Symptoms of ADHD in Adult Women
While boys and men are diagnosed far more often with ADHD however, girls and women can also have it. But persistent stereotypes, referral biases, internalized symptoms and comorbidities make it harder for them to get properly evaluated and treated.
These strategies could be harmful and unsustainable. Here are ADHD adult symptoms of adult women's most common ADHD symptoms.
1. Unfocused attention
Women suffering from ADHD are often overwhelmed by their daily tasks. It can be difficult to keep track of deadlines, emails, and meetings. They are also more likely to forget important dates or events. They may also be unable to focus. staying focused in noisy or crowded surroundings. This could cause them to miss opportunities and lower quality work.
These issues can cause frustration for many adults suffering from ADHD. They may feel that they are a reflection of themselves or their performance. They may suffer from low self-esteem and a negative body image. They may also struggle to maintain stable relationships and come up with effective strategies to cope. In some cases, they turn to unhealthy strategies for coping like excessive drinking or drug use. This could make people less likely to recognize their struggles and delay a diagnosis.
Adults with ADHD are particularly sensitive to failure and criticism and can lead them to internalize their difficulties and struggle to get assistance. They might also be afflicted by problems with relationships and find it difficult to find meaningful employment. They may be more susceptible to anxiety, depression and mood swings. In some cases the symptoms can cause a mental disorder, such as non-suicidal harming oneself (NSSI) which can be expressed through cutting or burning.
Although it's more common in males and boys to be diagnosed with ADHD The symptoms can last into adulthood and can impact many aspects of life. Women should be aware of the signs and seek a diagnosis by a medical professional. A correct diagnosis can result in better control of symptoms and an improved quality of life.
2. Disorganization
Women suffering from ADHD often report feeling overwhelmed and like their lives are in chaos. They may fail to meet deadlines for work or have trouble keeping up with household or work tasks like paying bills and keeping appointments. Their finances and their home could be cluttered and they may have a difficult time to maintain healthy relationships and a steady job.
Inattentive-type ADHD symptoms can lead to more anger and misunderstandings in relationships with friends, partners and colleagues. These problems can lead to fractured or even strained relationships and feelings of isolation. Inattention, forgetfulness, and the tendency to "zone out", or stop paying attention, can lead to misunderstandings with loved ones.
Women with ADHD are more likely to experience signs of impulsivity, emotional instability, and mood swings. These can be disruptive in their personal and professional lives. Women with untreated ADHD are often overwhelmed by the demands and expectations of their families, work and the society, and are more prone to harsh criticism or harsh judgment.
The good news is that there are options to reduce the impact of these symptoms. For many adults treatment options include lifestyle adjustments and the use of specialized tools for organizing and prescription stimulant medications.
Women who suffer from ADHD often find it easier than men to disguise their ADHD symptoms and, as a consequence they are often not diagnosed until the age of adulthood. They are more likely to suffer from co-occurring disorders, like anxiety and depression that can increase the effects of untreated ADHD. Women may also have trouble maintaining healthy relationships and a steady job, and can suffer from low self-esteem and chronic stress. *Sex refers a person's hormones and chromosomes; gender refers to the internal perception of oneself as a male, woman, nonbinary or any other gender identity. Mental health issues are often diagnoses based on both.
3. Anxiety
Women with ADHD are more likely to be suffering from depression and anxiety. These moods can be made worse by the inability to keep on top of daily tasks and appointments that can cause health problems such as missed health check-ups, missed payments or even debt. ADHD can lead to emotional dysregulation, impulsivity, and forgetfulness which can lead to relationship problems with family, friends, and coworkers.
Many women develop coping mechanisms to disguise their symptoms, which can make it harder for others to notice they have trouble staying focused and organized. These strategies for coping may be healthy, such as creating an agenda for the day or setting phone reminders, or they could be harmful depending on alcohol or other drugs to manage or overcome their difficulties. These coping skills can create an environment of self-doubt and stress for women, making them feel they are not successful or productive, which may cause anxiety and depression.
Women with ADHD might also feel that they aren't accepted or aren't meeting social expectations. This can lead to frustration and low self-esteem. They might also experience difficulties at work such as difficulty in establishing organizational skills and adhering to corporate guidelines or sticking to a standard 9-to-5 schedule. They may be struggling to manage their finances due to disorganization or an impulsive spending. Also, they might be struggling to complete assignments or homework.
ADHD can be a chronic condition that requires lifelong support, particularly when it affects women and girls. Despite its prevalence it is poorly understood and not properly diagnosed. It is also untreated. The lingering stigmas as well as referral biases internalized symptoms, comorbidities and hormonal changes all contribute to the unique symptom presentation of ADHD in females.
4. Impulsivity
Women suffering from ADHD may have trouble controlling their emotions and impulses. They could be easily frustrated or overly excited, and may lose track of time or be late for events. They also might have trouble reading body speech or recognizing social signals. This can cause problems at work or in relationships. For instance, they may get into arguments easily or spend too much time in pursuit of hobbies and interests that aren't important to them. They may also have difficulty keeping friendships or making connections because they are unable to keep their promises and commitments.
Women are generally better at building coping mechanisms that aid in reducing their ADHD symptoms, making it more difficult for them to be diagnosed than men are. They could, for instance create routines to help them stay organized or utilize apps to remind them of their schedules. They might also change their behavior to conform with norms and expectations set by society. They may even try to hide their symptoms using alcohol or drugs. This could lead to serious health consequences over time.
symptoms of ADHD in an adult with ADHD do not outgrow the symptoms. Around 60% of women who have ADHD in childhood will suffer from it throughout their adulthood. This is compared to 30% of males.
If you're unable to achieve relief with medication or lifestyle changes, professional treatment can be helpful. There are a variety of options, such as career coaching, counseling and life coaching. You can also take stimulants. Exercise is a fantastic method to boost your mood and increasing your energy. It releases neurotransmitters to boost motivation and focus. It can reduce anxiety and stress.
5. Emotional reactivity
Girls and women with ADHD are frequently affected by emotional reaction. They may have a difficult time to manage their emotions and express them appropriately and this can lead to frustration with themselves and others. A person suffering from ADHD may become angry when her partner criticizes her, but she might not be able calm down to discuss the issue in a rational manner. She may also struggle to "pause" her reactions by identifying body signals that indicate she's getting overexcited or overwhelmed like flushing skin or breath shortness.
This inability to regulate emotions can lead to frustration and misunderstandings and make people with ADHD susceptible to anxiety or depression. It can also cause problems with social interactions, as it is difficult to discern other people's moods and detect social cues.
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 care about them. In some cases, they may avoid situations that trigger strong emotions in order to avoid feeling them.
The nature of women's symptoms can make it easy for healthcare professionals to overlook the symptoms of ADHD. Many women conceal their ADHD symptoms, and when they do appear they are more likely to be mistakenly diagnosed as depression or anxiety disorders. It's a good idea to consult a mental health professional who has worked with young girls and women with ADHD when you're experiencing these symptoms. They can validate your experience, instruct you on strategies such as self-awareness or pacing, as well as provide you with psychoeducation for your family members to help you recognize and address any the upcoming ADHD symptoms.