Symptoms of ADHD in Adults Women
Signs of ADHD in women of all ages can be more difficult to identify than in men because women often develop strategies to cope with their symptoms, according to Dr. Frank. Fortunately, support for lifestyle and medication can help improve their functioning and quality of life.
To be diagnosed with ADHD, you must have six symptoms from the inattentive or hyperactive/impulsive subtypes lasting more than six months. These symptoms include:
1. Inattention
ADHD symptoms for women include difficulties keeping track of the time as well as a tendency to miss appointments, lose items, or getting easily distracted. Women can also struggle with procrastination and forgetfulness and working or studying in a setting that is noisy or crowded. Women are often struggling with interpersonal skills. They can interrupt others or make remarks that they regret later.
Women with ADHD are more adept at masked symptoms than boys and men. They can come up with healthy strategies for coping like relying on the daily schedule and using phone reminders to remind them of important occasions. These strategies of coping might not last long and may not be sufficient to cope with the complexity of daily life. Additionally, their symptoms may be exacerbated by co-occurring disorders like anxiety and depression.
Many people suffering from ADHD have impulsivity or hyperactivity symptoms as well. Adults may experience more subtle symptoms that are only affecting specific areas of their lives, such as social interactions or work. Those with a hyperactive/impulsive subtype of ADHD may experience frequent fidgeting, talkativeness or trouble sitting still during conversations. They may also have a hard time relaxing or finding a way to calm down, and may also have difficulty in forming and maintaining friendships.
People with mild or moderate ADHD don't have major difficulties in their careers or relationships, but they struggle to stay well-organized and have a tough time following through on their commitments. They may have issues with finances, household chores or schoolwork and find themselves overwhelmed by the demands of their jobs. The severity of the symptoms can cause major disruptions to a person's daily life. They might also have difficulties maintaining relationships or keeping their job.
2. Hyperactivity
Women suffering from ADHD frequently struggle to organize their work, home, and personal items. They can also get lost in the details of important items like their keys, wallets glasses, eyeglasses, and cellphones. They also are prone to lose their tempers and being easily distracted by their thoughts and activities. The difficulty they have in getting their tasks completed and following instructions can affect their schoolwork as well as their work performance and relationships.
Women often mask their symptoms by using their emotions as a reason for their behavior, which makes it more difficult to diagnose and treated. For instance, she could blame her lack of attention or forgetfulness on her low self-esteem and anxiety. She could also blame relationship issues or somatic complaints (such as headaches and nausea) on the stress of life or hormonal fluctuations (e.g. menopausal, perimenopausal).
When untreated, ADHD can lead to serious issues. For instance, women and girls with ADHD might be at higher likelihood of engaging in sexual activities as adolescents because of their impulsivity and difficulty with interpersonal boundaries and planning. They may be more likely to turn to alcohol or drugs to help themselves. Inattention can cause missed doctor's procedures and appointments. They might have inconsistent and disordered eating habits or a high BMI, and unhealthy coping strategies like nail-biting, skin picking, obsessive shopping and excessive exercise.
The most effective method to determine ADHD is through an exhaustive assessment by an experienced mental health professional or health care professional. In addition, to examine the patient's physical and mental well-being, the professional may ask for feedback from close family members and friends. They might recommend tests in the lab or an interview. Having a diagnosis can be a life-changing event for many adults who discover they've been struggling with a mental health condition throughout their lives.
3. Impulsivity
Women suffering from ADHD are more difficult in controlling their impulses. This can cause other problems like self-injury, drinking or using drugs. It can also cause relationships problems as forgetfulness or impulsive behaviors can cause confusion and conflict with family, coworkers, and friends.
Impulsivity is characterized by the tendency to speak loud, buy something in a hurry, and make a decision without thinking about the consequences. It's important to keep in mind that acting impulsively doesn't necessarily mean it's an indication of bad character. In fact, some people require more time than others to think through their thoughts before deciding to act. But, it's a good idea to speak with your doctor about this and to get tested for ADHD especially when you begin to notice that the symptoms are getting worse.
It's also common for women with ADHD to struggle with controlling their emotions. This can lead to depression, as well as other mental health issues. The signs of depression can be difficult to identify in women, since they can resemble other health problems, such as insomnia or a chronic headache. Some women suffering from ADHD are reluctant to seek help because they think their symptoms are a result of low self-esteem.
symptoms of ADHD in adult women is important to understand that sex is a distinct concept from gender and that your inner sense of identity isn't affected by the biological traits that determine if you are a woman, man or a non-binary. Many people suffering from ADHD struggle to identify with their assigned gender. This can cause them to feel shame and desperation. These can be exacerbated by the anxiety of living with untreated ADHD which can lead to a lack of personal or professional support.
4. Distractions
As girls with ADHD develop into women, they could be unable to handle adult tasks and interactions. This could cause issues at work or in school, as well as strained relationships with family members, friends and romantic partners. Women who suffer from ADHD might also have issues managing finances or a home, and could be at risk of neglecting health-related issues like regular checkups and exercises. They may also struggle to cope with negative feelings like depression and anxiety.
ADHD symptoms for women may include the inability to remember things, loosing things, being easily distracted, having trouble working with others, or feeling overwhelmed by work. There are also mood-related symptoms like low self-confidence or poor self-esteem.
It is essential to recognize the signs and receive an assessment. It is also beneficial to speak with a mental health professional about their struggles and create coping strategies for ADHD. For instance, cognitive-behavioral therapies can help change negative thought patterns and enhance coping skills. Additionally the joining of a women's support group can provide valuable information about living with ADHD and strategies to cope with everyday life.
It is important to remember that women who suffer from ADHD might experience different symptoms from men. These symptoms can change in transitional periods like puberty or pregnancy. They may also change during hormonal treatments during menopausal. This is due to hormonal fluctuations and the fact that females have a greater hippocampus, which plays a role in memory and learning. Women also have the ability to mask their ADHD symptoms better than males. This makes it difficult to receive an accurate diagnosis. It is possible to live an enjoyable and joyful life with ADHD despite these challenges.
5. Anxiety
Although it can be a challenge for women suffering from ADHD to admit that they have anxiety issues, getting an assessment and finding the right treatment can make their lives much better. It can also help them better know their behavior and how it affects other people.
Anxiety is a common sign of ADHD for women of all ages and it can look like:
Distraction, like daydreaming or appearing to be distracted. Making a few mistakes. Avoiding tasks that require concentration or could be boring. Problems with concentration at school or at work. Not remembering or being late for appointments and meetings. Feeling overwhelmed in crowds, or when under stress at home or at work. Finding it difficult to relax or fall asleep. Being easily agitated, or being overly sensitive to criticism.
Women with ADHD can be more likely to develop co-occurring mood disorder, such as depression, and may have a harder time establishing friendships. They could also experience issues with intimate relationships that result in a higher rate of intimate partner violence and a higher risk of alcohol abuse.
It can be difficult for women and girls to receive a proper ADHD diagnosis due to the fact that symptoms in girls and women differ from those seen in males and boys. To accurately diagnose ADHD, health professionals need to be aware of the differences. This means identifying certain traits, such as an individualized symptom profile, difficulty with social relationships and a tendency to create strategies to deal with the signs of underperformance and performance issues, and the coexistence of anxiety and depression. It is crucial to be aware of the effect that a woman's hormonal levels affect her symptoms.