450 ADHD vs. Trauma: A Neuroscientist Explains What Really Causes ADHD

About this episode

You're Not in Trouble is OUT TODAY!!! Purchase your copy HERE. Is ADHD genetic, or could childhood trauma be responsible for some of what we're experiencing? This week, I'm joined by cognitive neuroscientist and author Ludovico Saint Amour di Chanaz for a fascinating conversation about the science behind ADHD—and some of the questions I've been wrestling with personally. We're digging into what it means for ADHD to be polygenic, why ADHD is NOT a new condition, and what research tells us about the relationship between genetics and early childhood trauma. We also explore why so many adults with ADHD grew up feeling misunderstood, how dysfunctional family systems can impact neurodivergent people, and whether rejection sensitivity is something we're born predisposed to or something shaped by our experiences. Ludovico also shares his own late-diagnosis journey, the grief that followed, and how he learned to stop forcing himself into environments that weren't working for his brain. If you've ever questioned where your ADHD comes from—or wondered how much of your experience is ADHD versus trauma—this conversation is for you. Watch this episode on YouTube