MISUNDERSTOOD: My Journey to a Diagnosis of AuDHD That Explains Nearly Everything

Misunderstood is a deeply personal memoir that bridges the worlds of psychology, neurodiversity, and healing. Written by Lisa Giles, LMFT-an Internal Family Systems (IFS) Level 3 Certified therapist-this story invites readers into the lived experience of being misdiagnosed, misunderstood, and chronically overlooked within the mental health system.Across nearly four decades, Lisa chronicles her journey through layers of pain, confusion, and resilience as she seeks answers for challenges that never quite fit traditional diagnoses. Through humor, raw honesty, and clinical insight, she explores life with ADHD and autism-revealing how traits like creativity, curiosity, and emotional depth were often mistaken for pathology.Woven throughout are reflections on trauma, shame, executive dysfunction, sensory overwhelm, and the search for belonging. With compassion and clarity, Lisa blends memoir and psychoeducation to help readers understand ADHD, autism, and Internal Family Systems therapy from the inside out.More than a story of one woman's discovery, Misunderstood is an invitation to approach difference with curiosity instead of judgment-and to recognize that healing often begins when we finally understand ourselves.