| Because girls with attention deficit don't usually have | | | | set in. |
| the hyperactivity component that accompanies ADD, | | | | And when adult ADD women have to work outside |
| they're thought of as being "emotional" or "difficult." | | | | the home, there's added stress. They have to get to |
| When they do have the hyperactivity factored in, then | | | | work on time and perform their jobs at an acceptable |
| people call them tomboys or think of them as flaky or | | | | level. But she has to deal with the added stress of |
| flighty. These girls also have more fights with peers | | | | what to do with her kids while she's working, getting |
| because of their emotional spikes, and still, nobody | | | | the groceries, dropping off cleaning, doing laundry, |
| recognizes that the girl is ADD. The interesting part is | | | | cooking, and all the other things a mother is expected |
| that they share all of the attention deficit symptoms | | | | to do. Due to her inability to manage time well and be |
| with males, such as disorganization, impulsivity, and | | | | organized, this can be very, very difficult. But that's only |
| issues with time management, but still nobody | | | | if there's a complete family, a two-parent household. |
| recognizes the attention deficit side of some girls until | | | | When an adult ADD woman becomes a single parent |
| they become adults. Usually, this is when their own | | | | due to divorce, which is highly possible in adult ADD |
| children are diagnosed. | | | | relationships, what happens? Now, she not only has |
| Yet, when ADD girls grow up to be women, many of | | | | her job, and her regular household duties, but now she |
| the symptoms give them a very hard time. Girls are | | | | has to take on the onus of the other partner, as well. |
| often expected to become multi-tasking women, and | | | | Everything having to do with the house is her problem. |
| then, some definite issues that are special to women | | | | What does she do when the water heater blows or |
| with adult ADD arise. | | | | when there's a leak in the roof? Oh, she'll deal with it |
| Many women, whether they have adult ADD or not, | | | | like any other adult, but when so much is expected of |
| have the feeling that women have to be better than | | | | her, it can be devastating, especially since these |
| men to succeed in the workplace. This expectation | | | | pressures on the adult ADD woman are not just |
| creates an incredible feeling of anxiety for adult ADD | | | | external. |
| women, who see things that way, and the anxiety is | | | | The hormonal imbalances associated with menopause |
| only increased because they realize that they have | | | | or the monthly cycle can cause emotional ups and |
| issues with organization and focus. But as they see it, | | | | downs in all women. Yet with an adult ADD woman, |
| society expects them to be perfect, when that's just | | | | these symptoms and emotions can be more intense. |
| not possible for anyone, let alone someone with | | | | When many girls with attention deficit reach maturity, |
| attention deficit. If a woman can't meet the | | | | they have learned to control some if not all of their |
| expectations she sets for herself or that she sees as | | | | symptoms. They may have a tendency toward |
| society setting for her, she becomes depressed and | | | | impulsiveness, for instance, but have solved the issue |
| her self-esteem just plummets. | | | | with time management. But women shouldn't allow the |
| Shame and guilt compound the negative feelings when | | | | remaining ADD tendencies to control them. If they fall |
| a woman has trouble with things like getting her kids to | | | | too far, they can find the dark side of attention |
| school on time or having the family evening meal | | | | deficit---depression, addiction, and crime. Exaggerated |
| ready on time. Since women with adult ADD have | | | | symptoms may require professional assistance, where |
| difficulty with organization, her house is often a chaotic | | | | women can learn to employ the good side of adult |
| mess, and because of that, she prefers that no one | | | | ADD--the creativity, the exuberance, and an incredible |
| comes over to visit. In fact, the stress that she feels | | | | ability to hyperfocus, among others. Professionals can |
| over someone knocking at the door when she can't | | | | show women how to make ADD work for them, |
| keep a tidy house can be stressful, and because | | | | rather than against them. |
| women tend to internalize their feelings, depression can | | | | |