| Because girls with attention deficit don't usually have | | | | the home, there's added stress. They have to get to |
| the hyperactivity component that accompanies ADD, | | | | work on time and perform their jobs at an acceptable |
| they're thought of as being "emotional" or "difficult." | | | | level. But she has to deal with the added stress of |
| When they do have the hyperactivity factored in, then | | | | what to do with her kids while she's working, getting |
| people call them tomboys or think of them as flaky or | | | | the groceries, dropping off cleaning, doing laundry, |
| flighty. These girls also have more fights with peers | | | | cooking, and all the other things a mother is expected |
| because of their emotional spikes, and still, nobody | | | | to do. Due to her inability to manage time well and be |
| recognizes that the girl is ADD. The interesting part is | | | | organized, this can be very, very difficult. But that's only |
| that they share all of the attention deficit symptoms | | | | if there's a complete family, a two-parent household. |
| with males, such as disorganization, impulsivity, and | | | | When an adult ADD woman becomes a single parent |
| issues with time management, but still nobody | | | | due to divorce, which is highly possible in adult ADD |
| recognizes the attention deficit side of some girls until | | | | relationships, what happens? Now, she not only has |
| they become adults. Usually, this is when their own | | | | her job, and her regular household duties, but now she |
| children are diagnosed. | | | | has to take on the onus of the other partner, as well. |
| By that time, she is an adult ADD woman, and many | | | | Everything having to do with the house is her problem. |
| of the symptoms, confirmed by a doctor or not, give | | | | What does she do when the water heater blows or |
| her added distress. Why is that? Because girls are | | | | when there's a leak in the roof? Oh, she'll deal with it |
| often encouraged to become multi-tasking super | | | | like any other adult, but when so much is expected of |
| women. | | | | her, it can be devastating, especially since these |
| There's a general feeling among women that they | | | | pressures on the adult ADD woman are not just |
| have to be twice as good as men to succeed in | | | | external. |
| business. For an adult ADD woman, this expectation | | | | Internal body functions of the menstrual cycle and |
| can produce incredible anxiety due to her issues with | | | | menopause can trigger emotional roller coasters. Plus, |
| impulsivity and focus. And though women who think | | | | all of the symptoms associated with these times in a |
| society expects them to be perfect don't have a | | | | woman's life can be intensified by attention deficit. |
| realistic assumption, the adult ADD woman may | | | | By the time they reach adulthood, it's lucky for some |
| become depressed and lose self-esteem merely | | | | women to have been able to get the ADD symptoms |
| because perfection is impossible, especially for anyone | | | | under control. Some may still exhibit full blown attention |
| with ADD. | | | | deficit, while others will only have a symptom or two. |
| Usually, this is exhibited in the adult ADD woman's | | | | Yet, if these symptoms become severe and go |
| home. The place is cluttered like a debris field after an | | | | untreated, they can lead to the dark side of |
| airplane crash and two inches of dust might sit on the | | | | ADD--addiction, depression, and a generally miserable |
| TV. It's chaotic! And because of this, she just doesn't | | | | life. Focus on the joys of attention deficit---the |
| invite people over. The mere thought that someone | | | | creativity, your undoubtedly high IQ, and your |
| might come to the door and see her exaggerated | | | | exuberance---and if your symptoms become too |
| mess may even send her into another round of | | | | severe, seek professional help. Don't allow adult ADD |
| anxiety, compounded by feelings of shame and guilt. | | | | to make you unhappy and miserable. It really doesn't |
| And when adult ADD women have to work outside | | | | have to. |