Symptoms of ADHD in Adult Women
While men and boys are diagnosed far more often with ADHD but girls and women can also have it. But stereotypes, referral prejudice, internalized symptoms, and comorbidities can make it difficult to get them properly assessed and treated.
symptoms of ADHD in adults female are often harmful and unsustainable. Here are a few of the most common symptoms of ADHD in women of adulthood.
1. Unfocused attention
Women suffering from ADHD are susceptible to feel overwhelmed by the daily tasks. It can be difficult to keep on top of deadlines, emails, and meetings. They could also be more prone to forget important dates or events. They may also have difficulty to concentrate in noisy or crowded environments. This can lead them to miss out on opportunities and work that is less than satisfactory.
These issues can cause frustration for many adults suffering from ADHD. They might feel that they are a reflection of their own performance or of themselves. Many adults with ADHD end up having an unsatisfactory self-image and a negative image of their body. They may also have difficulty maintaining stable relationships and establishing effective coping mechanisms. In some instances, they resort to unhealthy coping strategies, such as excessive drinking or drugs. This can make others less likely to recognize their issues and delay a diagnosis.
Adults with ADHD are often sensitive to criticism or failure. This may cause them to internalize the issue and make it difficult to seek help. In the end, they may experience issues with relationships and may have a difficult time finding work that is meaningful. They may also be more susceptible to depression, anxiety and mood swings. In some instances these symptoms may cause the development of a mental health condition such as self-injury that is non-suicidal (NSSI) which may be manifested through burning, cutting or scratching.
ADHD is more common in males and females, however symptoms can linger and affect all aspects of your life. Women should be aware of the signs and seek an evaluation by a medical professional. A proper diagnosis can result in better-managed symptoms and an improved quality of life.
2. Disorganization
Women with ADHD are often overwhelmed, as if their lives are chaotic. They may not meet deadlines or have difficulty to keep track of work or household tasks like paying bills and keeping the track of appointments. They may be disorganized with their home and finances, and could struggle to keep relationships stable and maintain an employment.
Inattentive-type ADHD symptoms can lead to more anger and misunderstandings in relationships with friends, partners and colleagues. These issues can cause broken or strained connections and feelings of isolation. The inability to remember, the difficulty in listening, and the tendency to "zone out" or to not pay attention, may result in misunderstandings between loved ones.
ADHD symptoms adult female who suffer from ADHD are more likely to experience signs of impulsivity, emotional instability, and mood swings. These can cause disruption both in their professional and personal lives. Women with untreated ADHD are often overwhelmed by the demands and expectations of family, work as well as society. They are more prone to criticism or harsh judgment.
The good news is that there are solutions to manage the impact of these symptoms. Treatment options for adults include lifestyle adjustments, the use of specialized tools for organizing, as well as prescription stimulant drugs.
Women who suffer from ADHD often find it easier than men to hide their ADHD symptoms, and as a result they are often not diagnosed until 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 can suffer from low self-esteem and chronic stress. *Sex refers to the hormones and chromosomes; gender is the internal belief in self-identity as a man, woman, nonbinary or another gender identity. Mental health issues are often diagnosed in relation to both.
3. Anxiety
Women who have ADHD are at risk for anxiety and depression. These feelings can be exacerbated if you are unable to keep the 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 lead to emotional dysregulation, impulsivity and forgetfulness and can cause relationship problems with family, friends and colleagues.
Many women develop coping strategies to hide their problems, which can make it difficult for others to see that they are struggling to stay focused and organized. These strategies of coping could be healthy, such as creating a daily schedule or setting reminders for phone calls, or they may be unhealthy, such as relying on alcohol or drugs to help them manage or overcome their difficulties. These coping strategies can trigger an unhealthy cycle of stress and self-doubt for women, causing them to feel that they aren't successful or productive, which could cause depression and anxiety.
In addition, women with ADHD often experience a sense of not fitting in or meeting societal expectations, which can lead to low self-esteem and frustration. They might also face challenges at work, such as difficulties with organization abilities, adhering to corporate policies, or adhering to a routine of 9-5. They may have difficulty managing their finances due in part to disorganization or excessive spending. Also, they might be struggling to complete assignments or homework.
ADHD can be a lifetime condition that requires continuous assistance, particularly when it affects girls and women. Despite its prevalence, it is still misunderstood, underdiagnosed, and undertreated. The lingering stigmas, referral bias internalized symptoms, comorbidities, and hormonal changes all contribute to the distinctive symptom manifestation 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 to events. They may also have difficulty reading body language or recognizing social cues. This can lead to issues at work or in relationships. They might be susceptible to arguing or spend too much time in pursuits and hobbies that are not important to them. They might also have trouble maintaining friendships or making connections because they are unable to keep their promises and commitments.
Women tend to be better in developing coping mechanisms to aid in reducing their ADHD symptoms, which is why it's more difficult for them to be diagnosed than men. For example, they might create routines to help keep track of their time or use apps to remind them of appointments. They might also change their behavior to conform with the norms and expectations of society. They may even cover up their symptoms by using drugs or alcohol to cope with their symptoms, which could have serious health issues in the end.
Many people who suffer from ADHD overcome their symptoms, but others do not. About 60% of women who have ADHD during childhood continue to have the condition until they reach adulthood, compared to 30% of men.
Professional treatment may be beneficial for those who do not experience relief from medication or lifestyle changes. There are many options, including life coaching, career coaching, and counseling along with medications like stimulants. Exercise is an effective method to boost your mood and boosting your energy. It releases neurotransmitters that boost the motivation and focus. It also helps reduce anxiety and stress.
5. Reactivity to emotional stimuli
Girls and women with ADHD often have trouble with emotional reactivity. They may find it hard to control their emotions and communicate them effectively and this can lead to frustration with others and themselves. For example, a woman with ADHD might become enraged when her spouse critiques her, but she may not be able to settle down and talk about the issue in a more rational way. She may also struggle to "pause her reaction" by identifying body cues like flushed skin or a short breath that indicate she is overexcited or overwhelmed.
This difficulty in regulating emotions can result in confusion and anger and make those with ADHD susceptible to anxiety or depression. It can also cause problems when it comes to social interactions, because it can be difficult to gauge the mood of others and detect social signals.
In certain situations, ADHD people may appear emotionally detached and uninterested towards their friends or loved one, even though they care about them. In other situations, they may withdraw from situations that trigger emotions to avoid feeling a strong emotion.
The nature of women's symptoms can make it easy for clinicians to ignore the effects of ADHD. Many women hide their ADHD symptoms, and when they do appear, they are more likely to be misdiagnosed as anxiety or mood disorders. If you're experiencing these symptoms, it might be beneficial to talk to an experienced mental health professional who has experience in working with girls and women with ADHD. They can validate your experience, instruct you on strategies like self-awareness and pacing, as well as provide you with psychoeducation for your family to help you recognize and address any future ADHD symptoms.