Symptoms of ADHD in Adult Women
While males and females are diagnosed far more often with ADHD but girls and women may also be affected. But lingering stereotypes, referral biases, internalized symptoms and comorbidities can make it more difficult for them to be properly assessed and treated.
Many women come up with strategies to mask their ADHD symptoms and meet societal expectations, but these can be unhealthy and unsustainable. Here are some of the most common symptoms of ADHD in women who are adults.
1. Unfocused attention
Women with ADHD are often overwhelmed by the daily tasks. adult female ADHD symptoms find it challenging to keep track of multiple deadlines, emails, and meetings. They may also be more likely to overlook important events or appointments. They might also have trouble concentration in noisy or busy environments. This can cause them to miss out on opportunities and produce lower quality work.
These issues can cause frustration for many people with ADHD. They may believe that they reflect of their own performance or of themselves. They can often have a low self-esteem and negative image of themselves. They may also be struggling to maintain stable relationships and develop effective strategies for coping. In some instances, they resort to unhealthy coping behaviors like excessive drinking or drug use. This can make it more difficult for others to understand that they're struggling, and can delay a diagnosis.
Adults with ADHD are often sensitive to criticism or failure. This can cause them to internalize their problems and make it difficult for them to seek assistance. This is why they may struggle with issues with relationships and may have a difficult time finding meaningful employment. They are also more prone to anxiety, depression and mood fluctuations. In some cases, the symptoms can lead to a mental condition such as non-suicidal harming oneself (NSSI) which can be expressed through cutting or burning.
ADHD is more common in men and boys, but symptoms can persist and impact the entire life of. Women should recognize the signs and seek a diagnosis from a healthcare professional. A correct diagnosis can result in more manageable symptoms and a better quality of life.
2. Disorganization
Women suffering from ADHD often report feeling overwhelmed and like their lives are a mess. They may not meet deadlines or find it difficult to manage household or work-related tasks like paying bills and keeping track of appointments. They may have a disorganized home and finances, and could struggle to keep relationships stable and maintain work.
Inattentive-type ADHD symptoms can heighten frustration and miscommunications between friends, partners and colleagues. These issues can cause to broken or strained relationships, and feelings of loneliness. Forgetfulness, difficulty listening, and a tendency to "zone out" during conversations can contribute to misunderstandings and arguments with loved ones.
Symptoms of emotional dysregulation, impulsivity, and mood swings are more prevalent in women with ADHD than men and can be disruptive to both personal and professional life. Women who are not treated for ADHD may feel overwhelmed by the demands of family, work and the social world. They might also be sensitive to harsh judgment and criticism.
There are ways to manage these symptoms. For many adults treatments include lifestyle adjustments and the use of specially designed organizational tools and prescription stimulant medications.
Women with ADHD may be able to conceal 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 which can worsen 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 biological makeup, chromosomes, hormones and anatomy; gender refers to the internal feeling of self as a woman, man or a nonbinary gender identity; and mental health conditions are usually diagnosed based on both.
3. Anxiety
Women who suffer from ADHD are more likely to experience depression and anxiety. These feelings can be exacerbated by the inability to keep on top of appointments and daily tasks that can cause health issues such as missing health check-ups, missed payments or even debt. The emotional dysregulation, impulsivity, and apathy of ADHD can also create issues with relationships with partners, coworkers and family members.
Many women come up with strategies to disguise their symptoms. This could make it difficult for others to notice that they're having difficulty staying focused and organized. These strategies for coping may be healthy, such as creating an agenda for the day or setting reminders for phone calls, or they may be unhealthy, such as relying on alcohol or drugs to help them perform or manage their difficulties. These strategies for coping can cause women to feel stressed and insecure, leading them to doubt their abilities and self-confidence. This can lead to feelings of depression or anxiety.
Women with ADHD might also feel like they aren't accepted or don't conform to social norms. This can lead to feelings of self-doubt and frustration. They may also encounter challenges at work, including difficulties with organization skills adhering to company policies or sticking to a regular 9-to-5 schedule. They may be struggling to manage their finances due in part to disorganization or an impulsive spending. Also, they might have trouble keeping up with homework assignments or other work.
ADHD can be a lifetime condition that requires continuous support, particularly when it affects women and girls. Despite the disorder's prevalence, it is still misunderstood, underdiagnosed, and undertreated. The unique symptoms of ADHD in women are the result of stereotypes, referral biases, internalized symptomatology, comorbidities, and hormonal fluctuations.
4. Impulsivity
Women with ADHD are often unable to control their emotions and impulses. They might become easily frustrated or overly excited, lose track time or be late to events. They might also have trouble reading body language and picking up social cues. This could cause problems at work or in relationships. They could be susceptible to arguing or spend too much time on interests and hobbies that aren't important to them. They might also have trouble keeping friendships or making connections due to their inability to keep their 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 get diagnosed. They could, for example create routines to help them stay organized or utilize apps to remind them of their appointments. They may change their lifestyle to conform to social norms and expectations. They may also try to conceal their symptoms by using alcohol or drugs. This could lead to grave health consequences in the long run.
Some people suffering from ADHD are not able to overcome the symptoms. Around 60% of women suffering from ADHD in their childhood will continue to have it into adulthood. This is in contrast to 30% of males.
Professional therapy can be beneficial for those who do not find relief from medication or lifestyle changes. There are many options, including career coaching, life coaching, and counseling, as well as medications such as stimulants. Exercise is an effective method to boost your mood and boosting your energy. It releases neurotransmitters that boost motivation and focus. It can reduce anxiety and stress.
5. Reactivity to emotions
Girls and women with ADHD often struggle with emotional reaction. They may struggle with controlling their emotions and how they express them. This can lead to anger for themselves and others. For example, a woman with ADHD may become angry when a friend is critical of her, but she might not be able to settle down and discuss the problem in a more sensible manner. It is also possible that she struggles to "pause her reaction" by identifying body cues like flushed skin or a short breath that suggest she is stressed or overwhelmed.
symptoms ADHD in adults in regulating emotions can result in frustration and misunderstandings and make people with ADHD susceptible to depression or anxiety. It can also lead to difficulties in social interactions as it is difficult to read people's moods and social signals.
In certain instances, ADHD people may appear disconnected and uninterested in their loved ones or friends even though they are concerned about them. In certain situations, they may avoid situations that trigger strong emotions in order to avoid experiencing them.
The nature of women's symptoms can make it easier for doctors to overlook the effects of ADHD. Many of them camouflage their ADHD symptoms and, when they do manifest, they're more likely to be interpreted as anxiety or mood-related and thus misdiagnosed. It can be helpful to seek out a mental health professional who has experience working with girls and women with ADHD in the event that you're experiencing these symptoms. They can help you validate your experiences, show you how to utilize strategies such as self-awareness and pacing and offer family psychoeducation to help you learn to recognize and address your ADHD symptoms in the near future.