If you are a woman who suspects you have ADHD, you may feel confused and alone. After all, the majority of women with ADHD go undiagnosed since ADHD is often thought of as only affecting males, and the symptoms are sometimes more subtle in females. Learning that you have ADHD can help you understand why you struggle in certain areas, like organization or time management. Seeking ADHD treatment and learning a few new skills will change your life for the better. Here are a few tips to help guide you:

Get a Formal Diagnosis

Oftentimes, women suspect they have ADHD for a long time before actually seeking treatment. Since treatment in the form of medication, counseling, and new organizational or time management skills can drastically improve your life, it's best to get a formal diagnosis right away so you can begin exploring treatment options.

A counselor or psychiatrist with expertise in ADHD evaluations will look into your academic, personal, and work history through an interview and questionnaire to confirm that you are experiencing ADHD and it's affecting your life in tangible ways. They will then help you come up with a treatment plan tailored to your needs and preferences.

Implement New Organizational Tools

Many women with ADHD struggle with organization, leaving them feeling overwhelmed and leading to problems with work and managing their households. The key is to find a few simple organizational tools that help you focus and stay on-task without being overwhelming or too much work. Something as simple as making a short to-do list each day and checking it often can keep you from getting too distracted from the task at hand. There are also books and articles dedicated to time management and organization tips specifically for adults with ADHD.

Learn to Delegate

Many people with ADHD focus too much on their areas of weakness, while ignoring their strengths like creativity, energy, and charisma. Instead of beating yourself up for being bad at keeping the house tidy or the household budget balanced, delegate those tasks so you can spend more time focusing on the things you enjoy and are good at. Hiring a housekeeper to come clean the house once a month, having your significant other handle the finances, and hiring an assistant at work ensures the administrative tasks of life get tackled without bogging you down.

Seeking the help of a counselor who specializes in adult ADHD and following these tips will make your life as a woman with ADHD much easier and less overwhelming.