ADHD IN WOMEN OVER 40: THE SIGNS YOU MIGHT HAVE MISSED

You keep losing your keys, missing appointments, and wondering why everyone else seems to be holding it all together—but maybe it’s not just chaos or poor time management. What if your brain is just wired differently?

In this validating episode of The Forties Formula, hosts Jasmin Dhillon and Amanda Lim are joined by Dr. Emma Waddington, a clinical psychologist and founder of Us Therapy, to unpack what ADHD and neurodivergence really look like in women—especially those in their forties who’ve spent decades masking, overcompensating, and burning out.

In this episode, we explore:

• Why so many women with ADHD are misdiagnosed
• The tropes of the “hyper little boy” and the “good girl” - why girls learn to mask early
• The feast-or-famine cycle of the ADHD brain
• How to stop self-blame and start using your wiring to your advantage with practical tips from gamifying boring tasks to using novelty wisely

Emma reminds us that ADHD is not a deficit, but a different operating system—one driven by interest, challenge, and stimulation. With self-compassion and structure, ADHD women can rediscover what it feels like to thrive.

Whether you’ve always felt “a bit much” – or you’re just now wondering if something deeper is at play – this conversation will make you feel seen.

Listen now wherever you get your podcasts—and if this episode struck a chord, forward it to a friend who might be needing to hear the same perspective. 💌 You can support The Forties Formula by leaving a review or subscribing on YouTube for more great content.

00:00 – Intro to Dr. Emma Waddington

03:21 – Why Women Are Often Missed with ADHD

06:35 – The ADHD Brain: Interest, Stress, Novelty

10:58 – The Dopamine Mining Hypothesis

14:10 – Hyperfocus, Exhaustion & Burnout Explained

17:45 – Parenting, Repetition, and ADHD Fatigue

21:00 – Structure, Routine & Everyday Executive Dysfunction

24:12 – ADHD, Relationships & Emotional Triggers

28:40 – Rejection Sensitivity and Time Blindness

32:30 – ADHD in Couples: Challenges and Teamwork

39:02 – ADHD, Nutrition, Caffeine, and Binge Eating

43:27 – The Spectrum Question: “Does Everyone Have a Bit of ADHD?”

48:50 – What’s YOUR forties formula & Episode Wrap-Up

_____________

Special Thanks to Our Sponsors:

🥩 The Meat Club – Get $12 off your first order with code TFF12

🌯 Guzman y Gomez – Want to try their limited-edition Chicken Rendang for FREE? 🍛 Leave us a review, DM us a screenshot, and be one of the first 10 listeners to grab a code!

______________

📩 Join our mailing list for exclusive content, our weekly Friday FOURPlay newsletter, expert tips, and early access to giveaways!