Yes! PTSD inattention is due to the nervous system (the part that makes us feel anxious) being active. Generally, it looks like dissociating (just zoning out/feeling numb) or only being able to focus on the thing that is making you anxious. ADHD inattention looks like bouncing from task to task because something else catches your eye that needs done.

Absolutely! Anxiety is the nervous system identifying either emotional or physical danger. When the nervous system is activated, it makes it impossible to focus on anything at all or impossible to focus on anything other than the thing that is causing the anxiety. In ADHD, the inability to focus will happen outside of anxiety being present ADHD inability to focus often looks like going to make coffee but then realizing the dishes need done when you go to fill the coffee pot with water, and then realizing the dishwasher needs emptied, and then putting the pet food bowl back where it belongs to realize the carpet needs vacuumed. And now you are vacuuming the carpet and none of the other tasks have been completed.

It does! Women are more likely to go misdiagnosed/undiagnosed for longer. There are multiple reasons for this. Women are socially taught to mask more than men are. Women are often better at hiding the ADHD symptoms. Women tend to have inattentive type ADHD while men tend to have the hyperactive type. Inattentive type is more internal hyperactivity while hyperactive type is more external hyperactivity.

Yes! I am certified in diagnosing and non-medication treatment of ADHD in adults. There is a lot of nuance that goes into diagnosing ADHD in adults. You and I will do a thorough assessment to determine if you have ADHD. We will work together and make sure that you feel like our conclusion fits your experience. I am an expert in mental health, and you are an expert in you. I will not dismiss your concerns or pretend that I know you better than you do.

It is 100% okay if you do not agree with me. Let's figure out what I am misunderstanding and come to a conclusion that feels better for you. My promise is to always try take into account how you feel the diagnosis does and does not fit your lived experience. And to work with you rather than working as an expert who is above you.