.

This combination means many adults don’t receive a diagnosis until later in life — often after years of self-doubt and shame.

Living with ADHD: A Strengths-Based Perspective

While ADHD can bring real challenges, it also comes with unique strengths. Many ADHDers are creative thinkers, compassionate problem-solvers, and deeply intuitive. Recognizing these strengths can be a turning point in self-acceptance.

Neurodiversity-affirming therapy focuses on understanding your brain, not “fixing” it. It helps you build strategies that fit you, rather than forcing yourself into systems that never worked in the first place.

Getting Support

If you recognize yourself in these experiences, you’re not alone — and there’s support available. ADHD therapy can help you explore your patterns with compassion, build practical tools, and unlearn the shame that often comes from years of being misunderstood.

At Krishna Vora Therapy, I offer online psychotherapy across Ontario, with a neurodiversity-affirming and culturally sensitive approach. Together, we can work toward understanding your ADHD through a lens of self-compassion and empowerment.

🌼 You don’t have to keep masking or pushing through. Understanding your brain can be the first step toward thriving as your authentic self.

Ready to take the next step?

If you are in Ontario, book a free 15 minute virtual consultation. You can use the contact page or write to me at krishnavoratherapy@gmail.com.