Symptoms of ADHD in Adult Women
While males and females are diagnosed far more often with ADHD but girls and women can also have it. However, lingering stereotypes, referral bias, internalized symptoms and comorbidities can make it more difficult for them to get properly evaluated and treated.
These strategies can be unhealthy and unsustainable. Here are severe ADHD symptoms in adults of the adult women's most common ADHD symptoms.
1. Unfocused attention
Women suffering from ADHD can be prone to feel overwhelmed by the daily tasks. They often struggle to keep track of multiple deadlines, emails, and meetings. They are also more likely to forget important events or appointments. They may also find it difficult to focus in noisy or busy environments. This can lead to missed opportunities and a lower level of productivity.
For many adults suffering from ADHD These challenges may be a reflection of their character or performance and lead to frustration. They may end up with a low self-esteem and a negative body image. They may also have trouble maintaining stable relationships and developing effective coping mechanisms. In some instances, they resort to unhealthy strategies for coping that include excessive drinking or drugs. This can make it harder for others to see that they're struggling and delay an accurate 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 for them to seek assistance. This is why they may experience relationships and have trouble finding meaningful work. They could also be more susceptible to anxiety, depression and mood swings. In some cases, these symptoms can result in the development of a mental health problem like non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI) which may be manifested by burning, cutting or scratching.
While it's more prevalent in males and boys to be diagnosed with ADHD The symptoms can last into adulthood and can impact various aspects of life. Women should be aware of the signs and seek out an evaluation by a medical professional. A proper diagnosis can result in more manageable symptoms and a better quality of life.
2. Disorganization
Women suffering from ADHD are often overwhelmed as if they are chaotic. They might miss deadlines or find it difficult to manage household chores, such as paying bills and keeping track of appointments. Their home and finances could be cluttered, and they may struggle to keep good relationships and a stable job.
Inattention ADHD symptoms can cause frustration and confusion in relationships with friends, partners and colleagues. These problems can lead strained or broken connections, and feelings of loneliness. The inability to listen, forgetfulness and a tendency to "zone out" during conversations can result in arguments and miscommunications with loved ones.
Signs of impulsivity, emotional dysregulation and mood swings are more frequent in women with ADHD than in men and can be extremely disruptive to both your personal and professional. Women who are not treated for ADHD are often overwhelmed by the responsibilities and expectations of work, family as well as society. They are more prone to criticism or harsh judgment.
The good news is that there are options to reduce the impact of these symptoms. Treatment options for adults include lifestyle changes, the use of specialized tools for organizing, as well as prescription stimulant drugs.
Women with ADHD typically have a harder time than men to disguise their ADHD symptoms and, as a result, may go undiagnosed until adulthood. They are more likely to suffer from comorbid disorders 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 a person's chromosomes and hormones; gender refers to the internal perception of self-identity as a man woman, woman, nonbinary or any other gender identity. Mental health problems are often diagnoses based on both.
3. Anxiety
Women suffering from ADHD are more likely to be suffering from anxiety and depression. These moods can be made worse by the inability to keep the track of daily tasks and appointments that can cause health issues such as missing appointments, late payments and even debt. The emotional dysregulation, impulsivity, and forgetfulness associated with ADHD can also create issues with relationships with colleagues, partners and even friends.
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 coping mechanisms may be beneficial, like setting up a daily schedule, or a phone reminder, or unhealthy, like using alcohol or drugs to manage or function. These coping strategies can cause women to feel anxious and unsecure which can cause them to doubt their abilities and self-confidence. This can trigger feelings of depression or anxiety.
Women with ADHD may also feel that they don't fit in or don't meet social expectations. This can lead to anxiety and low self-esteem. They may also encounter issues at work, like issues with organization skills, following corporate policies, or adhering to a routine of 9-5. They may be struggling to manage their finances due to a lack of organization or impulsive spending. They may also struggle to keep up with work assignments or completing homework.
ADHD can be a lifetime condition that requires ongoing assistance, particularly when it affects women and girls. Despite its prevalence however, it's still undiagnosed, misunderstood, and not treated. The lingering stigmas, referral bias internalized symptoms, comorbidities and hormonal changes all contribute to the unique symptom presentation of ADHD in females.
4. Impulsivity
Women suffering from ADHD may have trouble controlling their emotions and impulses. They can be easily annoyed or excessively exuberant, and they may lose track of their time or be late to events. They also might have trouble understanding body language or recognizing social cues. This can cause issues at work or in relationships. For example, they might get into arguments easily or they may spend too much time on hobbies and interests that aren't very important to them. They might also have difficulty keeping friendships and making new connections because they struggle to follow through on promises and commitments.
Women are generally better in establishing coping mechanisms that aid in reducing their ADHD symptoms, so it's harder for them to get diagnosed than men are. They could, for instance, develop routines that help them stay organized or utilize apps to remind them of their appointments. They might also change their behaviour to comply with societal expectations and norms. They may even cover up their symptoms by taking alcohol or drugs to deal with their problems, which can cause serious health issues in the long term.
Some people with ADHD do not completely overcome the symptoms. About 60 percent of women who suffer from ADHD in their childhood be affected until adulthood, as opposed 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 life coaching, career coaching, and counseling, as well as medications such as stimulants. ADHD symptoms in adults females is a fantastic method to improve your mood and increasing your energy. It releases neurotransmitters that boost attention and motivation and can also ease anxiety and stress.
5. Reactivity to emotional stimuli
Women and girls with ADHD often have trouble with emotional hyperactivity. They may have difficulty to regulate their emotions and express them appropriately, which can cause frustration with others and themselves. A person suffering from ADHD may become angry when her partner criticizes her however she may not be able to calm down to discuss the issue in a rational manner. She may also struggle to "pause" her response by identifying body signals that indicate she's feeling overwhelmed or stressed like a flushed skin or a shortness of breath.
This difficulty regulating their emotions can cause more stress and misunderstandings in relationships and it can make people with ADHD more susceptible to depression or anxiety. It can also cause difficulties in social interactions as it's difficult to gauge people's moods or pick up social signals.
In some cases, people with ADHD may seem emotionally detached and uninterested in their peers or loved ones, even if they genuinely love them. In some instances they may avoid situations that trigger strong emotions to avoid experiencing them.
The nature of women's symptoms could make it easy for healthcare professionals to ignore the effects of ADHD. Many of them hide their ADHD symptoms when they do manifest, they're more likely to be interpreted as anxiety or mood-related and thus misdiagnosed. If you're experiencing these symptoms, it can be helpful to seek an expert in mental health who is experienced in working with women and girls with ADHD. They can confirm your experience, instruct you on strategies such as self-awareness or pacing, and provide you with psychoeducation for your family to help you identify and respond to future ADHD symptoms.