Danielle Elliott

It wasn't about her ability to make deadlines. It had more to do with the way people treated her when she struggled with those deadlines. She grew up in a family where she was cherished and celebrated. She said she didn't really know criticism until she became an adult. Now, people, including her husband, expected her to do things in certain ways. And when she didn't, they were harsh.

She struggled with this. For once, her doctors didn't have a new diagnosis. She read everything she could find on adult ADHD. She saw that someone was hosting a conference in Michigan to discuss adult ADHD, and she went.

She struggled with this. For once, her doctors didn't have a new diagnosis. She read everything she could find on adult ADHD. She saw that someone was hosting a conference in Michigan to discuss adult ADHD, and she went.

The book's success launched her into a public speaking career, something that she never, ever could have imagined before she was diagnosed with ADHD. Back then, she hardly spoke at all. Since 1995, she's been speaking all over the world. This is Terry Matlin. She first heard Sari speak at a conference in the 90s. She's the author of a book called The Queen of Distraction.

The book's success launched her into a public speaking career, something that she never, ever could have imagined before she was diagnosed with ADHD. Back then, she hardly spoke at all. Since 1995, she's been speaking all over the world. This is Terry Matlin. She first heard Sari speak at a conference in the 90s. She's the author of a book called The Queen of Distraction.

At one of these conferences, Emily picked up a book called Women with ADD.

At one of these conferences, Emily picked up a book called Women with ADD.

She trained as a social worker in the 70s. In the late 80s, she was a mom trying to figure out what was going on with her rambunctious daughter. She started to learn about ADD and asked a doctor about it. It took some time, but he eventually diagnosed her daughter.

She trained as a social worker in the 70s. In the late 80s, she was a mom trying to figure out what was going on with her rambunctious daughter. She started to learn about ADD and asked a doctor about it. It took some time, but he eventually diagnosed her daughter.

The book was written by a woman named Sari Solden. It was published in 1995. Emily said it helped her understand the emotional side of ADHD. For her, it was the final piece of the puzzle. But wait, 1995? What about that common story I'd heard that women were only now being diagnosed because, up until recently, no one understood how ADHD impacts girls and women?

The book was written by a woman named Sari Solden. It was published in 1995. Emily said it helped her understand the emotional side of ADHD. For her, it was the final piece of the puzzle. But wait, 1995? What about that common story I'd heard that women were only now being diagnosed because, up until recently, no one understood how ADHD impacts girls and women?

Terry was reading about childhood ADD, but she started to think that she might also have it.

Terry was reading about childhood ADD, but she started to think that she might also have it.

I've seen versions of this story reported in the New York Times, The Guardian, the New York Post, and all over digital media. I've heard it in newscasts. Friends say it. A psychiatrist said it to me as she diagnosed me. It's a clean story. I bought it and repeated it.

I've seen versions of this story reported in the New York Times, The Guardian, the New York Post, and all over digital media. I've heard it in newscasts. Friends say it. A psychiatrist said it to me as she diagnosed me. It's a clean story. I bought it and repeated it.

Then I read Sari Solden's book, and I realized there's a problem with this version of events in which doctors just didn't know how women experience ADHD. The problem is, it's not true. Sari lives a few hours from Emily, so I went to see her. And that day, she helped me understand my questions. Why women? Why now? In new ways.

Then I read Sari Solden's book, and I realized there's a problem with this version of events in which doctors just didn't know how women experience ADHD. The problem is, it's not true. Sari lives a few hours from Emily, so I went to see her. And that day, she helped me understand my questions. Why women? Why now? In new ways.

Terry read the same books Terry read, driven to distraction and you mean I'm not lazy, stupid, or crazy? These books helped confirm her sense that she might have ADHD. She'd tried and failed to find treatment for herself. As a social worker, she wanted to start treating other adults with ADHD. She saw an ad for a conference happening in Ann Arbor and decided to go.

Terry read the same books Terry read, driven to distraction and you mean I'm not lazy, stupid, or crazy? These books helped confirm her sense that she might have ADHD. She'd tried and failed to find treatment for herself. As a social worker, she wanted to start treating other adults with ADHD. She saw an ad for a conference happening in Ann Arbor and decided to go.

Sari was deep in this fight. She never planned to be a pioneer. But she became one when she wrote about what it's like for women with ADHD.