Symptoms of ADHD in Adult Women
Girls and women can suffer from ADHD. While men and boys are diagnosed with ADHD more often however, it is also feasible for women to suffer from the condition. However, lingering stereotypes, referral biases, internalized symptoms and comorbidities make it difficult for them to be properly evaluated and treated.
Many women come up with strategies to mask their ADHD symptoms and to meet social expectations, but they can be unsustainable and unhealthy. Here are some of the most commonly reported symptoms of ADHD in women who are adults.
1. Unfocused attention
Women with ADHD are often overwhelmed by their daily tasks. It can be difficult for them to keep track of deadlines, emails, and meetings. They could also be more likely to miss important events or appointments. They may also be unable to focus. concentrating in noisy or busy surroundings. This could cause them to miss out on opportunities and produce lower quality work.
These challenges can lead to frustration for many adults with ADHD. They may believe that they reflect of their own performance or of themselves. They can often have a low self-esteem and negative body image. They may also be struggling to maintain relationships and come up with effective strategies to cope. In some cases they will resort to unhealthy coping behaviors like excessive drinking or drugs. This could make people less likely to recognize their issues and delay a diagnosis.
Adults with ADHD are particularly sensitive to failure and criticism and can lead them to internalize their problems and find it difficult to seek help. They might also be afflicted by problems with relationships and find it difficult to find work that is meaningful. They could be more susceptible to anxiety, depression and mood swings. In certain cases the symptoms may lead to a mental condition, such as non-suicidal harming oneself (NSSI) which can be expressed through cutting or burning.
ADHD is more common in both boys and men, but symptoms can last and affect many areas of your life. Women must recognize the symptoms and seek out an evaluation by a medical professional. A correct diagnosis can result in more manageable symptoms and an improved quality of life.
2. Disorganization
Women with ADHD report feeling overwhelmed, as if their lives are in chaos. They might miss deadlines at work or have trouble keeping up with the tasks at home or at work like paying bills and keeping appointments. Their finances and home may be cluttered, and they may struggle to maintain healthy relationships and a steady job.
Attention-deficit ADHD symptoms can lead to frustration and miscommunications in relationships with friends, partners and coworkers. These problems can lead to broken or strained connections and feelings of loneliness. Inattention, forgetfulness, and the tendency to "zone out" or not pay attention, can cause misunderstandings with loved ones.
Symptoms of impulsivity, emotional dysregulation and mood swings are more common in women with ADHD than in men and can be disruptive to personal and professional life. Women who are not treated for ADHD might feel overwhelmed by the demands of family, work and social life. They may also be sensitive to harsh judgment and criticism.
The good news is that there are solutions to control the effects of these symptoms. Treatment options for many adults include lifestyle changes and the use of specialized tools for organization, and prescription stimulant medications.
Women who suffer from ADHD typically have a harder time than men to disguise their ADHD symptoms, and as a result they may not be diagnosed until adulthood. They are also more likely to suffer from comorbid disorders, such as anxiety and depression that can increase the effects of untreated ADHD. Women may also struggle to maintain stable relationships and jobs and suffer from low self esteem and chronic stress. *Sex refers a person's genetic makeup, chromosomes and hormones and anatomy. Gender refers to the internal sense of self as a woman, man, nonbinary, or other gender identity; and mental health conditions are often diagnosed based on both.
3. Anxiety
Women who suffer from ADHD are more likely to experience anxiety and depression. These moods can be made worse due to the inability of keeping on top of daily tasks and appointments and can result in health issues such as missing appointments, late payments, and even debt. The emotional dysregulation, impulsivity, and forgetfulness of ADHD can also cause problems with relationships with partners, coworkers and even friends.
Many women develop coping strategies to hide their symptoms. This makes it difficult for others to recognize that they're having difficulty staying focused and organized. These strategies for coping could be healthy, such as making a daily plan or a phone reminder or harmful, like using alcohol or drugs to cope or function. These coping strategies can cause women to feel anxious and unsure and make them doubt themselves and their abilities. This can lead to feelings of depression or anxiety.
Women who suffer from ADHD may also feel that they aren't accepted or don't conform to social norms. This can cause anxiety and low self-esteem. They may also encounter challenges at work, including difficulties with organizational skills, following corporate guidelines, or adhering to a 9-to-5 routine. They may be struggling with managing their finances due to disorganization and impulsive spending, or they may be unable to keep up with work-related tasks or completing homework.
ADHD can be a long-lasting condition that requires ongoing assistance, especially when it affects women and girls. Despite the prevalence of the disorder yet, it is often undiagnosed, misunderstood, and not treated. Remaining stereotypes as well as referral biases internalized symptoms, comorbidities and hormonal fluctuations all contribute to the unique symptom-based presentation of ADHD in females.
4. Impulsivity
Women who suffer from ADHD might have difficulty controlling their emotions or impulses. ADHD adult female symptoms can be easily annoyed or excessively exuberant, and they may lose track of their time or be late for events. They may also have difficulty reading body language or recognizing social cues. This can cause problems at work or with relationships. For instance, they could be easily entangled in arguments or they may spend too much time in pursuit of hobbies and interests that aren't very important to them. They may also have difficulty maintaining relationships or creating new connections due to the fact that they struggle to keep their promises and commitments.
Women are more adept at developing strategies to manage their ADHD symptoms. This makes it more difficult for them than men to get diagnosed. They could, for instance develop routines to aid in staying organized or use apps to remind themselves of their schedules. They may also alter their behavior to fit in with societal expectations and norms. They may even cover up their symptoms by taking alcohol or drugs to deal with their problems and avoid serious health issues in the long term.
Certain people with ADHD do not outgrow the symptoms. Around 60% of women with ADHD in childhood will suffer from it throughout their adulthood. This is in contrast to 30% of men.
Professional treatment may be beneficial for those who could not find relief from medication or lifestyle changes. There are many options available, such as career coaching, counseling, and life coaching. You can also consider taking stimulants. Exercise can also be an excellent way to boost your mood and boost your energy levels. It releases neurotransmitters that increase motivation and focus. It can also ease anxiety and stress.
5. Reactivity to emotions
Girls and women who suffer from ADHD often struggle with emotional reactivity. They may find it hard to manage their emotions and communicate them effectively and can cause anger with their own self and others. A woman with ADHD might become angry when a friend criticizes her however she may not be able to calm down to discuss the matter in a rational way. She may also struggle to "pause her reaction" by identifying body cues such as flushed skin or breath shortness which indicate she is either overstimulated or overwhelmed.
This issue with regulating emotions can result in confusion and frustration, and can make people with ADHD more prone to depression or anxiety. It can also cause difficulties in social interactions as it is difficult to read people's moods or detect social cues.
In certain instances, ADHD people may appear disconnected and uninterested in their loved ones or friends, even though they care about them. In other instances they might withdraw from situations that trigger emotions to avoid feeling emotions that are intense.
Gender bias is a common feature among doctors, and the effects of ADHD on women are often omitted because of the nature of their symptoms. Many people disguise their ADHD symptoms and, when they do show up, they're more likely to be seen as anxiety- or mood-related, which can lead to misdiagnosis. It is advisable to consult a mental health specialist who has worked with girls and women with ADHD if you are experiencing these symptoms. They can help validate your experiences, teach you how to apply strategies like pacing and self-awareness and provide psychoeducation for your family to help you learn to recognize and address your ADHD symptoms in the near future.