By: Mona Virk, Registered Psychotherapist

As the newest psychotherapist here at Dig a Little Deeper and former practicum student, my knowledge of ADHD has increased significantly over the past few years. The more I observed and learned about this neurodevelopmental disorder over my practicum, the more I started to recognize myself in some of the symptoms of ADHD.

I mean, how can a South Asian female like myself, who has started her second career after having a successful initial career in health care, have ADHD?

Eventually, the potential signs began to stack up, and the question popped into my mind:

Could I really have ADHD?

1. Awareness matters

Awareness is positive. It’s the personal journey of uncovering, learning, and being curious about what ADHD looks like, which has been very helpful.

Did you know that 5-9% of children and 5%-7% of adults in this world are impacted by ADHD? 

Additionally in Canada, ADHD is known to cause significant impairments into adult years and is recognized as the most prevalent neurodevelopmental disorder in children.

With these statistics in mind, how is it that signs of ADHD (if I do end up with a late diagnosis) in me were missed by past educators and healthcare providers?

Seriously, how did I get this far in life, professionally and personally?

I started to dig a little deeper.

I attended the 2024 annual conference held by CADDRA (The Canadian ADHD Resource Alliance). I learned more about how the presentation of ADHD is typically different in women than men. Moreover, women in their early years are more likely to experience perfectionistic tendencies, as well as display more compliant mannerisms, resilience and masking compared to their male peers, which often prevent teachers and parents from recognizing ADHD symptoms.

What are some possible reasons why ADHD is being missed in adults?

There’s a myth that individuals who are intelligent cannot have ADHD. In actuality, intelligence has nothing to do with the difference, but it can result in significant coping strategies which can mask symptoms of ADHD. However, when contextual demands on these individuals increase, things can become unmanageable beyond their usual ability to cope.

I also learned, other mental health disorders such as anxiety, depression, and substance use disorders can really overshadow the presence of ADHD. Ironically, it’s missed ADHD in childhood that increases the vulnerability to all of these as an adult.

Did you know that 50- 90% of children and 85% of adults with ADHD also have another diagnosable mental health condition?

2. Readiness matters

At some point in our lives, we reach a pivotal moment; a crossroads where we need to decide if we’re ready to make that turn. What does assessing readiness mean? In psychology, psychotherapists lean on a model of behaviour change, broken down into five stages. These five stages are pre-contemplation, contemplation, preparation, action, and maintenance.

It’s imperative to recognize where we are in the stages of change. Do we have intentions to change the next six months? Are we committed and confident with a plan? Do we feel a work which you can follow? Are we ready to take the next step and uncover what’s behind the door of ADHD for ourselves?  

Assessing our readiness is a crucial step in this journey.

3. Acceptance is important

Accepting the fact that there’s a very strong chance I have ADHD has been pivotal to taking the next steps toward getting an official diagnosis through the proper channels. This acceptance came through a lot of self-reflection. I’ve had to explore how the implications of this potential diagnosis sits with me.

Having these discussions during my psychotherapy sessions will be imperative.

4. Support systems matter

I’ve learned everyone will need a support system to lean on during (and beyond!) the journey to diagnosis. This could include your partner, friends, family, or colleagues. They can provide emotional support, help with practical tasks (that you realize you don’t need to do on your own anymore), and offer different perspectives.

Luckily, my colleagues are a great support system and are well-versed in the world of ADHD. They are swift to point out behaviours or traits that are likely related to ADHD (with compassion!), which increased my awareness and acceptance and helped nudge me more toward the preparedness phase in the stages of change. Their support has been a source of reassurance and comfort as I navigate the next part of this process.

Research has shown the positive impact that a support system has on individuals facing challenges, lowering their stress levels and changing their perception of how to deal with it.

5. Your plan needs to be personalized

This is the critical component for my next step. Where do I go from here? I’ve completed the initial screening tool for ADHD, now what? Well, I need to create a plan that’s going to be successful and achievable.

Personally, I lean on SMART goals. SMART stands for specific, measurable, attainable, realistic and timely fashion. Using this template has set me up for success and empowers me as I climb the ladder of getting a formal diagnosis.

First, I need to identify small steps I can take, like setting up an appointment with a specialist, and small wins, like completing a self-assessment. These are the goals that will get me to closer to a potential diagnosis and treatment for ADHD.

While setting up my plan, I also need to be aware of obstacles that might come my way.

• How will I face them?
• Are there places where I can pivot?
• Perhaps I require another path I can take?

Exploring these types of details helps one plan and prepare for what comes our way. Doing this with someone who can keep me accountable is also a really helpful thing to include.

Stay tuned!

I’m not sure what the next few months will look like, but I’m filled with anticipation about what the next door brings. I’m excited to uncover and receive the help I need, in order to understand myself better.

TL;DR: The blog “Do I Have ADHD? (South Asian Woman Edition)” explores the author's journey of self-discovery and late ADHD diagnosis as a South Asian woman. It highlights the challenges of recognizing ADHD in adults, particularly among women who may mask symptoms through perfectionism and resilience. The article discusses the importance of awareness, readiness for change, and acceptance in the diagnostic process while also addressing cultural stigma. It emphasizes the role of support systems and the need for a personalized approach to diagnosis and treatment. Ultimately, the blog encourages self-reflection and proactive steps toward understanding and managing ADHD.

References

2024 CADDRA Conference. (2024). Winnipeg, MB.

Selvaraj, S., Raj, N.B., Ramakrishnappa, S., and Ul Huqh, M.U. (2021). Transtheoretical model of behavioural change. International Journal of Pharmaceutical Research, 13(02). https://doi.org/10.31838/ijpr/2021.13.02.081

Acoba, E. F. (2024). Social support and mental health: the mediating role of perceived stress. Frontiers in Psychology, 15, 1330720. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2024.1330720