01/10/2025
ADHD awareness - about women
One thing that I wish to say, being born female, is the amount of amazing, talented women (and of course a few trans men too!) that I come across either through counselling, or in the wider working/ life community, that are hitting a stage in their life where ADHD bursts in like an uninvited guest at a party.
Their hormones are changing, they often already dealing with those changes, and then are suddenly faced with the realisation of an undiagnosed condition or at least 'traits' related to ADHD (and for some an autism diagnosis too). It is no surprise to me. I think that many of these people have survived and/or coped in the past despite low level executive brain function challenges with short-term memory and brain chemistry that works against them. Then, 'boom, pow!', 'What has happened to me?' they ask. Some have been living with the impacts for years (and then wanting to process that), not knowing that they could get support or discover ways to help.
Often, it's brought to the surface for mothers who are seeing their child diagnosed. Or they have come across podcasts/ social media/tv highlighting the signs in themselves and then investigate. They mention negative experiences of charges on an unpaid credit card (executive function), forgotten appointments (executive function), not cancelling memberships (yes, more executive function) or things like rejection sensitivity (may be from their past negative experience), finding energy levels are depleted after significant stress (brain chemistry) and the list goes on.
If you suspect you are one of these women, you are not alone. You are most likely creative, super-talented and just need to know that there is hope. You do make a change, you are going to find your way even if you are feeling the struggle right now. The community and support for those in Norwich/ Norfolk is growing. Some of the most inspiring women are those who are 'a little bit different' and see the world differently, along with you too.
