Symptoms of ADHD in Adult Women
Women and girls can have ADHD. While both men and boys are diagnosed with ADHD more often but it is also possible for women to suffer from the condition. But stereotypes, referral prejudice, internalized symptoms, and comorbidities can make it difficult for them to be properly assessed and treated.
These strategies could be harmful and ineffective. Here are some of the adult women's most frequent ADHD symptoms.
1. Unfocused attention
Women with ADHD are often overwhelmed by the daily tasks. It can be difficult to keep the track of deadlines, emails, and meetings. They may also be more likely to overlook important dates or events. They may also have difficulty concentrating in noisy or busy environments. This can lead them to miss out on opportunities and produce lower quality work.
For many adults suffering from ADHD the challenges they face may be an aspect of their personality or performance, and can cause frustration. Many people with ADHD have a low sense of self and a negative view of their body. They may also have difficulty to maintain relationships and come up with effective strategies to cope. In some instances, they resort to unhealthy coping strategies that include excessive drinking or drug use. This can make others less likely to acknowledge their issues and delay a diagnosis.
Adults with ADHD can be especially sensitive to criticism and failure, which can cause them to internalize their issues and find it difficult to seek help. They may also experience issues with relationships and may struggle to find meaningful employment. ADHD adult symptoms may also be more prone to depression, anxiety, and mood fluctuations. In certain instances, these symptoms can result in the development of a mental health issue like non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI) which could be manifested through burning, cutting, or scratching.
ADHD is more prevalent among males and females, however symptoms can linger and affect all aspects of your life. Women must recognize the symptoms and seek a diagnosis by a health professional. A positive diagnosis can lead to better management of symptoms and a higher quality of life.
2. Disorganization
Women suffering from ADHD are often overwhelmed and feel as if their lives are in chaos. They may fail to meet deadlines for work or have trouble keeping the track of their chores at home or at work like paying bills and making appointments. Their home and finances could be messy and they may have a difficult time to keep healthy relationships and a stable job.
Attention-deficit ADHD symptoms can cause frustration and misunderstandings in relationships with friends, partners and coworkers. These issues can result in strained or even broken connections and feelings of isolation. Inattention, forgetfulness, and a tendency to "zone out" during conversations can result in arguments and miscommunications with loved ones.
The signs of impulsivity, emotional dysregulation, and mood swings are more common in women with ADHD than men and can be extremely disruptive to both personal and professional life. Women who are not treated for ADHD are often overwhelmed by the demands and expectations of work, family, and society, and may be particularly sensitive to criticism or harsh judgment.
The good news is that there are ways to reduce the impact of these symptoms. Treatment options for many adults include lifestyle adjustments as well as the use of specific tools for organization, and prescription stimulant drugs.
Women who suffer from ADHD tend to be more able than men to disguise their ADHD symptoms and, as a consequence they are often not diagnosed until the age of adulthood. They are also more likely to suffer from co-occurring disorders, like anxiety and depression, which can compound the effects of untreated ADHD. Women can also have issues maintaining healthy relationships and a steady job and may suffer from low self-esteem and chronic stress. *Sex refers a person's chromosomes and hormones; gender refers the internal sense of oneself as a man, woman, nonbinary or other gender identity. Mental health problems are usually diagnosed by both.
3. Anxiety
Women who have ADHD are at risk for depression and anxiety. These feelings can be exacerbated when you're unable to keep the track of your daily tasks and appointments. This can cause health problems such as missed health checkups, late payments and even debt. ADHD adult symptoms can trigger emotional dysregulation, impulsivity, and forgetfulness, which can lead to relationships problems with friends, partners and colleagues.
Many women come up with strategies to disguise their symptoms. This makes it difficult for others to see that they are having trouble staying focused and organized. These coping strategies may be healthy, such as creating an agenda for the day or establishing phone reminders or they may be unhealthy, such as relying on alcohol or drugs to help them function or cope with their difficulties. These coping skills can create a cycle of stress and self-doubt for women, making them feel like they are not doing enough or productive, which can increase feelings of anxiety and depression.
In addition, women with ADHD often feel a sense of not fitting in or meeting the expectations of society and this can lead to low self-esteem and a sense of frustration. They may also encounter challenges at work, including difficulties with organizational skills, following corporate guidelines, or adhering to a daily 9-to-5 schedule. They may struggle to manage their finances due to a lack of organization or an impulsive spending. Or, they may struggle to keep up with homework assignments or other work.
ADHD is a long-lasting condition that requires constant support, particularly when it affects girls and women. Despite its prevalence, the disorder is still undiagnosed and misunderstood. It is also undertreated. The distinctive symptoms of ADHD in women are the result of stereotypes and referral biases, as well as internalized symptomatology and comorbidities as well as hormonal fluctuations.
4. Impulsivity
Women suffering from ADHD may have trouble controlling their emotions and impulses. They may be easily annoyed or overwhelmed, lose track of time, or be late to events. They may also have difficulties understanding body language and picking up social signals. This can cause problems at work or with relationships. For instance, they may get into arguments easily or spend too much time on hobbies and interests that aren't very important to them. They might also have difficulty maintaining relationships or making new connections due to their struggle to keep their promises and commitments.
Women are generally better at building coping mechanisms that aid in reducing their ADHD symptoms, so it's difficult for them to be diagnosed than men. They could, for instance develop routines to help them stay organized or utilize apps to remind them of their appointments. They may change their lifestyle to comply with social expectations and norms. They might even attempt to hide their symptoms with drugs or alcohol. This can have grave health consequences in the long run.
Certain people with ADHD do not outgrow the symptoms. About 60 percent of women with ADHD in childhood continue to have the condition until adulthood, as opposed to 30% of males.
Professional treatment can be beneficial for those who could not find relief from medication or lifestyle changes. There are many options available, including career coaching, counseling and life coaching. There are also stimulants. Exercise is a great way to boost your mood and increasing your energy. It releases neurotransmitters to boost motivation and focus. It can also ease anxiety and stress.
5. Emotional reactivity
Women and girls with ADHD often struggle with emotional reaction. They may have trouble regulating their emotions and expressing them appropriately. This can lead to frustration for both themselves and others. For example, a woman with ADHD might become enraged when her spouse is critical of her, but she might not be able to settle down and talk about the problem in a more rational way. She may also struggle to "pause her reaction" by identifying body signals such as flushed skin or breath shortness which indicate she is either overstimulated or overwhelmed.
This issue with regulating emotions can lead to confusion and anger and make those with ADHD susceptible to anxiety or depression. It can also lead to difficulties in social interactions as it is difficult to read people's moods and social cues.
In some instances, those with ADHD might appear emotionally distant and uninterested in their family or loved ones, even if they truly care about them. In some cases they might avoid situations that trigger strong emotions to avoid feeling them.
Gender bias is a common feature among doctors, and the effects of ADHD on women can be easily overlooked because of the nature of their symptoms. Many women hide their ADHD symptoms and when they do appear, they are more likely to be misdiagnosed as anxiety or mood disorders. It is advisable to seek out a mental health professional who has worked with women and young girls with ADHD in the event that you're experiencing these symptoms. They can validate your experiences, show you how to apply strategies such as self-awareness and pacing and provide psychoeducation for your family to help you learn to recognize and respond to your ADHD symptoms in the future.