Symptoms of ADHD in Adult Women
Girls and women can suffer from ADHD. While men and boys are diagnosed with ADHD more often, it is also possible for women to suffer from the condition. But lingering stereotypes, referral biases internalized symptoms and comorbidities make it difficult for them to get properly assessed and treated.
Many women develop coping strategies to cover up their ADHD symptoms and to meet social expectations, but they can be unsustainable and unhealthy. Here are some of the most commonly reported symptoms of ADHD in women of adulthood.
1. Unfocused attention
Women suffering from ADHD are often overwhelmed by daily tasks. They often have a difficult time to keep track of many deadlines, emails, and meetings. They could also be more likely to forget important events or appointments. They might also have trouble concentration in noisy or busy surroundings. This could result in missed opportunities as well as a lower level of productivity.
For many people with ADHD, these challenges may be an expression of their character or performance, which can lead to frustration. Many people who suffer from ADHD experience a low sense of self and a negative perception of their body. They may also struggle to maintain relationships and come up with effective strategies to cope. In some instances they may use unhealthy coping strategies like excessive drinking or drugs. This can make people less likely to recognize their issues and delay a diagnosis.
Adults with ADHD can be especially sensitive to criticism and failure, which can cause them to internalize their issues and have difficulty seeking help. This is why they may have relationships and have trouble finding work that is meaningful. They are also more susceptible to depression, anxiety, and mood fluctuations. In some cases these signs can lead to the development of a mental health condition like non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI) which may be expressed through cutting, burning, or scratching.
ADHD is more common among males and females, however symptoms can linger and affect all aspects of your life. It's crucial for women to recognize the symptoms and seek an evaluation from a health care professional. A correct diagnosis can lead to better control of symptoms and a better quality of life.
2. Disorganization
Women with ADHD often complain of feeling overwhelmed and feeling like their lives are in chaos. They may miss deadlines or find it difficult to manage household or work-related tasks, such as paying bills and keeping track of appointments. Their finances and home may be disorganized and they may have a difficult time to maintain good relationships and a stable job.
Attention-deficit ADHD symptoms can cause frustration and confusion in relationships between friends, partners and coworkers. These issues can cause to broken or strained relationships, and feelings of loneliness. The inability to remember, the difficulty in listening and the tendency to "zone out" or not pay attention, may cause misunderstandings with loved ones.
Women who suffer from ADHD are more likely to suffer from symptoms of impulsivity, emotional instability, and mood swings. They can be disruptive in their professional and personal lives. Women who are not treated for ADHD are often overwhelmed by the demands and expectations of work, family, and society, and are more prone to harsh criticism or harsh judgment.
There are ways to manage these symptoms. For many adults treatment options include lifestyle changes and the use of specialized organizational tools and prescription stimulant medication.
Women with ADHD often find it easier than men to disguise their ADHD symptoms, and as a result they are often not diagnosed until they reach adulthood. They are more likely to suffer from multiple disorders that are comorbid, like depression and anxiety that can increase the effects of untreated ADHD. Women also have a difficult time trying to keep stable relationships and jobs and can suffer from low self esteem and chronic stress. *Sex refers a person's genetic makeup, chromosomes and 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 with ADHD are more likely to experience anxiety and depression. These feelings can be exacerbated by the inability to keep the track of daily tasks and appointments that can cause health issues such as missing appointments, late payments or even debt. The emotional dysregulation, impulsivity, and forgetfulness of ADHD can also lead to relationship issues with coworkers, partners and family members.
Many women develop strategies to mask their symptoms. This makes it difficult for others to recognize that they have 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 could be harmful, such as relying on alcohol or drugs to help them perform or manage their difficulties. These coping strategies can trigger an environment of self-doubt and stress for women, which makes them feel that they aren't successful or productive, which can increase feelings of depression and anxiety.
Women with ADHD might also feel like they don't fit in or don't meet social expectations. This can cause frustration and low self-esteem. They might also experience difficulties at work, such as difficulties with organizational skills, adhering to corporate policies or sticking to a regular 9-to-5 routine. They may be struggling to manage their finances due in part to disorganization or an impulsive spending. Also, they might be struggling to complete work assignments or completing homework.
ADHD can be a lifelong condition that requires continuous support, particularly when it affects women and girls. Despite its prevalence it is misunderstood and underdiagnosed. It is also not treated. The distinctive symptoms of ADHD in women are a result of stereotypes, referral biases, internalized symptomatology, comorbidities, and hormonal fluctuation.
4. Impulsivity
Women suffering from ADHD may have trouble controlling their emotions or impulses. They might become easily frustrated or overly excited, lose track time or be late for events. They might also have difficulty understanding body language or recognizing social cues. This could cause issues at work or with relationships. For instance, they could 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 might also have trouble keeping friendships or making connections due to their inability to keep their promises and commitments.
Women are generally better at building coping mechanisms that help them mask their ADHD symptoms, so it's harder for them to get diagnosed than men are. For instance, they could develop routines to help them remain organized or rely on apps to remind them of their appointments. symptoms of ADHD in adults women might also change their behavior to conform with the norms and expectations of society. They could even conceal their symptoms by using alcohol or drugs to manage with their symptoms, which could have serious health consequences in the end.
symptoms ADHD in adults with ADHD outgrow their symptoms, but some do not. About 60% of women who have ADHD in their childhood suffer from the condition until they reach adulthood, compared to 30% of males.
For those who don't find relief through lifestyle changes or medication, professional treatment can be helpful. There are a variety of options available, including career coaching, life coaching, and counseling along with medications like stimulants. Exercise is a fantastic method to boost your mood and increasing your energy. It releases neurotransmitters that boost motivation and attention. It also helps reduce anxiety and stress.
5. Reactivity to emotions
Women and girls with ADHD often have trouble with emotional reaction. They may have trouble regulating their emotions and how they express them. This can lead to anger for themselves and others. A person suffering from ADHD may become angry when a friend criticizes her however she may not be able to calm down to discuss the issue in a rational manner. She also might struggle to "pause" her response by identifying bodily cues that she's getting overexcited or overwhelmed like a flushed skin or shortness of breath.
This issue with regulating emotions can result in confusion and frustration, and can make people with ADHD prone towards anxiety or depression. It can also cause problems with social interactions because it's difficult to gauge people's moods and social cues.
In certain instances, people with ADHD may seem emotionally detached and disinterested in their friends or loved ones, even if they genuinely love them. In some instances they might avoid situations that trigger strong emotions to avoid experiencing them.
The nature of women's symptoms could make it easy for healthcare professionals to overlook the effects of ADHD. Many of them hide their ADHD symptoms, and when they do manifest, they're more likely to be seen as anxiety- or mood-related, and therefore misdiagnosed. If you're struggling with these symptoms, it can be helpful to seek a mental health professional experienced in working with women and girls who suffer from ADHD. They can help validate your experiences, teach you how to use 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.