Symptoms of ADHD in Adult Women
While boys and men are more frequently diagnosed with ADHD but girls and women can also have it. However, lingering stereotypes, referral bias, internalized symptoms and comorbidities make it harder for them to be evaluated and treated.
These strategies are often harmful and not sustainable. Here are a few of the most commonly reported symptoms of ADHD in women of adulthood.
1. Unfocused attention
Women with ADHD tend to feeling overwhelmed by everyday tasks. It is often difficult to keep the track of deadlines, emails and meetings. They may also be more likely to forget important events or appointments. They may also have difficulty staying focused in noisy or crowded surroundings. This can lead to missed opportunities and a lower level of productivity.
For many adults with ADHD These challenges can feel like an expression of their character or performance and lead to frustration. They may end up with a low self-esteem and negative body image. They may also be struggling to maintain relationships and develop effective coping strategies. In some instances, they use unhealthy coping strategies that include excessive alcohol or drugs. This can make others less likely to acknowledge their issues and delay a diagnosis.
Adults with ADHD are often sensitive to criticism or failure. This can lead them to internalize the problem and make it difficult to seek help. They may also have relationship problems and are unable to find work that is meaningful. They may also be more prone to anxiety, depression and mood swings. In some instances, the symptoms can result in a mental illness, such as non-suicidal self-harm (NSSI) which can be exhibited through cutting, burning or scratching.
ADHD is more prevalent among males and females, however symptoms can linger and affect many areas of your life. Women should recognize the signs and seek a diagnosis by a health professional. A proper diagnosis can result in better control of symptoms and an improved quality of life.
2. Disorganization
Women suffering from ADHD feel overwhelmed and feel as if their lives are chaotic. They may miss work deadlines or have trouble keeping up with chores at home or at work like paying bills or keeping appointments. They may have a disorganized home and finances, and could struggle to maintain stable relationships and a job.
Attention-deficit ADHD symptoms can lead to more anger and miscommunications with partners, friends, and coworkers. These issues can cause broken or stressed connections and feelings of loneliness. Forgetfulness, difficulty listening and a tendency to "zone out" during conversations can cause misunderstandings and arguments with loved ones.
Signs of impulsivity, emotional dysregulation and mood swings are more prevalent among women suffering from ADHD than men and can be extremely disruptive to both personal and professional life. Women who are not treated for ADHD may feel overwhelmed by the demands and expectations of work, family as well as society. They may be particularly sensitive to criticism or harsh judgment.
There are methods to manage these symptoms. For many adults, treatment options include lifestyle adjustments and the use of specific tools for organizing, as well as prescription stimulant medication.
Women who suffer from ADHD may be able to hide their ADHD symptoms better than males, which can lead to being undiagnosed until later in life. They are also more likely to suffer from multiple disorders that are comorbid, like anxiety and depression which can exacerbate the effects of untreated ADHD. Women may also have trouble maintaining healthy relationships and stable jobs and are susceptible to low self-esteem and chronic stress. *Sex refers a person's hormones and chromosomes. Gender refers to the internal perception of oneself as a male woman, woman, nonbinary or other gender identity. Mental health issues are often diagnoses in relation to both.
3. Anxiety
Women with ADHD are at risk for depression and anxiety. These feelings can become more severe when you're unable to keep track of your daily tasks and appointments. This can cause health problems like missed appointments or payments that are late, or even debt. ADHD can trigger emotional dysregulation, impulsivity and forgetfulness which can lead to relationships problems with friends, partners and colleagues.
Many women develop coping strategies to disguise their symptoms. This makes it difficult for others to recognize that they have difficulty staying focused and organized. These strategies for coping may be healthy, like creating an annual schedule or setting reminders for phone calls, or they could be harmful depending on alcohol or drugs to help them function or cope with their challenges. These strategies can make women feel anxious and unsure which can cause them to doubt their abilities and self-confidence. This can lead to feelings of depression or anxiety.
Additionally, women with ADHD often experience a sense of not being accepted or meeting the expectations of society and this can lead to low self-esteem and frustration. They might also experience difficulties at work, such as difficulties in establishing organizational skills, adhering to corporate policies or sticking to a regular 9-to-5 work schedule. They may have difficulty managing their finances due to disorganization or excessive spending. Or, they may have trouble keeping up with homework assignments or other work.
ADHD is a long-lasting condition that requires continuous assistance, particularly when it affects women and girls. Despite the disorder's prevalence, it is still under-diagnosed, misunderstood and undertreated. Lingering stereotypes, referral bias internalized symptoms, comorbidities, and hormonal changes all contribute to the unique symptom-based presentation of ADHD in females.
4. Impulsivity
Women with ADHD may have trouble controlling their emotions and impulses. They can be easily annoyed or overly excited, and they might lose track of time or be late for events. They might also have difficulty reading body language or recognizing social cues. This can lead to problems at work or in relationships. For instance, they could be easily entangled in arguments or spend too much time on hobbies and interests that aren't important to them. They might also have trouble keeping relationships or forming connections due to their inability to keep their commitments and promises.
Women are more adept in developing coping mechanisms to help them mask their ADHD symptoms, so it's harder for them to get diagnosed than men are. They could, for instance develop routines to aid in staying organized or utilize apps to remind themselves of their appointments. They could change their behavior in order to conform to social norms and expectations. They might even hide their symptoms by using alcohol or drugs to manage with their symptoms, which could have serious health consequences in the long term.
Some people suffering from ADHD do not completely overcome the symptoms. About 60% of women who have ADHD in childhood continue to suffer from the condition into adulthood, compared to 30% of men.
Professional treatment can be beneficial for those who can not see relief from medications or lifestyle changes. There are many options, such as counseling, career coaching, and life coaching. You can also consider taking stimulants. Exercise is a great way of improving your mood and increasing your energy. It releases neurotransmitters that boost the motivation and focus. It can also help reduce anxiety and stress.
5. Click On this website and girls with ADHD often have trouble with emotional hyperactivity. They may have trouble regulating their emotions and how they express them. This can lead to anger for themselves and others. adult ADHD symptoms in men suffering from ADHD may get angry when her partner critiques them, but she might not be able to calm down to discuss the matter in a rational way. She may also struggle to "pause" her reaction by recognizing bodily signals that indicate she's feeling overwhelmed or stressed, such as flushing skin or a shortness of breath.
This difficulty regulating their emotions can lead to more frustration and misunderstandings in relationships, and can make those with ADHD more susceptible to anxiety or depression. It can also cause difficulties with social interactions since it's difficult to gauge people's moods and social cues.
In certain instances, people who suffer from ADHD might appear emotionally distant and disinterested in their friends or loved ones, even when they really love them. In other cases, they may withdraw from situations that trigger emotions to avoid feeling an intense emotion.
The nature of women's symptoms could make it easy for clinicians to ignore the effects of ADHD. Many of them camouflage their ADHD symptoms when they do manifest, they're more likely to be interpreted as anxiety or mood-related, which can lead to misdiagnosis. If you're struggling with these symptoms, it might be helpful to seek an experienced mental health professional who has experience in working with girls and women who suffer from ADHD. They can validate your experiences, show you how to use strategies like pacing and self-awareness, and provide family psychoeducation to help you learn to recognize and address your ADHD symptoms in the near future.