Symptoms of ADHD in Adult Women
While males and females are more frequently diagnosed with ADHD, women and girls may also be affected. But lingering ADHD symptoms in adults males , referral biases, internalized symptoms and comorbidities make it harder for them to be assessed and treated.
These strategies could be harmful and unsustainable. Here are a few of the adult women's most commonly reported ADHD symptoms.
1. Unfocused attention
Women with ADHD are often overwhelmed by their daily tasks. It is often difficult for them to keep the track of deadlines, emails, and meetings. They could also be more likely to miss important dates or events. They may also have difficulty to concentrate in noisy or crowded environments. This can result in missed opportunities and lower level of productivity.
These challenges can lead to frustration for many people with ADHD. They may believe that they reflect of their own performance or of themselves. Many adults with ADHD end up having a low sense of self and a negative perception of their body. They may also be struggling with maintaining stable relationships and establishing effective coping mechanisms. In some cases, they use unhealthy coping strategies that include excessive alcohol or drug use. This can make it more difficult for others to see that they're struggling, and can delay an accurate diagnosis.
Adults with ADHD can be especially sensitive to failure and criticism and can lead them to internalize their problems and have difficulty seeking assistance. They may also experience relationship problems and are unable to find work that is meaningful. They could also be more prone to depression, anxiety and mood swings. In certain instances these signs can lead to the development of a mental health problem like non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI) which may be manifested by burning, cutting or scratching.
Although it's more common in men and boys to be diagnosed with ADHD, symptoms can persist into adulthood and can impact multiple areas of life. It is crucial for women to identify the symptoms and seek an assessment from a health care professional. A positive diagnosis can result in better-managed symptoms and a higher quality of life.
2. Disorganization
Women suffering from ADHD often complain of feeling overwhelmed and feeling like their lives are in chaos. They may miss deadlines or have difficulty to keep track of household or work-related tasks, such as paying bills and keeping the track of appointments. Their finances and home may be cluttered and they may find it difficult to maintain healthy relationships and a steady job.
Inattentive-type ADHD symptoms can heighten frustration and miscommunications between partners, friends, and coworkers. These issues can cause strained or broken connections and feelings of isolation. Inattention, forgetfulness and the tendency to "zone out" or not pay attention, can also result in misunderstandings between loved ones.
Women with ADHD are more likely to experience signs of emotional instability, impulsivity, and mood swings. They can be disruptive both 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 criticism or harsh judgment.
The good news is that there are ways to reduce the impact of these symptoms. For many adults treatments include lifestyle adjustments and the use of specially designed tools for organization and prescription stimulant medication.
Women who suffer from ADHD typically have a harder time than men to disguise their ADHD symptoms, and as a result they are often not diagnosed until adulthood. They are more likely to be suffering from comorbid disorders such as depression and anxiety that can increase the effects of untreated ADHD. Women can also struggle to maintain stable relationships and jobs and be afflicted by low self-esteem and chronic stress. *Sex refers a person's hormones and chromosomes; gender is the internal belief in oneself as a man woman, a nonbinary, or any other gender identity. Mental health issues are usually diagnosed by both.
3. Anxiety
Women with ADHD are more likely to experience anxiety and depression. These symptoms can be worsened when you're unable to keep the track of your daily tasks and appointments. This can lead to health issues such as missed checkups or payments that are late, or even debt. ADHD can lead to emotional dysregulation, impulsivity, and forgetfulness which can lead to problems in relationships with family, friends, and coworkers.
Many women develop coping strategies to hide their problems and make it harder for others to see that they have trouble staying focused and organized. These strategies for coping could be beneficial, like creating a daily schedule, or a phone reminder, or unhealthy, like relying on drugs or alcohol to manage or function. These strategies can make women feel anxious and unsure and make them doubt their abilities and self-confidence. This can lead to depression or anxiety.
Women who suffer from ADHD might also feel like they don't belong or don't conform to social norms. This can cause anxiety and low self-esteem. They may also face challenges at work, including difficulties with organizational skills adhering to company policies or adhering to a routine 9-to-5 work schedule. They may struggle with managing their finances, due to disorganization and impulsive spending, or they might be unable to keep up with work-related tasks or completing homework.
ADHD can be a chronic condition that requires continuous care, particularly when it affects girls and women. Despite the disorder's prevalence yet, it is often undiagnosed, misunderstood, and undertreated. The distinctive symptoms of ADHD in women are the result of stereotypes, referral biases, internalized symptomatology and comorbidities as well as hormonal fluctuations.
4. Impulsivity
Women suffering from ADHD may have trouble controlling their emotions or impulses. They can be easily annoyed or excessively exuberant, and they may lose track of their time or be late for events. They might also have trouble reading body language and picking up social cues. This can lead to problems at work or in relationships. For instance, they may have a tendency to get into fights easily, or they may spend too much time with hobbies and interests that aren't important to them. They might also have trouble maintaining friendships or making connections because they are unable to keep their promises and commitments.
Women tend to be better at building coping mechanisms that help them mask their ADHD symptoms, making it difficult for them to be diagnosed than men. They could, for instance create routines to aid in staying organized or utilize apps to remind themselves of their appointments. They may also alter their behavior to conform with societal expectations and norms. ADHD symptoms in adults males might even hide their symptoms using alcohol or drugs to deal with their problems with their symptoms, which could have serious health problems in the long term.
Many people suffering from ADHD get over their symptoms, but others do not. About 60% of women who have ADHD in their childhood have the condition until adulthood, as opposed to 30% of males.
Professional therapy can be beneficial for those who can not find relief from medication or lifestyle changes. There are a variety of options, including career coaching, life coaching, and counseling, along with medications like stimulants. Exercise is also beneficial to boost your mood and increase your energy levels. It releases neurotransmitters, which increase the motivation and focus. It can also reduce anxiety and stress.
5. Reactivity to emotions
Girls and women with ADHD are often afflicted by emotional reactivity. They may struggle with controlling their emotions and expressing them appropriately. This can cause frustration for both themselves and others. For instance, a person with ADHD might become enraged when a friend critiques her, but she might not be able to calm down and talk about the issue in a more rational way. She may also struggle to "pause her reaction" by identifying body signals such as flushed skin or a short breath that indicate she is overexcited or overwhelmed.
This inability to regulate emotions can cause confusion and frustration and make people with ADHD prone towards depression or anxiety. It can also cause difficulties in social interactions as it is difficult to discern people's moods or detect social signals.
In certain situations, ADHD people may appear emotionally detached and uninterested towards their friends or loved one even though they care about them. In some cases they might avoid situations that trigger strong emotions in order to avoid experiencing them.
Gender bias is a frequent feature of doctors, and the effects of ADHD on women are often overlooked because of the nature of their symptoms. Many of them camouflage their ADHD symptoms and, when they do show up in the future, they're more likely be interpreted as anxiety or mood-related, which can lead to misdiagnosis. If you're struggling with these symptoms, it might be beneficial to consult a mental health professional experienced in working with women and girls who have ADHD. They can help you validate your experiences, show you how to use strategies like pacing and self-awareness, and provide family psychoeducation to help you learn to recognize and address your ADHD symptoms in the future.