Espisode 6: A Unicorn in a world made for horses

In Hindsight: The ADHD Signs We Missed Growing Up

Looking back now… it all makes so much more sense.

In this episode of Motherhood: Unmasked & Unfiltered, Alisha and Rhiannon reflect on the signs of ADHD and neurodivergence that were completely missed growing up — especially as girls.

From constantly rearranging bedrooms and hyperfixating on new ideas, to being labelled “chatty,” daydreaming in class, and leaving everything until the last minute… this episode is a deep dive into the patterns that were always there — just never recognised for what they were.

They talk about the reality of growing up neurodivergent in a time where ADHD was only really associated with “naughty little boys,” and how so many women were overlooked, misunderstood, or forced to mask just to fit in.

This episode is part reflection, part validation — especially if you’ve ever looked back at your childhood and thought:

“How did no one pick this up?”

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What We Talk About in This Episode

• The ADHD traits that were missed in girls
• Why so many women are diagnosed later in life
• Constantly rearranging rooms and needing change
• Hyperfixation, impulse buying and dopamine chasing
• Having a million hobbies (and unfinished projects)
• Procrastination and last-minute productivity
• Being “chatty” vs being disruptive
• Daydreaming, doodling and struggling with traditional learning
• Creativity vs the pressure to follow a “proper path”
• Perfectionism and fear of not being good enough
• Masking, people pleasing and trying to fit in
• Identity struggles and not knowing “who you are”
• Rejection sensitivity and fear of feedback
• Emotional intensity and empathy
• Losing things, forgetting things, and mental overload
• Parenting neurodivergent children (and reparenting yourself)

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Key Takeaways

• ADHD in girls often presents very differently — and is easily missed.
• Many women grow up masking, people pleasing, and trying to fit into expectations that don’t suit them.
• Hyperfixation, impulsive decisions, and constant change are often driven by dopamine needs.
• Procrastination isn’t laziness — it’s often how the brain creates urgency to function.
• Rejection sensitivity can impact friendships, work, and confidence deeply.
• Many of the things you were criticised for growing up… were actually traits of how your brain works.
• Understanding this now allows you to show yourself (and your child) more compassion.

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Who This Episode Is For

This episode is for:

• Women questioning if they might have ADHD
• Late-diagnosed ADHD women
• Neurodivergent mums
• Women reflecting on their childhood experiences
• Anyone who felt “different” growing up but couldn’t explain why
• Parents noticing similar traits in their children

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A Message From This Episode

You weren’t lazy.
You weren’t too much.
You weren’t disorganised, dramatic, or difficult.

You were navigating a world that didn’t understand your brain.

And now?

You get to understand it for yourself. ✨

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Follow & Connect

Follow the podcast on Instagram for more relatable content, clips and conversations:

@motherhoodunmaskedunfiltered

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Subscribe & Follow the Podcast

Follow Motherhood: Unmasked & Unfiltered so you don’t miss upcoming episodes on:

• ADHD in women
• Autism in women
• Late diagnosis
• Neurodivergent motherhood
• Emotional regulation
• Masking and burnout
• Identity, confidence and self-trust

New episodes released every Thursday.