Symptoms of ADHD in Adult Women
While boys and men are diagnosed far more often with ADHD but girls and women can also have it. But stereotypes, prejudices regarding referrals, internalized symptoms, and other comorbidities can make it difficult to get them properly evaluated and treated.
symptoms of ADHD in adults female come up with strategies to mask their ADHD symptoms and to meet social expectations, but these can be unsustainable and unhealthy. Here are some of the adult women's most frequent ADHD symptoms.
1. Unfocused attention
Women with ADHD are susceptible to feeling overwhelmed by everyday tasks. It can be difficult to keep on top of deadlines, emails, and meetings. They may also be more likely to overlook important dates or events. They may also find it difficult to focus in noisy or busy environments. This can result in missed opportunities as well as a lower level of productivity.
For many adults with ADHD the challenges they face can feel like an aspect of their personality or performance and lead to frustration. Many adults with ADHD have a low sense of self and a negative image of their body. They may also be struggling with keeping relationships stable and developing efficient coping strategies. In some cases they resort to unhealthy strategies for coping that include excessive drinking or drugs. This could make people less likely to recognize their problems and delay diagnosis.
Adults with ADHD can be especially sensitive to criticism and failure which can cause them to internalize their difficulties and have difficulty seeking help. As a result, they may experience relationships and have trouble finding meaningful work. ADHD symptoms female adults may also be more prone to anxiety, depression, and mood swings. In certain instances, these symptoms can cause the development of a mental health problem like non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI), which can be expressed through cutting, burning or scratching.
ADHD is more common in men and boys, but symptoms can linger and affect all aspects of your life. Women should recognize the signs and seek out an evaluation by a health professional. A correct diagnosis can lead to better management of symptoms and a higher quality of life.
2. Disorganization
Women with ADHD feel overwhelmed, as if their lives are in chaos. They may miss work deadlines or struggle to keep up with chores at home or at work like paying bills or making appointments. They might have a chaotic home and finances, and may struggle to maintain a stable relationship and a job.
Inattentive-type ADHD symptoms can heighten frustration and misunderstandings in relationships with partners, friends, and coworkers. These issues can result in fractured or even strained relationships and feelings of loneliness. The inability to listen, forgetfulness and a tendency to "zone out" in conversations can also result in arguments and miscommunications with loved ones.
Signs of emotional dysregulation, impulsivity, and mood swings are more prevalent among women suffering from ADHD than in men, and can be highly disruptive to personal and professional. Women with untreated ADHD may feel overwhelmed by the demands of family, work, and society. They might also be sensitive to harsh criticism and harsh judgment.
The good news is that there are options to manage the impact of these symptoms. Treatment options for adults include lifestyle modifications and the use of specialized organization tools, and prescription stimulant medications.
Women with ADHD typically have a harder time than men to disguise their ADHD symptoms and, as a result they are often not diagnosed until they reach adulthood. They are also more likely to have multiple disorders that are comorbid, like depression and anxiety which can exacerbate the effects of untreated ADHD. Women can also have issues maintaining healthy relationships and stable jobs and may suffer from low self-esteem and chronic stress. *Sex refers to a person's genetic makeup, chromosomes, hormones and anatomy; gender refers to the internal feeling of self as a woman, man, nonbinary, or other gender identity; and mental health conditions are usually diagnosed based on both.
3. Anxiety
Women who have ADHD are at risk for anxiety and depression. These symptoms can be worsened if you are unable to keep track of your daily tasks and appointments. This can cause health problems such as missed checkups or payments that are late, or even debt. ADHD can trigger emotional dysregulation, impulsivity and forgetfulness, which can lead to problems in relationships with partners, friends and colleagues.
Many women develop coping strategies to mask their symptoms, which can make it difficult for others to recognize that they are struggling to stay focused and organized. These strategies for coping could be healthy like creating a daily schedule or a phone reminder, or unhealthy, like drinking alcohol or taking drugs to cope or function. These strategies can make women feel anxious and unsure which can cause them to doubt their abilities and self-confidence. This can trigger depression or anxiety.
In addition, women with ADHD often feel a sense of not fitting in or achieving social norms, which can lead to low self-esteem and frustration. They may also encounter challenges at work, including difficulties with organizational skills, following corporate guidelines, or adhering to a routine of 9-5. They may be struggling with managing their finances, because of their indecisiveness and uncontrolled spending, or they might be unable to keep up with work-related assignments or completing homework.
ADHD can be a lifelong condition that requires ongoing support, especially when it affects girls and women. Despite the disorder's prevalence yet, it is often misunderstood, underdiagnosed, and untreated. The unique symptoms of ADHD in women are a result stereotypes and referral biases, as well as internalized symptomatology, comorbidities and hormonal changes.
4. Impulsivity
Women who suffer from ADHD might have difficulty controlling their emotions or impulses. They could be easily frustrated or excessively excited, and they might lose track of their time or be late for events. They might also have trouble reading body language and recognizing social signals. This can cause problems at work or in relationships. They may be prone to arguments or spend too much time in pursuits and hobbies that aren't important to them. They might also have difficulty maintaining relationships or creating new connections due to the fact that they struggle to keep their promises and commitments.
Women are generally better in establishing coping mechanisms that help them mask their ADHD symptoms, making it difficult for them to be diagnosed than men. They could, for instance, develop routines that aid in staying organized or utilize apps to remind them of their appointments. They could also alter their behavior in order to comply with social norms and expectations. They may even try to hide their symptoms with alcohol or drugs. This could have negative health effects over time.
Certain people with ADHD do not completely overcome the symptoms. About 60% of women who have ADHD in childhood continue to suffer from the condition until they reach adulthood, compared to 30% of men.
For those who don't find relief through lifestyle or medication Professional treatment may be helpful. There are many options available, including career coaching, life coaching, and counseling, as well as medications such as stimulants. Exercise is also an excellent way to boost your mood and boost your levels of energy. It releases neurotransmitters that boost the ability to focus and motivate and can reduce anxiety and stress.
5. Reactivity to emotions
Girls and women who suffer from ADHD often struggle with emotional reaction. They may have difficulty to regulate their emotions and express them appropriately and this can lead to frustration with themselves and others. A person with ADHD may become angry when a friend critiques them however she may not be able to discuss the matter in a rational manner. She may also struggle to "pause" her response by identifying body signals that indicate she's feeling overwhelmed or stressed like flushing skin or shortness of breath.
This inability to regulate their emotions can lead to more frustration and misunderstandings in relationships and it can make people with ADHD more susceptible to anxiety or depression. It can also lead to difficulties with social interactions since it is difficult to read people's moods or detect social cues.
In some cases, people who suffer from ADHD might appear to be emotionally detached and uninterested in their family or loved ones, even when they really love them. In other situations, they may withdraw from situations that trigger emotions to avoid feeling emotions that are intense.
Gender bias is a common feature among doctors and the impact of ADHD on women can be easily overlooked due to the nature of their symptoms. Many of them hide their ADHD symptoms, and when they do manifest in the future, they're more likely be interpreted as anxiety or mood-related, which can lead to misdiagnosis. If you're experiencing trouble with these symptoms, it can be beneficial to talk to an experienced mental health professional who has experience in working with women and girls who have ADHD. They can help validate your experiences, guide you how to apply strategies like pacing and self-awareness and offer family psychoeducation to help you learn to recognize and address your ADHD symptoms in the future.