Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, (ADHD) is a chronic condition that is usually diagnosed in childhood. When it comes to diagnosing girls/women, it is usually not diagnosed until we are adult. The reason being girls don’t experience the same symptoms as boys. There is less emphasis on the ability to sit still, (which is one of the ways boys are diagnosed). Girls aren’t running around or experiencing hyper activity, so the symptoms do not get noticed as easily.
ADHD in girls can present itself by being messy, disorganized or lacking focus. Bingo! I am not messy at all and can be very organized, but by far I lack focus and don’t have the resources within myself to dive deeper into anything I do and switch projects constantly. I have never been “officially” diagnosed with ADHD but I have never discussed it with any of my doctors either. That’s not true, my MS doctor prescribed Methylphenidate to me to help me stay awake and he said it is also used for ADHD. At that point I did tell him about my inability to focus. He also upped the dose from 10 to 20 mg., (I feel no difference).
Once you identify that you might have ADHD, I do suggest you talk it over with your doctor. It’s a shame that it isn’t diagnosed sooner in girls. As more people become familiar, hopefully that will change. Most studies are focused on boys/men before eventually including girls/women. I also suggest reading up on it. There is a lot of information out there, again check your resources.
There are women out there who write about their experiences with ADHD:
The http://The ADHD Academic – very good You Tube channel featuring Sara who runs Fuller Teaching Resources
Another http://Catieosaurus – Cate Osborn’s TikTok account of her experience
There are many groups on Facebook; videos with the Hashtag #ADHD, also #Adult ADHD.
Good luck and I would love to hear about your experience with ADHD