ADHD Adult Female Symptoms
ADHD can affect both women and men, however it is more difficult for women to be diagnosed. This is because women rarely exhibit the same hyperactivity or impulsivity that men do, which means they are often misdiagnosed or not recognized.
The first step to manage your symptoms is to obtain an accurate diagnosis. Adults suffering from ADHD are often treated with stimulant medications, but there are other alternatives.
1. Problems with Focusing
Everyone gets distracted occasionally women with ADHD have difficulty putting their attention on tasks and conversations especially when they're suffering from emotional or sensory overload. These issues can become more difficult during menstrual cycles.
Women with inattention ADHD also have issues with their working memory, making it difficult to remember simple things like appointments or forthcoming events. They might forget where they put their car keys or the name of the lady who gave them a ride home after a the spin class. They may forget important dates or deadlines.
Other symptoms of ADHD females in adulthood include procrastination and difficulty following the steps of plans. They are more likely to get distracted by shiny objects or social networks which makes it difficult to finish their projects and assignments. This can cause them to feel overwhelmed and underperforming at school or at work.
Because of the way society views gender, a lot of women suffering from ADHD aren't diagnosed. In turn, they feel shame and mistakenly label their issues as "bad behavior" or "character issues". They may feel like an impostor. A diagnosis can be an "lightbulb" moment for them, because it gives them an external explanation of their challenges and allows them to accept themselves better.
Untreated ADHD in girls and women can cause a range of negative effects, such as problems with academics, behavioral issues as well as family and relationship issues as well as coexisting mental health conditions. But a proper diagnosis and treatment plan can dramatically enhance the lives of people suffering from this condition at any stage of life. Treatment options could include stimulant therapy and medication. *
2. Difficulty Finishing Projects
Women suffering from ADHD struggle to complete tasks or obligations. They can forget important details, have trouble switching between tasks or responsibilities and find it difficult to meet deadlines. They may also be more prone to make erroneous mistakes, have trouble managing their time effectively, and overestimate how long it takes to complete their tasks.
Women suffering from ADHD can find the emotional symptoms of ADHD like mood swings or irritability particularly difficult. Hormonal changes can trigger symptoms, such as those that occur in pregnancy, menopause and during menstrual cycle. Women who have not been diagnosed with ADHD can feel frustrated and dissatisfied with their performance at work or in relationships.
Women with ADHD find daily routines like chores and grocery shopping challenging. They might have a difficult recalling to take out the trash or turn off the stove, and they are easily distracted by small things around them. They may also have difficulty performing routine tasks like folding the laundry or washing the dishes. Simple chores or boring ones can become unbearable and cause impulsive behavior like excessive talking or sharing. Women with ADHD may also make unruly decisions and resort to unhealthy coping strategies, like alcohol or drugs.
If you're having trouble finishing tasks, have memory issues that cause chronic procrastination or problems with relationships, it is time to consider a professional assessment for ADHD. Getting a proper diagnosis can improve your living quality and set you up for success in your professional and personal lives. It can help you manage your ADHD symptoms and develop strategies to address them effectively. You can limit lapses of concentration and attention by adhering to a plan, using a planner or reminder apps, making notes during meetings, and maintaining good sleep hygiene. Exercise can also improve concentration because it boosts the levels of brain neurotransmitters.
3. Difficulty Remembering Names
Difficulty remembering names can be associated with other ADHD symptoms, such as difficulty following directions and trouble finishing projects. The root cause of these difficulties is an inability to prioritize and organize tasks, which impacts efficient information retrieval. This symptom tends to worsen during times of fatigue, stress or hormonal changes.
The feeling of forgetting names can be more frustrating if it's accompanied by a feeling of numbness about larger items, such as appointments or events, or personal reminders. These lapses may be exacerbated by anxiety and depression, which are both common co-occurring conditions that are associated with ADHD among women.
Due to gender stereotypes and internalized symptoms, ADHD is often misdiagnosed by women. Inattentive ADHD symptoms are more subtle than hyperactive/impulsive symptoms, making them harder to detect and identify. In the end, they are under-identified and under-referred for diagnosis and treatment.
In addition, there is gender-based discrimination due to the fact that ADHD tends to be viewed as a disorder that affects boys. Boys who are hyperactive are the ones who are most frequently being referred to clinics and analyzed for treatment. Combined with internalized stigma and the fact that women's symptoms tend to differ from those of men as well, a lot of professionals fail to recognize or treat ADHD in women.
It's becoming more frequent for women to be diagnosed with ADHD in their adulthood. A diagnosis can enhance your relationships, aid you to succeed at work and in school, and offer you the assistance you require. If you're looking to get diagnosed, speak to an experienced Salience Health provider. We can evaluate your symptoms with tools like Creyos Cognitive Testing and Brainview Advanced and connect you with a therapist who's right for you.
4. Ailoofs with difficulty
Women who suffer from ADHD can have subtle symptoms of inattention. They may forget to do chores at home, skip appointments, or have trouble taking notes. They might also be struggling with impulsivity and have difficulty understanding social boundaries. This can result in confusion and misinterpretation in relationships with family and friends, and it can cause feelings of loneliness and feeling isolated.
Additionally, women with untreated ADHD often have difficulty meeting the expectations of society for them as women. This can lead to feeling inadequate and ADHD symptoms as they struggle with the responsibility of caring for children and household chores. If not treated, ADHD can lead to low self-esteem among women. They might resort to unhealthy coping mechanisms like binge eating and watching marathons of TV.
The challenges of ADHD in women are caused by gender bias both in the way girls and women are perceived and evaluated by clinicians. There is evidence that suggests that girls and women are more likely to conceal or minimize their ADHD symptoms, and can be less likely to be referred for treatment and diagnosis than boys and men.
Another issue is that women suffering from ADHD may be unable to recognize their own symptoms, and they may confuse them with anxiety or mood disorders. This can lead to a false diagnosis and delayed or improper treatment.
These changes can make women more frustrated with her ADHD symptoms. They may also increase the likelihood to be misinterpreted or dismissed as moody or emotional. These changes can intensify a woman's frustration with her ADHD symptoms, and can increase the likelihood of being misinterpreted or dismissed as moody or overly emotional.
5. Impulsivity
Women are also prone to impulsivity, which is a symptom of ADHD. They may also have difficulty controlling their emotions and are prone to "foot in the mouth" moments. ADHD symptoms in adult men that are impulsive can have a big impact on relationships and professional life.
The brain part that is responsible for the process of decision-making and reasoning is known as the prefrontal cortex. This brain area can stop individuals from making poor choices since it serves as a safeguard. ADHD sufferers have a weaker prefrontal cortex. This makes it harder to resist impulses and avoid doing something reckless. It can also result in an absence of self-esteem. Women's impulsiveness is often manifested as a lack of social boundaries and self-control in conversations (interrupting other people, not finishing their sentences, and talking too often).
Women can also experience problems with impulse control when their hormones fluctuate. Estrogen fluctuates at different times during the menstrual cycle as well as during pregnancy, childbirth, and menopause. The use of oral contraception and hormone therapy during perimenopausal and menopause can further alter the levels of estrogen and other hormones that affect women's ADHD symptoms.
The manner in which ADHD symptoms are expressed in girls and women can vary from those of men and boys, which is one of the reasons they are often not diagnosed. This is why many people who suffer from ADHD are unaware of the fact that they suffer from it. The positive side is that identifying and treating ADHD can improve a person's life regardless of age. Speak to your doctor if you're not sure whether you suffer from ADHD. They will give you guidance. Treatment options include medication, cognitive therapy and couples counseling.