ADHD in Women

Have you ever felt incredible sensitivity to disapproval or rejection?
Have you ever felt deep, intense, raw, overwhelming emotions that you just can't reign in?
Have you ever felt overwhelmed by the expectations of society and the daily demands placed upon you?
There are so many things to keep track of, organize, manage. You can't remember things.
You disappoint people. You disappoint yourself. You feel despair.
You start to believe you are the problem.
You are shamed. And blamed.
You are 'too much', or 'not enough'.
Could this be YOU?
Over the years, the messages add up. They create a negative core self image. Negative messages reinforce low self esteem and self worth. 'Other people are better, more capable than me'. You may find yourself anxious or depressed. Often that is a result of the persistent negative messages. Or being worried about forgetting, or saying something you didn't mean, or not measuring up. Again.
And when you do finally get a diagnosis of ADHD you are relieved but also angry, resentful and sad:
'How come no-one realized this was what was going on with me'?
The demands placed upon women are great, the expectations high and unrealistic. Add in ADHD.
Recipe for major challenges.
ADHD in women also looks different because of our hormonal cycles; be it in emerging adolescence, monthly cycling, or in peri/menopause.
So, where does this leave us? It leaves us with a new message:
It is NOT you.
It is what you are living with. You are living with neurodivergence.
This changes EVERYTHING!
We can begin to see ourselves in a new light. Love ourselves. Understand ourselves. Forgive ourselves, and those who didn't know different.
Help is available. Hope will come.
Very few practitioners understand ADHD in women. Together let's heal the pain and hurt.
Let's leverage ADHD to your advantage!!

- Sarah is an ADHD-Certified Clinical Services Provider (ADHD-CCSP).
- Sarah is a member of the Canadian ADHD Resource Alliance (CADDRA).
Sarah was a conference presenter at CHADD International conference on ADHD in Anaheim, California November 2024.

Resources

Free resources:
'How To' ADHD - You Tube channel
ADDitude magazine
Caddac - Canadian ADHD Awareness
Suggested ADHD experts for the latest in research and evidence based practises:
Russell Barkley
Edward Hallowell
John Ratey

Photo courtesy of Emma Rozier