Over the past year, I’ve noticed a big shift—more and more women are coming to me after being diagnosed with ADHD later in life. At first, they’re relieved to finally have an explanation for why they’ve always felt different. But soon after, the question hits them: Now what?
That’s where coaching comes in. As these women open up about their experiences, I’m learning so much from them. Their struggles, their strengths, the way ADHD impacts them in ways they never even realised—it’s deepened my understanding, and in turn, made me a better coach.
I’ve seen firsthand just how powerful coaching can be for women with ADHD, not just in their careers but in their whole lives. And I want to share more about why that is.
ADHD in Women: Why So Many Are Diagnosed Later in Life
For years, ADHD has been misunderstood—especially in women. The classic ADHD stereotype? A hyperactive little boy who can’t sit still. But for women, ADHD often presents completely differently, which is why so many go undiagnosed for decades. Instead of bouncing off the walls, ADHD in women often looks like:
- Constant overwhelm—like you’re juggling a hundred things at once but still feel behind
- Chronic procrastination or time blindness—losing track of time or struggling to start tasks, even when they’re important
- Forgetfulness—not because you don’t care, but because your brain is processing so much at once
- Emotional sensitivity—big feelings that sometimes come out of nowhere and can be hard to regulate
- Perfectionism and overcompensating—pushing yourself to the limit to prove you’re “good enough”
- A lifetime of masking—hiding the struggle and pretending to have it all together
So many of the women I work with have spent years thinking they were just “bad at adulting.” They’ve tried planners, to-do lists and sheer willpower, but nothing seems to stick. That’s because ADHD isn’t a motivation issue—it’s a brain wiring thing. Once you understand how your brain works, you can actually start working with it instead of constantly fighting against it.
How Coaching Helps Women with ADHD Thrive
Coaching isn’t about “fixing” ADHD (because let’s be real—ADHD isn’t something that needs fixing). It’s about helping you:
- Understand how ADHD affects you personally – because no two people experience it the same way
- Develop strategies that actually work for you – whether that’s time management, emotional regulation or confidence-building
- Break the cycle of self-criticism – because so many women with ADHD have spent years feeling like they’re “not enough”
- Navigate work, relationships and life without burning out
I’ve worked with women who came to me feeling completely lost, stuck in self-doubt, or overwhelmed by the expectations of work and life. But through coaching, they’ve learned to manage their ADHD in a way that fits them. They’ve started setting boundaries, advocating for themselves, and—most importantly—seeing their ADHD not as a flaw but as a different way of thinking that brings its own strengths (a superpower).
Real Stories: The Impact of Coaching
One of my clients shared this with me and it truly sums up the power of coaching:
“Coaching with Mechelle has been a life-changing experience for me. She is an exceptional life coach who has supported me through some of the most challenging periods of my life. After discovering that I have ADHD and Autism, I realised how much coaching has helped me navigate situations where I might be unaware of my actions and their impact on others.
Coaching has been the only effective tool that helps me reflect on incidents and process them in a way that allows me to move forward. It has improved my ability to function, sleep, and let go of difficult conversations, ultimately making me a better person.
In my opinion, coaching should be a regular practice for all managers, as it equips people to release negative experiences and improves team dynamics.”
This is why I love what I do. Every woman I work with teaches me something new. Each story, each challenge, each breakthrough—it all adds to my understanding of how ADHD shows up in women’s lives and how to best support them.
You’re Not Broken, You’re Brilliant
If you’ve recently been diagnosed with ADHD (or you’re starting to suspect you have it), I want you to know something—you’re not lazy, or disorganised, or bad at life. Your brain just works differently and that’s okay. You’ve been navigating a world that wasn’t designed for you, and that in itself is a huge achievement.
But you don’t have to do it alone. Coaching can help you figure out your way of doing things, so you can stop struggling and start thriving.
If any of this resonates with you, let’s chat. Coaching has helped so many women finally feel in control of their lives—and it could do the same for you.
You’ve got this. And I’m here to help. 💜
Practical Tools & Resources
If you’re looking for strategies to help you better manage ADHD, here are some great books and resources that I highly recommend:
Books for Women with ADHD
ADHD Toolkit for Women by Linda Roggli – A fantastic resource filled with practical tools to help women manage their ADHD in a way that works for them.
Driven to Distraction by Dr. Edward Hallowell & Dr. John Ratey – A classic book that explains ADHD in an easy-to-understand way and offers great strategies.
Your Brain’s Not Broken by Tamara Rosier – Focuses on emotional regulation and how to work with your ADHD brain instead of against it.
The Disorganized Mind by Nancy Ratey – Offers practical strategies to improve time management, organization, and productivity.
Helpful Websites & Podcasts
🎧 ADHD for Smart Ass Women (Podcast) – A great listen for women navigating ADHD in their everyday lives.
🎧 I Have ADHD (Podcast) – A mix of practical tips and real-life ADHD experiences.
If you have any questions or comments, feel free to contact me. If you are interested in being coached, contact me to chat through by booking a free 15 minute consultation Skyline Coaching Electronic Diary
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