ADHD Symptoms in Adult Females
Although ADHD affects both genders equally throughout adulthood, the condition often isn't recognized by females. This is likely due to gender stereotypes and the capability of women to mask their symptoms.
Many healthcare professionals lack the expertise and experience to identify ADHD in women. In the end, many females are misdiagnosed before receiving the treatment they need.
1. Disorganization
Women and girls with ADHD often struggle with disorganization, which can be a challenge to manage. Your desk, for example might be a mess of papers, 17 different chapsticks, and even a ticket to the Kings of Leon show you attended in 2008. And while add women spend money on products that promise to keep you organized your office and home may still be messy and chaotic.
Inability to stay on top of your responsibilities can result in missed appointments and forgotten deadlines. You may also experience "time blindness," where you don't recall or know how long it takes to complete the task. This could leave you feeling frustrated and feeling like you're not doing a great job in your work or personal life, particularly when it seems that other people don't appreciate your efforts.
There is a possibility that you have trouble regulating your emotions. This could cause you to react excessively when confronted with stressful situations. You may also say things without intention of hurting people's feelings. You might also have difficulty stopping yourself from speaking before you think things through, since impulsivity can be common among people with ADHD.
If you have ADHD it's possible that some of your symptoms stem from gender stereotypes or cultural ideas regarding how women, men and boys should behave. This makes it difficult to recognize and treat ADHD.
In addition to having a diagnosis, you might need a treatment for behavioral issues to tackle the root of your condition. And although it may take some time to identify the right coping mechanisms, implementing these strategies can make you feel more in control of your life as well as improve relationships with family and friends as well as coworkers.
2. Impulsivity
People with ADHD have intense emotions. However their brains aren't capable of separating them from or assess them. This means they may be overwhelmed by a single incident or struggle to assess the emotional state of others. This also makes them more prone to be distracted by minor inconveniences like the availability of a book or an unreliable friend.
Many women suffering from ADHD overcome their attention problems by hiding symptoms and developing coping strategies. They may be perfectionists or extremely attentive at school or at work however, they have trouble keeping track of important dates, bills, and appointments. They may also have issues with self-control in speech and talk excessively, interrupt others frequently, or info dump 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 desire to begin, stop or alter activities and being unable to hold for your turn during a conversation and difficulty interpreting social signals (like facial expressions or body language).
While gender stereotypes can impact on the development of ADHD for women, it's not always easy to spot these issues. The scales used to measure ADHD symptoms are still skewed toward male behavior and some healthcare professionals might misunderstand or underestimate a woman's symptoms.
Many women with ADHD have reported that their symptoms worsen when hormonal changes occur like menstrual cycles, pregnancy, and perimenopause. This can lead to emotional symptoms such as frustration or irritability as well as depression. They might also experience a persistent feeling of dissatisfaction in their relationships or lives. This can contribute to the use of drugs, low self-esteem, and unhealthy coping behaviors. It is important for women to realize that these symptoms do not indicate their worth or importance as a human being. The positive side is that with a proper treatment program, these symptoms can be improved or even eliminated.
3. Attention!
While everyone struggles with paying attention and focusing, with ADHD the symptoms are experienced so frequently that they interfere with your daily life. You could make a few mistakes at work or at school, forget appointments or spend a large deal of time procrastinating. You aren't comfortable waiting to be the first in a conversation and are often interrupted by other people.
add and adhd in women who aren't attentive can also get caught up in projects before fully planning them and researching them. This can lead to poor results or even subpar ones. You may also get distracted easily and have a tendency to abandon projects that are not finished -- from the vegetable garden that was planted but never watered to the new organizational system that was put together and put aside to dust on your nightstand.
People who have inattention ADHD suffer from chronic disorganization at home and at work. It is possible that you have trouble finding important documents such as keys or bills, and also lose items frequently. You may also lose your track of time and end up being late for work, meetings 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 with these symptoms may say or do things without thinking about the consequences. For example they might be rude to other people or make unintentional noises when they are alone. They may have trouble sitting still and may be prone to fumbling around or pacing in their seats. They may have difficulty maintaining a job and might have frequent conflicts with coworkers and managers.
In some instances, the mood swings and emotional distress caused by ADHD can lead to frustration in relationships and miscommunications. This is especially the case when it comes to romantic relationships and at work. People with ADHD are also more likely to have other comorbidities, like depression, anxiety or bipolar disorder.
Women and girls who suffer from ADHD have a myriad of difficulties in seeking treatment and diagnosis that include gender bias and a tendency to cover up their symptoms or underestimate the severity of their symptoms. High-profile women such as Em Rusciano and Mia Freedman who have spoken out about their struggles with ADHD have helped raise awareness. However, many young women and girls do not know they have it.
4. Anxiety
An anxiety disorder is characterised by a constant, excessive anxiety. While everyone is anxious or nervous at times, anxiety disorders are characterized by a constant high level of anxiety. You might experience a constant feeling of unease or fear, a rapid heartbeat, difficulty staying calm and having trouble thinking clearly. You might also have an increased sense of danger even in situations that aren't likely be dangerous for you. The most commonly encountered kinds of anxiety are general anxiety disorder, phobias, agoraphobia, panic disorders, separation anxiety and selective mutism.
Anxiety is more common in women with ADHD 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 may lead to feelings such as low self-esteem or unsatisfaction.
You're very sensitive to rejection and have a hard to accept criticism. You are prone to interpret feedback incorrectly, or anticipate rejection. You might be angry about small things that others don't see an issue with.
Mood swings are also one of the symptoms of adhd in women who are older, and you might find that your emotions are unpredictable or difficult to manage. You might also be prone to self-injury that isn't suicidal, such as striking, burning or scratching yourself.
If you're struggling with any of the above symptoms, it's crucial to receive a diagnosis. It can help you better identify your issues and give you strategies to improve your quality of life. You can take an online ADHD test, or go to your doctor for a professional assessment. In certain cases a doctor might prescribe medication to help alleviate your symptoms. In certain instances, your doctor may recommend the combination of lifestyle changes and cognitive behavior therapy. In any case, it's essential to make positive changes as soon as possible. This will help you get back in control of your life and make you feel more productive, confident and capable.