So you think you may have ADHD...
- Squirrel Adventures
- Nov 17, 2018
- 2 min read
Too many women grew up knowing that they were different, that they couldn't do things the same way as others, often labelled as lazy, not very clever or disruptive. Those women will often have managed to succeed in life despite these difficulties but arrived at a time when their coping strategies just don't cut it any more and then life becomes really tough. They may be diagnosed with depression, anxiety, bi-polar disorder, borderline personality disorder to name a few. Women are overlooked, their symptoms minimised and viewed through a patriarchal lens.
Women and girls often present differently to the hyperactive stereotype that is commonly thought of as ADHD. Many people do have hyperactivity as one of their symptoms, but most people do not realise that it's not a defining feature. Just as many women have the innattentive type of ADHD which plays havoc with your ability to prioritise, focus, concentrate, motivate, remember and recall amongst other things. It affects your every waking moment, often with hilarious results and sometimes with deeply unpleasant ones.
The following are a collection of links to resources that will prove useful to those wondering if they have this brain difference. If you think you may have ADHD, complete one of the online tests below and take it to your GP as a starting point, they may then refer you on to see a Psychiatrist. In the UK it can take anything from a few months to a couple of years to get a diagnosis, so be prepared for a long wait.
A good place to start:
The diagnostic tool that UK based Psychiatrists use:
http://www.divacenter.eu/DIVA.aspx?id=505
What’s ADHD like?
Watch these videos, How to ADHD on Youtube, Jessica is funny and informative:
Understand the nuts and bolts of ADHD Easy to understand medical perspective.
Here you go…Dr Barkley’s videos on ADHD:
This is also a really good at-a-glance visual on ADHD, which I have found useful
Support
I don't know of any face-to-face support groups, but there are plenty on Facebook.
Facebook groups:
This one is a global group, really fun and vibrant group, with lots of support and laughter and silliness amongst the serious stuff:
A UK based group, which has a lovely vibe:
This one is more medical but still very useful, it’s moderated by a doctor who specializes in ADHD. It’s very specifically ADHD and doesn’t do general chit chat
Another one:
This one is global and intersectional
This one is for ADHD parents of ADHD kids
Online magazine which is really informative:
https://www.additudemag.com/?tos=accepted
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