How Trauma and ADHD Overlap—And What You Can Do About It

If you’ve ever asked yourself, “Why do I feel so scattered all the time, even when I’m trying so hard to hold it all together?”—you’re not alone. For many women, especially those juggling careers, families, relationships, and self-care (what’s that?), life can feel like a never-ending game of catch-up. And if you’ve experienced trauma or have ADHD—or both—it can feel exponentially harder.

At Evolution Wellness in Wilmington, NC, we often hear from women in their 30s and 40s who wonder if their attention issues are just “normal mom stress” or something deeper. Sometimes, it turns out to be ADHD. Sometimes, it’s unresolved trauma. And very often, it’s both.

Let’s break it down.

What ADHD Looks Like in Women

ADHD in women is often underdiagnosed because it doesn’t always show up the way people expect. You might not be bouncing off the walls or constantly interrupting—but you are forgetting appointments, zoning out during conversations, procrastinating like a pro, or losing steam halfway through your to-do list.

Sound familiar? You’re not lazy. You’re not flaky. You might just have ADHD—and you’re not alone.

How Trauma Complicates ADHD

Now let’s layer trauma on top. Trauma—whether from a single event or long-term emotional stress—can rewire how your brain processes safety, memory, and decision-making. It can make it harder to concentrate, sleep, or regulate emotions.

Guess what? ADHD affects all those things too. The overlap is real.

Many women with ADHD have also experienced trauma—whether from childhood neglect, emotional abuse, or even high-stress environments that never gave them space to slow down. And trauma can mimic or amplify ADHD symptoms. That means more overwhelm, more self-blame, and more late-night Googling wondering “what’s wrong with me?”

The answer? Nothing is “wrong” with you. But there are ways to get support.

Signs You Might Be Dealing with Both Trauma and ADHD

• You constantly feel overwhelmed, even by small tasks
• You’re highly self-critical and often feel like you’re “not enough”
• You have trouble with memory, focus, or staying organized
• You either avoid conflict completely or react with intense emotion
• You struggle to rest, even when you’re exhausted

What You Can Do About It

1. Seek a professional evaluation.
   ADHD and trauma can look similar, so working with a licensed therapist who understands both is key. At Evolution Wellness, we specialize in helping women navigate this exact intersection—without judgment.
2. Try trauma-informed therapy.
   Modalities like EMDR, somatic therapy, and trauma-focused CBT can help process past experiences so they don’t keep running the show.
3. Learn practical ADHD strategies.
   From using timers and visual schedules to breaking tasks into bite-sized chunks, small tools can make a big difference.
4. Be kind to yourself.
   Seriously. Self-compassion isn’t fluff—it’s fuel. Learning to speak to yourself the way you’d speak to a friend is a powerful step in healing.

You’re Not Broken—You’re Just Wired Differently

Having trauma and ADHD doesn’t mean you’re destined to live in chaos. It just means you need a different kind of support. At Evolution Wellness in Wilmington, NC, we’re here to help you untangle the overwhelm and reconnect with the version of you that feels confident, calm, and in control.

If you’re ready to start that journey, reach out to us today or explore our ADHD therapy and trauma-informed counseling services.