3 generations of ADHD…and masking (Zoe Plotnick’s story)

At 14, Zoe Plotnick told her mom, “My brain’s broken.” Zoe wanted
an ADHD evaluation, but her mom discouraged it, pointing to Zoe’s
good grades. Zoe was eventually diagnosed with ADHD as an adult.
She also learned that her mom was hiding her own ADHD all
along.  


Now Zoe, who’s a teacher, is unpacking the ADHD stigma that her
family has carried for generations. And she’s advocating for her
daughter who, in a twist of fate, was diagnosed with ADHD at age
14 — the same age Zoe was when she tried to get evaluated the
first time.   


Related resources


Is ADHD hereditary?

Masking my ADHD at work was exhausting, so I stopped

How do I emotionally prepare for ADHD diagnosis?  



Timestamps


((01:10) Zoe’s pandemic “aha” moment


(03:23) Pushing for an ADHD diagnosis as an adult


(05:22) Growing up with undiagnosed ADHD


(09:17) Asking for help when Zoe was 14 


(12:32) Generational ADHD shame and masking


For a transcript and more resources, visit the ADHD Aha!
page on Understood.org


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listeners. Email us at ADHDAha@understood.org.


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empowering people with learning and thinking differences, like
ADHD and dyslexia. If you want to help us continue this work,
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