Show Notes
How Did I Miss It?! (Mineela's ADHD Story)
How does a therapist and executive function coach - someone trained to spot ADHD in others - completely miss it in herself?
In this episode, Mineela breaks down the subtle ways ADHD hides in high-performing women. She explains why “high-functioning” is a misleading label, how performance becomes a mask, and what finally made the patterns impossible to ignore. You’ll hear the difference between coping and scaffolding, the role of executive function in late-diagnosed adults, and why support often arrives too late - or not at all.
This is not a diagnostic checklist or a memoir. It’s a precise, strategic map of how ADHD performs in people who overcompensate by default.
You’ll learn:
Why being “high-functioning” often delays recognition and blocks support
What performance masking actually looks like in adult life
How executive function impairment can exist under outward success
What finally brought clarity after years of overcompensating
The six foundational anchors Mineela now uses with clients to rebuild function
If you’ve ever been praised for how well you’re holding it together - while quietly unraveling - I am in good company!
Ready to get more specific about your particular flavour of ADHD?
Check out the Executive Function Inventory. - Where are you right now on each of the 12 executive functions. An inventory that identifies which EFs are challenges (that need to be bolstered), adaptive (you've built accommodations for yourself), and strengths (to leverage to support your challenges. If you know, you can be intentional. https://www.mineelachand.com/adhd-adults-efi
The website: https://www.mineelachand.com/
Want to get in touch with me, contribute to the conversation, or ask a question you would like some answers for? Here's the form you can fill out - I read all of them: https://forms.office.com/r/NFvguHn7s3
Sign up for the newsletter which drops every Monday. https://www.mineelachand.com/about
More from ADHD Running in Heels
What if the problem isn’t burnout, age, or motivation - but estrogen?
Disorganization isn’t about mess - it’s about inability to find what you need to accomplish a task. This episode breaks down the executive function of organization through a practical, neurological lens: what it is, how it works, and the ten principles that make order sustainable across every domain of life.
Why do so many high-performing women with ADHD feel like frauds—even when they’re crushing it? In this episode, we unpack the deep connection between ADHD and imposter syndrome, and why this experience is so often missed or misunderstood in women.
What if the real problem isn’t your attention - but your awareness?
What Happens When the Assessment Says "Normal"?