Symptoms of ADHD in Adult Women
Girls and women can suffer from ADHD. While men and boys are diagnosed with ADHD more often however, it is also feasible for women to suffer from the condition. But lingering stereotypes, referral biases internalized symptoms and comorbidities make it harder for them to get properly evaluated and treated.
Many women devise coping strategies to hide their ADHD symptoms and conform to social expectations, but these can be unsustainable and unhealthy. Here are some of the adult women's most commonly reported ADHD symptoms.
1. Unfocused attention
Women suffering from ADHD can be prone to feeling overwhelmed by everyday tasks. They often find it challenging to keep track of multiple deadlines, emails, and meetings. They could also be more likely to forget important dates or events. They might also have trouble concentrating in noisy or busy surroundings. This can lead them to miss opportunities and produce lower quality work.
For many people with ADHD These challenges can feel like an expression of their character or performance and lead to frustration. They often suffer from low self-esteem and a negative body image. They may also struggle to maintain relationships and develop effective coping strategies. In some cases they resort to unhealthy coping strategies that include excessive drinking or drug use. This can make others less likely to acknowledge their struggles and delay a diagnosis.
Adults with ADHD are often sensitive to criticism and failure, which can cause them to internalize their issues and have difficulty seeking help. In the end, they may have relationships and have trouble finding work that is meaningful. They may also be more susceptible to anxiety, depression and mood swings. In some instances the symptoms may cause a mental disorder, such as non-suicidal harming oneself (NSSI), that can be exhibited through cutting, burning or scratching.
ADHD is more common among males and females, however symptoms can last and affect all aspects of your life. It is crucial for women to identify the symptoms and seek an assessment from a health care professional. A correct diagnosis can lead to better-managed symptoms and an improved quality of life.
2. Disorganization
Women with ADHD report feeling overwhelmed, as if their lives are chaotic. They may not meet deadlines or find it difficult to manage household or work-related tasks like paying bills and keeping track of appointments. Their home and finances could be cluttered, and they may struggle to keep good relationships and a stable job.
Inattention ADHD symptoms can cause frustration and confusion in relationships between partners, friends and colleagues. These issues can result in strained or even broken connections and feelings of loneliness. Inattention, forgetfulness and the tendency to "zone out" or to not pay attention, may result in misunderstandings between loved ones.
Women who suffer from ADHD are more likely to experience signs of emotional instability, impulsivity, and mood swings. These can cause disruption in both their professional and personal lives. Women with untreated ADHD are often overwhelmed by the demands and expectations of their families, work and the society, and are more prone to criticism or harsh judgement.
The good news is that there are ways to manage the impact of these symptoms. Treatment options for adults include lifestyle changes, the use of specialized tools for organizing, as well as prescription stimulant medications.
Women with ADHD might be able to conceal their ADHD symptoms better than men and can result in being undiagnosed until later in life. They are more likely to suffer from comorbid conditions like anxiety and depression, which can exacerbate the effects of untreated ADHD. Women also have a difficult time trying to keep stable relationships and jobs and suffer from low self-esteem and chronic stress. *Sex refers to a person's genetic makeup, chromosomes and hormones and anatomy; gender refers to the internal sense of self as a man, woman, nonbinary, or other gender identity and mental health problems are often diagnosed based on both.
3. Anxiety
Women who have ADHD are at risk of developing anxiety and depression. These symptoms can be worsened when you're unable to keep the track of your daily tasks and appointments. This could lead to health issues like missed appointments or payments that are late, or even debt. ADHD can cause emotional dysregulation, impulsivity and forgetfulness and can cause relationship problems with family, friends and coworkers.
Many women come up with strategies to mask their symptoms. This makes it difficult for others to notice that they have difficulty staying focused and organized. These strategies for coping may be healthy, like creating an agenda for the day or establishing phone reminders or they could be harmful, such as relying on alcohol or drugs to help them perform or manage their difficulties. These coping strategies can trigger an unhealthy cycle of stress and self-doubt for women, which makes them feel that they aren't successful or productive, which can add to feelings of anxiety and depression.
In addition, women with ADHD often experience a sense of not being accepted or meeting the expectations of society and this can lead to low self-esteem and frustration. They may also encounter difficulties at work, such as difficulties with organization abilities, adhering to corporate guidelines, or adhering to a daily 9-to-5 schedule. They may have difficulty managing their finances due in part to disorganization or an impulsive spending. They may also have trouble keeping up with homework assignments or other work.
ADHD can be a lifetime condition that requires continuous assistance, particularly when it affects women and girls. Despite the prevalence of the disorder yet, it is often undiagnosed, misunderstood, and untreated. Lingering stereotypes and referral biases internalized symptoms, comorbidities, and hormonal fluctuations all contribute to the unique symptom presentation of ADHD in females.
4. Impulsivity
Women who suffer from ADHD may have trouble controlling their emotions or impulses. They could be easily frustrated or overly excited, and may lose track of time or be late to events. They might also have trouble reading body language and recognizing social cues. This can lead to problems at work or with relationships. They might be susceptible to arguments or spend too much time in pursuits and hobbies that aren't important to them. They may also have difficulty keeping relationships or forming connections due to their inability to keep their promises and commitments.
Women tend to be better in establishing coping mechanisms that aid in reducing their ADHD symptoms, so it's harder for them to get diagnosed than men are. For instance, they could develop routines to help them remain organized or rely on apps to remind them of appointments. They could alter their behavior in order to comply with social norms and expectations. They might even hide their symptoms using alcohol or drugs to deal with their problems and avoid serious health consequences in the end.
Many people who suffer from ADHD overcome their symptoms, but others don't. About 60 percent of women with ADHD in their childhood suffer from the condition until adulthood, as opposed to 30% of males.
Professional therapy can be beneficial for those who could not find relief from medication or lifestyle changes. There are many options, including counseling, career coaching, and life coaching. You can also consider taking stimulants. Exercise is a great way to boost your mood and boosting your energy. It releases neurotransmitters that increase motivation and focus. It can help ease anxiety and stress.
5. Reactivity to emotional stimuli
Women and girls with ADHD often have issues with emotional reaction. They may struggle with controlling their emotions and expressing them appropriately. This can lead to anger for themselves and others. A person with ADHD may become angry when a friend criticizes them however, she may not be able to calm down to talk about the issue in a rational way. She also might struggle to "pause" her reactions by identifying body signals that indicate she's getting overexcited or overwhelmed like a flushed skin or a shortness of breath.
This inability to regulate their emotions can cause more stress and misunderstandings in relationships, and can make those with ADHD more prone to anxiety and depression. It can also lead to difficulties in social interactions as it is difficult to read people's moods and social signals.
In certain instances, ADHD people may appear disconnected and uninterested in their loved ones or friends, even though they care about them. In some instances they might avoid situations that trigger strong emotions in order to avoid experiencing them.
Gender bias is a frequent feature of clinicians and the impact of ADHD on women are often omitted due to the nature of their symptoms. Many women conceal their ADHD symptoms, and when they do appear, they are more likely to be misdiagnosed as mood or anxiety disorders. If you're struggling with these symptoms, it may be helpful to seek an experienced mental health professional who has experience in working with women and girls who suffer from ADHD. They can validate your experience, teach you strategies like self-awareness and pacing, and also provide you with family psychoeducation to help you recognize and manage future ADHD symptoms.