Symptoms of ADHD in Adult Women
Girls and women can suffer from ADHD. While both men and boys are diagnosed with ADHD more often, it is also possible for women to suffer from the disorder. However, lingering stereotypes, referral biases internalized symptoms and comorbidities make it difficult for them to be assessed and treated.
Many women develop coping strategies to cover up their ADHD symptoms and meet societal expectations, but these 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 can be prone to feeling overwhelmed by everyday tasks. They often have a difficult time to keep track of multiple deadlines, emails, and meetings. They are also more likely to overlook important events or appointments. They may also have difficulty staying focused in noisy or crowded environments. This can cause them to miss opportunities and lower quality work.
For many adults suffering from ADHD, these challenges may be a reflection of their character or performance and lead to frustration. They often have a low self-esteem and a negative body image. They may also be struggling with keeping relationships stable and developing efficient coping strategies. In some cases they resort to unhealthy strategies for coping like excessive drinking or drug use. This can make it harder for others to understand that they're struggling and delay the diagnosis.
Adults with ADHD are often sensitive to criticism or failure. This can cause them to internalize their problems and make it difficult for them to seek assistance. They may also experience problems with relationships and are unable to find a meaningful job. They are also more prone to anxiety, depression, and mood swings. In some cases these symptoms may lead to the development of a mental health condition such as self-injury that is non-suicidal (NSSI) which may be manifested by burning, cutting, or scratching.
While it's more prevalent in men and boys to be diagnosed with ADHD, symptoms can persist throughout adulthood and affect multiple areas of life. Women should recognize the signs and seek out an evaluation by a health professional. A proper diagnosis can result in better control of symptoms and an improved quality of life.
2. Disorganization
Women with ADHD often complain of feeling overwhelmed and feel like their lives are chaotic. They might miss deadlines at work or have difficulty keeping the track of their chores at home or at work like paying bills or making appointments. Their finances and home may be messy and they may find it difficult to keep healthy relationships and a steady job.
Attention-deficit ADHD symptoms can cause more frustration and misunderstandings in relationships with friends, partners and colleagues. These issues can cause to broken or strained relationships, and feelings of loneliness. The inability to remember, the difficulty in listening, and the tendency to "zone out" or to not pay attention, can lead to misunderstandings with loved ones.
Signs of impulsivity, emotional dysregulation, and mood swings are more frequent among women suffering from ADHD than men and can be disruptive to personal and professional life. Women with untreated ADHD can feel overwhelmed by the responsibilities and expectations of work, family and the society, and might be more sensitive to criticism or harsh judgment.
ADHD symptoms female adults is that there are solutions to control the effects of these symptoms. Treatment options for many adults include lifestyle changes as well as the use of specific tools for organization, and prescription stimulant medications.
Women who suffer from ADHD might be able to cover up their ADHD symptoms better than men which could lead to an undiagnosed condition that can last until the age of. They are more likely to be suffering from comorbid disorders such as depression and anxiety which can worsen the effects of untreated ADHD. Women can also struggle to maintain stable relationships and jobs and suffer from low self esteem and chronic stress. *Sex refers a person's biological makeup, chromosomes, hormones and anatomy. Gender refers to the internal sense of self as a man, woman or a nonbinary gender identity and mental health problems are often diagnosed based on both.
3. Anxiety
Women with ADHD are more likely to be suffering from depression and anxiety. These feelings can be exacerbated when you're unable keep on top of your daily activities and appointments. This can lead to health issues such as missed checkups or late payments, and can even lead to debt. The emotional dysregulation, impulsivity, and forgetfulness of ADHD can also lead to issues with relationships with coworkers, partners and family members.
Many women develop coping strategies to hide their symptoms. This could make it difficult for others to notice that they have difficulty staying organized and focused. These strategies of coping could be healthy, such as creating a daily schedule or setting reminders for phone calls, or they could be harmful, such as relying on alcohol or drugs to help them perform or manage their issues. These coping skills can create a cycle of self-doubt and anxiety for women, which makes them feel that they aren't successful or productive, which could cause depression and anxiety.
Women who suffer from ADHD may also feel that they aren't accepted or don't meet social expectations. This can cause frustration and low self-esteem. They may also face challenges at work, including difficulties in establishing organizational skills, adhering to corporate policies or adhering to a routine 9-to-5 schedule. They may be struggling with managing their finances because of their indecisiveness and uncontrolled spending, or they could struggle to complete work-related tasks or completing homework.
ADHD can be a chronic condition that requires continuous assistance, especially when it affects women and girls. Despite its prevalence it is misunderstood and underdiagnosed. It is also undertreated. Remaining stereotypes and referral biases, internalized symptoms, comorbidities and hormonal fluctuations all contribute to the unique symptom-based presentation of ADHD in females.
4. Impulsivity
Women with ADHD can have difficulty controlling their emotions and impulses. They may become easily frustrated or excessively excited, and may lose track of their time or be late to events. They also might have trouble understanding body language or recognizing social cues. This can lead to problems at work or in relationships. They could be susceptible to arguments or spend too much time on interests and hobbies that are not important to them. They might also have difficulty keeping friendships and creating new connections due to the fact that they struggle to keep their promises and commitments.
Women tend to be better in establishing coping mechanisms that help them mask their ADHD symptoms, which is why it's difficult for them to be diagnosed than men are. For example, they might develop routines to help them keep track of their time or use apps to remind them of their appointments. They might also change their behavior to conform with norms and expectations set by society. They may even cover up their symptoms by using alcohol or drugs to deal with their problems, which can cause serious health problems in the long run.
Some people with ADHD do not completely overcome the symptoms. Around 60% of women with ADHD during childhood will continue to have it throughout their adulthood. This is compared to 30% of men.
If you are unable to find relief through lifestyle or medication professional help can be beneficial. There are a variety of options, including career coaching, counseling, and life coaching. You can also consider taking stimulants. Exercise is an effective method to boost your mood and increasing your energy. It releases neurotransmitters to boost the ability to focus and motivate and can help ease anxiety and stress.
5. Reactivity to emotional stimuli
Girls and women who suffer from ADHD often struggle with emotional hyperactivity. They may have trouble regulating their emotions and how they express them. This can lead to frustration for both themselves and others. For example, a woman with ADHD may become angry when her spouse is critical of her, but she might not be able to control her anger and talk about the problem in a more rational manner. She may also struggle to "pause her reaction" by identifying body signals like a flushed face or breath shortness that suggest she is stressed or overwhelmed.
This issue with regulating their emotions can lead to more frustration and miscommunications in relationships, and can make those with ADHD more susceptible to anxiety and depression. It can also lead to difficulties with social interactions since it is difficult to discern people's moods or detect social cues.
In certain situations, ADHD people may appear disconnected and uninterested in their friends or loved one even though they are concerned about them. In other instances they might withdraw from situations that trigger emotions to avoid feeling an intense emotion.
The nature of women's symptoms could make it easier for doctors to ignore the effects of ADHD. Many women hide their ADHD symptoms and when they do show up they are more likely to be misdiagnosed as anxiety or mood disorders. If you're struggling with these symptoms, it may be beneficial to talk to a mental health professional experienced in working with girls and women who suffer from ADHD. They can help validate your experiences, guide you how to apply strategies such as self-awareness and pacing and provide psychoeducation for your family that can help you learn to recognize and address your ADHD symptoms in the future.