Symptoms of ADHD in Adult Women
Girls and women can suffer from ADHD. While men and boys are diagnosed with ADHD more often, it is also possible for women to be affected by the condition. But stereotypes, referral prejudice, internalized symptoms, and the presence of comorbidities may make it difficult for them to be appropriately assessed and treated.
These strategies can be unhealthy and ineffective. Here are a few of the most commonly reported symptoms of ADHD in women of adulthood.
1. Unfocused attention
Women suffering from ADHD are often overwhelmed by their daily tasks. They often find it challenging to keep track of many deadlines, email notifications and meetings. They are also more likely to overlook important appointments or events. They may also find it difficult to focus in noisy or busy environments. This can result in missed opportunities and lower quality of work.
For many adults suffering from ADHD, these challenges can feel like a reflection of their character or performance and lead to frustration. Many adults with ADHD experience low self-esteem and a negative image of their body. They may also be struggling with maintaining stable relationships and establishing efficient coping strategies. In some instances, they resort to unhealthy strategies for coping, such as excessive drinking or drugs. This can make it difficult for others to understand the signs of struggle and delay an accurate diagnosis.
Adults with ADHD might be more sensitive to criticism or failure. This may cause them to internalize the issue and make it difficult for them to seek help. They may also experience issues with relationships and may struggle to find a meaningful job. They are also more susceptible to depression, anxiety, and mood fluctuations. In certain instances these symptoms may result in the development of a mental health condition like non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI) which may be expressed through cutting, burning or scratching.
Although it's more common in males and boys to be diagnosed with ADHD the symptoms can last into adulthood and can impact various aspects of life. Women should recognize the signs and seek an evaluation by a medical professional. A correct diagnosis can result in better-managed symptoms and a better quality of life.
2. Disorganization
Women suffering from ADHD often complain of feeling overwhelmed and feeling like their lives are chaotic. They may not meet deadlines or have difficulty to keep track of work or household tasks such as paying bills and keeping track of appointments. Their home and finances could be disorganized, and they may struggle to keep healthy relationships and a stable job.
Attention-deficit ADHD symptoms can heighten frustration and miscommunications with partners, friends and colleagues. These issues can cause strained or even broken connections and feelings of loneliness. Inattention, forgetfulness, and the tendency to "zone out" or to not pay attention, may lead to misunderstandings with loved ones.
Women who suffer from ADHD are more likely to suffer from symptoms of emotional instability, impulsivity, and mood swings. These can cause disruption in both their personal and professional lives. Women with untreated ADHD are often overwhelmed by the demands and expectations of family, work, and society, and may be particularly sensitive to harsh criticism or harsh judgment.
There are ways to manage these symptoms. For many adults, treatment options include lifestyle changes and the use of specific tools for organizing, as well as prescription stimulant medications.
Women with ADHD tend to be more able than men to hide their ADHD symptoms and, as a result they are often not diagnosed until they reach adulthood. They are more likely to suffer from comorbid disorders such as anxiety and depression, which can exacerbate the effects of untreated ADHD. Women may also have trouble maintaining healthy relationships and a stable job and may suffer from low self-esteem and chronic stress. *Sex refers to a person's chromosomes and hormones; gender is the internal belief in self-identity as a man woman, woman, nonbinary or another gender identity. Mental health conditions are often diagnoses based on both.
3. Anxiety
Women who have ADHD are at risk of developing depression and anxiety. These feelings can be exacerbated if you are unable to keep the track of your daily tasks and appointments. This can cause health problems such as missed checkups or late payments, and can even lead to debt. The emotional dysregulation, impulsivity, and forgetfulness associated with ADHD can also create issues with relationships with partners, coworkers, and friends.
signs and symptoms of ADHD in adults develop coping strategies to hide their problems that can make it harder for others to notice they have trouble staying focused and organized. These strategies of coping can be healthy, such as making a daily plan or a reminder on the phone, or unhealthy, like relying on drugs or alcohol to cope or function. These coping strategies can trigger a cycle of self-doubt and anxiety for women, which makes them feel they are not successful or productive, which can add to feelings of anxiety and depression.
Additionally, women with ADHD often experience a sense of not fitting in or meeting societal expectations, which can lead to low self-esteem and frustration. They may also face challenges at work, such as difficulties with organization skills and adhering to corporate guidelines or sticking to a regular 9-to-5 routine. They may struggle with managing their finances due to disorganization and impulsive spending, or they could struggle to complete work-related tasks or completing homework.
ADHD can be a chronic condition that requires lifelong care, particularly when it affects girls and women. Despite its prevalence this disorder is undiagnosed and misunderstood. It is also not treated. The unique symptoms of ADHD in women are a result of stereotypes of referral biases, internalized symptomatology and comorbidities as well as hormonal changes.
4. Impulsivity
Women suffering from ADHD might have difficulty controlling their emotions or impulses. They can be easily annoyed or excessively excited, and may lose track of their time or be late for an event. They also might have trouble understanding body language or picking up on social signals. This can cause problems at work or in relationships. For instance, they could get into arguments easily or spend too much time on hobbies and interests that aren't important to them. They might also have trouble maintaining relationships or making new connections due to their struggle to stick to promises and commitments.
Women are more adept at developing strategies to manage their ADHD symptoms. This makes it more difficult for them than men to diagnose. They could, for instance develop routines to help them stay organized or use apps to remind themselves of their appointments. They could also alter their behavior to conform with societal expectations and norms. They might even attempt to hide their symptoms using drugs or alcohol. This could lead to serious health consequences over time.
Many people with ADHD get over their symptoms, but there are some who don't. About 60 percent of women with ADHD in their childhood suffer from the condition until adulthood, as opposed to 30% of men.
If you're unable to find relief through lifestyle or medication, professional treatment can be beneficial. There are a variety of options, like career coaching, counseling and life coaching. You can also consider taking 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 emotions
Women and girls with ADHD often have trouble with emotional reaction. They may have difficulty regulating their emotions and how they express them. This can cause frustration for themselves as well as others. A person suffering from ADHD might become angry when a friend criticizes them however she may not be able to discuss the matter in a rational manner. She might also be unable to "pause her reaction" by identifying body cues such as flushed skin or shortness in breath that suggest she is stressed or overwhelmed.
This difficulty in regulating emotions can lead to confusion and frustration and make those with ADHD prone towards depression or anxiety. It can also cause problems in social interactions, since it is difficult to discern other people's moods and detect social cues.
In certain situations, ADHD people may appear emotionally detached and uninterested towards their loved ones or friends even though they are concerned about them. In other situations they might withdraw from situations that trigger emotions to avoid feeling emotions that are intense.
Gender bias is common among doctors and the impact of ADHD on women can be easily overlooked due to 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 therefore misdiagnosed. If you're struggling with these symptoms, it may be beneficial to talk to an experienced mental health professional who has experience in working with girls and women who have ADHD. They can validate your experiences, teach you how to apply strategies such as self-awareness and pacing, and provide family psychoeducation which can help you understand how to recognize and respond to your ADHD symptoms in the future.