ADHD Adult Female Symptoms
ADHD can affect people of all age groups and genders, however it is more difficult for women to be diagnosed. That's because females often don't exhibit the same level of hyperactivity or the same impulsivity as men, which means they can be overlooked or incorrectly diagnosed.
The first step to manage your symptoms is to get an accurate diagnosis. Adults suffering from ADHD are usually treated with stimulant medication, but there are other alternatives.
1. Problems with Focusing
Women with ADHD are often distracted by a variety of things, but they have difficulties being focused on their conversations and tasks, especially if they are experiencing sensory or emotional overload. ADHD symptoms in adult women can be made worse during menstrual cycles.
Women who are inattentional ADHD suffer from problems with their working memory. This makes it difficult to remember everyday things like appointments or upcoming events. They may often forget where they left their keys to their car or the name of the woman who drove them home from spin class or even important deadlines and dates.
Other symptoms of ADHD in adult females include procrastination and difficulty in following the steps of plans. They're more likely to get distracted by shiny objects or social media, which makes it harder to complete their assignments and projects. This can result in feeling overwhelmed and underperforming at the classroom or at work.
Many women with ADHD are not diagnosed due to gender stereotypes. In the end, they feel ashamed and are misinformed about their struggles as "bad habits" or "character flaws." They also frequently feel like an imposter. A diagnosis could be a "lightbulb" moment for them, as it provides them with an external explanation for their challenges and allows them to accept themselves more fully.
Untreated ADHD in women and girls can cause a range of negative consequences, including academic difficulties, behavioral problems, relationship and family problems, and coexisting mental health conditions. But a proper diagnosis and treatment plan can drastically improve life for people with ADHD at all stages of life. Treatment options may include stimulant therapy and medication. *
2. Difficulty Finishing Projects
Women with ADHD often struggle to complete tasks and duties. They might forget important details, have difficulty switching between tasks or responsibilities and have difficulty attempting to meet deadlines. They may also be more likely to make careless mistakes, struggle with organizing and managing their schedule and underestimate the time it takes them to complete tasks.
The emotional symptoms of ADHD in adults, such as irritability and mood swings, can be particularly frustrating for women suffering from the condition. Hormonal changes can cause symptoms, which can occur in pregnancy, menopause, and during menstruation. Women who aren't diagnosed with ADHD can be frustrated and depressed by their performance at workplace or in their relationships.
Women with ADHD have trouble managing everyday tasks such as grocery shopping and household chores. They might have a difficult time remembering to take out the trash or turn off the stove, and they can be easily distracted by little things around them. They may also have difficulty doing repetitive tasks, such as folding the laundry or washing dishes. The monotonous or repetitive chores can become exhausting, resulting in impulsive behaviors like excessive talking or sharing. The impulsivity of ADHD can also lead women to make unruly decisions and rely on unhealthy coping mechanisms such as alcohol or drugs.
If you are having difficulty completing tasks, memory problems, chronic procrastination and relationship challenges, you should seek a professional evaluation for ADHD. A correct diagnosis can enhance the quality of your life and help you achieve success in both your personal and professional life. It can aid you in managing your ADHD symptoms, and help you develop strategies for dealing with the symptoms. You can limit lapses of attention and focus by sticking to a set schedule, using a planner or reminder app, taking notes during meetings, and maintaining good sleep hygiene. Exercise can also increase focus by boosting brain neurotransmitter production.
3. Difficulty remembering names
Difficulty remembering names can be a sign of other ADHD symptoms, such as difficulties following directions and difficulty finishing projects. The underlying issue behind these difficulties is an inability to organize and prioritize tasks that affects efficient information retrieval. This issue can worsen during periods of stress, fatigue, or hormonal changes, such as before, during, and after menopause.
The feeling of forgetting names can be more frustrating when it's accompanied by a feeling of numbness over bigger items, such as appointments, events or personal reminders. These lapses may be exacerbated by anxiety and depression, which are frequent co-occurring disorders with ADHD among women.
ADHD is often not recognized in women due to gender bias and internalized symptoms. Inattentive ADHD symptoms are more subtle than hyperactive/impulsive symptoms, making them harder to detect and identify. This means that they are under-identified and under-referred for treatment and diagnosis.
Additionally there is discrimination based on gender because the disorder tends to be viewed as a disorder that is affecting boys. Boys with hyperactivity are the ones who are most frequently referred to clinics and evaluated for treatment. In addition to internalized stigma and the fact that women's symptoms frequently appear different from men's, many professionals fail to detect or treat ADHD in women.
It's becoming more common for women to receive an ADHD diagnosis in their adulthood. A diagnosis can improve your relationships and prepare you for success at school and work, and provide the support you need to thrive in your daily life. If you are interested in getting an assessment, speak with an experienced Salience Health provider. We can evaluate your symptoms using tools like Creyos cognitive testing and Brainview Advanced, and connect you with a therapist that's the right fit for you.
4. The difficulty appears in the roof
Women suffering from ADHD typically have inattention symptoms, and their struggles may appear insignificant to others. They may miss appointments, neglect to complete chores around the house, or have difficulty taking notes at work. They might also have problems with impulsivity and have difficulty understanding the boundaries of social interaction. This could lead them to misinterpret and misunderstandings between family and friends and could result in feelings of isolation and loneliness.
In addition, women with untreated ADHD often have difficulty meeting societal expectations for them as women. They may be struggling with the responsibility of caring for children and household chores, and this societal pressure can exacerbate their ADHD symptoms and feelings of inadequateness. Many women with untreated ADHD have low self-esteem and resort to unhealthy coping strategies such as binge eating or marathons on TV.
The difficulties of ADHD for women can be compounded by gender discrimination in the way women and girls are treated and how doctors evaluate them. There is evidence that suggests that girls and women tend to hide their ADHD symptoms or to compensate for them, and they may be less likely than males and females to be referred to a specialist for diagnosis and treatment.
Another issue is that women with ADHD might have difficulty recognizing their own symptoms, and they may confuse them with depression or anxiety. This can contribute to a false diagnosis as well as delay or ineffective treatment.
The symptoms of ADHD can be influenced by hormone changes, and they may be especially evident during the ovulation period or menstrual cycle, pregnancy, or menopause. These changes can heighten a woman's frustration with her ADHD symptoms, and can increase the risk of being misinterpreted or dismissed as moody or overly emotional.
5. Impulsivity
Women also experience the impulsivity that is a sign of ADHD. They can also experience trouble controlling their emotions and could be more prone to "foot-in-mouth" moments. These behavior patterns that are impulsive can have big impact on relationships and professional life.
Prefrontal cortex is the region of the brain responsible for controlling thinking and making decisions. This brain area can stop people from making bad decisions since it serves as a safeguard. ADHD sufferers have a weaker prefrontal cortex. This makes it harder for them to resist urges and avoid engaging in reckless behavior. It can also cause a lack of self-respect. Women's impulsiveness is often manifested as an inability to maintain social boundaries and self-control during conversation (interrupting others, not finishing their sentences, or talking too much).
Women also have issues with control of impulses when hormones change. Estrogen is naturally fluctuates at various times throughout the menstrual cycle, as well as during pregnancy, childbirth and menopausal. Contraceptives and hormone therapy used during menopausal or perimenopausal periods can further alter estrogen levels as well as other hormones, which could affect women's ADHD.
The manner in which ADHD symptoms manifest in women and girls can differ from that of males and females and is one of the reasons why they are often underdiagnosed. Many adults suffering from ADHD are not aware of their health issues. The positive side is that identifying and treating ADHD can improve the quality of life of a person at any age. If you're unsure if or not you suffer from ADHD, talk to your doctor to see if they can assist. Treatment options include medication and cognitive behavioral therapy and couples counseling.