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ADHD in Women: Busting myths and finding support
  • April 30, 2024
  • Comments: 799
  • Posted by: cbtkeadmin

By Lambert Oigara, Consultant Clinical Psychologist

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is one of the most misconstrued mental health conditions. Misconceptions and myths continue to mislead people’s views about the condition, which, if managed effectively, can avert confusion in many people’s lives. If not well managed, women living with undiagnosed or misdiagnosed ADHD lead a life full of misery as a result of self-blame.

Studies have shown genetics play a major role in determining the causes of ADHD. Additionally, where and whom you live with can either mitigate or worsen the condition. Unbeknownst to them, the immediate family and environment worsen the problem. Women with ADHD are unable to finish school, and if they do, they do not attain their full potential in school and their careers.

As children, women face a lot of family problems. As they advance to the adolescent stage, they face major adjustment issues. Female teenagers with ADHD are not strangers to issues like low esteem, bullying, labelling, unwanted pregnancy, intimate partner abuse, and challenging and strained relationships with family and friends.

As a practitioner, I have observed that most women and men appreciate a diagnosis later in life rather than no diagnosis at all. However, much later in life, a diagnosis gives them a chance to understand why they never got along with everyone and why the community misconstrued their behavior and labelled them.

Many women with ADHD are creative, successful and generous; despite that, they suffer due to gullibility, over-friendliness, and being adventurous- which may partly explain teenage pregnancy-strained relationships with those in authority due to intermittent explosive levels, impatient parents, which may lead to difficulty waiting or take turns.

They may also be too expressive to the point they get lost in lengthy conversations with others and get lost in explaining themselves. The myriad of ADHD symptoms in girls and women usually camouflage strengths and capabilities that can lead to success later in life since ADHD in women is lifelong. It gets complex with age, hence lifelong labels such as tomboyish, procrastinator, daydreamer, crazy, lazy, moody, unreliable, sensitive or spoilt.  These labels may lead to behavioural problems like rebelliousness, excessive worrying, substance abuse and dependency.

When the society downplays ADHD in women, the whole society suffers. Undiagnosed childhood ADHD morphs into oppositional behavior, isolation via gaming, pornography, overworking, risky relationships, drugging, insomnia, overthinking, which is associated with poor sleep due to excessive negative thoughts at night, loss of confidence, and mistrust of people in your community. Women who are knowledgeable about ADHD and have the desire to seek help face the challenge of inability to afford the services of a professional.

Also, the shortage of trained professionals who screen, diagnose and manage ADHD in women is a challenge. As the quest to understand ADHD in women increases, there is a need for those in the community to get involved in the process. The first step is to understand the nature of the condition. Afterwards, your therapist, coach, accountability partner, or even self-help manuals and books can provide the necessary tools and resources to cope. While self-help resources, accountability partners may be helpful.

It is important to note how the excitement and subsequent hyper-focus with self-help, self-diagnosis and self-medication can downplay the seriousness of this mental health problem.

ADHD, ADHD in Women: Busting myths and finding support, CBT Kenya, Counselling services in Kenya, Counselling services in Nairobi, Mental health, Therapy In Kenya
Author: cbtkeadmin

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