ADHD Symptoms in Adult Females
Although ADHD affects men and women equally throughout adulthood, the condition typically isn't recognized by females. This is likely due to gender stereotypes and the ability of women to conceal their symptoms.
Many healthcare professionals lack the expertise or experience needed to identify ADHD in women. Many females are misdiagnosed and do not receive the treatment they require.
1. Disorganization
Women and girls with ADHD are often plagued by disorganization, a condition that can be very difficult to manage. Your desk, for instance could be a jumble of papers, 17 different chapsticks, and tickets from the Kings of Leon show you attended in 2008. And while you spend money on products that claim to keep you organized, your home and office are likely to remain chaotic and messy.
Inability to stay on top of your responsibilities can result in missing deadlines and appointments. You might also struggle with "time blindness," where you don't recall or know how long it takes to complete the task. This can cause you to be unhappy and feeling that you're not doing an adequate job in your professional or personal life, particularly if it feels like other people don't value your efforts.
There is a possibility that you have trouble managing your emotions. This could cause you to overreact when confronted by stressful situations. Your high-speed verbal communication can cause confusion and miscommunications with your family as well as your coworkers. You could make statements that hurt the feelings of others without meaning to. In addition, since impulsivity is common for those with ADHD and ADD, you may find it difficult to resist saying things before thinking them through.
If you have ADHD it's likely that some of your symptoms stem from gender stereotypes and cultural ideas regarding how men, boys, and women should act. This can make it difficult to identify and treat ADHD.
In addition to a diagnosis it is possible that you will benefit from behavioral therapy to tackle the root of your disorder. And although it may take some time to identify the appropriate strategies for coping using these strategies, they can assist you in feeling more in control of your life as well as improve relationships with your family and friends as well as coworkers.
2. Impulsivity
People who suffer from ADHD are often overwhelmed by intense emotions however their brains don't have a method to assess or filter them. This means they can get overwhelmed by a single incident or struggle to discern the mood of their peers. It also makes it easier for them to get distracted by small issues like books that are out of stock or an acquaintance who's late for the spin class.
Many women suffering from ADHD manage their attention problems by hiding symptoms and implementing strategies to cope. They may be perfectionists or highly conscientious at work or in school, but have difficulty keeping the track of important dates, bills and appointments. They may also have trouble with verbal self-restraint and frequently interrupt others, talk too much, often, or ramble during conversations.
The hyperactive/impulsive subtype of ADHD tends to be more common in boys and men, but it's not unusual for women to have these symptoms too. These symptoms include an abrupt desire to stop, start or alter the course of action and being unable to hold for your turn during a conversation and having trouble reading social signals (like facial expressions or body language).
While gender stereotypes can have an impact on the development of ADHD in women, it's not always easy to identify these issues. The scales for rating used to identify ADHD symptoms still favor male behavior. Some healthcare professionals may not be aware of a woman's ADHD symptoms.
Many women with ADHD also say that their symptoms get more severe during periods of hormonal changes, for example during menstrual cycles or pregnancy, or during perimenopausal (the menopausal transition). This can lead to emotional symptoms such as frustration, irritability or depression. They may also experience an unending sense of dissatisfaction with their relationships or lives. This could cause self-esteem issues, substance abuse or unbalanced methods of coping. This is the reason it's so important for women to understand that these symptoms are not an indication of their worth or worth as an individual. With a well-planned treatment plan, you can improve or even eliminate these symptoms.
3. Inattention
ADHD is characterized by a high frequency of these symptoms. While everyone struggles to concentrate and pay attention at certain times the frequency of these symptoms is so high that they can impede your daily life. You might make mistakes at school or work or forget appointments or you may spend many hours putting off work. Home have a hard time waiting for your turn in conversations and frequently interrupt others.
Adults who aren't attentive can also have a tendency to rush into projects before fully planning them and researching them. This leads to incomplete results or subpar ones. It is also possible to get lost easily and tend to leave projects unfinishedfrom the garden that got planted but never watered to the new organizational system that got assembled and then put aside to dust on your nightstand.
People with inattentive ADHD are also plagued by a constant sense of disorganization at home and at work. You may have difficulty finding important documents, bills or keys and lose things frequently. You may also lose track of time and be late for work, school or even meetings.
Women with hyperactive/impulsive ADHD are less likely to experience these inattentive symptoms, but they can still have problems with organization, time management and self-control. People who suffer from these conditions can make decisions or conduct actions without considering the impact. For instance they may speak over others or make nonsensical noises when they are alone. They have difficulty sitting still and can be prone to fumbling around or pacing in their seats. They may have difficulty maintaining a job, and have frequent disagreements with their colleagues and manager.
In some instances mood swings and emotional distress caused by ADHD can cause frustration and misunderstandings in relationships. This is particularly true in romantic relationships as well as at work. People who suffer from ADHD are also more likely to have co-occurring conditions, like depression, anxiety or bipolar disorder.
Girls and women with ADHD are often faced with a range of difficulties in seeking diagnosis and treatment that include gender bias and a tendency to hide their symptoms or underestimate the severity of them. The rise of famous women such as Mia Freedman and Em Rusciano who have publicly shared their personal struggles with ADHD has raised awareness, however many girls and young women do not know they have the disorder.
4. Anxiety
An anxiety disorder is characterized by persistently excessive anxiety. While everyone is anxious or nervous occasionally, anxiety disorders are characterized by a constant high level of anxiety. You might experience an uncontrollable feeling of anxiety or fear, a rapid heartbeat, difficulty staying at peace and having difficulty focusing. You may also experience a heightened sense of danger, even in situations that aren't likely to be dangerous to you. The most common types of anxiety are general anxiety disorder, agoraphobia and separation anxiety, as well as panic disorders.
Anxiety is more common in women suffering from ADHD than in men and tends to get worse at certain times in women's lives, such as around the time of her menstrual period, pregnancy or perimenopause. This makes it more difficult to manage everyday activities and social interactions and cause feelings of low self-esteem and general discontent with your life.
You're highly sensitive to rejection and have a difficult to accept criticism. You can easily interpret feedback incorrectly, or anticipate rejection. You might get upset over small issues that others don't see an issue with.
Mood swings can also be a sign of adult adhd in women. You may find that you experience erratic moods or find it difficult to control these. You may also be prone self-injury that is not suicidal, like burning, scrubbing, or hitting yourself.
It is crucial to seek a diagnosis when you are experiencing any of the symptoms mentioned above. It will help you comprehend some of the challenges you're facing, and offer you strategies to improve your quality of life. You can take an online ADHD test, or visit your doctor for a thorough assessment. In some cases doctors may prescribe medication to help alleviate your symptoms. In some cases, your doctor may recommend the combination of lifestyle changes and cognitive behavior therapy. In either case it's crucial to make positive changes as soon as possible. This will help you gain control of your life and feel more confident and competent.