Symptoms of ADHD in Adult Women
While males and females are diagnosed far more often with ADHD but girls and women are also susceptible to it. However, stereotypes, prejudices about referrals, internalized symptoms, and other comorbidities can make it difficult for them to be appropriately assessed and treated.
These strategies could be harmful and unsustainable. Here are a few of the adult women's most frequent ADHD symptoms.
1. Unfocused attention
Women with ADHD are often overwhelmed by their daily tasks. It is often difficult for them to keep track of deadlines, emails and meetings. They are also more likely to forget important appointments or events. They may also struggle to focus in noisy or busy environments. This can cause them to miss out on opportunities and lower quality work.
These challenges can cause frustration for many people with ADHD. They might feel that they are a reflection of themselves or their performance. ADHD in adult men symptoms may end up with a low self-esteem and negative image of their body. They may also have difficulty maintaining stable relationships and developing efficient coping strategies. In some cases they will resort to unhealthy coping behaviors, such as excessive alcohol or drugs. This may make others less likely to acknowledge their struggles and delay a diagnosis.
Adults suffering from ADHD may be particularly sensitive to criticism or failure. This can lead them to internalize the issue and make it difficult to seek assistance. In the end, they may experience relationships and have trouble finding work that is meaningful. They may also be more prone to anxiety, depression and mood swings. In some instances these symptoms may lead to the development of a mental health problem such as self-injury that is non-suicidal (NSSI) which could be expressed through cutting, burning, or scratching.
ADHD is more prevalent among men and boys, but symptoms can persist and impact all aspects of your life. Women must recognize the symptoms and seek an evaluation by a medical professional. A proper diagnosis can lead to better control of symptoms and an improved quality of life.
2. Disorganization
Women with ADHD report feeling overwhelmed and feel as if their lives are chaotic. They may miss 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 messy and they may find it difficult to maintain healthy relationships and a stable job.
Attention-deficit ADHD symptoms can lead to more anger and misunderstandings in relationships with friends, partners, and coworkers. These issues can result in to broken or strained relationships and feelings of loneliness. Forgetfulness, difficulty in listening, and the tendency to "zone out", or stop paying attention, may lead to misunderstandings with loved ones.
Women with ADHD are more likely to experience symptoms of impulsivity, emotional instability, and mood swings. These can cause disruption both in their personal and professional lives. Women who are not treated for ADHD may feel overwhelmed by the demands and expectations of work, family as well as society. They are more prone to criticism or harsh judgment.
There are ways to deal with these symptoms. Treatment options for many adults include lifestyle modifications as well as the use of specific tools for organization, and prescription stimulant drugs.
Women who suffer from ADHD often find it easier than men to hide their ADHD symptoms and, as a result, may go undiagnosed until adulthood. They are more likely to suffer from comorbid disorders, such as anxiety and depression which can exacerbate 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 chromosomes and hormones; gender refers the internal sense of self-identity as a man woman, a nonbinary, or any other gender identity. Mental health conditions are often diagnosed in relation to both.
3. Anxiety
Women with ADHD are at risk for depression and anxiety. These feelings can be exacerbated when you're unable keep on top of your daily activities and appointments. This can cause health problems such as missed health checkups, late payments and even debt. ADHD can trigger emotional dysregulation, impulsivity, and forgetfulness and can cause relationship problems with friends, partners and colleagues.
Many women develop strategies to mask their symptoms. This can make it difficult for others to recognize that they have difficulty staying organized and focused. These coping strategies may be healthy, like creating an annual schedule or setting reminders for phone calls, or they could be harmful and rely on alcohol or drugs to help them manage or overcome their difficulties. These coping strategies can make women feel stressed and insecure, leading them to doubt their abilities and self-confidence. This can lead to depression or anxiety.
Women with ADHD may also feel that they don't fit in or don't conform to social norms. This can lead to frustration and low self-esteem. They may also encounter challenges at work, including issues with organization abilities, adhering to corporate guidelines, or adhering to a 9-to-5 routine. They may struggle to manage their finances due to a lack of organization or excessive spending. Also, they might have trouble keeping up with assignments or homework.
ADHD can be a chronic condition that requires ongoing assistance, especially when it affects women and girls. Despite its prevalence, the disorder is still undiagnosed and misunderstood. It is also not treated. The unique symptoms of ADHD in women are the result of stereotypes, referral biases, internalized symptomatology, comorbidities, and hormonal fluctuation.
4. Impulsivity
Women with ADHD may have trouble controlling their emotions or impulses. They could be easily upset or overly excited, lose track time or be late for events. They might also have trouble understanding body language and picking up social signals. This can lead to issues at work or in relationships. For instance, they may have a tendency to get into fights easily, or they may spend too much time with 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 commitments and promises.
Women are more adept at developing coping mechanisms to mask their ADHD symptoms. This makes it more difficult for them to diagnose. For instance, they may create routines to help stay organized or rely on apps to remind them of their appointments. They may also alter their behavior to conform with norms and expectations set by society. They could even conceal their symptoms by taking alcohol or drugs to deal with their problems, which can cause serious health consequences in the end.
Many people who suffer from ADHD get over their symptoms, but there are some who do not. About 60% of women who have ADHD in childhood continue to be affected until they reach adulthood, compared to 30% of men.
Professional treatment may be beneficial for those who do not find relief from medication or lifestyle changes. There are a variety of options available, including life coaching, career coaching, and counseling, as well as medications such as stimulants. Exercise is a fantastic method to boost your mood and increasing your energy. It releases neurotransmitters that boost motivation and focus. It can reduce anxiety and stress.
5. Reactivity to emotions
Women and girls with ADHD often struggle with emotional reactivity. They may have difficulty to manage their emotions and communicate them effectively and can cause anger with their own self and others. For instance, a woman with ADHD might become enraged when her spouse criticizes her, but she may not be able to settle down and talk about the issue in a more sensible manner. She might also be unable to "pause her reaction" by identifying body signals like a flushed face or shortness in breath that suggest she is stressed or overwhelmed.
This inability to regulate 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 can be difficult to read other people's moods and recognize social signals.
In certain instances, ADHD people may appear in a way that they are emotionally detached and not interested in their loved ones or friends even though they are concerned about them. In certain situations, they may avoid situations that trigger strong emotions to avoid feeling them.
Gender bias is a common feature among medical professionals and the effects of ADHD on women are often overlooked because of the nature of their symptoms. Many of them camouflage their ADHD symptoms, and when they do manifest 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 might be helpful to seek a mental health professional 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 that can help you learn to recognize and respond to your ADHD symptoms in the future.