In adolescence, these symptoms can be easily mistaken for other issues. A girl who is struggling academically might be labeled as "lazy" or "not trying hard enough." Her social struggles might be dismissed as shyness or social awkwardness. The internal turmoil of constantly feeling overwhelmed, disorganized, and misunderstood is often mistaken for anxiety, depression, or a personality trait rather than a neurodevelopmental condition. Complicating things even further, girls often tend to respond more strongly to social pressures to conform, leading to perfectionistic tendencies that also mask ADHD symptoms.

From a young age, many people with ADHD receive feedback that highlights their differences as deficits. The "you're not trying hard enough," "you're so smart, but you're so lazy," and "why can't you just focus?" comments can accumulate over a lifetime, subtly and sometimes not-so-subtly shaping the way we see ourselves.

Have you ever felt like your brain has a million tabs open, or you know exactly what you need to do but can't quite get started? Or perhaps you've struggled to recall a memory that feels just out of reach? These experiences often tie back to something psychologists call executive functions. Think of executive functions as your brain's sophisticated "command center" or its "management team." These are the higher-level cognitive skills that help you plan, organize, manage your time, control impulses, regulate emotions, and remember things to effectively achieve your goals. Essentially, they bridge the gap between knowing what to do and actually doing it.