Symptoms of ADHD in Adult Women
While males and females are more frequently diagnosed with ADHD, women and girls can also have it. But stereotypes, referral prejudice and internalized symptoms as well as other comorbidities can make it difficult to get them properly evaluated and treated.
Many women come up with strategies to mask their ADHD symptoms and to meet social expectations, but these strategies can be unsustainable and unhealthy. Here are some of adult women's most commonly reported ADHD symptoms.
1. Unfocused attention
Women suffering from ADHD are often overwhelmed by the daily tasks. It can be difficult for them to keep the track of deadlines, emails and meetings. They may also be more likely to overlook important appointments or events. They may also struggle to concentrate in noisy or crowded environments. This can lead them to miss out on opportunities and produce lower quality work.
These challenges can cause frustration for many adults with ADHD. They may feel that they reflect of themselves or their performance. They can often end up with a low self-esteem and a negative image of themselves. They may also be struggling with keeping relationships stable and developing efficient coping strategies. In some instances, they resort to unhealthy coping behaviors like excessive drinking or drug use. This can make it harder for others to understand the signs of struggle and delay the diagnosis.
Adults with ADHD can be especially sensitive to criticism and failure and can lead them to internalize their issues and have difficulty seeking help. They may also experience problems with relationships and find it difficult to find a meaningful job. They could also be more prone to depression, anxiety and mood swings. In certain cases, the symptoms can result in a mental illness, such as non-suicidal harming oneself (NSSI), that can be expressed by cutting or burning.
While it's more prevalent in boys and men to be diagnosed with ADHD, symptoms can persist throughout adulthood and affect various aspects of life. It's crucial for women to recognize the symptoms and seek an examination from a medical professional. A proper diagnosis can result in better-managed symptoms and a better quality of life.
2. Disorganization
Women suffering from ADHD are often overwhelmed as if they are chaotic. They may not meet deadlines or find it difficult to keep track of household chores like paying bills and keeping appointments. They might have a chaotic home and finances, and may struggle to maintain a stable relationship and an employment.
Inattention ADHD symptoms can lead to frustration and misunderstandings in relationships with friends, partners and coworkers. These issues can cause strained or broken connections and feelings of loneliness. adult ADHD symptoms , difficulty listening and a tendency "zone out" during conversations can cause misunderstandings and arguments with loved ones.
Signs of impulsivity, emotional dysregulation, and mood swings are more common among women suffering from ADHD than in men and can be extremely disruptive to personal and professional. Women who are not treated for ADHD may feel overwhelmed by the demands of work, family and social life. They could also be sensitive to harsh judgment and criticism.
There are ways to manage these symptoms. For many adults treatments include lifestyle modifications and the use of specially designed organizational tools, as well as prescription stimulant medication.
Women with ADHD typically have a harder time than men to disguise their ADHD symptoms and, as a consequence they may not be diagnosed until adulthood. They are also more likely to suffer from co-occurring disorders, like depression and anxiety that can increase 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 chromosomes and hormones; gender refers to the internal perception of self-identity as a man woman, a nonbinary, or other gender identity. Mental health issues are usually diagnosed based on both.
3. Anxiety
Women who suffer from ADHD are more likely to experience depression and anxiety. These feelings can be exacerbated when you're unable to keep track of your daily tasks and appointments. This could lead to health issues such as missed checkups, late payments and even debt. ADHD can trigger emotional dysregulation, impulsivity, and forgetfulness which can lead to relationships problems with friends, partners and colleagues.
Many women develop coping mechanisms to hide their problems that can make it difficult for others to recognize that they struggle to stay focused and organized. These strategies of coping could be healthy, such as creating an annual schedule or setting reminders for phone calls, or they could be harmful, such as relying on alcohol or drugs to help them manage or overcome their difficulties. These strategies for coping can make women feel anxious and unsecure, leading them to doubt their abilities and self-confidence. This can lead to feelings of anxiety or depression.
Additionally, women with ADHD often experience a sense of not being accepted or meeting the expectations of society and this can lead to low self-esteem and frustration. They may also encounter difficulties at work, such as difficulties with organization skills, adherence to corporate policies, or adhering to a 9-to-5 routine. They may struggle to manage their finances due in part to disorganization or impulsive spending. Also, they might be struggling to complete homework assignments or other work.
ADHD is a long-lasting condition that requires continuous support, particularly when it affects girls and women. Despite the prevalence of the disorder yet, it is often undiagnosed, misunderstood, and untreated. The lingering stigmas, referral bias internalized symptoms, comorbidities and hormonal changes all contribute to the unique symptom-based presentation of ADHD in females.
4. Impulsivity
Women with ADHD might have difficulty controlling their emotions or impulses. They may be easily annoyed or excited, lose track of time, or be late to events. They might also have trouble reading body language and picking up social cues. This could cause issues at work or with relationships. They could be susceptible to arguing or spend too much time on interests and hobbies that aren't important to them. They may 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 developing coping mechanisms to can help them to manage their ADHD symptoms, making it harder for them to get diagnosed than men. They might, for example, develop routines that assist them in staying organized, or utilize apps to remind them of their schedules. They could also alter their behaviour to comply with societal expectations and norms. They could even conceal their symptoms by taking alcohol or drugs to deal with their problems and avoid serious health problems in the end.
ADHD in adults symptoms women suffering from ADHD do not completely overcome the symptoms. About 60% of women who have ADHD during childhood continue to have the condition until they reach adulthood, compared to 30% of males.
If you're unable to get relief from lifestyle or medication Professional treatment may be beneficial. There are a myriad of options, including career coaching, life coaching, and counseling, as well as medications such as stimulants. Exercise is a great way to improve your mood and boosting 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 find it hard to manage their emotions and express them appropriately and this can lead to frustration with themselves and others. A person suffering from ADHD may get angry when a friend criticizes her however, she may not be able to calm down to talk about the issue in a rational manner. She also might struggle to "pause" her response by identifying bodily cues that she's overwhelmed or overexcited like a flushed skin or a shortness of breath.
This issue with regulating their emotions can lead to more frustration and misunderstandings in relationships and can make those with ADHD more prone to depression or anxiety. It can also cause issues in social interactions, since it can be difficult to read other people's moods and recognize social signals.
In some cases, ADHD people may appear emotionally detached and uninterested towards their friends or loved one, even though they care about them. In other cases they might withdraw from situations that trigger them to avoid feeling an intense emotion.
Gender bias is a frequent feature of clinicians, and the effects of ADHD on women can be easily overlooked because of the nature of their symptoms. Many people disguise their ADHD symptoms, and when they do appear in the future, they're more likely be interpreted as anxiety or mood-related and thus misdiagnosed. If you're struggling with these symptoms, it can be beneficial to consult an expert in mental health who is experienced in working with girls and women with ADHD. They can help you validate your experiences, show you how to utilize strategies such as self-awareness and pacing and offer family psychoeducation to help you learn to recognize and respond to your ADHD symptoms in the near future.