ADHD has three main presentations: predominantly inattentive, predominantly hyperactive-impulsive, and combined inattentive and hyperactive.

Symptoms of ADHD may be:

• Fails to give close attention to details or makes careless mistakes.

• Has difficulty sustaining attention, does not appear to listen.

• Struggles to follow through with instructions, has difficulty with organization.

• Avoids or dislikes tasks requiring sustained mental effort, loses things easily

• Is easily distracted, is forgetful in daily activities.

• Talks excessively.

• Unable to sit still for an extended period of time. 

• Acts impulsively or speaks before thinking.

• Appears to daydream but will explains that her thoughts feel like they are “going a million miles a minute” and she has trouble keeping her mind on one topic.

• Easily makes friends but has difficulty sustaining friendships.

• Self-harming activities, or activities that require extreme and unhealthy self-discipline.

• Symptoms of Depression and Anxiety.

• Difficult romantic relationships that can lead to intimate partner violence, trouble maintaining friendships, and at least one space in her life in disarray. Whilst someone may not experience all of these symptoms, they will experience a number of symptoms and this may result in experiences of rejection, alienation and isolation, shame, and feelings of being overwhelmed. 

• Masking and Burnout

It is important to note that you are not alone and these experiences can be supported via psychoeducation, skills training and trauma processing within the counselling space. 

Just Notice has a monthly meeting group for women living with ADHD in Busselton, Western Australia, as well as counselling support in Busselton and Bunbury to reduce the affect these adverse life experiences have had upon you as a result of your ADHD symptoms and assist you in moving forward with strategies, skills and most importantly sharing your lived experience with other people who understand.