In recent years, ADHD (Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder) has become a frequent topic in conversations, social media, and even memes. While the growing awareness is a positive shift, it also brings misunderstandings and oversimplifications.
For a long time, I didn’t know I had ADHD. I was diagnosed at 39—after years of feeling like I just couldn’t “get it together.” I grew up in Brazil, at a time when ADHD wasn’t really talked about—and when it was, it was mostly recognized in physically hyperactive children. I wasn’t hyperactive in that way. I could sit still in class, but my brain was always racing. I was quiet, creative, and constantly lost in thought. My struggles in school were dismissed as a "lack of discipline" or "not taking things seriously." I internalized those messages deeply.
It wasn’t until adulthood that I started to understand myself differently. I realized I could focus and learn—but only when genuinely interested in the subject. That discovery was both empowering and bittersweet. Like many adults who receive a diagnosis later in life, I went through a kind of mourning. I grieved the younger version of me who needed support but didn’t get it. And I wondered how my life might have looked if I had understood my brain sooner.
As a therapist, I now support others on that same path of discovery.
ADHD is a neurodevelopmental condition that affects how the brain regulates attention, impulses, and activity levels. It’s not about being lazy, scattered, or "bad at focusing."
Many people with ADHD describe their minds as being “on all the time,” making it hard to filter what’s important from what’s not. Some common experiences include:
ADHD shows up differently in everyone. Some people are primarily inattentive, others are more hyperactive or impulsive, and many experience a combination of both. In adults, it can look like missed deadlines, emotional reactivity, disorganization, or challenges in relationships.
ADHD is not a personality flaw or a lack of willpower. In fact, many of my clients with ADHD are some of the most creative, empathetic, and resourceful people I know. But trying to thrive in systems that weren’t designed for neurodivergent brains can be exhausting.
For those of us who were undiagnosed for years, there can be a trail of self-doubt, burnout, and internalized criticism. Therapy can be a powerful tool for healing and moving forward.
Together, we can:
Not at all. You don’t need a formal diagnosis to explore whether ADHD might be part of your story. Whether you’ve already been diagnosed, are just starting to ask questions, or are supporting someone with ADHD—therapy can offer a supportive space to explore your experience and build tools that actually work for you.
If any part of this resonates—whether it’s the chaos of your to-do list, emotional ups and downs, or a lifelong feeling of being “different”—please know this: you're not alone. ADHD is not your fault. And you don’t have to navigate it alone.
If you’d like to explore how therapy can support you or someone you care about, I’m here to help.
Let’s work together to build understanding, systems, and self-compassion—because your brain, just as it is, deserves care and respect.
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