Do You Have Anxiety... Or Could It Be ADHD? ft. Dr. Steven Storage

About this episode

The episode discusses the misdiagnosis of ADHD as anxiety in women and the importance of accurate diagnosis.

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…

People in this episode

Hosts: Mary Alice Haney, Dr. Thaïs Aliabadi

Guest: Dr. Steven Storage

Topics covered

• ADHD
• anxiety
• mental health
• women's health
• diagnosis
• hormonal changes

Keywords

• ADHD
• anxiety
• mental health
• women
• diagnosis
• brain imaging
• hormonal changes
• perimenopause
• treatment approaches

Sponsors

Premier Protein

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: SHE MD, Ovii

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