By Melisa Adams, BACP-Registered Psychotherapist
Introduction
Have you ever wondered why you struggle with focus, forget things constantly, or feel like your mind is always racing — but standard ADHD advice doesn’t quite fit? You might be navigating the confusing overlap between trauma and ADHD.
While they can look similar on the surface, the root causes — and paths to healing — are different. As a trauma-informed therapist who works with neurodivergent adults, I often help clients untangle these threads and understand what’s really going on.
Why It’s So Hard to Tell Them Apart
Both trauma and ADHD can affect:
- Focus and attention
- Memory
- Emotional regulation
- Sleep
- Relationships
But while ADHD is neurodevelopmental, trauma is a response to threat, stress, or harm — often deeply rooted in the nervous system.
Key overlap symptoms include:
- Zoning out or dissociating
- Restlessness or fidgeting
- Poor working memory
- Impulsivity or emotional outbursts
- Trouble following through
How Trauma Can Mimic ADHD
Unresolved trauma, especially complex or childhood trauma, can lead to:
- Hypervigilance (always scanning for danger = can’t focus)
- Dissociation (shutting down or “spacing out”)
- Executive dysfunction (from overwhelm or survival mode)
In many cases, people — especially women — are misdiagnosed with ADHD when the underlying issue is actually trauma. Or they might have both.
Key Differences Between ADHD and Trauma
| Feature | ADHD | Trauma |
| Origin | Brain-based, present from childhood | Experience-based, may develop at any point |
| Focus issues | Present even in calm settings | Often worse during stress or triggers |
| Emotional reactivity | Often quick but short-lived | Tied to shame, fear, or past experiences |
| Self-talk | “Why can’t I do anything right?” | “I’m in danger / I’m not safe” |
| Response to structure | Improves with routine | Can worsen if routine triggers past experiences |
Why Getting It Right Matters
- Stimulant medications may not help trauma responses
- Trauma therapy may not be enough for true ADHD
- You may blame yourself for not improving
Understanding the difference empowers you to get the right therapy, the right tools, and to stop pathologising yourself.
What If You Have Both?
It’s common to be neurodivergent and traumatised, especially if your ADHD went undiagnosed for years. Masking, rejection, bullying, and adult burnout can create trauma layers that mimic other conditions.
Therapy should support both — regulating the nervous system and building strategies for ADHD challenges.
What You Can Do Next
- Seek a therapist who understands the overlap (trauma-informed and neurodivergent-affirming)
- Reflect on your history: Were symptoms present in childhood? Or did they develop after key life events?
- Avoid self-diagnosing — but trust your instinct if something doesn’t feel right
Final Thoughts
You don’t have to figure it all out alone. Whether it’s trauma, ADHD, or a mix of both — there’s nothing wrong with you. You’ve adapted in the best way you could.
If this resonated, I offer integrative, neurodivergent-affirming therapy that helps you untangle the confusion and move forward with clarity, confidence, and compassion.
👉 Book a free 15-minute consultation: contact me on 07944 801920.