ADHD Symptoms in Adult Females
The condition is often misdiagnosed in women, despite the fact that it is a problem that affects men and women equally as adults. This could be due to gender stereotyping and the ability of females to conceal their symptoms.
Many healthcare professionals aren't equipped and experience to recognize ADHD in women. Many women are misdiagnosed and fail to receive the treatment they need.
1. Disorganization
Women and girls with ADHD have trouble coordinating. This condition is difficult to manage. For instance your desk might be a mess of muddled papers, 17 different chapsticks, and a ticket to the Kings of Leon concert you attended in 2008. Even though you may have purchased a few items to help you manage your clutter, your office or home is probably still chaotic and messy.
Inability to keep track of your tasks may lead to missed deadlines and appointments. You may also experience "time blindness," where you don't know or remember the time it takes to complete the task. This can leave you frustrated and feeling like you're not doing an adequate job in your professional or in your personal life, particularly when you feel that other people don't appreciate your efforts.
There is a possibility that you have trouble managing your emotions. This could cause you to react excessively when confronted with stressful situations. Your high-speed verbal communication can cause confusion and miscommunications with your family and coworkers, and you may make comments that hurt others' feelings without even knowing. You may also be having trouble stopping yourself from speaking before you have thought things through, as it is common for people with ADHD.
If you have ADHD it's likely that some of your symptoms are rooted in gender stereotypes and ideas about how boys, men, and women should act. This makes it difficult to identify and treat ADHD.
You may also benefit from behavioral treatment to address the root cause of your disorder. It may take a while to find the best strategies for dealing with stress, but implementing them will help you feel in control of your own life and improve your relationships with family members, coworkers, and friends.
2. Impulsivity
People who suffer from ADHD are often overwhelmed by intense emotions however their brains do not have a way to evaluate or filter them. This means they can get overwhelmed by one setback or struggle to accurately assess the mood of their peers. It also makes it easier for them to get distracted by minor issues such as books that are out of stock or a friend who's running late to spin class.
Many women with ADHD cover up their symptoms and devise coping strategies to compensate for their attention problems. They could be perfectionists or highly conscientious at work or in school, but have difficulty keeping on top of important dates, deadlines, 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 a sudden urge to start, stop or change activities; being unable to wait your turn in a conversation; and having trouble reading social cues (like facial expressions or body language).
While gender stereotypes can have an influence on the development of ADHD for women, it is not always easy to spot these issues. The scales of rating used to detect ADHD symptoms are still geared towards male behavior. Some healthcare professionals may misunderstand a woman's ADHD symptoms.
Many women suffering from ADHD also note that their symptoms tend to become more severe during periods of hormonal changes, such as during menstrual cycles or pregnancy, or during perimenopausal (the period leading up to menopausal). This can exacerbate emotional symptoms and cause frequent feelings of frustration, irritability or depression. They may also feel a persistent sense of dissatisfaction with their lives or relationships. This can contribute to substance abuse, low self-esteem and unhealthy coping strategies. It is important for women to realize that these symptoms don't show their worth or value as human beings. The good news is that with a well-planned treatment strategy the symptoms can be reduced or even eliminated.
3. Inattention
Although everyone has trouble paying attention and focusing, with ADHD the symptoms can occur in such a way that they can interfere with your life. You could make a few mistakes at work or in school, miss appointments or spend a large amount of time delaying. adhd in women signs waiting for your turn in conversations and often interrupt others.
Inattentive symptoms in adults can include an inclination to dive into projects without thoroughly planning and researching them, which leads to inadequate or poor results. You might also get side-tracked quickly and tend to leave projects unfinishedfor example, from the vegetable garden that was planted, but never watered, to the new system of organization that got assembled and then left to gather dust on your nightstand.
People who have inattention ADHD suffer from chronic disorganization at home and at work. You might have difficulty finding important documents such as keys or bills, and frequently lose things. You may also forget to keep your track of time and become late for school, work 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 may make decisions or conduct actions without thinking about the consequences. For example they might talk over others or make a lot of nonsensical noises in solitude. They are unable to sit still and may move around or get out of their seats. They can have trouble working and may have frequent conflicts with coworkers and managers.
In some instances, the mood swings or emotional stress caused by ADHD may lead to frustration in relationships and miscommunications. This is especially true in relationships with partners as well as at work. People who suffer from ADHD are also more likely to have comorbid conditions, such as depression, anxiety or bipolar disorder.
Women and girls with ADHD have a myriad of difficulties in seeking diagnosis and treatment which include gender discrimination and a tendency to cover up their symptoms or underestimate the severity of them. High-profile women such as Em Rusciano and Mia Freedman who have publicly discussed their struggles with ADHD have helped to raise awareness. But, many young women and girls aren't aware of it.
4. Anxiety
An anxiety disorder is characterised by persistently excessive anxiety. Although everyone feels anxious or nervous occasionally, anxiety disorders are characterized by a constant high level of anxiety. You may feel an incessant feeling of anxiety, fear, or anxiety as well as a rapid pulse, difficulty maintaining calm, and having trouble thinking clearly. You might also have a heightened sense of danger, even in situations that aren't likely be risky for you. The most frequent kinds of anxiety are general anxiety disorder, phobias and agoraphobia and separation anxiety, panic disorders and selective Mutism.
Anxiety is more common in women suffering from ADHD than men, and it tends to worsen during certain periods of a woman's life like the time of her menstrual cycle and pregnancy or perimenopausal. This can make it harder to handle everyday activities and social interactions and lead to feelings of self-doubt and general dissatisfaction with your life.
You are very sensitive to rejection and you have a difficult to accept criticism. You are prone to interpret feedback incorrectly, or anticipate rejection. You might get annoyed by small things that other people don't find an issue with.
Mood swings may also be a symptom of adult adhd in women. It is possible that you are prone to having unpredictable emotions or are unable to manage these. You could also be susceptible to non-suicidal acts of self-injury like burning, scrubbing, or hitting yourself.
It is crucial to seek a diagnosis if you're experiencing any of the symptoms mentioned above. It will help you comprehend the issues you're facing, and give 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 some cases, your doctor might prescribe medication to ease your symptoms. In other instances they might suggest a combination of lifestyle changes and cognitive behavioral therapy. In either case, it's important to start making some positive changes to your lifestyle as soon as you can. This can help you regain control of your life and feel more confident and capable.