Okaasan had always described herself as an exhausted mom. Her boys, ages 6 and 4, were in constant motion as she and I sat for tea at her home. My much older children lay on the floor, constantly encouraging them to come sit to play. Okaasan shared how it was such a relief to get a diagnosis of ADHD (attention deficit hyperactivity disorder) for her older son. She said, “Suddenly, it all makes sense and now I can get the help I need for him.” As the conversation progressed with what she has learned through counseling for him, she then said, “It turns out, I’ve probably also always had ADHD.”
[1]ADHD is a medical condition that “affects the parts of the brain responsible for executive function: the ability to plan, organize, and carry out tasks,” according to the National Institute of Health (NIH) Medline Plus [3] magazine. “This includes being able to maintain focus and attention and being able to manage impulses and emotions.” Everyone misplaces things or forgets now and then, as we live in a world of distractions. However, if you find yourself regularly struggling with memory and focus, it may be undiagnosed ADHD. One study published in the National Library of Medicine [4] found that among its participants, “the percentage of undiagnosed ADHD was 14%. 61% were women, while 39% were men.”
Undiagnosed ADHD being higher in women does not surprise me. As women’s health finally gets more attention, some symptoms of ADHD, such as struggles with time management and impulse control, are often attributed to menopause. While it may be ADHD, there is a connection with menopause that should not be overlooked. The drop in estrogen that accompanies perimenopause and menopause may make ADHD symptoms worse. In a Harvard Business Review podcast, “ADHD is Different for Women [5],” psychologist Kathleen Nadeau, who is clinical director of The Chesapeake Center and author of many books about ADHD, including Still Distracted After All These Years stated, “Estrogen has a huge impact on the receptors in the brain for anxiety, depression, and ADHD. When estrogen levels are high, we’re less anxious, we’re more focused, we’re less moody. And that’s true of all females.” When it comes to your health, be your own advocate, if you suspect ADHD, have that discussion with your physician.
As we mature, cognitive decline is of concern. I work daily with adults in memory care and see a wide range in the rate of that decline. When caregivers have a full understanding of the factors that affect your health, they are better equipped to serve you.
ADHD may not be a part of your life story, but if it is and it is undiagnosed, it may increase the challenges that come with stress, health issues, family dynamics, and life circumstances.
Okaasan is a great mom. Even armed with this new information, she was still feeling overwhelmed, especially now that there are new groups and activities that her family is considering to address the diagnoses. A little ironic to me. So, I left our teatime with a parting thought for her: ADHD or not, if overwhelmed, that might be a sign to simplify. Probably not a bad idea for myself. 😉
Contributing writer Denise Lum is a Health and Fitness Coach raising her family in Alameda. Contact her via [email protected] [6] or FitnessByDsign.com [7]. Her writing is collected at AlamedaPost.com/Denise-Lum [8].