Symptoms of ADHD in Adult Women
While males and females are diagnosed far more often with ADHD, women and girls are also susceptible to it. But lingering stereotypes, referral bias, internalized symptoms and comorbidities make it harder for them to get properly evaluated and treated.
Many women devise coping strategies to mask their ADHD symptoms and meet societal expectations, but these can be unhealthy and unsustainable. Here are a few of the most frequent symptoms of ADHD in women of adulthood.
1. Unfocused attention
Women with ADHD are susceptible to feel overwhelmed by the daily tasks. They often struggle to keep track of numerous deadlines, email notifications and meetings. They may also be more likely to forget important dates or events. what do you think might also have trouble concentrating in noisy or busy surroundings. This could result in missed opportunities as well as a lower level of productivity.
These challenges can cause frustration for many people with ADHD. They may feel that they are a reflection of themselves or their performance. Many adults with ADHD have a low sense of self and a negative view of their body. They may also have difficulty maintaining stable relationships and developing efficient coping strategies. In some cases they may use unhealthy coping strategies, such as excessive alcohol or drug use. This could make people less likely to recognize their issues and delay a diagnosis.
Adults with ADHD are particularly sensitive to failure and criticism, which can cause them to internalize their issues and struggle to get help. They may also have problems with relationships and are unable to find a meaningful job. adult female ADHD symptoms could also be more susceptible to anxiety, depression and mood swings. In some instances the symptoms may lead to a mental condition, such as non-suicidal harming oneself (NSSI) which can be expressed through cutting, burning or scratching.
While it's more common for boys and men to be diagnosed with ADHD the symptoms can last throughout adulthood and affect many aspects of life. It's crucial for women to be aware of the symptoms and seek an evaluation from a health care professional. A correct diagnosis can lead to better management of symptoms and a higher quality of life.
2. Disorganization
Women suffering from ADHD often report feeling overwhelmed and feeling like their lives are chaotic. They may miss work deadlines or have difficulty keeping the track of their chores at home or at work, such paying bills and keeping appointments. Their finances and home may be disorganized, and they may struggle to maintain healthy relationships and a stable job.
Attention-deficit ADHD symptoms can cause frustration and misunderstandings in relationships between friends, partners and colleagues. These issues can result in strained or broken connections and feelings of loneliness. Inattention, forgetfulness, and a tendency to "zone out" in conversations could result in arguments and miscommunications with loved ones.
Women with ADHD are more likely to experience symptoms of emotional instability, impulsivity, and mood swings. They can be disruptive both in their professional and personal lives. Women with untreated ADHD may be overwhelmed by the demands of family, work and social life. They may also be sensitive to harsh judgment and criticism.
There are methods to manage these symptoms. For many adults, treatment options include lifestyle changes and the use of specific tools for organization and prescription stimulant medication.
Women with ADHD may be able to hide 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 conditions like anxiety and depression that can increase the effects of untreated ADHD. Women can also have issues maintaining healthy relationships and a steady job and are susceptible to low self-esteem and chronic stress. *Sex refers to the person's genetic makeup, chromosomes and hormones, and anatomy; gender refers to the internal perception of self as a woman, man or nonbinary gender identity and mental health problems are often diagnosed based on both.
3. Anxiety
Women who suffer from ADHD are at risk for anxiety and depression. These feelings can become more severe if you are unable to keep track of your daily tasks and appointments. This can cause health problems such as missed checkups, late payments and even debt. The emotional dysregulation, impulsivity and forgetfulness associated with ADHD can also create problems with relationships with colleagues, partners and even friends.
Many women develop strategies to hide their symptoms. This can make it difficult for others to recognize that they have difficulty staying focused and organized. These strategies for coping could be healthy, such as setting up a daily schedule or a reminder on the phone, or unhealthy, like using alcohol or drugs to function or cope. These strategies for coping can make women feel anxious and unsecure and make them doubt their abilities and self-confidence. This can lead to depression or anxiety.
Women who suffer from ADHD might also feel like they aren't accepted or don't conform to social norms. This can cause anxiety and low self-esteem. They may also face challenges at work, such as difficulties with organizational skills adhering to company policies or sticking to a regular 9-to-5 schedule. They may have difficulty managing their finances due to disorganization or an impulsive spending. Or, they may have trouble keeping up with homework assignments or other work.
ADHD can be a chronic condition that requires ongoing support, particularly when it affects girls and women. Despite its prevalence, the disorder is still poorly understood and not properly diagnosed. It is also not treated. The distinctive symptoms of ADHD in women are the result of stereotypes of referral biases, internalized symptomatology, comorbidities and hormonal fluctuation.
4. Impulsivity
Women with ADHD may have trouble controlling their emotions and impulses. They could be easily frustrated or overly exuberant, and they may lose track of time or be late for events. They may also have difficulties reading body language and picking up social cues. This can cause problems at work or in relationships. For example, they might have a tendency to get into fights easily, 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 friendships or making connections due to their inability to keep their promises and commitments.
Women tend to be better in developing coping mechanisms to can help them to manage their ADHD symptoms, which is why it's harder for them to get diagnosed than men. They might, for example develop routines to assist them in staying organized, or use apps to remind themselves of their appointments. They may also alter their behavior to conform with the norms and expectations of society. They might even attempt to hide their symptoms using alcohol or drugs. This could lead to negative health effects over time.
Certain people with ADHD are not able to overcome the symptoms. About 60% of women who have ADHD in their childhood suffer from the condition until adulthood, as opposed to 30% of males.
For those who don't get relief from medication or lifestyle changes, professional treatment can be beneficial. There are a myriad of options available, including life coaching, career coaching, and counseling, together with stimulants and medications. Exercise is also beneficial to boost your mood and increase your energy levels. It releases neurotransmitters that boost motivation and attention. It can also help reduce anxiety and stress.
5. Emotional reactivity
Women and girls with ADHD often have trouble with emotional reactivity. They may have a difficult time to control their emotions and express them appropriately and can cause anger with themselves and others. For instance, a person with ADHD might become enraged when a friend criticizes her, but she might not be able to calm down and talk about the issue in a rational way. She may also struggle to "pause" her reaction by identifying bodily cues that she's getting overexcited or overwhelmed like flushing skin or shortness of breath.
This issue with regulating emotions can lead to confusion and frustration and make those with ADHD susceptible to anxiety or depression. It can also lead to difficulties with social interactions since it is difficult to read people's moods and social signals.
In some instances, those who suffer from ADHD may seem emotionally detached and uninterested in their family or loved ones, even if they truly care about them. In other situations they might withdraw from situations that trigger them to avoid feeling emotions that are intense.
Gender bias is a common feature among medical professionals and the impact of ADHD on women are often omitted because of the nature of their symptoms. Women often hide their ADHD symptoms and when they do manifest they are more likely to be mistakenly diagnosed as depression or anxiety disorders. If you're experiencing these symptoms, it might be helpful to seek an experienced mental health professional who has experience in working with women and girls who suffer from ADHD. They can validate your experiences, teach you strategies such as self-awareness and pacing, and also provide you with family psychoeducation to help you identify and address any future ADHD symptoms.