ADHD Symptoms in Adult Females
The condition is often misdiagnosed in women, even though it is a problem that affects men and women equally as adults. This is likely due to gender stereotypes and the capability of women to conceal their symptoms.
Many healthcare professionals lack the knowledge and experience to recognize ADHD in women. Many females are misdiagnosed and do not receive the treatment they need.
1. Disorganization
Women and girls with ADHD have trouble coordinating. This disorder is challenging to manage. Your desk, for example, may be a mess of papers, 17 chapsticks, and tickets from the Kings of Leon show you attended in 2008. Even though you may have invested money in products to help you organize, your office or home is likely to remain messy and chaotic.
Inability to keep on top of your work can cause you to miss deadlines and appointments. You may also experience "time blindness," where you don't know or remember how long it takes to finish the task. This can leave you frustrated and feeling like you're not doing an adequate job in your work or personal life, particularly if it feels like others don't appreciate your efforts.
You might also have trouble controlling your emotions, which can cause you to react too quickly in stressful situations. You might also say things without intention of hurting people's feelings. You may also be having trouble stopping yourself from speaking before thinking things through, as it is common for people with ADHD.
If you have ADHD it's possible that a portion of your symptoms are rooted in gender stereotypes or beliefs about how men, women and boys should behave. This can make it harder to recognize and treat your ADHD.
You could also benefit from a treatment for behavioral issues to address the root cause of your disorder. It could take some time to determine the most effective strategies to cope, but using them will help you feel more in control of your own life and improve your relationships with family, coworkers, and friends.
2. Impulsivity
People with ADHD often experience intense emotions however their brains don't have a method to assess or filter them. This means they may be overwhelmed by one setback or struggle to accurately assess the mood of others. This can also make them more prone to be distracted by minor issues, such as the availability of a book or a friend who isn't reliable.
Many women with ADHD manage their attention problems by hiding symptoms and implementing strategies to cope. They may be highly conscientious or a perfectionist at school or work and have difficulty keeping track of appointments or bills, as well as important dates. They may also have trouble with self-control in speech and speak too much, interrupt others 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 a sudden urge to start, stop or alter the course of action and being unable to hold your turn in conversation; and difficulty interpreting social signals (like facial expressions or body language).
While gender-based stereotypes may influence the development of ADHD but it's often difficult to recognize when women suffer from these issues. The rating scales that are used to determine ADHD symptoms are still biased towards male behavior. Some healthcare professionals might miss the mark on a woman's ADHD symptoms.
Many women suffering from ADHD also say that their symptoms get worse during times of hormonal changes, such as during the menstrual cycle, pregnancy, or perimenopause (the run-up to menopause). This can cause emotional symptoms like frustration or irritability as well as depression. They may also have a persistent feeling of dissatisfaction in their relationships or lives. This may lead to substance abuse, low self-esteem and unhealthy coping strategies. This is the reason it's so important for women to understand that these symptoms are not an indication of their worth or worth as an individual. With a good treatment program, you can reduce or even eliminate these signs.
3. Inattention
While everyone struggles with paying attention and focusing at times, with ADHD, these symptoms occur in such a way that they can interfere with your life. You may make careless errors at work or in school, forget appointments or spend a large deal of time procrastinating. You can't wait your turn and interrupt others during conversations.
Adults who are inattentive can also have a tendency to jump into projects without thoroughly planning them and researching them. This leads to incomplete results or poor ones. You may also be easily distracted and leave projects unfinished. This could be a vegetable garden that was planted, but not watered, or an organization system you put together and then put on your nightstand for it to rot.
People who have inattention ADHD also struggle with a chronic sense of disorganization, both in their home and workplaces. It is possible that you have trouble finding important documents, keys or bills and also lose items frequently. You might also keep losing track of the time and end up running late for meetings, work or school.
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. Women who suffer from these conditions may perform actions or words without thinking about the consequences such as yelling at other people or making strange sounds when they are alone. They have difficulty sitting still and can move around or get out of their seats. They might have issues keeping their job and could have frequent disagreements with coworkers and managers.
In some cases, the mood swings and emotional stress caused by ADHD can cause frustration and miscommunication in relationships. This is particularly true in romantic relationships as well as at work. People who suffer from ADHD are also more likely to suffer from other comorbidities, like depression, anxiety or bipolar disorder.
Girls and women with ADHD can face a variety of difficulties in seeking diagnosis and treatment which include gender discrimination and a tendency to cover up their symptoms or minimize the severity of their symptoms. Women with a high profile, such as Em Rusciano and Mia Freedman who have publicly discussed their struggles with ADHD have contributed to raising awareness. But, many girls and young woman still do not know they have it.
4. Anxiety
Although many people feel anxious or nervous from time the other, persistently high anxiety is the hallmark of an anxiety disorder. You might feel a constant feeling of unease or anxiety, a fast heartbeat, trouble keeping at peace and having difficulty focusing. women and adhd might also feel a sense of danger in situations that you are aware aren't risky. The most frequent forms of anxiety include general anxiety disorder, phobias, agoraphobia as well as separation anxiety, panic disorders and selective Mutism.
Anxiety is more prevalent among women with ADHD as compared to men. It can be worsened by certain life events like menstrual cycles or pregnancy, or perimenopausal. This can make it difficult to deal with everyday tasks and social interactions and can trigger feelings of self-esteem loss or discontent.
You are very sensitive to rejection and you have a hard acceptance of criticism. You're prone to misinterpret feedback, or even anticipate rejection. You might be upset over small issues that others don't see an issue with.
Mood swings can also be a sign of adult adhd in women. It is possible that you experience erratic emotions or find it difficult to control them. You could also be prone to non-suicidal acts of self-injury such as burning, scrubbing, or hitting yourself.
If you're experiencing any of the above symptoms, it's crucial to receive a diagnosis. It will help you comprehend some of the challenges you're facing, and offer you strategies to improve your quality of life. You can take an online ADHD test, or visit your doctor for a thorough evaluation. In some cases a doctor might prescribe medication to alleviate your symptoms. In other cases they may recommend an amalgamation of lifestyle changes and cognitive behavior therapy. In any situation, it's crucial to make positive changes in your life as soon as you can. This can help you take control of your life and make you feel more confident, productive and capable.