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When most people think about ADHD, they imagine missed deadlines, disorganization, or academic struggles. But many adults with ADHD are highly accomplished - building businesses, leading teams, and performing at high levels while quietly struggling behind the scenes.

In this episode of Thriving With ADHD, host Nada Pupovac is joined by Maren Londahl-Smidt, LCSW, a therapist and coach who works with entrepreneurs, professionals, and high-performing adults navigating ADHD.

Together they explore the “successful but struggling” paradox - why many high achievers with ADHD go undiagnosed for years and how masking, perfectionism, and hyperfocus can both support and strain performance.

Maren shares insights from her clinical work and lived experience with ADHD, along with practical strategies to help high achievers move from hustle and burnout toward sustainable success.

In this episode, we discuss:

• Why high achievers often receive ADHD diagnoses later in life
• The hidden emotional cost of masking ADHD symptoms
• Hyperfocus: when it’s a superpower and when it leads to burnout
• ADHD, perfectionism, and imposter syndrome
• Coping patterns like overwork, people-pleasing, and adrenaline dependence
• How to build sustainable routines and protect mental health
• Practical tools for executive function and productivity

If you’re a high performer who feels like you’re constantly working twice as hard to keep everything together, this episode will resonate.

Thank you for listening to Thriving with ADHD. This show is produced by Animo Sano Psychiatry. For more information about our clinic, please visit animosanopsychiatry.com.

Animo Sano Psychiatry is constantly looking for the talent in behavioral health. If you are a psychiatrist, nurse practitioner, physician assistant, or mental health therapist, we'd love to hear from you. Visit our Careers pages to learn more about the available positions. https://animosanopsychiatry.com/careers/