02/10/2021
Hi, I'm Morgan and I have ADHD. And? You might have it too.
- Do you often feel as if life is out of control, and that it’s impossible to meet demands?
- Is time, money, paper, or “stuff” dominating your life and hampering your ability to achieve your goals?
- Do you start each day determined to get organized, and end each day feeling defeated?
- Do you make lists of things to do but feel paralyzed when it’s time to do them?
- Do you forget about things unless they are in sight?
- Are you clueless as to how others manage to lead consistent, regular lives?
You might have ADHD!
October is ADHD Awareness Month. Why does it need a month? Because it is incredibly misunderstood. People still think it is a "childhood disorder" & "effects mostly boys". This is an outdated, inaccurate portrayal of a complicated disorder.
- 50-75% of women with ADHD go undiagnosed
Women and girls are less likely to be diagnosed because ADHD presents itself differently physiologically and socially. Young girls may exhibit hyperactivity differently than boys, and girls are also more likely than boys to suffer from inattentive ADHD. The symptoms of the inattentive subtype tend to be less disruptive and obvious than those of hyperactive ADHD. (source: Additude Magazine)
- Delay in diagnosis is life damaging
Undiagnosed ADHD can cause life damaging consequences. Delay or lack of appropriate diagnosis and treatment can result other conditions such as depression, anxiety, bipolar, learning disabilities, OCD, PTSD, drug and alcohol addiction and eating disorders. (Source: NAMI)
Many women aren't diagnosed until they observe their child having the same struggles. That was the case for me! When my oldest was being diagnosed I realized that I perfectly fit the example of ADHD in women/girls. As it turns out, I have Inattentive Type ADHD & my daughters have Combined Type.
I can't explain how validating it was to learn that I was not just a total failure at adulting but that my brain works differently. My neuropsychologist said that it was fascinating to watch how I compensated for my deficits. She suggested that my high IQ & compensation methods are what helped me do well in school. I can’t help but imagine what school would have been like if I had known how my brain works back then. But it was the 90’s and I was a girl. So no one ever noticed.
So I was diagnosed at 37 and have learned SO much about my brain since then!
If you suspect that you may have undiagnosed ADHD, there are incredible free resources online and I'm always happy to help others navigate the first steps!
Here is a symptoms checklist: https://www.additudemag.com/adhd-symptoms-in-women/
