Symptoms of ADHD in Adult Women
Women and girls can have ADHD. While men and boys are diagnosed with ADHD more frequently but it is also possible for women to suffer from the condition. But stereotypes, referral prejudice and internalized symptoms as well as 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 commonly reported ADHD symptoms.
1. Unfocused attention
Women suffering from ADHD are susceptible to feel overwhelmed by the daily tasks. They often find it challenging to keep track of numerous deadlines, emails, and meetings. They are also more prone to forget important appointments or events. They may also struggle to concentrate in noisy or crowded environments. This can lead to missed opportunities and a lower quality of work.
For many adults with ADHD, these challenges may be an aspect of their personality or performance, which can lead to frustration. They often suffer from low self-esteem and negative image of their body. They may also be struggling with maintaining stable relationships and establishing efficient coping strategies. In some cases, they turn to unhealthy strategies for coping that include excessive drinking or drugs. This could make people less likely to recognize their issues and delay a diagnosis.
Adults suffering from ADHD may be particularly sensitive to criticism or failure. This can lead them to internalize the issue and make it difficult for them to seek assistance. They may also have issues with relationships and may find it difficult to find a meaningful job. They are also more susceptible to anxiety, depression and mood fluctuations. In signs and symptoms of add and ADHD in adults , the symptoms can cause a mental disorder such as non-suicidal harming oneself (NSSI) which could be exhibited through cutting or burning.
While it's more prevalent in boys and men to be diagnosed with ADHD, symptoms can persist into adulthood and can impact multiple areas of life. Women must recognize the symptoms and seek out an evaluation by a health professional. A proper diagnosis can result in better-managed symptoms and a better quality of life.
2. Disorganization
Women suffering from ADHD report feeling overwhelmed as if they are in chaos. They may miss deadlines or find it difficult to keep track of work or household tasks, such as paying bills and keeping the track of appointments. Their finances and their home could be disorganized and they may have a difficult time to keep healthy relationships and a steady job.
Attention-deficit ADHD symptoms can cause frustration and miscommunications in relationships between friends, partners and colleagues. These problems can lead broken or stressed connections and feelings of isolation. The inability to remember, the difficulty in listening and the tendency to "zone out", or stop paying attention, may lead to misunderstandings with loved ones.
Women who suffer from ADHD are more likely to suffer from symptoms of emotional instability, impulsivity, and mood swings. They can be disruptive in both their personal and professional lives. Women with untreated ADHD may feel overwhelmed by the demands and expectations of their families, work, and society, and might be more sensitive to criticism or harsh judgement.
The good news is that there are ways to manage the impact of these symptoms. For many adults treatments include lifestyle modifications and the use of specialized organizational tools and prescription stimulant medications.
Women who suffer from ADHD often find it easier than men to conceal their ADHD symptoms and, as a consequence they may not be diagnosed until adulthood. They are more likely to be suffering from comorbid disorders like anxiety and depression that can increase the effects of untreated ADHD. Women may also have trouble maintaining healthy relationships and stable jobs and are susceptible to low self-esteem and chronic stress. *Sex refers a person's hormones and chromosomes; gender refers to the internal perception of oneself as a male woman, a nonbinary, or any other gender identity. Mental health issues are usually diagnosed by both.
3. Anxiety
Women with ADHD are more likely to suffer from anxiety and depression. These feelings can become more severe if you are unable to keep on top of your daily activities and appointments. This can lead to health issues like missed appointments, late payments and even debt. ADHD can trigger emotional dysregulation, impulsivity and forgetfulness, which can lead to relationship problems with friends, partners and colleagues.
Many women develop coping strategies to hide their problems and make it difficult for others to recognize that they are struggling to stay focused and organized. These strategies for coping may be healthy, such as establishing a daily schedule or setting reminders for phone calls, or they could be harmful and rely on alcohol or other drugs to function or cope with their difficulties. These strategies can make women feel anxious and unsure, leading them to doubt their abilities and self-confidence. This can trigger feelings of anxiety or depression.
Additionally, women with ADHD often feel a sense of not being accepted or meeting societal expectations, which can lead to low self-esteem and a sense of frustration. They might also experience difficulties at work, such as difficulties in establishing organizational skills adhering to company policies or sticking to a standard 9-to-5 work schedule. They may be struggling with managing their finances, due to disorganization and impulsive spending, or they may struggle to complete work-related tasks or completing homework.
ADHD can be a lifelong condition that requires ongoing support, especially when it affects women and girls. Despite the disorder's prevalence however, it's still undiagnosed, misunderstood, and undertreated. The unique symptoms of ADHD in women are a result of stereotypes and referral biases, as well as internalized symptomatology and comorbidities as well as hormonal changes.
4. Impulsivity
Women with ADHD can have difficulty controlling their emotions and impulses. They may be easily annoyed or excited, lose track of time or be late to events. They may also have difficulties reading body language and picking up social signals. This could cause issues at work or in relationships. For instance, they could be easily entangled in arguments or they may spend too much time with hobbies and interests that aren't important to them. They might also have trouble maintaining friendships or making connections because they are unable to keep their promises and commitments.
Women are more adept in developing coping mechanisms to aid in reducing their ADHD symptoms, so it's harder for them to get diagnosed than men. For instance, they may develop routines to help them keep track of their time or use apps to remind them of their appointments. They might also change their behaviour to comply with the norms and expectations of society. They might even hide their symptoms by using drugs or alcohol to cope and avoid serious health consequences in the long run.
Many people with ADHD overcome their symptoms, but some don't. Around 60% of women with ADHD in childhood will continue to have it throughout their adulthood. This is in contrast to 30% of males.
If you are unable to find relief through medication or lifestyle changes Professional treatment may be beneficial. There are many options, like counseling, career coaching, and life coaching. You can also take stimulants. Exercise is a great way of improving your mood and increasing your energy. It releases neurotransmitters, which increase the motivation and focus. It can also reduce anxiety and stress.
5. Reactivity to emotional stimuli
Girls and women who suffer from ADHD often have trouble with emotional hyperactivity. They may have a difficult time to manage their emotions and express them in a proper manner, which can cause frustration with their own self and others. For instance, a person with ADHD might become enraged when a friend critiques her, but she may not be able to settle down and discuss the issue in a more sensible manner. She also might struggle to "pause" her reactions by identifying body signals that indicate she's feeling overwhelmed or stressed like flushing skin or breath shortness.
This inability to regulate their emotions can cause more stress and miscommunications in relationships, and can make those with ADHD more susceptible to anxiety and depression. It can also cause difficulties when it comes to social interactions, because it can be difficult to gauge other people's moods and pick up on social cues.
In certain instances, ADHD people may appear emotionally detached and uninterested towards their friends or loved one, even though they care about them. In other instances they may avoid situations that trigger emotions to avoid feeling a strong emotion.
The nature of women's symptoms could make it easy for clinicians to overlook the symptoms of ADHD. Many people disguise their ADHD symptoms when they do manifest in the future, they're more likely be seen as anxiety- or mood-related and thus misdiagnosed. If you're experiencing these symptoms, it might be beneficial to talk to a mental health professional experienced in working with girls and women who have ADHD. They can help you validate your experiences, guide you how to utilize strategies like pacing and self-awareness and offer family psychoeducation which can help you understand how to recognize and address your ADHD symptoms in the future.