Over the years, ADD (Attention Deficit Disorder) and ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder) have been common phrases heard in different circles. Since the late 80’s, ADD was replaced with ADHD in the Diagnostic Statistical Manual (a professional work published by the American Psychiatric Association classifying mental health conditions). Fast forward to the current day, and the DSM lists three different kinds of diagnosis for ADHD: primarily hyperactive and impulsive, primarily inattentive, and combined type.

As a whole, ADHD often stands out in boys and men, as such attributes show up externally like hyperactivity and impulsiveness. Girls and women tend to be overlooked though, due to internal qualities like inattentiveness and low self-esteem. Girls and women’s minds show-up as busier. Although no person fits a one size all diagnosis, acknowledging these differences helps to understand more. Girls and women with ADHD tend to present as disorganized, preoccupied, people pleasers, highly sensitive to stress, overwhelmed by stimuli, and struggle with time management.

As girls blossom into adulthood with ADHD, they may receive little to no support needed on how to navigate their experiences. Sometimes the diagnosis is discovered after years of hardship with hidden sensory issues, school/work strain, juggling motherhood, and/or dilemmas related to impulsive habits like overspending or overeating. The condition may be comorbid too, where another diagnosis like anxiety and depression occurs. When they are overlooked, girls and women with ADHD stay stuck, unable to manage well, feeling defeated and shamed.

Part of the story of ADHD comes from an area in the brain called the prefrontal cortex. The executive functioning or EF plays an important role in the operation of the prefrontal cortex. Neurological processes take place like organization, problem solving, and working memory. Behavior and personality are connected to the prefrontal cortex too, so emotional regulation may be comprised.

According to psychiatrist and author Dr. Daniel Amen, there are seven different kinds of ADD/ADHD too. Dr. Amen uses the term ADD because he believes the acronym best defines a person’s struggle with the condition. Dr. Amen breaks down each type as follows:

· Classic-the usual definition of distracted, disorganized, hyperactive, inattentive, impulsive, and restless.

· Inattentive-shows up as faraway look, slower pace, low motivation, occurs more often in females with probability of later diagnosis.

· Over-focused-all classic pieces, plus there is a struggle shifting focus and getting stuck on negative thought loops. Also, individuals are argumentative, inflexible, obsessive, and worry.

· Temporal lobe-classic signs along with aggression, darker thoughts, irritability, learning/memory struggles, moodiness, and some paranoia.

· Limbic-combines classic with signs of chronic sadness, diminished sense of worth, negativity, and low self-esteem.

· Ring of fire-classic mixed with easily angered, argumentative, distracted, inflexible, moody, and overwhelmed by stimuli.

· Anxious-classic symptoms with anxiety, catastrophizes situations and worries, which sometimes manifests into headaches and stomachaches.

Learning more about yourself or other relationships helps empower everyone towards change. Girls and women with ADHD often talk about their relationships taking a toll on them, as they struggle to stay afloat. Because some women later become caregivers to family and friends, there is a sense of overwhelm with feelings of guilt and shame, when keeping up becomes impossible. By seeking out pathways towards support for yourself and/or others in your life, you become a change agent. Truly, it takes a village! Assess your village to see where you and others are headed. Step out in faith to be the change you have been waiting to see happen! Reach out to one of our therapists at Know Your Worth Counseling and Wellness if you are in need of support with ADHD.