ADHD Symptoms in Adult Females
Although ADHD affects both genders equally throughout adulthood, the condition typically goes undiagnosed in females. This is probably due to gender stereotypes and the capability females to hide their symptoms.
Many healthcare professionals lack the expertise or experience needed to identify ADHD among 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. For example your desk could be a jumble of unruly papers, 17 different chapsticks, and a ticket to the Kings of Leon concert you attended in 2008. And while you spend money on products that claim to aid in your organization, your home and office may still be chaotic and messy.
Inability to keep track of your tasks may cause you to miss deadlines and appointments. In addition, you could struggle with a concept called "time blindness," which means you cannot remember or comprehend the amount of time it takes to finish a task. This could leave you feeling in a state of discontent and feeling as if you're not doing an adequate job in your career or in your personal life, particularly when it seems that other people don't appreciate your efforts.
You may also be having trouble managing your emotions, which may make you overreact in stressful situations. Your fast-paced verbal communication could result in miscommunications and misunderstandings with your loved ones and coworkers, and you may make comments that hurt the feelings of others without meaning to. And since impulsivity is common for people with ADHD it is possible that you will find it difficult to resist making comments without taking a second to think them through.
If you have ADHD it is possible that some of your symptoms are rooted in gender stereotypes or cultural ideas about how women, men and boys should behave. This makes it difficult to diagnose and treat ADHD.
In addition to having a diagnosis it is possible that you will need a treatment for behavioral issues to deal with the root cause of your condition. It might take time to find the best strategies for dealing with stress, but implementing them will allow you to feel more in control of your life and improve your relationships with family members, coworkers, and other friends.
2. Impulsivity
People who suffer from ADHD are often overwhelmed by intense emotions however their brains don't have a good way to filter or assess them. This means that they could be overwhelmed by a single incident or find it hard to accurately assess the mood of their peers. This can also make them more prone to being distracted by minor inconveniences such as the availability of a book or a shaky friend.
Many women with ADHD overcome their attention issues by hiding symptoms and devising strategies for coping. They could be perfectionists or highly conscientious at school or at work, but have difficulty keeping the track of important dates, bills and appointments. They might also struggle with verbal self control and may talk too much or interrupt others frequently.
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 an abrupt desire to stop, start or alter activities; being unable to wait your turn in a conversation; and difficulty in interpreting social signals (like facial expressions or body language).
While gender stereotypes can have an impact on the development of ADHD in women, it's not always easy to spot these issues. The rating scales that are used to detect ADHD symptoms are still geared towards male behavior. Some healthcare professionals may miss the mark on a woman's ADHD symptoms.
Many women suffering from ADHD say that their symptoms worsen during times of hormonal change, such as during menstruation or pregnancy, as well as perimenopausal. This can intensify emotional symptoms and trigger a lot of feelings of anger, frustration, or depression. They may also feel a persistent sense of dissatisfaction with their lives or relationships. This could cause depression, substance abuse, or unhealthy ways of coping. This is why it's crucial for women to realize that these symptoms aren't a reflection of their value or worth as individuals. With a good treatment program, you can reduce or even eliminate these signs.
3. Inattention
While everyone struggles with paying attention and focusing, with ADHD the symptoms are experienced in such a way that they can interfere with your daily life. You might make mistakes at work or in school, or miss appointments or spend a large amount of time delaying. You have a difficult time waiting your turn in conversations and often interrupt other people.
Adults who aren't attentive can also have a tendency to rush into projects before fully planning them and researching them. This results in a lack of results or subpar ones. You may also get distracted easily and have a tendency to abandon projects that are not finished -for example, from the vegetable garden that was planted but never watered to the new system of organization that was put together and put aside to dust on your nightstand.
People with inattentive ADHD have trouble focusing at home and in the workplace. It is possible that you have trouble finding important documents, keys or bills and also lose items frequently. You could also be unable to keep your track of time and end up 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 might perform actions or words without thinking about the impact including snoozing over other people or making strange sounds when they're alone. adult add in women have difficulty sitting still and may be prone to fumbling around or pacing in their seats. They can have trouble maintaining a job and might have frequent disagreements with coworkers and managers.
In certain instances, mood swings and emotional distress caused by ADHD can cause frustration in relationships and miscommunications. This is especially true when it comes to romantic relationships and at work. People with ADHD also are more likely to having comorbid conditions such as anxiety, depression, or bipolar disorder.
Girls and women with ADHD have a myriad of challenges when seeking diagnosis and treatment, including gender bias and a tendency to hide their symptoms or undervalue the severity of them. The rise of high-profile women like Mia Freedman and Em Rusciano who have publicly shared their personal struggles with ADHD has increased awareness, yet many young women and girls do not know they have the disorder.
4. adult add in women
Although many people feel anxious or nervous from time to time, persistently outsize anxiety is the hallmark of an anxiety disorder. You may experience an uncontrollable feeling of anxiety or fear, a rapid heartbeat, difficulty staying calm and difficulty thinking clearly. You may also feel an underlying sense of danger in situations that you are aware are not dangerous. The most frequent kinds of anxiety include general anxiety disorder, phobias and agoraphobia and panic disorders, separation anxiety and selective Mutism.
Anxiety is more common in women suffering from ADHD than men. It tends worsen around certain life events, like menstrual cycle, pregnancy, or perimenopause. This makes it more difficult to manage daily tasks and social interactions, and lead to feelings of low self-esteem and general dissatisfaction with your life.
You're extremely sensitive to rejection and have a tough to accept criticism. You can easily miss the mark on feedback, or anticipate rejection. You might be angry about small things that other people don't find an issue with.
Mood swings may also be a symptom of adult adhd in women. You might notice that you experience erratic moods or find it difficult to control these. You could also be prone to self-injury that is not suicidal, such as scrubbing, burning, or hitting yourself.
If you're struggling with any of the above symptoms, it's crucial to establish a clear diagnosis. It will help you comprehend the challenges you're facing, and offer you strategies to improve the quality of your life. You can take an online ADHD test, or visit your doctor for a thorough assessment. In certain instances, your doctor might prescribe medication to help alleviate your symptoms. In other cases, they might recommend the combination of lifestyle changes and cognitive behavior therapy. In any scenario, it's essential to start making some positive changes in your life as soon as you can. This will allow you to regain control of your life, and feel more confident and capable.