The Real Reason Women Feel Burned Out: It Might Be ADHD

ADHD Symptoms No One Talks About in Women | Dr. Emma Waddington on The Forties Formula with Jasmin Dhillon and Amanda Lim discussing neurodivergence in women. What You’ll Learn in This Episode: ✅ Why ADHD often goes undiagnosed in women until adulthood ✅ How hormonal changes (perimenopause, menopause) affect ADHD symptoms ✅ The subtle signs of ADHD in women—like overthinking, people-pleasing, and emotional burnout ✅ The difference between internalized and externalized symptoms ✅ How cultural and gender expectations mask neurodivergent traits ✅ Practical advice from Emma Waddington for women navigating ADHD in their 40s and beyond Struggling with burnout, emotional outbursts, forgetfulness — or just feeling like you're constantly falling behind? It might not be "just life"... it could be ADHD — and if you're a woman in your 30s or 40s, there's a good chance it’s been missed. In this episode of The Forties Formula, hosts Jasmin Dhillon and Amanda Lim sit down with UK-trained clinical psychologist Emma Waddington to unpack: The subtle signs of ADHD in women Why girls are taught to "mask" symptoms from a young age How internal hyperactivity and perfectionism show up in adulthood The link between ADHD, burnout, anxiety, and binge eating What it’s really like to parent with ADHD Why so many women only get diagnosed in midlife The role of dopamine, novelty-seeking and emotional regulation Whether you're already diagnosed or just wondering if something doesn’t feel quite right — this episode will give you clarity, compassion, and next steps. 👉 Watch, comment, and subscribe for more real talk on midlife, hormones, and health. 00:00 - ADHD, Women & Why This Episode Matters 02:10 - Meet Emma Waddington: Psychologist, Author & ADHD Advocate 04:25 - Why ADHD in Girls Gets Missed 07:30 - Masking, Good Girls & Internal Hyperactivity 10:50 - What ADHD Actually Feels Like for Women 13:40 - Burnout, Perfectionism & the ADHD Pile of To-Do Lists 17:15 - Why Women Often Get Diagnosed in Their 30s & 40s 20:05 - ADHD vs. Modern Overwhelm: How to Tell the Difference 22:30 - The Dopamine-Driven Brain: Interest vs Obligation 26:00 - Binge Eating, Impulsivity & ADHD 29:20 - Parenting with ADHD: No One Talks About This 32:45 - Nutrition, Sleep, and Lifestyle Support for ADHD Brains 36:15 - All or Nothing Thinking: Tools to Find the Grey Zone 39:50 - Is It Worth Getting Diagnosed Later in Life? 43:00 - Medication, Stimulants & Finding What Works 46:40 - What’s YOUR Forties Formula, Emma? About Our Guest – Dr. Emma Waddington Dr. Emma Waddington is a UK-trained clinical psychologist with over 20 years of experience in mental health. She is the Founder and Clinical Director of Us Therapy, where she works with individuals, couples, children and families facing challenges such as anxiety, ADHD, perfectionism, behavioural issues and burnout. Emma has a particular interest in ADHD in women, especially how it co-exists with anxiety and often goes undiagnosed. She is passionate about making psychological insights accessible and breaking the stigma around neurodivergence. 🔗 Connect with Emma Waddington: Website: https://www.ustherapy.sg Instagram: @emmawaddingtonpsych Podcast: LIFE'S DIRTY LITTLE SECRETS PODCAST LinkedIn: Emma Waddington 🎙️ About The Forties Formula The Forties Formula is your go-to podcast for raw, real and empowering conversations about thriving in your 40s — from hormones and health to parenting, burnout, relationships, reinvention and everything we should’ve learned in school. Hosted by Jasmin Dhillon, a certified health coach, and Amanda Lim, a fitness and mindset expert, this show is for every woman who's ready to stop surviving and start redefining midlife on her own terms. 👉 Follow us on Instagram: @thefortiesformula 🌐 Website: www.thefortiesformula.com 📧 Join the community & get our free Friday FOURplay Newsletter www.thefortiesformula.com ADHD in women, adult ADHD symptoms, women’s mental health, midlife ADHD, ADHD diagnosis in women, hormones and ADHD, perimenopause ADHD, neurodivergent women, ADHD emotional dysregulation, ADHD over 40 #ADHDinWomen #AdultADHDSymptoms #WomensMentalHealth #MidlifeADHD #LateADHDDiagnosis #HormonesAndADHD #PerimenopauseADHD #NeurodivergentWomen #ADHDEmotionalDysregulation #ADHDOver40