ADHD in Girls and Women | Martha Barnard-Rae | TEDxKinjarling

TEDx Talks
18 May 202216:36
EducationalLearning
32 Likes 10 Comments

TLDRIn a TEDx talk, the speaker candidly shares her journey with ADHD, dispelling common misconceptions about the condition. Despite her successful life, she struggles with everyday tasks and was diagnosed with ADHD at 39. The speaker clarifies that people with ADHD have an abundance of attention but lack the ability to control it, leading to a constant search for more stimulation. She humorously recounts a personal anecdote involving a missing 35-liter tub, highlighting the forgetfulness often associated with ADHD. The speaker emphasizes the importance of understanding ADHD not just as a lack of focus, but as a complex issue of executive functioning. She also addresses the underdiagnosis of ADHD in women and girls, who often mask their symptoms due to societal pressures. The talk concludes on a positive note, celebrating the unique strengths and 'magic' inherent in those with ADHD, encouraging viewers to appreciate the special gifts these individuals bring to the table.

Takeaways
  • 🗣️ The speaker humorously addresses the challenge of memorizing a TEDx talk with ADHD by carrying notes on stage.
  • 🎓 Despite ADHD, the speaker has achieved success in life, highlighting the role of privilege and supportive upbringing.
  • 🧠 ADHD is a misnomer; individuals with ADHD have too much attention, not a deficit, and struggle with controlling it.
  • 💡 The speaker's personal anecdotes, like losing a 35-liter tub, illustrate the everyday challenges faced by those with ADHD.
  • 📚 The speaker's academic success and career in education show that ADHD does not preclude one from achieving high levels of education and professional success.
  • 👧 The underdiagnosis of ADHD in women and girls is a significant issue, often masked by societal expectations and personal coping strategies.
  • 👩‍⚕️ The speaker emphasizes the importance of holistic healthcare and understanding from medical professionals in diagnosing and treating ADHD.
  • 🧐 The speaker's limited understanding of ADHD while teaching reflects the broader lack of knowledge about the condition, especially its impact on executive function.
  • 🌟 ADHD is not just a challenge; it is also associated with unique strengths and abilities, such as intense hyperfocus and entrepreneurial spirit.
  • 🤝 The speaker encourages embracing the gifts of an ADHD brain and leveraging them for complex tasks.
  • 🎉 The speaker celebrates her and her son's ADHD diagnosis, viewing it as an opportunity to understand and leverage their unique minds.
Q & A

  • What was the speaker's initial challenge in preparing for the TEDx talk?

    -The speaker's initial challenge was memorizing the talk content due to having ADHD, which made it difficult to retain information.

  • What advice did the strangers on Facebook give to the speaker regarding memorization?

    -The most common advice was that memorization is ableist, and the speaker should take notes instead of trying to memorize the entire talk.

  • How does the speaker describe their life before the ADHD diagnosis?

    -The speaker describes their life as interesting and successful by most metrics, with great relationships, a loving family, travel experiences, three degrees, a successful business, and good interpersonal skills.

  • What misconception about ADHD does the speaker address in the talk?

    -The speaker addresses the misconception that people with ADHD have a deficit of attention. In reality, they have too much attention and less ability to control it.

  • How does the speaker describe the experience of forgetting a 35-liter tub?

    -The speaker describes it as one of the ways ADHD affects them, highlighting the difficulty of living a life where they constantly try to avoid making mistakes and getting things wrong.

  • What are some of the challenges the speaker faced in school related to ADHD?

    -The speaker struggled with math, crying over homework almost every night, and failing math in grade 12. Despite these challenges, they excelled in literature and had an aptitude for seeing connections in texts.

  • How did the speaker's understanding of ADHD change after their diagnosis?

    -The speaker realized that ADHD is not just about focus but also about the ability to regulate the brain to get things done, which is related to a skill called executive function.

  • What percentage of the Australian population is estimated to have ADHD?

    -About five to eight percent of the Australian population, which equates to approximately 814,500 people.

  • How did the speaker's diagnosis of ADHD come about?

    -The speaker's diagnosis was accidental. They initially consulted a GP for stomach problems, but after a comprehensive assessment, they mentioned feeling overwhelmed and overstimulated, which led to the ADHD diagnosis.

  • What are the three types of ADHD mentioned in the script?

    -The three types of ADHD are inattentive type, hyperactive type, and combined type. The speaker has the combined type.

  • Why is the underdiagnosis of ADHD in women considered a feminist issue?

    -The underdiagnosis is a feminist issue because women were not included in ADHD studies until the late 1990s, and societal and behavioral standards often lead women and girls to mask their symptoms, resulting in a lack of research and understanding.

  • How does the speaker view their ADHD diagnosis and its impact on their life?

    -The speaker views their ADHD diagnosis positively, as it helps explain their experiences and provides a framework for understanding their unique abilities and challenges. They celebrate the diagnosis as it comes with a sense of empowerment and self-understanding.

Outlines
00:00
😀 Struggling with ADHD and Seeking Advice

The speaker humorously describes her challenge of memorizing a TEDx talk about ADHD despite having ADHD herself. She received support from 173 strangers who advised her to use notes. The speaker reflects on her life's successes and acknowledges that while she has certain privileges, there are everyday tasks that are difficult for her due to ADHD. She was diagnosed at 39 and has learned that ADHD is a common misconception, with people having too much attention rather than a deficit. She shares a personal story about losing a large tub of Lego, illustrating the impact of ADHD on her daily life.

05:01
📚 The Impact of ADHD on Learning and Life

The speaker discusses her academic achievements despite her struggles with ADHD. She mentions her difficulties with math and the emotional toll it took. Her parents' support and her own strategies helped her succeed, particularly in postgraduate education. As an English teacher, she supported students with ADHD but admits her understanding was limited. She emphasizes that ADHD is about regulating the brain for productivity, not just focus. She also highlights the underdiagnosis of ADHD in adults, particularly women, and the need for better understanding and treatment.

10:02
👩‍⚕️ Diagnosis and the Importance of Representation

The speaker shares her accidental diagnosis of ADHD and the comprehensive assessment that led to it. She acknowledges her privilege in accessing healthcare and the importance of understanding ADHD in women, which often presents differently. She explains the three types of ADHD and the societal pressures that can lead to underdiagnosis in women. The speaker argues that the lack of research and diagnosis is a feminist issue, affecting families, communities, and businesses. She shares her positive outlook now that she understands her ADHD and how it has shaped her life and her parenting.

15:04
🌟 The Gift of an ADHD Brain

The speaker celebrates the unique abilities and paradoxical tendencies associated with ADHD. She contrasts the challenges of ADHD with the 'magic' and special gifts that individuals with ADHD possess. She talks about her own experiences with hyperfocus and entrepreneurial success. The speaker encourages the audience to appreciate the talents of those with ADHD and to utilize their unique skills when tackling difficult tasks. She ends on a positive note, emphasizing the value and potential of individuals with ADHD.

Mindmap
Keywords
💡ADHD
Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by inattention, impulsivity, and hyperactivity. In the video, the speaker shares her personal journey with ADHD, highlighting how it affects her daily life and the misconceptions surrounding it. The video emphasizes that ADHD is a real and complex condition that involves more than just an inability to focus.
💡Executive Function
Executive function refers to the cognitive processes that enable an individual to plan, initiate, monitor, and adjust behaviors to achieve a specific goal. The speaker discusses how ADHD affects executive function, making it challenging to start, finish, and organize tasks. This is a critical aspect of understanding the broader impact of ADHD on daily functioning.
💡Privilege
Privilege is the concept of having certain advantages in life based on factors such as gender, race, or socioeconomic status. The speaker acknowledges her privilege, which includes supportive parents and access to quality healthcare. This context is important because it highlights the disparities in how people with ADHD can be affected by their environment and the resources available to them.
💡Underdiagnosis
Underdiagnosis refers to the situation where a condition is not diagnosed as often as it actually occurs. The video addresses the underdiagnosis of ADHD in women and girls, which is a significant issue due to societal expectations and the different ways ADHD presents in them. This keyword is central to the video's discussion on gender differences in ADHD recognition and treatment.
💡Dopamine
Dopamine is a neurotransmitter associated with reward, motivation, and attention. The speaker mentions that individuals with ADHD have naturally lower levels of dopamine, which contributes to their difficulty in focusing and seeking more stimulation. Understanding dopamine's role is crucial for comprehending the biological aspects of ADHD.
💡Feminist Issue
The speaker frames the underdiagnosis and lack of research on ADHD in women as a feminist issue, highlighting the historical exclusion of women from ADHD studies and the societal pressures that lead to masked symptoms. This keyword emphasizes the social and gender-related aspects of the condition that affect diagnosis and treatment.
💡Strategies
Strategies in the context of the video refer to the coping mechanisms and techniques individuals with ADHD use to manage their symptoms and succeed in various aspects of life. The speaker shares her personal strategies, such as focusing on the exact amount of work needed to achieve a desired outcome, which helped her in her education and career.
💡ADHD Types
The video discusses the three types of ADHD: inattentive type, hyperactive type, and combined type. The speaker has the combined type, which means she exhibits traits of both inattention and hyperactivity. Understanding the different types of ADHD is important for recognizing the varied presentations of the disorder.
💡Overdiagnosis
Although not explicitly mentioned, the concept of overdiagnosis is implied when the speaker talks about misconceptions around ADHD. Overdiagnosis refers to diagnosing a condition when it is not actually present. The video suggests that while ADHD is often underdiagnosed, there is also a need for accurate diagnosis to avoid overdiagnosis and the associated stigma.
💡Support
Support is a recurring theme in the video, with the speaker discussing the importance of understanding, empathy, and professional help in managing ADHD. She shares how the support from her parents and access to knowledgeable healthcare professionals played a significant role in her life. This keyword underscores the social and emotional aspects of living with ADHD.
💡Misconceptions
Misconceptions about ADHD are a central theme of the video. The speaker challenges common myths, such as the idea that ADHD is not real or that it's simply about a lack of focus. She also addresses misconceptions held by some doctors and the general public, emphasizing the need for education and awareness about the true nature of ADHD.
Highlights

The speaker humorously addresses the challenge of memorizing a TEDx talk with ADHD by carrying notes.

Despite having ADHD, the speaker has achieved success in relationships, education, and business.

Privilege and supportive upbringing contributed to the speaker's success despite their ADHD.

ADHD is not a deficit of attention but an overabundance and lack of control over it.

People with ADHD have naturally lower levels of dopamine and seek more of it.

A personal anecdote about losing a 35-liter tub illustrates the everyday challenges of ADHD.

ADHD affects executive functioning, which is critical for organizing and completing tasks.

Approximately 5-8% of the Australian population has ADHD, and it is often underdiagnosed in adults.

ADHD is not just about focus but also about regulating the brain to accomplish tasks.

ADHD presents differently in women, often manifesting as anxiety, sleeplessness, and other internal struggles.

The underdiagnosis of ADHD in women is a significant issue, with societal and medical biases contributing to the problem.

The speaker's personal diagnosis of ADHD was accidental but life-changing, explaining many personal struggles.

ADHD can be both a challenge and a source of unique strengths and abilities.

The speaker celebrates her son's ADHD diagnosis, viewing it as an opportunity rather than a disability.

ADHD is associated with paradoxical tendencies, such as intense hyperfocus alongside difficulty focusing.

Entrepreneurial success can be linked to ADHD traits, such as the ability to work intensely in short bursts.

The speaker encourages embracing the gifts of an ADHD brain and utilizing them for challenging tasks.

The talk concludes with a positive outlook on ADHD, emphasizing its potential for creativity and innovation.

Transcripts

Browse More Related Video

ADHD in Women and Girls

Tell Me You Have ADHD Without Telling Me You Have ADHD - The Signs Everyone Missed Growing Up

ADHD in Girls: How to Recognize the Symptoms

Adult ADHD | Inattentive

Porn Induced ADHD: How Watching Porn Decreases Focus. (w/ Dr. Trish Leigh)

Undiagnosed ADHD in Women (The Invisible Struggle)

Rate This

5.0 / 5 (0 votes)

Thanks for rating:

Related Tags
ADHD AwarenessPersonal TriumphExecutive FunctionFeminist PerspectiveDiagnosis JourneyCognitive DiversityLife SkillsEducational ChallengesEmotional ResilienceEntrepreneurshipNeurodiversity