ADHD Squirell, Irony Designs

Photo by: Irony Design

This is Cafe MichelleL, writing in for Cafe Kristen while she takes a day off.

I was diagnosed with ADHD when the school told me to get my oldest daughter evaluated. After the doctor told me my daughter was fine, she dropped a bomb.

The doctor said I had attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). I was 37 years old and for the first time in my life, I knew what was "wrong" with me.

How did I get to my late 30's without being diagnosed?

The under diagnosis of ADHD in women has its roots in childhood. Girls try harder to make up for and to cover up symptoms. Girls are more willing to put in extra hours of studying and to ask for help.

In addition, girls are more likely to be people pleasers, doing all they can to fit in—even when they know they are different. Most of the ADHD research has focused on boys. But research shows that many girls who have it just aren't diagnosed.

Do you think you might have ADHD?

  • Is time, money, paper, or "stuff" dominating your life and hampering your ability to achieve your goals?
  • Are you spending most of your time coping, looking for things, catching up, or covering up? Do you avoid people because of this?
  • Have you stopped having people over to your house because your ashamed at the mess?
  • Do you have trouble balancing your checkbook?
  • Do you often feel as if life is out of control, that it's impossible to meet demands?
  • Do you start each day determined to get organized?  
  • Have you watched others of equal intelligence and education pass you by?
  • Do you despair of ever fulfilling your potential and meeting your goals?
  • Are you clueless as to how others manage to lead consistent, regular lives?
  • Are you called a slob or spacey?  Do you feel as if you are an impostor?

You can read more information on the Additude magazine website, a great resource for adults and kids with ADHD.

I backed in to my ADHD diagnosis because of my daughter's doctor! Has this happened to anyone else? Do any of the questions above sound like you?

I want to spread the word about ADHD because I always felt like there was something wrong with me. It took a twist of fate, like my daughter's doctor appointment, for me to get the help I needed...at age 37.