Symptoms of ADHD in Adult Women
Women and girls can have ADHD. While both men and boys are diagnosed with ADHD more often but it is also possible for women to suffer from the condition. However, lingering stereotypes, referral biases, internalized symptoms and comorbidities make it difficult for them to get properly evaluated and treated.
These strategies can be unhealthy and unsustainable. Here are a few of the adult women's most frequent ADHD symptoms.
1. Unfocused attention
Women suffering from ADHD can be prone to feel overwhelmed by daily tasks. It can be difficult for them to keep the track of deadlines, emails and meetings. They are also more likely to forget important dates or events. They may also find it difficult to focus in noisy or busy environments. This can cause them to miss opportunities and lower quality work.
These challenges can lead to frustration for many adults with ADHD. They might feel that they reflect of themselves or their performance. They often end up with a low self-esteem and a negative image of their body. They may also have difficulty to maintain relationships and develop effective coping strategies. In some instances, they resort to unhealthy coping strategies like excessive drinking or drugs. This can make others less likely to recognize their issues 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 help. They might also be afflicted by relationship problems and are unable to find meaningful employment. They are also more susceptible to anxiety, depression and mood fluctuations. In certain cases, the symptoms can result in a mental illness, such as non-suicidal harming oneself (NSSI) which could be exhibited through cutting, burning or scratching.
ADHD is more common in males and females, however symptoms can linger and affect all aspects of your life. Women should recognize the signs and seek an evaluation by a medical professional. A positive diagnosis can lead to better management of symptoms and a higher quality of life.
2. Disorganization
Women suffering from ADHD are often overwhelmed and feel as if their lives are in chaos. They may not meet deadlines or have difficulty to manage household chores such as paying bills and keeping the track of appointments. Their home and finances could be cluttered, and they may struggle to keep healthy relationships and a stable job.
Inattentive-type ADHD symptoms can lead to more anger and misunderstandings in relationships with friends, partners, and coworkers. These issues can result in strained or broken connections and feelings of loneliness. Inattention, forgetfulness and the tendency to "zone out", or stop paying attention, can lead to misunderstandings with loved ones.
The signs of impulsivity, emotional dysregulation, and mood swings are more prevalent among women suffering from ADHD than in men and can be extremely disruptive to both your personal and professional life. Women who are not treated for ADHD might be overwhelmed by the demands of family, work and the social world. They could also be sensitive to harsh criticism and harsh judgment.
The good news is that there are ways to reduce the impact of these symptoms. Treatment options for adults include lifestyle modifications and the use of specialized tools for organizing, as well as prescription stimulant medications.
Women who suffer from ADHD tend to be more able than men to hide their ADHD symptoms and, as a result they may not be diagnosed until the age of adulthood. They are more likely to be suffering from comorbid conditions like anxiety and depression, which can exacerbate the effects of untreated ADHD. Women can also have issues maintaining healthy relationships and stable jobs and are susceptible to low self-esteem and chronic stress. *Sex refers a person's biological makeup, chromosomes, hormones and anatomy; gender refers to the internal perception of self as a man, woman or a nonbinary gender identity and mental health problems are usually diagnosed based on both.
3. Anxiety
Women with ADHD are at risk of developing anxiety and depression. These feelings can be exacerbated when you're unable keep the track of your daily tasks and appointments. This could lead to health issues such as missed health checkups, late payments and even debt. ADHD can trigger emotional dysregulation, impulsivity and forgetfulness, which can lead to relationships problems with friends, partners, and coworkers.
Many women develop coping strategies to mask their symptoms, which can make it difficult for others to notice they have trouble staying focused and organized. These strategies of coping could be healthy, such as establishing a daily schedule or setting phone reminders, or they may be unhealthy and rely on alcohol or other drugs to manage or overcome their difficulties. These strategies can make women feel anxious and unsure and make them doubt their capabilities and self-confidence. This can trigger feelings of depression or anxiety.
Additionally, women with ADHD frequently feel the pressure of not being accepted or achieving social norms which can cause low self-esteem and frustration. They might also face challenges at work, including difficulties with organization skills, following corporate policies, or adhering to a 9-to-5 routine. They may have difficulty managing their finances due to disorganization and impulsive spending, or they could struggle to complete work-related assignments or completing homework.
ADHD can be a lifetime condition that requires continuous support, especially when it affects girls and women. Despite its prevalence it is misunderstood and underdiagnosed. It is also untreated. The distinctive symptoms of ADHD in women are the result of stereotypes and referral biases, as well as internalized symptomatology, comorbidities, and hormonal changes.
4. Impulsivity
Women suffering from ADHD might have difficulty controlling their emotions or impulses. They may become easily frustrated or excessively exuberant, and they may lose track of their time or be late to events. They may also have difficulty understanding body language and recognizing social signals. This can cause problems at work or in relationships. For example, they might have a tendency to get into fights easily, or they may spend too much time in pursuit of hobbies and interests that aren't very important to them. They may also have difficulty maintaining friendships or making new connections due to their struggle to stick to promises and commitments.
Women are generally better in developing coping mechanisms to can help them to manage their ADHD symptoms, which is why it's harder for them to get diagnosed than men. They could, for example create routines to aid in staying organized or utilize apps to remind them of their appointments. They might also change their behaviour to comply with the norms and expectations of society. They may even try to hide their symptoms using alcohol or drugs. This can have negative health effects over time.
Many people suffering from ADHD outgrow their symptoms, but there are some who do not. Around 60% of women who have ADHD in childhood will have it throughout their adulthood. This is in contrast to 30% of males.
If ADHD symptoms adults male are unable to achieve relief with lifestyle changes or medication Professional treatment may be beneficial. There are a variety of options, including career coaching, counseling and life coaching. You can also take stimulants. Exercise is also a great way to improve your mood and boost your levels of energy. It releases neurotransmitters that increase motivation and focus. It can help ease anxiety and stress.
5. Reactivity to emotional stimuli
Girls and women who suffer from ADHD often have issues with emotional hyperactivity. They may struggle with controlling their emotions and communicating them in a proper manner. This can lead to anger for themselves and others. A woman with ADHD might become angry when her partner criticizes her however she may not be able to discuss the matter in a rational way. ADHD symptoms adults male might struggle to "pause" her response by identifying bodily cues that she's feeling overwhelmed or stressed like a flushed skin or breath shortness.
This difficulty in regulating emotions can lead to confusion and frustration, and can make people with ADHD prone towards depression or anxiety. It can also lead to difficulties in social interactions as it is difficult to read people's moods or pick up social signals.
In some cases, people with ADHD may seem emotionally detached and uninterested in their family or loved ones, even when they genuinely love them. In other cases they may avoid triggering situations to avoid experiencing emotions that are intense.
The nature of women's symptoms could make it easier for doctors to ignore the effects of ADHD. Many people disguise their ADHD symptoms and, when they do manifest, they're more likely to be interpreted as anxiety or mood-related, which can lead to misdiagnosis. It can be helpful to seek out a mental health professional who has experience working with girls and women with ADHD if you are experiencing these symptoms. They can validate your experiences, teach you how to utilize strategies like pacing and self-awareness, and provide family psychoeducation that can help you learn to recognize and respond to your ADHD symptoms in the future.