The Commonality of ADHD and Gender Dysphoria!
Dr. Z explains how people often get misdiagnosed with ADHD when they're actually experiencing gender dysphoria symptoms. While it's possible to have standalone ADHD requiring proper evaluation, many think they have ADHD but are really experiencing dysphoria that looks like ADHD on the surface, just like social anxiety often gets misdiagnosed.
Common ADHD symptoms that dysphoria causes: behavioral (aggression, impulsivity, irritability, lack of restraint), cognitive (absent-mindedness, difficulty focusing, forgetfulness, short attention span), mood (anger, anxiety, boredom, mood swings). Sound familiar?
Why dysphoria mimics ADHD: Your brain devotes 80% of its capacity to gender dysphoria—whether you're aware or not. Your brain works in overdrive trying to solve the dysphoria problem, minimize symptoms, and figure out coping strategies. What happens to the remaining 20%? When you need to focus on work or tasks, you only have 20% capacity left. Result: forgetfulness, aggression, mood swings, irritability, and appearing absent-minded.
The solution: When people start managing dysphoria—accepting it, starting transition, making peace with it—that 80% suddenly gets freed up. Concentration improves, presence increases, even dissociation disappears.
Watch to find out why you might not have both diagnoses—just one.
