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The School of Greatness · August 26, 2026 · 01:19:45

The Real Root of ADHD Isn't Trauma, It's This | Dr. Sasha Hamdani

Dr. Sasha Hamdani
Show Notes

Dr. Sasha Hamdani, a board-certified psychiatrist and ADHD specialist, reveals that ADHD is a genetic condition, not trauma-driven, and why women are often diagnosed decades later than men. She explains rejection sensitive dysphoria (RSD) as a neurological response, not a character flaw, and shares how her father's sudden death taught her that unregulated emotion can shut down your life. The conversation covers how to replace unhelpful advice like 'just calm down' with supportive language, and how to turn deep sensitivity into a genuine strength.

This summary was generated from show notes and public descriptions, not from a full transcript review. Details may contain inaccuracies.

Curious

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ADHD Is Genetic, Not Trauma-Driven
Dr. Hamdani emphasizes that ADHD is primarily a genetic condition, not caused by trauma, despite common misconceptions.
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Rejection Sensitive Dysphoria (RSD) as a Neurological Response
Rejection sensitive dysphoria is an intense emotional pain triggered by perceiving rejection, rooted in the neurology of ADHD.
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Highlights

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Late Diagnosis of ADHD in Women
Women are often diagnosed with ADHD around age 35, nearly three decades later than men, due to differences in symptom presentation and societal expectations.
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Editorial

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Emotional Dysregulation and Grief: How Unmanaged Emotion Shuts Down Life
Dr. Hamdani shares how her father's sudden death taught her that unregulated emotions can paralyze daily functioning.
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Transforming Sensitivity from Shame to Strength
Instead of pathologizing deep sensitivity, Dr. Hamdani advocates seeing it as a genuine strength that can be harnessed.
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References

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Too Sensitive: Rejection, Resilience, and the Science of Feeling Deeply — Dr. Sasha Hamdani (2026)
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Self-Care for People with ADHD: 100+ Ways to Recharge, De-Stress, and Prioritize You! — Dr. Sasha Hamdani

Misc

✧Dr. Hamdani was diagnosed with ADHD in fourth grade, but her parents never told her; they called her medication a 'vitamin' until she discovered the truth by accident in medical school, mid-breakdown.
✧She secretly dated her now-husband for years while terrified of rejecting her family's expectations.
✧The sudden death of her father was a pivotal moment that showed her how unregulated emotion can paralyze daily functioning.
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