THERAPY FOR
ADHD / Neurodivergence
You're not too much. You're carrying too much—and you've been doing it for a long time.
As a form of neurodivergence, ADHD (Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder) is a different way of thinking, feeling, and processing the world. People with ADHD often experience challenges with focus, organization, emotional regulation, and impulse control. But ADHD isn’t just about being “distracted” or “hyper”; it affects how you navigate relationships, work, and everyday life in deeply personal ways.
When you're neurodivergent in a world built for neurotypical people, it can lead to years of misunderstanding, rejection, and shame—especially if your needs weren’t recognized or supported early on.
These ongoing experiences of emotional invalidation and feeling "too much" or "not enough" can create a lasting impact that looks and feels a lot like trauma. Because ADHD and Complex PTSD (C-PTSD) share many symptoms, it’s not uncommon for one to be mistaken for the other. Sometimes, people spend years being treated for the wrong condition, or worse, not taken seriously at all.
For many with ADHD, the chronic stress of unmet needs, repeated failures, or harmful environments (like childhood neglect or emotional abuse) can actually lead to C-PTSD. Living with both can feel like fighting a battle on two fronts: your brain pulling you in every direction while your body stays stuck in survival mode.
If this sounds familiar, you’re not broken—and you’re not alone. There’s a name for what you’re experiencing, and with that name comes the possibility of healing.
THE INTERSECTION OF
ADHD/Neurodivergence and C-PTSD
Shared symptoms don’t mean that two conditions are the same, but they do show how complex experience can be—especially when trying to get clarity, support, or a diagnosis. Recognizing the overlap can be a powerful first step toward deeper self-understanding and more effective care.
EMOTIONAL DYSREGULATION
Difficulty managing intense emotions like anger, sadness, or frustration is common in both ADHD and C-PTSD.
HYPERAROUSAL
A constantly activated nervous system—racing heart, tight muscles, and a general sense of being “on alert”—can appear in both, especially under stress
ANXIETY AND RESTLESSNESS
A constant sense of inner turmoil or hyperawareness can stem from trauma or the mental hyperactivity of ADHD.
SENSORY SENSITIVITY
Heightened responses to noise, touch, or light can be seen in both ADHD and C-PTSD, potentially triggering discomfort or agitation.
SLEEP ISSUES
Insomnia, nightmares, or disrupted sleep are common, often driven by a hyperactive mind or hypervigilance.
SOMATIC COMPLAINTS
Headaches, stomachaches, or chronic pain are frequently reported in individuals with either condition, often as a result of long-term stress.
IMPAIRED CONCENTRATION AND ATTENTION
Trouble focusing, frequent mental distractions, or zoning out can be due to trauma responses or the inattentive aspects of ADHD.
LOW SELF-ESTEEM OR SHAME
Both conditions often contribute to negative self-perceptions, especially when symptoms have been misunderstood or judged.
WITH SCARLETT SOLUTIONS:
Manage emotions and reduce overwhelm
Build self-awareness and self-compassion
Learn focus and organization tools that actually work for you
Process past trauma in a safe, supportive space
Challenge negative self-talk and replace it with kinder truths
Calm your nervous system and reduce chronic stress
Improve relationships and set healthy boundaries
Clarify symptoms and how ADHD and trauma interact
Set achievable goals without shame or pressure
Develop personalized coping tools for daily life
Reconnect with your strengths and sense of self
