Is It Really ADHD? Understanding Misdiagnosis and Sensory Overload in Adults

In recent years, ADHD has become a more common diagnosis among adults, especially as awareness around neurodivergence has grown. Social media platforms, online assessments, and increased cultural visibility have encouraged many to ask, “Could I have ADHD?”

But for some, that question leads to a deeper one: What if my symptoms look like ADHD but actually come from something else?

I often work with adults who come in with a diagnosis—or suspicion—of ADHD, only to discover that their challenges may be better explained by sensory processing differences, trauma responses, a nervous system that’s stuck in overdrive or shutting doesn’t (freezing) in response to stress. In this blog, we’ll explore how ADHD symptoms can be mimicked by other issues, why misdiagnosis is common, and how to get clarity on what’s really going on.

When ADHD Isn’t ADHD

Let’s start with what ADHD actually is: Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder is a neurodevelopment condition characterized by patterns of inattention, hyperactivity, or/and impulsivity.  But here’s the challenge—many of those symptoms are not exclusive to ADHD.

For example, someone with complex trauma (C-PTSD) may have difficulty focusing due to chronic hyper-vigilance, anxiety or an overactive sympathetic nervous system. This is to say that ADHD in less about inattention but more about a process of tuning out. This can be tuning out their environment or tuning out their own inner experience due to a innate sense of overwhelm this inattention is a natural adaptive strategy to cope with the experience of being alive. Another example is a person with sensory processing sensitivity might avoid tasks not because they’re distracted, but because the noise, lighting, or stimulation is too overwhelming. Even burnout, anxiety, or depression can result in difficulty starting tasks, zoning out, or forgetfulness.

So while it’s easy to say, “I can’t focus, I must have ADHD,” it’s important to ask: What else could be going on beneath the surface?

Common Overlaps: ADHD, Trauma, and Sensory Dysregulation

Below are some symptoms that often lead to confusion:

Symptom	Could Be ADHD	Could Also Be…
Trouble focusing	Yes	Trauma, anxiety, depression, sensory overload
Impulsivity	Yes	Emotional dysregulation, fight/flight/freeze/fawn nervous system response
Forgetfulness	Yes	Depression, disassociation (Down-regulated prefrontal cortex)
Restlessness	Yes	Dysregulated sympathetic/parasympathetic nervous system from trauma, chronic stress
Avoiding tasks	Yes	Perfectionism, executive dysfunction due to trauma, freezing, disassociation

We’re not saying ADHD isn’t real—far from it. But we are saying that a full picture matters. Without it, people can be medicated for the wrong condition or miss an opportunity for deeper healing.

Why Misdiagnosis Happens So Often

There are several reasons adults in Ohio and across the U.S. are being misdiagnosed:

1. Quick appointments: Most primary care visits last only 15–20 minutes. That’s not enough time to explore complex developmental or emotional histories. Medical doctors are not experts in mental health yet prescribe 80% of all psychotropic medications.

2. Insurance limitations: Many mental health providers must give a quick diagnosis to get insurance reimbursement, which encourages surface-level evaluations.

3. Trauma invisibility: Unless a therapist psychologist or psychiatrist is trained to recognize developmental or complex trauma, they may miss the role it plays in attention and behavior.

4. Gender bias: Women are frequently diagnosed later in life or misdiagnosed entirely, as their symptoms often present more as daydreaming, disorganization, or emotional sensitivity.

5. Sensory challenges are overlooked: Adults with sensory processing disorder (SPD) or other neurodivergent traits may go unnoticed because their challenges aren’t dramatic but deeply impactful.

Signs It Might Be Something Else

If you’re wondering whether your ADHD symptoms might be rooted in something deeper, ask yourself:

• Do I feel constantly overwhelmed by my environment (noises, lights, textures)?

• Do I startle easily or feel on edge, even in safe situations?

• Do I have a history of trauma or emotionally chaotic relationships?

• Do I experience emotional shutdowns, zoning out, or memory gaps?

• Do I have somatic symptoms like muscle/facia tension, joint pain, brain fog, chest or stomach discomfort?

• Have I tried ADHD medication and didn’t feel much better—or felt worse?

If you answered yes to even one of these, it may be worth exploring whether trauma, sensory processing challenges, or chronic stress responses are playing a role.

Getting the Right Support: What We Do Differently

In our practice we take a holistic approach to understanding your story. That means we don’t just check off symptoms on a list—we get curious about how your nervous system developed, what your sensory world feels like, and how your past experiences shaped your present struggles.

We work with adults throughout Ohio (via secure video sessions) who are:

• Trying to make sense of an ADHD diagnosis

• Feeling unseen or misunderstood in therapy

• Overwhelmed by day-to-day life but can’t figure out why

• Wanting more than just symptom management—they want to heal

We blend neurodivergence-affirming therapy with trauma-informed care, helping clients unpack layers that traditional assessments often miss. For example, someone who thinks they’re “lazy” may be stuck in a freeze response. Someone who thinks they’re “too sensitive” may actually have finely tuned sensory processing that needs support, not suppression.

What Healing Can Look Like

When the root cause is identified and honored, healing becomes possible. That might look like:

• Learning how to regulate a nervous system stuck in fight/flight/freeze

• Discovering how sensory input impacts your energy and focus

• Exploring inner parts of yourself that hold shame, fear, or unmet needs

• Redefining productivity and self-worth from a place of compassion

There’s no one-size-fits-all answer—but there is a path forward.

If you’ve been wondering whether your struggles are really ADHD—or something deeper—you’re not alone, and you’re not broken. With the right support, it’s possible to untangle the threads, understand your nervous system, and move toward a more grounded, authentic way of being.

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Serving adults across Ohio with virtual, trauma-informed, and neurodivergence-affirming therapy. Schedule your consultation with one of our therapists here.