Symptoms of ADHD in Adult Women
While boys and men are diagnosed far more often with ADHD, women and girls can also have it. But stereotypes, referral prejudice and internalized symptoms as well as comorbidities can make it difficult for them to be properly evaluated and treated.
Many women devise coping strategies to hide their ADHD symptoms and to meet social expectations, but these can be unhealthy and unsustainable. Here are some of the adult women's most frequent ADHD symptoms.
1. Unfocused attention
Women with ADHD are often overwhelmed by their daily tasks. They often have a difficult time to keep track of many deadlines, email notifications and meetings. They may also be more likely to forget important events or appointments. They may also be unable to focus. concentrating in noisy or busy surroundings. This can lead them to miss out on opportunities and produce lower quality work.
For many adults suffering from ADHD the challenges they face can feel like an expression of their character or performance, and can cause frustration. Many adults with ADHD experience an unsatisfactory self-image and a negative view of their body. They may also be struggling to maintain relationships and come up with effective strategies to cope. In some instances, they resort to unhealthy coping strategies that include excessive drinking or drugs. This may make others less likely to acknowledge their issues and delay a diagnosis.
Adults with ADHD might be more sensitive to criticism or failure. This can lead them to internalize the issue and make it difficult for them to seek help. They might also be afflicted by issues with relationships and may find it difficult to find a meaningful job. They are also more susceptible to depression, anxiety, and mood fluctuations. In certain instances these signs can lead to the development of a mental health problem such as non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI) which could be manifested through burning, cutting or scratching.
ADHD is more prevalent among both boys and men, but symptoms can persist and impact many areas of your life. Women should recognize the signs and seek out an evaluation by a health professional. A correct diagnosis can lead to better-managed symptoms and an improved quality of life.
2. Disorganization
Women suffering from ADHD are often overwhelmed and feel as if their lives are in chaos. They may miss work deadlines or have difficulty keeping track of chores at home or at work like paying bills and making appointments. Their finances and their home could be cluttered and they may find it difficult to maintain healthy relationships and a stable job.
Inattentive ADHD symptoms can cause frustration and confusion in relationships between partners, friends and coworkers. These issues can result in broken or strained connections and feelings of loneliness. Inattention, forgetfulness, and the tendency to "zone out" or not pay attention, can result in misunderstandings between loved ones.
Symptoms of emotional dysregulation, impulsivity, and mood swings are more prevalent among women suffering from ADHD than in men, and can be highly disruptive to both your personal and professional life. Women with untreated ADHD might feel overwhelmed by the demands of family, work, and society. They may also be sensitive to criticism and harsh judgment.
The good news is that there are ways to reduce the impact of these symptoms. For many adults, treatment options include lifestyle adjustments and the use of specific organizational tools and prescription stimulant medications.
Women who suffer from ADHD tend to be more able than men to conceal their ADHD symptoms and, as a consequence, may go undiagnosed until the age of adulthood. They are more likely to suffer from comorbid conditions like anxiety and depression that can increase the effects of untreated ADHD. Women can also struggle to keep stable relationships and jobs and can be afflicted by low self-esteem and chronic stress. *Sex refers to the hormones and chromosomes. Gender refers to the internal perception of self-identity as a man woman, woman, nonbinary or another gender identity. Mental health problems are often diagnoses based on both.
3. Anxiety
Women with ADHD are at risk for anxiety and depression. These moods can be made worse by the inability to keep on top of the daily schedule and appointments and can result in health problems such as missed health check-ups, missed payments or even debt. ADHD can lead to emotional dysregulation, impulsivity and forgetfulness, which can lead to relationships problems with friends, partners and coworkers.
Many women develop coping strategies to disguise their symptoms. This could make it difficult for others to notice that they are having trouble staying focused and organized. ADHD in adults women symptoms coping strategies may be healthy, such as creating an annual schedule or setting phone reminders, or they could be harmful depending on alcohol or drugs to help them manage or overcome their difficulties. These coping strategies can make women feel anxious and unsure and make them doubt their capabilities and self-confidence. This can trigger depression or anxiety.
Women with ADHD might also feel that they aren't accepted or don't meet social expectations. This can cause anxiety and low self-esteem. They might also face issues at work, such as issues with organization skills, following corporate policies, or sticking to a daily 9-to-5 schedule. They may be struggling to manage their finances due to disorganization or excessive spending. Or, they may struggle to keep up with assignments or homework.
ADHD can be a lifetime condition that requires constant support, particularly when it affects women and girls. Despite the disorder's prevalence yet, it is often under-diagnosed, misunderstood and not treated. The distinctive symptoms of ADHD in women are a result stereotypes and referral biases, as well as internalized symptomatology and comorbidities as well as hormonal fluctuation.
4. Impulsivity
Women who suffer from ADHD might have difficulty controlling their emotions or impulses. They may become easily frustrated or excessively exuberant, and they may lose track of time or be late for events. They might also have trouble reading body language and picking up social cues. This can cause problems at work or with relationships. For example, they might have a tendency to get into fights easily, or spend too much time on hobbies and interests that aren't very important to them. They might also have trouble keeping relationships or forming connections because they are unable to keep their commitments and promises.
Women are more adept at forming strategies to manage their ADHD symptoms. This makes it harder for them to diagnose. They could, for example create routines to aid in staying organized or utilize apps to remind them of their appointments. They could also alter their behaviour to comply with the norms and expectations of society. They could even conceal their symptoms by taking drugs or alcohol to cope and avoid serious health consequences in the long run.
Some people suffering from ADHD do not outgrow the symptoms. About 60% of women who have ADHD in childhood continue to suffer from the condition until they reach adulthood, compared to 30% of men.
For those who don't get relief from lifestyle or medication Professional treatment may be helpful. There are a myriad of options, including career coaching, life coaching, and counseling, together with stimulants and medications. Exercise can also be a great way to improve your mood and increase your levels of energy. It releases neurotransmitters that increase the ability to focus and motivate and can also ease anxiety and stress.
5. Emotional reactivity
Girls and women with ADHD are often affected by emotional reaction. They may struggle with controlling their emotions and communicating them in a proper manner. This can lead to anger for themselves and others. For example, a woman with ADHD might become enraged when a friend criticizes her, but she might not be able to calm down and discuss the problem in a more rational manner. She might also be unable to "pause her reaction" by identifying body signals like flushed skin or a short breath that suggest she is stressed or overwhelmed.
This issue with regulating emotions can cause confusion and frustration and make those with ADHD more prone to depression or anxiety. It can also lead to problems with social interactions because it is difficult to discern people's moods or pick up social signals.
In some instances, those who suffer from ADHD might appear to be emotionally detached and disinterested in their friends or loved ones, even if they genuinely care about them. In certain situations, they may avoid situations that trigger strong emotions in order to avoid experiencing them.
The nature of women's symptoms could make it easy for healthcare professionals to ignore the effects of ADHD. Women often hide their ADHD symptoms and when they do manifest they are more likely to be misdiagnosed as anxiety or mood disorders. It's a good idea to consult a mental health professional who has experience working with girls and women with ADHD when you're experiencing these symptoms. They can confirm your experience, teach you strategies such as self-awareness and pacing, and provide you with psychoeducation for your family to help you recognize and respond to future ADHD symptoms.