I was diagnosed with ADHD when I was 23. Late diagnosis is quite typical for girls, and some might say it was caught relatively early. That’s because some women go several decades without knowing.
When I got the diagnosis, it was simply a label. But, I did not understand what ADHD was and just how much of my life it affected. What is ADHD anyway?
What is ADHD?
ADHD stands for Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder. Sometimes, it is referred to as ADD (Attention Deficit Disorder) if the person does not have the hyperactive component of the disorder.
ADHD is a neurodevelopmental disorder. What does that mean? It means that it is a disorder that affects how the brain (neurology) develops. For that reason, ADHD makes those who have it function differently from neurotypicals (people without neurological disorders). Neurodevelopmental disorders can affect communication, cognition, behavior, and even motor skills.
What do people think ADHD is?
When people talk about ADHD, they normally refer to the little boy in class who just cannot calm down. In adults, they think that a person with ADHD is easily distracted and always fidgeting. While those are some ways it can appear, there is much more to it than that.
In fact, the idea that ADHD is predominantly in boys and causes disruptive hyperactivity has caused the delay of diagnosis in so many women.
Types of ADHD
There are three types of ADHD and, consequently, three different ways people with it may be classified.
1. The predominantly hyperactive
2. The predominantly inattentive
3. The combined type (both inattentive and hyperactive)
The statistics
Some studies suggest that as many as 5% of school-going children have ADHD. While this is the conservative estimate, other studies suggest that that rate may be as high if not higher than 10%, with some suggesting figures as high as 17%.
The majority of those with ADHD have the combined time. Furthermore, contrary to what was believed in the past (that it is 3 times more likely to appear in boys than girls), just as many boys and girls can get it. However, when it comes to diagnosis, the ratio of diagnosis for boys and girls is 4:1.
ADHD in adulthood
80% of those with ADHD go with it into adulthood. They may learn coping mechanisms that help them survive, but they are often underachieving and often seem and feel like they have so much more they can deliver. Many of them feel like they are overpromising and underdelivering, which can wreak havoc on their self-esteem.
The goal of Life’s Lemons Alchemy
As an adult with ADHD, I want to create a resource to help my fellow ADHDers. The goal of my blog therefore is;
1. To shine a light on what ADHD is. (Education)
2. To show how it affects boys and girls (women and men) is differently
3. To help those with this neurodevelopmental disorder to learn the coping skills necessary to mitigate its effects on their lives
4. To help those with ADHD to develop systems and routines that equal the playing field
5. To create a community that helps those with ADHD see that they are not alone. To create a loving, kind, and supportive community.
6. To help friends and family of those with ADHD to support their loved ones in ways that are most useful to them
In most cases, you find that those with ADHD already know what they need to do. They just need to follow through, finish their tasks, and make physical what they are thinking in their heads.
My goal as an ADHD coach
As was mentioned, if you already know you have ADHD, and even if reading this blog leads to diagnosis, you already know what is expected of you. My goal is to help you do those things you said you would by;
a. Helping you create systems that work with you rather than against you
b. Offer you compassionate but firm support to help you do those things you know you need to or want to do
c. Remind you to be a little easier on yourself. This can be especially hard when everyone around you seems to be effortlessly doing those things you struggle with.
d. Remind you that you are not alone. I understand, I face the same challenges, and there are so many of us out here.
Conclusion
Over the next few blog posts, we will talk more about what ADHD is and how it affects those of us with it. Hopefully, you will be able to identify some people who have it (and guide them to the necessary diagnostic channels), empathize more with those around you who have it, and hopefully learn to thrive and take advantage of your unique brain.
Till next time,
Bahati.
