ADHD Symptoms in Adult Females
The condition is often misdiagnosed among women, even though it is a problem that affects men and women equally as adults. This is likely due to gender stereotypes and the ability of women to mask their symptoms.
Many healthcare professionals do not have the knowledge or experience to identify ADHD among women. Many females are misdiagnosed and fail to receive the care they require.
1. Disorganization
Women and girls with ADHD are often plagued by disorganization. This disorder can be difficult to manage. For instance, your desk may be a mess of unruly papers, 17 different chapsticks, and even a ticket stub from the Kings of Leon concert you went to in 2008. As you spend money on products that claim to help you stay organized, your home and office are likely to remain messy and chaotic.
Your inability to stay on top of your responsibilities can result in missed appointments and forgotten deadlines. You may also experience "time blindness," where you don't recall or know how long it takes to complete an assignment. This can leave you frustrated and feeling like you're not doing a great job in your professional or in your personal life, particularly when you feel that other people don't appreciate your efforts.
You might also have trouble regulating your emotions, which may cause you to react too quickly in stressful situations. You may also make comments that are not intended to hurt people's feelings. In addition, since impulsivity is common in people with ADHD, you might be unable to stop yourself from saying things before taking a second to think them through.
If you have ADHD it's possible that a portion of your symptoms stem from gender stereotypes or beliefs about how men, women, and boys should behave. This could make it difficult to recognize and treat your ADHD.
In addition to a diagnosis, you might benefit from behavioral therapy to tackle the root of your condition. It may take a while to find the best strategies to cope, but using them can help you feel in control of your life and improve your relationships with family, coworkers, and friends.
2. Impulsivity
People with ADHD are often overwhelmed by intense emotions however their brains do not have a way to filter or assess them. This means they may be overwhelmed by one setback or have difficulty being able to discern the emotional state of other people. This makes them more susceptible to being distracted by minor issues like the availability of a book or a shaky friend.
Many women suffering from ADHD overcome their attention difficulties by masking symptoms and developing coping strategies. They could be highly organized or an obsessive at school or at work, and have difficulty keeping track of appointments, bills, or important dates. They may also have trouble with verbal self-restraint and frequently interrupt others, talk too much, often, or ramble during conversations.
The hyperactive/impulsive subtype of ADHD tends to be more common in boys and men, but it's not unusual for women to have these symptoms too. These symptoms include the sudden urge to begin, stop, or change activities. They also include not being able to wait for your turn in a conversation or being unable to discern social signals.
While gender-based stereotypes may influence the development of ADHD, it's not always easy to recognize when women are suffering from these problems. Rating scales used to identify ADHD symptoms are still biased toward male behavior and some health professionals might misunderstand or underestimate a woman's symptoms.
Many women with ADHD also say that their symptoms get more severe during times of hormonal changes, such as menstrual cycle or pregnancy, or during perimenopausal (the run-up to menopause). This can cause emotional symptoms like frustration and irritability, or depression. They may also feel an unending sense of dissatisfaction with their lives or relationships. This could lead to self-esteem issues, substance abuse, or unhealthy coping strategies. This is why it's important for women to realize that these symptoms are not a reflection of their value or worth as individuals. The positive side is that with a proper treatment plan, these symptoms can be reduced or even eliminated.
3. Inattention
ADHD is characterized by a high frequency of these symptoms. While everyone struggles to focus and pay attention at times the frequency of these symptoms is so high that they can interfere with your day-to-day life. You might make mistakes at school or work and forget appointments, or spend a lot of time procrastinating. You have a difficult time waiting for your turn in conversations and are often interrupted by other people.
Attention deficit symptoms in adults could include the tendency to get involved in projects without fully planning and researching the subject, which results in poor or insufficient results. You might also get side-tracked easily and tend to leave projects unfinishedfrom the garden that got planted, but never watered, to the new organizational system which was erected and left to rot on your nightstand.
People with inattention ADHD also struggle with a constant sense of disorganization in their workplaces and at home. It is possible that you have trouble finding important documents keys, bills, or other important documents and misplace things frequently. You may also forget to keep your track of time and become late for work, school or for meetings.
Women with hyperactive/impulsive ADHD are less likely to experience these inattentive symptoms, but they can still have problems with organization, time management and self-control. People with these signs may say or do things without thinking about the consequences such as yelling at others or making a nonsensical sound when they are on their own. add and adhd in women may have trouble sitting still and might move around or get out of their seats. They can have trouble keeping their job and could have frequent disagreements with coworkers and managers.
In some cases the mood swings or emotional distress caused by ADHD can cause frustration in relationships and miscommunications. This is especially the case in relationships with partners as well as at work. People with ADHD also have a higher likelihood of having co-occurring conditions like anxiety, depression, or bipolar disorder.
Women and girls with ADHD might face a variety of challenges when seeking treatment. These include gender discrimination as well as a tendency to cover up symptoms or underestimate their severity, and gender bias. High-profile women such as Em Rusciano and Mia Freedman who have spoken out about their struggles with ADHD have contributed to raising awareness. However, many girls and young woman still do not know they have it.
4. Anxiety
An anxiety disorder is defined by persistently excessive anxiety. While everyone feels anxious or nervous at times, anxiety disorders are characterized by persistently high levels of anxiety. You may feel a constant sense of unease, fear, or anxiety as well as an intense pulse, trouble staying calm, and difficulty thinking clearly. You may also experience an increased sense of danger even in situations that aren't likely to be dangerous to you. The most frequent forms of anxiety include general anxiety disorder, agoraphobia and separation anxiety, phobias and panic disorders.
Anxiety is more common among women suffering from ADHD than men, and it is more likely to become worse during certain times of women's lives for instance, during the time of her menstrual cycle and pregnancy or perimenopausal. This can make it more difficult to manage daily tasks and social interactions and can cause feelings of low self-esteem and general dissatisfaction with your life.
You are extremely sensitive to rejection, and you have a tough time accepting criticism. You easily misinterpret feedback or even anticipating rejection and you might get angry over minor things that others wouldn't see as an issue with.
Mood swings are another of the symptoms of adhd for women in adulthood, and you might discover that your mood is unpredictable or difficult to control. You might also be prone to non-suicidal self-injury, such as scratching, burning or hitting yourself.
If you're struggling with any of the above symptoms, it's essential to establish a clear diagnosis. It can help you understand some of the challenges you're facing, and offer you strategies to improve the quality of your life. adhd in adults women can take an online ADHD test, or go to your doctor for a thorough evaluation. In certain instances your doctor may prescribe medication to alleviate your symptoms. In certain instances your doctor may suggest a combination between lifestyle changes and cognitive behavior therapy. In any case, it's essential to make positive changes as soon as you can. This will allow you to regain control of your life, and make you feel more confident and capable.