Overpowered ADHD: 3 Women Share How to Win It explores how three women have transformed the challenges of ADHD into strengths. Angela Henderson leverages her creativity and determination to succeed in business consulting. Cherie Clonan highlights the importance of planning and accommodations in managing ADHD effectively. Denise Duffield-Thomas uses her hyperfocus to boost productivity through batching work. The article also sheds light on how ADHD is often underdiagnosed in women and encourages embracing neurodiversity as a path to success.
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is often viewed solely as a challenge or disability. However, many individuals with ADHD, especially women, are learning to harness their unique traits to excel in their personal and professional lives. This article highlights the inspiring stories of three women who have turned ADHD from a perceived obstacle into a powerful advantage.
Angela Henderson – Business Consultant and Health Clinician
Angela Henderson, an award-winning business consultant, shares how her ADHD has shaped her innovative approach to business. According to Angela, ADHD traits such as creativity, determination, and rapid problem-solving enable her to thrive in fast-paced and dynamic environments. Rather than viewing ADHD as a limitation, she embraces it as a driving force behind her success.
"People with ADHD often have a unique way of thinking that fosters creativity and innovation. If you can learn to channel this, ADHD can become a powerful tool to accomplish your goals."
Angela stresses the importance of self-awareness and recognizing how ADHD influences both strengths and challenges. For example, hyperfocus can be a double-edged sword; it allows intense productivity but can also lead to burnout if not managed carefully. She advocates for structuring work environments and routines that play to these strengths, encouraging others to do the same.
Cherie Clonan – Founder of Digital Picnic and Digital Marketing Expert
Cherie Clonan, a successful entrepreneur in digital marketing, believes that ADHD is not a disability when the right support and accommodations are in place. She explains that understanding her brain’s unique way of processing information has helped her devise strategies to stay organized and meet deadlines.
One key tactic Cherie employs is building “buffers” into her schedule — extra time before deadlines to accommodate unexpected distractions or difficulties that arise from ADHD symptoms. This planning reduces stress and enhances reliability in her professional commitments.
"ADHD isn’t a barrier; it’s about how you adapt your environment and processes to work with your brain’s wiring."
Cherie’s story highlights how embracing neurodiversity in workplaces and society can unlock hidden potential and foster innovation.
Denise Duffield-Thomas – Money Mindset Coach and Productivity Expert
Denise Duffield-Thomas has transformed her ADHD-driven hyperfocus into a productivity superpower. As a money mindset coach, she uses a method called “batching,” where she dedicates chunks of time to complete similar tasks intensively. This approach helps her produce a large volume of quality work in short bursts, maximizing efficiency.
She emphasizes that understanding her ADHD allowed her to develop work habits that play to her brain’s strengths, rather than fighting against her natural tendencies. Denise’s story is a testament to how individuals with ADHD can achieve high levels of success by adapting their workflows.
"When you harness hyperfocus effectively, you can get more done in hours than most people do in days."
Challenges Faced by Women with ADHD
Despite these inspiring success stories, women with ADHD often face significant challenges. ADHD has historically been underdiagnosed in women because their symptoms can present differently than in men — often less hyperactive and more inattentive, making it easier to overlook. This leads to delayed diagnosis and lack of support during critical developmental years.
Additionally, societal expectations and gender roles may pressure women to mask their ADHD symptoms, contributing to anxiety, low self-esteem, and burnout. The article underscores the need for greater awareness, diagnosis, and accommodations tailored to women’s experiences.
Conclusion
These three women demonstrate that ADHD doesn’t have to be a limitation. By understanding their unique neurodiverse brains and creating strategies that work for them, they have turned ADHD into a superpower. Their experiences serve as powerful reminders that success comes in many forms and that embracing differences can lead to innovation and achievement.
For more detailed insights and personal stories, you can read the full article on Ichhori: Overpowered ADHD: 3 Women Share How to Win It.