Symptoms of ADHD in Adult Women
While boys and men are diagnosed far more often with ADHD, women and girls can also have it. However, lingering stereotypes, referral biases internalized symptoms and comorbidities make it difficult for them to be evaluated and treated.
Many women devise coping strategies to hide their ADHD symptoms and meet societal expectations, but these can be unhealthy and unsustainable. Here are some of adult women's most commonly reported ADHD symptoms.
1. Unfocused attention
Women with ADHD are often overwhelmed by the daily tasks. It can be difficult for them to keep on top of deadlines, emails and meetings. They are also more likely to forget important dates or events. They may also have difficulty to concentrate in noisy or busy environments. This can lead them to miss out on opportunities and produce lower quality work.
For many people with ADHD, these challenges can feel like an expression of their character or performance, which can lead to frustration. They often suffer from low self-esteem as well as a negative body image. They may also have difficulty to keep relationships stable and come up with effective strategies to cope. In some instances they will use unhealthy coping strategies like excessive drinking or drug use. This can make it difficult for others to recognize that they're struggling, and can delay a diagnosis.
Adults with ADHD might be more sensitive to criticism or failure. This can lead them to internalize the problem and make it difficult for them to seek help. In the end, they may experience relationship difficulties and have difficulty finding meaningful employment. They could be more susceptible to depression, anxiety and mood swings. In some instances, the symptoms can lead to a mental condition such as non-suicidal harming oneself (NSSI) which can be expressed by cutting or burning.
ADHD is more prevalent among men and boys, but symptoms can linger and affect many areas of your life. It is crucial for women to recognize the symptoms and seek an assessment from a health care professional. A proper diagnosis can lead to better-managed symptoms and a higher quality of life.
2. Disorganization
Women suffering from ADHD often feel overwhelmed and feeling like their lives are a mess. They may miss deadlines or find it difficult to keep track of household chores such as paying bills and keeping the track of appointments. They may be disorganized with their home and finances, and struggle to maintain a stable relationship and an employment.
Attention-deficit ADHD symptoms can lead to frustration and miscommunications in relationships between friends, partners and colleagues. These problems can lead to broken or strained relationships and feelings of isolation. Forgetfulness, difficulty in listening, and the tendency to "zone out" or to not pay attention, may cause misunderstandings with loved ones.
Women who suffer from ADHD are more likely to experience signs of emotional instability, impulsivity and mood swings. These can cause disruption in their personal and professional lives. Women who are not treated for ADHD can feel overwhelmed by the responsibilities and expectations of work, family as well as society. They might be more sensitive to harsh criticism or harsh judgment.
The good news is that there are solutions to manage the impact of these symptoms. For many adults treatments include lifestyle adjustments and the use of specialized organizational tools, as well as prescription stimulant medications.
Women who suffer from ADHD might be able to cover up their ADHD symptoms better than males which could lead to being undiagnosed until later in life. They are more likely to suffer from co-occurring disorders, like depression and anxiety that can increase the effects of untreated ADHD. Women can also have difficulty maintaining healthy relationships and stable jobs and may suffer from low self-esteem and chronic stress. *Sex refers to the hormones and chromosomes; gender refers the internal sense of self-identity as a man, woman, nonbinary or other gender identity. Mental health problems are often diagnoses in relation to both.
3. Anxiety
Women who suffer from ADHD are more likely to suffer from depression and anxiety. These emotions may be exacerbated by the inability to keep track of the daily schedule and appointments and can result in health issues like missed health check-ups, missed payments or even debt. The emotional dysregulation, impulsivity, and forgetfulness of ADHD can also cause relationship issues with coworkers, partners and family members.
Many women come up with strategies to disguise their symptoms. This could make it difficult for others to notice that they have difficulty staying focused and organized. mouse click the next internet page of coping can be healthy like setting up a daily schedule, or a phone reminder or even unhealthy, such as relying on drugs or alcohol to manage or function. These strategies for coping can make women feel anxious and unsure which can cause them to doubt their abilities and self-confidence. This can lead to depression or anxiety.
In addition, women who suffer from ADHD frequently feel the pressure of not fitting in or achieving social norms and this can lead to feelings of self-doubt and anger. They may also face challenges at work such as difficulty in establishing organizational skills, adhering to corporate policies or sticking to a regular 9-to-5 routine. They may struggle with managing their finances, due to disorganization and impulsive spending, or they could be unable to keep up with work-related assignments or completing homework.
ADHD can be a long-lasting condition that requires lifelong care, particularly when it affects women and girls. Despite the prevalence of the disorder, it is still under-diagnosed, misunderstood and not treated. The unique symptoms of ADHD in women are a result stereotypes, referral biases, internalized symptomatology and comorbidities as well as hormonal fluctuations.
4. Impulsivity
Women who suffer from ADHD might have difficulty controlling their emotions or impulses. They could be easily upset or overly excited, lose track time or be late for events. They also might have trouble reading body speech or recognizing social signals. This can cause problems at work or in relationships. They might be susceptible to arguments or spend too much time with interests and hobbies that are not important to them. They might also have trouble maintaining friendships or making connections due to their inability to keep their promises and commitments.
Women are better at developing coping mechanisms to mask their ADHD symptoms. This makes it more difficult for them than men to get diagnosed. They could, for instance, develop routines that assist them in staying organized, or utilize apps to remind them of their schedules. They might also change their behavior to fit in with societal expectations and norms. They may even try to hide their symptoms using drugs or alcohol. This can have grave health consequences in the long run.
Many people suffering from ADHD get over their symptoms, but there are some who do not. About 60% of women who have ADHD during childhood continue to be affected until adulthood, as opposed to 30% of men.
Professional therapy can be beneficial for those who do not find relief from medication or lifestyle changes. There are many options available, such as career coaching, counseling and life coaching. There are also stimulants. Exercise can also be an excellent way to boost your mood and increase your energy levels. It releases neurotransmitters, which increase motivation and focus. It also helps reduce anxiety and stress.
5. Reactivity to emotions
Girls and women with ADHD often have trouble with emotional reactivity. They may struggle with controlling their emotions and how they express them. This can lead to anger for themselves and others. For instance, a person with ADHD might become enraged when her partner is critical of her, but she may not be able to settle down and talk about the problem in a more sensible manner. It is also possible that she struggles to "pause her reaction" by recognizing body signals such as flushed skin or a short breath which indicate she is either overstimulated or overwhelmed.
This inability to regulate their emotions can cause more stress and misunderstandings in relationships and can make those with ADHD more susceptible to anxiety or depression. It can also cause issues when it comes to social interactions, because it is difficult to discern the mood of others and detect social signals.
In certain instances, people with ADHD might appear emotionally distant and uninterested in their family or loved ones, even if they really love them. In other situations they might withdraw from triggering situations to avoid experiencing an intense emotion.
Gender bias is a frequent feature of clinicians 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 when they do show up in the future, they're more likely be seen as anxiety- or mood-related, and therefore misdiagnosed. If you're experiencing trouble with these symptoms, it might be beneficial to consult an expert in mental health who is experienced in working with women and girls who have ADHD. They can validate your experience, instruct you on strategies like self-awareness and pacing, and also provide you with family psychoeducation to help you identify and address any the upcoming ADHD symptoms.