Symptoms of ADHD in Adult Women
Girls and women can both suffer from ADHD. While both men and boys are diagnosed with ADHD more often however, it is also feasible for women to be affected by the condition. But lingering stereotypes, referral biases internalized symptoms and comorbidities make it harder for them to be properly evaluated and treated.
Many women develop coping strategies to hide their ADHD symptoms and meet societal expectations, but these can be unsustainable and unhealthy. Here are some of the most common symptoms of ADHD in adult women.
1. Unfocused attention
Women suffering from ADHD tend to feel overwhelmed by the daily tasks. They often have a difficult time to keep track of multiple deadlines, emails, and meetings. They could also be more prone to forget important events or appointments. They may also struggle to concentrate in noisy or crowded environments. This can lead to missed opportunities as well as a lower quality of work.
These challenges can cause frustration for many people with ADHD. They might feel that they reflect of their own performance or of themselves. They may end up with a low self-esteem as well as a negative image of themselves. They may also have difficulty maintaining stable relationships and establishing efficient coping strategies. In some cases, they turn to unhealthy coping strategies like excessive drinking or drugs. This can make it harder for others to recognize the signs of struggle and delay an accurate diagnosis.
Adults with ADHD are often sensitive to criticism or failure. This can cause them to internalize their problems and make it difficult for them to seek assistance. In the end, they may struggle with relationships and have trouble finding meaningful work. They may be more susceptible to depression, anxiety and mood swings. In some cases the symptoms can result in a mental illness such as non-suicidal harming oneself (NSSI), that can be expressed by cutting, burning or scratching.
While it's more common for men and boys to be diagnosed with ADHD The symptoms can last throughout adulthood and affect many aspects of life. It's essential for women to identify the signs and seek a thorough assessment from a health care professional. A proper diagnosis can result in more manageable symptoms and an improved quality of life.
2. Disorganization
Women suffering from ADHD often complain of feeling overwhelmed and feel like their lives are in chaos. They may miss work deadlines or struggle to keep track of household or work tasks, such paying bills and keeping appointments. Their home and finances could be messy and they may find it difficult to keep good relationships and a stable job.
Attention-deficit ADHD symptoms can cause more frustration and misunderstandings in relationships with partners, friends, and coworkers. These issues can result in strained or even broken connections and feelings of isolation. Forgetfulness, difficulty listening, and a tendency to "zone out" in conversations could contribute to misunderstandings and arguments with loved ones.
Women with ADHD are more likely to experience signs of emotional instability, impulsivity, and mood swings. These can cause disruption in their personal and professional lives. Women with untreated ADHD may feel overwhelmed by the demands and expectations of work, family, and society, and are more prone to criticism or harsh judgement.
There are ways to deal with these symptoms. For many adults, treatment options include lifestyle modifications and the use of specialized tools for organization and prescription stimulant medication.
Women who suffer from ADHD often find it easier than men to hide their ADHD symptoms and, as a consequence they are often not diagnosed until they reach adulthood. They are more likely to suffer from comorbid conditions like depression and anxiety which can worsen the effects of untreated ADHD. Women also have a difficult time trying to maintain stable relationships and jobs and suffer from low self esteem and chronic stress. *Sex refers to the person's genetic makeup, chromosomes, hormones and anatomy; gender refers to the internal perception of self as a woman, man, nonbinary, or other gender identity and mental health issues are often diagnosed on the basis of both.
3. Anxiety
Women with ADHD are at risk for depression and anxiety. These feelings can become more severe when you're unable keep the track of your daily tasks and appointments. This could lead to health issues such as missed health checkups, late payments and even debt. ADHD can cause emotional dysregulation, impulsivity and forgetfulness and can cause relationships problems with friends, partners and coworkers.
adult female ADHD symptoms come up with strategies to disguise their symptoms. This can make it difficult for others to notice that they are having trouble staying organized and focused. These strategies of coping can be healthy, such as setting up a daily schedule, or a phone reminder or harmful, like relying on drugs or alcohol to cope or function. These coping strategies can cause women to feel stressed and insecure, leading them to doubt themselves and their abilities. This can lead to depression or anxiety.
In addition, women who suffer from ADHD often experience a sense of not fitting in or meeting societal expectations and this can lead to low self-esteem and frustration. They may also experience issues at work, such as difficulties with organizational abilities, adhering to corporate guidelines, or adhering to a daily 9-to-5 schedule. They may struggle to manage their finances due in part to disorganization or excessive spending. Also, they might struggle to keep up with homework assignments or other work.
ADHD can be a long-lasting condition that requires lifelong support, particularly when it affects girls and women. Despite the prevalence of the disorder, it is still under-diagnosed, misunderstood and not treated. Lingering stereotypes and referral biases internalized symptoms, comorbidities and hormonal changes all contribute to the unique symptom-based presentation of ADHD in females.
4. Impulsivity
Women with ADHD might have difficulty controlling their emotions or impulses. They could be easily frustrated or excessively excited, and they might lose track of time or be late for an event. They may also have difficulty understanding body language or recognizing social signals. This can lead to problems at work or with relationships. For example, they might get into arguments easily or spend too much time in pursuit of hobbies and interests that aren't very important to them. They may also have difficulty keeping relationships or forming connections because they are unable to keep their commitments and promises.
Women are more adept at developing strategies to manage their ADHD symptoms. This makes it more difficult for them than men to diagnose. They might, for example create routines to assist them in staying organized, or utilize apps to remind them of their schedules. They could alter their lifestyle to conform to social expectations and norms. They may even cover up their symptoms using drugs or alcohol to cope, which can cause serious health problems in the end.
Many people with ADHD get over their symptoms, but some do not. About 60% of women with ADHD in childhood will have it throughout their adulthood. adult female ADHD symptoms is in contrast to 30% of men.
Professional treatment can be beneficial for those who could not find relief from medication or lifestyle changes. There are a myriad of options available, including life coaching, career coaching, and counseling, as well as medications such as stimulants. Exercise is an effective method of improving your mood and increasing your energy. It releases neurotransmitters that boost the motivation and focus. It can also reduce anxiety and stress.
5. Emotional reactivity
Girls and women with ADHD often have issues with emotional hyperactivity. They may struggle with controlling their emotions and how they express them. This can cause frustration for themselves as well as others. For example, a woman with ADHD might become enraged when a friend is critical of her, but she might not be able to settle down and talk about the issue in a rational way. She might also be unable to "pause her reaction" by recognizing body signals like flushed skin or a short breath which indicate she is either overstimulated or overwhelmed.
This inability to regulate emotions can cause confusion and frustration and make those with ADHD prone towards anxiety or depression. It can also lead to problems with social interactions because it is difficult to read people's moods and social cues.
In certain instances, ADHD people may appear in a way that they are emotionally detached and not interested in their friends or loved one even though they care about them. In other instances they may avoid situations that trigger them to avoid feeling emotions that are intense.
The nature of women's symptoms could make it easier for doctors to ignore the effects of ADHD. Many people disguise their ADHD symptoms when they do show up in the future, they're more likely be interpreted as anxiety or mood-related and thus misdiagnosed. It can be helpful to speak with a mental health professional who has experience working with young girls and women with ADHD when you're experiencing these symptoms. They can validate your experiences, teach you how to utilize strategies like pacing and self-awareness and offer family psychoeducation to help you learn to recognize and address your ADHD symptoms in the near future.