ADHD Adult Female Symptoms
ADHD can affect people of all age groups and genders, however it can be more difficult for women to be diagnosed. It's because women do not typically show the same hyperactivity or impulsivity that men do, so they may be misdiagnosed or missed.
Getting an accurate diagnosis is the first step towards managing your symptoms. Stimulant medications are a popular treatment for adults with ADHD, but there are other options.
1. Trouble focusing
Although everyone is distracted from time to time women who suffer from ADHD have difficulty putting their focus on conversations and tasks, especially when they're dealing with emotional or sensory overload. These difficulties can be exacerbated during menstrual cycles.
Women with inattentive ADHD also have trouble with their working memory, making it difficult to remember basic things like appointments or upcoming events. They might forget where they put their car keys or the name of the lady who offered them a ride home from spinning class. They might also forget important dates and deadlines.
Procrastination, and the inability to stick with plans are also symptoms of ADHD among females of adulthood. They're more likely to get distracted by shiny objects or social media, which makes it harder to complete their projects and assignments. This can cause feeling overwhelmed and a lack of performance at school or work.
Many women suffering from ADHD are not diagnosed due to gender stereotypes. In the end, they feel ashamed and mislabel their struggles as "bad behaviors" or "character imperfections." They also frequently report feeling like an impostor. A diagnosis could be a "lightbulb" moment for them, because it provides them with an external explanation of their challenges and allows them to accept themselves better.
Untreated ADHD in girls and women can result in a myriad of negative consequences, including academic difficulties, behavioral problems as well as family and relationship issues, and coexisting mental health conditions. But a thorough diagnosis and treatment plan can drastically improve life for people with this condition at every stage of life. Treatment options may include stimulant therapy and medication. *
2. Difficulty Finishing Projects
Women with ADHD often have trouble completing tasks and duties. They might be unable to remember important details, have difficulty switching between tasks or responsibilities and are unable to meet deadlines. They might also be more prone to make erroneous mistakes or having difficulty organizing their time effectively, and overestimate how long it takes to complete their tasks.
The emotional manifestations of ADHD in adults, like irritability and mood swings, can be particularly frustrating for women with the condition. The symptoms can be made worse by hormonal changes, such as those that occur during the menstrual cycle or during pregnancy, as well as menopausal. Women with undiagnosed ADHD might feel angry and disappointed in their work performance and in their relationships.
Women with ADHD struggle with staying on top of daily tasks, such as grocery shopping and chores. They might forget to take out the garbage or turn off the stove, and be easily distracted. They may also struggle with repetitive tasks, such as folding the laundry or washing dishes. Boring or mundane chores can become overwhelming which can lead to impulsive behavior like excessive talking or sharing. The impulsivity associated with ADHD can cause women to make impulsive decisions and depend on unhealthy coping strategies like alcohol or drugs.
If you are having difficulty completing tasks, have memory issues that cause chronic procrastination or relationship challenges, you should seek a professional evaluation for ADHD. Getting a proper diagnosis can improve your quality of life and set you up for success in your professional and personal lives. It can help you manage your ADHD symptoms, and develop strategies to deal with them. You can minimize lapses of focus and attention by adhering to a set schedule, using a planner or reminder apps, making notes during meetings, and maintaining good sleeping habits. Exercise can also improve focus because it increases the levels of brain neurotransmitters.
3. It is difficult to remember names
It is possible that a trouble remembering names might be associated with other ADHD symptoms, such as difficulties following directions or not finishing projects. The underlying issue behind the difficulties is a lack of ability to prioritize tasks and organize them that affects the efficiency of information retrieval. This problem is more likely to occur when there are periods of stress, fatigue or hormonal changes.
The feeling of forgetting names can be more frustrating when it's followed by a feeling of forgetfulness over bigger items, such as appointments, events or personal reminders. These lapses may be exacerbated by anxiety or depression, which commonly co-occur with ADHD in women.
Due to gender perceptions and internalized symptoms ADHD is often misdiagnosed by women. Inattentive ADHD symptoms are more subtle than hyperactive/impulsive symptoms, making them harder to detect and identify. In the end, they are not recognized and referred to for treatment and diagnosis.
Additionally, there is gender-based discrimination since the disorder is often be viewed as a disorder that is affecting boys. Hyperactive boys are the ones who are most frequently being referred to clinics and analyzed for treatment. Coupled with internalized symptoms of ADHD in an adult and the fact that women's symptoms often appear different from men's, many professionals fail to diagnose or treat ADHD in women.
It's becoming more commonplace for women to be diagnosed with ADHD in adulthood. A diagnosis can improve relationships, set you up for success at school and work and offer the help you require to succeed in your daily life. If you are looking to get an assessment, speak with an experienced Salience Health provider. We will be able to assess your symptoms with tools like Creyos Cognitive Testing and Brainview Advanced and connect you to a therapist who is right for you.
4. Ailoofs that appear difficult to see
Women with ADHD often have inattentive symptoms and their problems can seem subtle to others. They might miss appointments, fail to finish chores around the home, or have trouble making notes at work. They may also have issues with impulsivity or have difficulty understanding the boundaries of social interaction. This could cause to misinterpretations and confusions with family and friends and could result in feelings of loneliness and isolation.
In addition, women who suffer from untreated ADHD often have difficulty meeting societal expectations for them as women. They might struggle with the responsibility of caring for their children and household chores, and this societal pressure can exacerbate their ADHD symptoms and feelings of inadequacy. Many women with untreated ADHD have low self-esteem and resort to unhealthy strategies for coping such as binge eating and television marathons.
The difficulties of ADHD in women can be exacerbated by gender bias, both in the way that women and girls are viewed and assessed by clinicians. There is evidence that suggests that girls and women tend to conceal or minimize their ADHD symptoms, and could be less likely to be referred for treatment and diagnosis than men and boys.
Women with ADHD may also have difficulties in recognizing their symptoms. They may confuse them with anxiety disorders or mood disorders. This can lead to a incorrect diagnosis and delayed treatment.
The symptoms of ADHD can vary with hormonal fluctuations. They are most evident during the ovulation cycle, pregnancy, menstruation, or menopause. These changes can make a woman more annoyed with her ADHD symptoms and increase the chance of being misunderstood or dismissed as moody or emotional.
5. Impulsivity
Women are also susceptible to the impulsivity that is a sign of ADHD. They may also have trouble controlling their emotions and could be more prone to "foot-in-mouth" moments. These impulsive behaviors can have a significant impact on relationships and professional life.
Prefrontal cortex is the region of the brain responsible for controlling reasoning and decision-making. This area can help people avoid making a mistake by providing a nudge on behavior. People who suffer from ADHD have less functioning prefrontal cortex, and this can make it difficult to resist the urges or stop themselves from engaging in reckless or harmful behavior. It can also result in a lack of self-respect. For women, impulsiveness typically manifests itself as a problem with social boundaries and self-control in conversation (interrupting, finishing others' sentences, and talking excessively).
Women also may have issues with impulse control during the different hormone fluctuations throughout their lives. Estrogen is naturally fluctuates at various times during the menstrual cycle, during childbirth, pregnancy, and menopause. Oral contraception and hormone therapy that is used during perimenopause or menopause may further alter estrogen levels as well as other hormones, which could affect a woman's ADHD.
ADHD symptoms for girls and women can differ from those in men and boys, which is why they are often misdiagnosed. Due to this, many people who suffer from ADHD are unaware that they have it. The good news is that the diagnosis and treatment of ADHD at any age can enhance the quality of life for an individual. Talk to your doctor if there's a doubt whether you suffer from ADHD. They can offer you suggestions. Treatment options include medication as well as cognitive behavioral therapy and couples counseling.