So y’all… I know I have a lot to do. But am I really finishing it all? If you’ve ever described your brain as a browser with 32 tabs open and music playing from one of them, but you can’t find which one, welcome. I’ve always said my brain works in tabs. I click between them all day—clinic responsibilities, students, business ideas, lesson plans, family schedules, dinner plans, emails, and that random burst of inspiration at 9:47 p.m. Eventually, the weekly tasks get done. But the path to completion is rarely linear. A student once told me I was a “high-functioning ADHDer.” Yes, a student. And not just any student—she was already practicing as a Psych NP while completing her FNP, finishing her DNP, and earning certification in Functional Medicine all in the same year. Impressive? Absolutely. And somehow in the middle of all that excellence, she looked at me and said, “You probably have ADHD.” The irony is, I immediately went on a tangent. Which, honestly, may have proven her point.
The Pink Hammer, the Hand Sanitizer Dispenser, and Adult ADHD Impulsivity
Did you see my most recent social media post? The one involving a pink hammer and a hand sanitizer dispenser? The ending hasn’t been shared publicly yet, but let’s just say I have some sheetrock repair in my near future. What started as “Let me fix this real quick” quickly turned into “How did we get here?” in under ten minutes. Impulse plus confidence plus tools nearby can equal a home improvement plot twist. Adult ADHD in women doesn’t always look like distraction in a classroom. Sometimes it looks like spontaneous productivity, bold problem-solving, and the occasional drywall repair.
Signs of High-Functioning ADHD in Women
Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) in adult women is often underdiagnosed because it presents differently than the stereotypical hyperactive child. High-functioning ADHD may look like achievement and ambition on the outside, while internally it can feel like mental noise and constant task-switching. Common symptoms of ADHD in women include racing thoughts, difficulty sustaining focus, starting multiple projects at once, forgetting tasks mid-stream, hyper-focusing on new ideas, and living in a constant cycle of catching up. It can also show up during quiet moments. I notice it during prayer time. I’ll begin centered and intentional, and suddenly I’m mentally organizing next week’s schedule. That mental drift isn’t a lack of discipline. For many adults, it is how the ADHD brain is wired.
Should You Get Tested for ADHD as an Adult?
Here’s the real question many high-achieving women ask: Should I get tested for ADHD, or should I just keep managing eight tasks at once while being a mom, wife, daughter, sister, business owner, and full-time educator? Getting evaluated for adult ADHD is not about labeling yourself. It is about understanding how your brain functions. A comprehensive ADHD evaluation can help determine whether symptoms are related to ADHD, chronic stress, burnout, sleep deprivation, or hormonal shifts. Treatment options may include cognitive behavioral therapy, executive functioning coaching, lifestyle adjustments, or medication management when appropriate. Seeking evaluation does not mean you are failing. It means you value clarity and long-term mental wellness.
High Productivity vs. Mental Health
High productivity does not automatically equal optimal mental health. Many women with ADHD develop sophisticated coping systems that allow them to succeed academically and professionally. However, success fueled by adrenaline, pressure, and last-minute urgency can lead to exhaustion and burnout over time. Thriving should feel sustainable. If you constantly feel mentally overloaded despite external success, it may be worth exploring support.
When to Seek Help for ADHD Symptoms
Consider speaking with a mental health provider if you experience chronic difficulty focusing, frequent task-switching, impulsive decision-making, emotional overwhelm, or persistent mental restlessness. Adult ADHD is treatable, and early identification can improve work performance, relationships, and overall quality of life. You deserve focus, peace, and mental clarity—not just productivity.
Final Thoughts on ADHD in Women
Maybe your brain is not broken. Maybe it is brilliant but tired. If you see yourself in this story, it may be time to schedule a mental health evaluation and have an honest conversation about your symptoms. And if you are reading this thinking you also have 47 tabs open in your mind right now, you are not alone. Just maybe step away from the pink hammer before starting your next project.
