Symptoms of ADHD in Adult Women
Women and girls can have ADHD. While men and boys are diagnosed with ADHD more often but it is also possible for women to suffer from the condition. But lingering stereotypes, referral biases internalized symptoms and comorbidities make it difficult for them to be assessed and treated.
Many women come up with strategies to mask their ADHD symptoms and meet societal expectations, but they can be unhealthy and unsustainable. Here are some of the adult women's most commonly reported ADHD symptoms.
1. Unfocused attention
Women suffering from ADHD are often overwhelmed by daily tasks. They often find it challenging to keep track of numerous deadlines, emails, and meetings. They are also more likely to forget important appointments 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.
These challenges can lead to frustration for many adults with ADHD. They may believe that they reflect of their own performance or of themselves. Many adults with ADHD end up having low self-esteem and a negative view of their body. They may also have difficulty to maintain stable relationships and come up with effective strategies to cope. In some instances they will use unhealthy coping strategies like excessive drinking or drugs. This could make people less likely to recognize their struggles and delay a diagnosis.
Adults with ADHD can be especially sensitive to failure and criticism, which can cause them to internalize their difficulties and struggle to get assistance. In the end, they may struggle with relationship difficulties and have difficulty finding work that is meaningful. They could be more susceptible to anxiety, depression and mood swings. In some cases these signs can cause the development of a mental health issue such as non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI) which could be expressed through cutting, burning or scratching.
Although it's more common in males and boys to be diagnosed with ADHD, symptoms can persist throughout adulthood and affect many aspects of life. Women must recognize the symptoms and seek a diagnosis by a health professional. A proper diagnosis can lead to better management of symptoms and a higher quality of life.
2. Disorganization
Women with ADHD feel overwhelmed and feel as if their lives are in chaos. They may not meet deadlines or have difficulty to keep track of household chores, such as paying bills and keeping appointments. Their finances and home may be disorganized and they may find it difficult to maintain good relationships and a stable job.
Inattentive-type ADHD symptoms can cause more frustration and miscommunications between partners, friends, and coworkers. These issues can cause strained or even broken connections and feelings of loneliness. Forgetfulness, difficulty listening and a tendency "zone out" in conversations can also contribute to misunderstandings and arguments with loved ones.
Women who suffer from ADHD are more likely to experience symptoms of emotional instability, impulsivity and mood swings. These can cause disruption in both their professional and personal lives. Women who are not treated for ADHD are often overwhelmed by the demands and expectations of work, family as well as society. They might be more sensitive to harsh criticism or harsh judgment.
There are ways to manage these symptoms. For many adults treatment options include lifestyle modifications and the use of specialized tools for organization and prescription stimulant medication.
Women who suffer from ADHD may be able to hide their ADHD symptoms better than men and can result in an undiagnosed condition that can last until the age of. They are more likely to suffer from multiple disorders that are comorbid, like anxiety and depression, which can compound the effects of untreated ADHD. Women may also struggle to maintain stable relationships and jobs, and may suffer from low self esteem and chronic stress. *Sex refers to a person's hormones and chromosomes. Gender refers to the internal perception of oneself as a male, woman, nonbinary or any other gender identity. Mental health problems are often diagnoses by both.
3. Anxiety
Women with ADHD are more likely to experience anxiety and depression. These symptoms can be worsened when you're unable keep track of your daily tasks and appointments. This can cause health problems like missed appointments 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 coping strategies to mask their symptoms and make it harder for others to notice they are struggling to stay focused and organized. These strategies of coping can be healthy, such as making a daily plan or a phone reminder or even unhealthy, such as relying on drugs or alcohol to cope or function. These strategies for coping can make women feel stressed and insecure, leading them to doubt their capabilities and self-confidence. This can lead to feelings of depression or anxiety.
Women with ADHD might also feel that they aren't accepted or don't meet social expectations. This can cause feelings of self-doubt and frustration. ADHD symptoms in adults uk may also encounter difficulties at work, such as difficulties with organization skills, adherence to corporate guidelines, or adhering to a daily 9-to-5 schedule. They may struggle to manage their finances due to a lack of organization or an impulsive spending. They may also be struggling to complete homework assignments or other work.
ADHD can be a lifetime condition that requires constant support, particularly when it affects girls and women. Despite its prevalence this disorder is undiagnosed and misunderstood. It is also untreated. The distinctive symptoms of ADHD in women are a result of stereotypes, referral biases, internalized symptomatology, comorbidities and hormonal fluctuations.
4. Impulsivity
Women with ADHD might have difficulty controlling their emotions or impulses. They may become easily frustrated or excessively excited, and they might lose track of time or be late for an event. They may also have difficulty understanding body language and picking up social signals. This can cause issues at work or with relationships. For instance, they could be easily entangled in arguments or spend too much time on hobbies and interests that aren't very important to them. They may also have difficulty maintaining friendships or making new connections due to their struggle to keep their promises and commitments.
Women are more adept in establishing coping mechanisms that can help them to manage their ADHD symptoms, which is why it's difficult for them to be diagnosed than men. For instance, they may develop routines to help them keep track of their time or use apps to remind them of appointments. They could change their lifestyle to comply with social norms and expectations. They may even cover up their symptoms by taking alcohol or drugs to deal with their problems, which can cause serious health consequences in the long term.
Certain people with ADHD are not able to overcome the symptoms. About 60 percent of women who suffer from ADHD in their childhood suffer from the condition until they reach adulthood, compared to 30% of males.
Professional therapy can be beneficial for those who can not find relief from medication or lifestyle changes. There are many options, such as life coaching, career coaching, and counseling, along with medications like stimulants. Exercise is a fantastic method of improving your mood and increasing your energy. It releases neurotransmitters that boost motivation and focus. It can also reduce anxiety and stress.
5. Reactivity to emotions
Girls and women who suffer from ADHD are often afflicted by emotional reactivity. They may have trouble regulating their emotions and communicating them in a proper manner. This can cause frustration for themselves as well as others. For instance, a woman with ADHD may become angry when her spouse critiques her, but she may not be able to settle down and talk about the issue in a more sensible manner. She also might struggle to "pause" her response by identifying bodily cues that she's getting overexcited or overwhelmed, such as flushing skin or shortness of breath.
This inability to regulate their emotions can cause more stress and misunderstandings in relationships, and it can make people with ADHD more susceptible to anxiety or depression. It can also cause problems when it comes to social interactions, because it can be difficult to gauge other people's moods and detect social cues.
In some instances, those who suffer from ADHD may seem emotionally detached and disinterested in their friends or loved ones, even when they really love them. In other situations they may avoid situations that trigger emotions to avoid feeling an intense emotion.
Gender bias is a common feature among medical professionals and the effects of ADHD on women are often overlooked due to the nature of their symptoms. Many women hide their ADHD symptoms, and when they do appear, they are more likely to be misdiagnosed as mood or anxiety disorders. If you're struggling with these symptoms, it can be helpful to seek an expert in mental health who is experienced in working with girls and women with ADHD. They can validate your experiences, teach you strategies like self-awareness and pacing, and provide you with family psychoeducation to help you identify and manage the upcoming ADHD symptoms.