Hello, brilliant beings.
I'm a psychologist who specializes in ADHD. Everything taught in grad school about it was wrong. 😶
Who else was diagnosed late?
I knew all the ADHD assessments and evaluated countless adults and children. I went through my decades of schooling and my doctorate completely oblivious that I could possibly have ADHD.
I was diagnosed at the ripe age of 29. My parents didn't believe my diagnosis.
“But you were a straight-A student! You studied all the time. You’re so smart and successful, how could you possibly have ADHD?”
I always thought something was inherently and fundamentally wrong with me.
Why could I never, ever be on time for things?
Why was I always the last person to turn in their exam?
Why couldn't I ever keep my space organized?
Why did I suck so badly at standardized tests?
Why was I constantly tired, even after a coffee and then chugging a Monster energy drink?
Why did the slightest criticism feel like getting shot in the face?
Why did I feel immense shame for being me?
Knowing what I know now, these are classic examples of ADHD in women.
The decades of masking, people pleasing, and silencing myself to pretend to be neurotypical came with huge costs.
I almost got kicked out of my graduate program.
It never felt safe to be truly me.
The mean age of women getting an ADHD diagnosis is 37. Why?
Mostly because their child first gets diagnosed.
ADHD is highly genetic.
Women are REALLY good at internalizing and masking their ADHD symptoms.
The assessments and diagnostic criteria for ADHD do women a disservice. They don't capture our experience. Also, most assessments are created by neurotypical men. They don't understand our experience.
This is why I love my business so much. I get to work with other therapists, business owners, and creative professionals with ADHD. I'm honored to see them unmask, blossom, and become their authentic and unapologetic selves.
What are your experiences with ADHD?
Join our Facebook Community! I’d love to hear your story.
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