ADHD Symptoms in Adult Females
The condition is often misdiagnosed in women, despite the fact that it affects both men and woman equally as adults. This is likely due to gender stereotypes and the ability of females to conceal their symptoms.
Many healthcare professionals don't have the knowledge or experience to identify ADHD among women. Many females are misdiagnosed and fail to receive the care they require.
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 muddled papers, 17 chapsticks, and even a ticket for the Kings of Leon concert you attended in 2008. And while you buy products that promise to aid in your organization your office and home may still be messy and chaotic.
Inability to keep on top of your work can result in missed deadlines and appointments. You might also struggle with "time blindness," where you don't know or remember the time it takes to finish the task. This could make you feel frustrated and like you're not doing a great enough job in your career, or even your personal life.
You might also have trouble regulating your emotions, which could cause you to react too quickly in stressful situations. Your fast-paced verbal communication could cause confusion and miscommunications with family members as well as your coworkers. You may make comments that hurt feelings of others without even knowing. You may also be having trouble stopping yourself from speaking before you think things through, since it is common for those with ADHD.
If you suffer from ADHD it is possible that some of your symptoms are rooted in gender stereotypes or cultural ideas about how men, women, and boys should behave. This makes it difficult to diagnose and treat ADHD.
You could also benefit from behavioral treatment to address the underlying causes of your disorder. And although it may take some time to find the appropriate coping strategies, implementing these strategies can make you feel more in control of your life and improve relationships with family friends, coworkers, and other family members.
2. Impulsivity
People with ADHD frequently experience intense emotions, but their brains don't have a way to filter or assess them. This means that they could be overwhelmed by a single setback or struggle to assess the mood of others. This also makes them more susceptible to being distracted by minor issues such as a book out of stock or an unreliable friend.
Many women with ADHD compensate for their attention problems by hiding symptoms and devising strategies for coping. They could be perfectionists or extremely attentive at school or work however, they have trouble keeping the track of important dates, bills and appointments. They might struggle with self-talk control and speak 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 start or stop activities. They can also be characterized by being unable to wait for your turn in a conversation, and experiencing difficulty in interpreting social cues.
While gender stereotypes can have an impact on the development of ADHD for women, it is not always easy to spot these issues. The scales for rating used to detect ADHD symptoms still favor male behavior. Some healthcare professionals may not be aware of the woman's ADHD symptoms.
Many women suffering from ADHD say that their symptoms are more severe during times of hormonal change, such as during menstruation or pregnancy, and also during perimenopausal symptoms. This can lead to emotions such as anger, irritability or depression. They may also feel a persistent feeling of unsatisfaction with their lives or relationships. This could lead to substance abuse, low self-esteem, and unhealthy coping behaviors. This is why it's important for women to recognize that these symptoms aren't an indication of their worth or worth as individuals. The good news is that with a proper treatment plan the symptoms can be reduced or even eliminated.
3. Attention
While everyone struggles with paying attention and focusing at times, with ADHD the symptoms can occur in such a way that they can interfere with your life. You may make careless errors at work or at school, forget appointments or spend a large deal of time procrastinating. You're not able to wait your turn and interrupt others in conversations.
Adults who are inattentive can be prone to jump into projects without fully planning them and researching them. This can lead to poor results or subpar ones. It is also possible to get lost easily and have a tendency to abandon projects that are not finished -- from the vegetable garden that got planted but never watered to the new system of organization that got assembled and then put aside to dust on your nightstand.
People with inattention ADHD also struggle with a constant sense of disorganization, both in their workplaces and at home. You may have difficulty finding important documents keys, bills or keys and frequently lose things. You may also forget to keep the track of time and end up late for work, school or for meetings.
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 can say or do things without considering the consequences. For instance they might be rude to others or make nonsensical noises when alone. They might be unable to sit still, and fidget in their seat or pace. They might have trouble keeping the job they have, and are in frequent conflicts with their coworkers and supervisor.
In certain instances, mood swings and emotional distress caused by ADHD may lead to frustration in relationships and misunderstandings. This is especially 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 are often faced with a range of challenges when seeking treatment and diagnosis which include gender discrimination and a tendency to hide their symptoms or underestimate the severity of them. The rise of famous women such as Mia Freedman and Em Rusciano who have publicly shared their personal struggles with ADHD has increased awareness, yet many girls and young women do not know they have the disorder.
4. Anxiety
An anxiety disorder is characterized by persistently excessive anxiety. While everyone is anxious or nervous at times anxiety disorders are defined by persistently high levels of anxiety. You may experience a constant sense of unease, fear, or anxiety as well as rapid pulse, difficulty being calm, and trouble thinking clearly. You may also feel an increased sense of danger, even in situations that aren't likely to be dangerous to you. The most common forms of anxiety are general anxiety disorder, phobias and agoraphobia and panic disorders, separation anxiety and selective mutism.
Anxiety is more prevalent in women suffering from ADHD as compared to men. It can be worsened by certain life events, such as menstruation or pregnancy, as well as perimenopausal. This can make it difficult to manage everyday tasks and social interactions and may lead to feelings of self-esteem loss or unsatisfaction.
adhd in women signs to rejection and have a difficult time accepting criticism. You're prone to interpret feedback incorrectly, or anticipate rejection. You may be upset over small issues that others don't see an issue with.
Mood swings are a part of the adult female adhd symptoms and you could be able to notice that your moods are unpredictable or difficult to control. You might also be prone to self-injury that isn't suicidal like hitting, burning or scratching yourself.
If you're experiencing any of the above symptoms, it's important to receive a diagnosis. It can help you understand some of the challenges you're facing, and give you strategies to improve your quality of life. You can take an online ADHD test, or go to your doctor for a thorough evaluation. In some instances, your doctor might prescribe medication to alleviate your symptoms. In some instances, your doctor may recommend the combination of lifestyle changes and cognitive behavior therapy. In any situation, it's crucial to make positive changes to your life as soon as you can. This will help you get back in control of your life and make you feel more confident, productive and capable.