Symptoms of ADHD in Adult Women
While males and females are more frequently diagnosed with ADHD but girls and women can also have it. But persistent stereotypes, referral bias, internalized symptoms and comorbidities make it difficult for them to be properly evaluated and treated.
These strategies can be unhealthy and unsustainable. Here are a few of the most common symptoms of ADHD in women of adulthood.
1. Unfocused attention
Women suffering from ADHD tend to feel overwhelmed by the daily tasks. It is often difficult for them to keep track of deadlines, emails, and meetings. They are also more likely to forget important dates or events. They may also have difficulty concentration in noisy or busy surroundings. This can lead to missed opportunities and lower level of productivity.
These challenges can cause frustration for many adults with ADHD. They may feel that they reflect of themselves or their performance. They may suffer from low self-esteem and negative image of their body. They may also have difficulty keeping relationships stable and developing effective coping mechanisms. In ADHD and adults symptoms may use unhealthy coping strategies, such as excessive alcohol or drug use. This may make others less likely to acknowledge their problems and delay diagnosis.
Adults suffering from ADHD may be particularly sensitive to criticism or failure. This can lead them to internalize their problems and make it difficult to seek assistance. They may also experience problems with relationships and find it difficult to find meaningful employment. They may also be more prone to depression, anxiety and mood swings. In some cases the symptoms may result in a mental illness that is non-suicidal, like harming oneself (NSSI), that can be exhibited through cutting or burning.
While it's more common for men and boys to be diagnosed with ADHD the symptoms can last into adulthood and impact multiple areas of life. It's crucial for women to recognize the signs and seek a thorough evaluation from a health care professional. A proper diagnosis can result in more manageable symptoms and an improved quality of life.
2. Disorganization
Women suffering from ADHD often complain of feeling overwhelmed and feel like their lives are chaotic. They might miss deadlines or find it difficult to keep track of household or work-related tasks, such as paying bills and keeping the track of appointments. Their home and finances could be disorganized and they may have a difficult time to maintain good relationships and a stable job.
Attention-deficit ADHD symptoms can lead to frustration and miscommunications in relationships with friends, partners and coworkers. These issues can cause broken or stressed connections and feelings of isolation. The inability to remember, the difficulty in listening and the tendency to "zone out" or not pay attention, can lead to misunderstandings with loved ones.
Women with ADHD are more likely to experience signs of impulsivity, emotional instability, and mood swings. They can be disruptive both in their professional and personal lives. Women who are not treated for ADHD may be overwhelmed by the demands of family, work and social life. They could also be sensitive to criticism and harsh judgment.
The good news is that there are solutions to manage the impact of these symptoms. For many adults, treatment options include lifestyle changes and the use of specific tools for organizing and prescription stimulant medication.
Women who suffer from ADHD might be able to hide their ADHD symptoms better than males which could lead to an undiagnosed condition that can last until the age of. They are more likely to be suffering from comorbid disorders like depression and anxiety, which can exacerbate the effects of untreated ADHD. Women may also have trouble maintaining healthy relationships and a steady job, and can suffer from low self-esteem and chronic stress. *Sex refers to a person's biological makeup, chromosomes, hormones and anatomy; gender refers to the internal feeling of self as a man, woman or nonbinary gender identity; and mental health conditions are often diagnosed on the basis of both.
3. Anxiety
Women with ADHD are at risk of developing depression and anxiety. These feelings can be exacerbated when you're unable to keep track of your daily tasks and appointments. This can lead to health issues such as missed health checkups or payments that are late, or even debt. The emotional dysregulation, impulsivity, and forgetfulness of ADHD can also create problems with relationships with partners, coworkers and even friends.
Many women develop strategies to mask their symptoms. This can make it difficult for others to see that they are having trouble staying focused and organized. These strategies for coping may be healthy, such as establishing a daily schedule or establishing phone reminders or they may be unhealthy, such as relying on alcohol or drugs to help them manage or overcome their challenges. These coping strategies can lead to an unhealthy cycle of stress and self-doubt for women, making them feel like they are not doing enough or productive, which could cause depression and anxiety.
Women who suffer from ADHD might also feel like they aren't accepted or don't meet social expectations. This can lead to feelings of self-doubt and frustration. They might also face challenges at work, like difficulties with organizational abilities, adhering to corporate policies, or sticking to a routine of 9-5. 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 finishing homework.
ADHD can be a lifetime condition that requires continuous assistance, particularly when it affects women and girls. Despite its prevalence this disorder is poorly understood and not properly diagnosed. It is also not treated. Remaining stereotypes, referral bias, internalized symptoms, comorbidities, and hormonal fluctuations all contribute to the unique symptom presentation of ADHD in females.
4. Impulsivity
Women with ADHD might have difficulty controlling their emotions or impulses. They might become easily frustrated or overly excited, lose track time or be late to events. They may also have difficulty reading body speech or recognizing social cues. This can cause problems at work or in relationships. For example, they might have a tendency to get into fights easily, or they may spend too much time in pursuit of hobbies and interests that aren't important to them. They may also have difficulty maintaining relationships or making new connections due to their struggle to stick to promises and commitments.
Women are more adept at developing coping mechanisms to mask their ADHD symptoms. This makes it harder for them than men to diagnose. For example, they might create routines to help remain organized or rely on apps to remind them of appointments. They may also alter their behaviour to comply with the norms and expectations of society. They might even hide their symptoms by using alcohol or drugs to deal with their problems, which can cause serious health problems in the end.
Certain people with ADHD are not able to overcome the symptoms. About 60 percent of women with ADHD during childhood continue to be affected into adulthood, compared to 30% of males.
Professional treatment can be beneficial for those who can not find relief from medication or lifestyle changes. There are a variety of options, including career coaching, life coaching, and counseling as well as medications such as stimulants. Exercise is a fantastic method to boost your mood and increasing your energy. It releases neurotransmitters that boost motivation and focus. It can reduce anxiety and stress.
5. Reactivity to emotions
Girls and women with ADHD often have issues with emotional reaction. They may have a difficult time to regulate their emotions and express them appropriately and can cause anger with their own self and others. For example, a woman with ADHD may become angry when a friend critiques her, but she might not be able to calm down and talk about the problem in a more sensible manner. She may also struggle to "pause her reaction" by recognizing body signals like a flushed face or breath shortness that indicate she is overexcited or overwhelmed.
This inability to regulate emotions can result in frustration and misunderstandings and make people with ADHD susceptible to depression or anxiety. It can also cause difficulties with social interactions, as it is difficult to discern other people's moods and pick up on social signals.
In some instances, those with ADHD might appear emotionally distant and uninterested in their family or loved ones, even if they truly are concerned about them. In other instances they might withdraw from situations that trigger emotions to avoid feeling a strong emotion.
Gender bias is a frequent feature of medical professionals, and the effects of ADHD on women are often overlooked because of the nature of their symptoms. Many people disguise their ADHD symptoms and, when they do appear they are more likely to be interpreted as anxiety or mood-related and thus misdiagnosed. If you're experiencing these symptoms, it may be helpful to seek an expert in mental health who is experienced in working with women and girls who suffer from ADHD. They can confirm your experiences, teach you strategies like self-awareness and pacing, and also provide you with psychoeducation for your family to help you identify and address any future ADHD symptoms.