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 is likely due to gender stereotypes and the ability of women to hide their symptoms.
Many healthcare professionals lack the knowledge or experience to identify ADHD in women. As a result, many females are misdiagnosed before receiving the treatment they require.
1. Disorganization
Girls and women with ADHD have trouble coordinating. This condition is difficult to manage. For instance, your desk may be a mess of muddled papers, 17 chapsticks, and a ticket stub from the Kings of Leon concert you attended in 2008. Even though you may have invested money in products to help you organize your workspace, 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 might also be struggling with "time blindness," where you don't know or remember the time it takes to complete an assignment. This could leave you feeling frustrated and feeling like you're not doing a great job in your career or in your personal life, particularly if it feels like other people don't value your efforts.
You may also be having trouble regulating your emotions, which could make you overreact in stressful situations. Your rapid verbal communication may create misunderstandings and miscommunications with family members and colleagues, and you could make statements that hurt feelings of others without a thought. You may also be having trouble stopping yourself from speaking before you think things through, since impulsivity can be common among people with ADHD.
If you suffer from ADHD it's likely that some of your symptoms are rooted in gender stereotypes and beliefs regarding how men, boys, and women should act. This can make it difficult to recognize and treat ADHD.
In addition to having a diagnosis it is possible that you will need a treatment for behavioral issues to tackle the root of your disorder. While it could take a while to discover the right coping mechanisms, implementing these strategies can help you feel more in control of your life and enhance relationships with family and friends as well as coworkers.
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. They may be overwhelmed by a minor setback, or have difficulty being able to assess the mood of other people. It also makes it easier for them to get distracted by minor issues such as the book that's out of stock or an acquaintance who's late for the spin class.
Many women with ADHD mask their symptoms and develop strategies to deal with their attention problems. They could be highly organized or an obsessive at school or work and have trouble keeping track of appointments and bills or important dates. They might also struggle with verbal self 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 the sudden urge to begin or stop activities. They also include not being able to wait for your turn in a conversation and experiencing difficulty in interpreting social cues.
While gender stereotypes can impact on the development of ADHD for women, it's difficult to recognize these issues. The rating scales that are used to identify ADHD symptoms are still geared towards male behavior. Some healthcare professionals might misunderstand a woman's ADHD symptoms.
adhd symptoms in women adults suffering from ADHD also report that their symptoms become more severe during times of hormonal changes, such as during menstrual cycles or pregnancy, or perimenopausal (the period leading up to menopausal). This can intensify emotional symptoms and cause frequent feelings of frustration, irritability, or depression. They may also experience an unrelenting feeling of discontent in their lives or relationships. This could result in self-esteem issues, substance abuse or unbalanced ways of coping. This is why it's crucial for women to recognize that these symptoms are not a reflection of their value or worth as an individual. If you follow a proper treatment program, you can reduce or even eliminate these signs.
3. Inattention
Everyone has difficulty paying attention and focusing at times with ADHD, these symptoms occur in such a way that they can interfere with your daily routine. You may make careless mistakes at work or school or forget appointments or you may spend long hours delaying. You have a hard time waiting for your turn in conversations and often interrupt other people.
Attention deficit symptoms in adults could also include a tendency to jump into projects without fully planning and researching the subject, which results in poor or insufficient results. You may also be easily distracted and leave projects unfinished. This could include the vegetable garden that was planted but never watered, or a brand new organizational system that you assembled and then put away on your nightstand to accumulate dust.
People who have inattention ADHD also have a constant sense of disorganization, both in their workplaces and at home. You might have trouble finding important documents, bills or keys and misplace things on a regular basis. You could also be unable to keep track of the time and end up being over time for meetings, work or school.
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 might say or do things without thinking about the impact including snoozing over others or making nonsensical sounds when they are on their own. They have difficulty sitting still and can fidget or pace in their seats. They may have difficulty working and may have frequent disagreements with coworkers and managers.
In some instances, the mood swings and emotional distress caused by ADHD can cause frustration and miscommunication in relationships. This is particularly true in relationships with partners as well as at work. People who suffer from ADHD are also more likely to have other comorbidities, like depression, anxiety, or bipolar disorder.
Girls and women with ADHD might face a variety of challenges when seeking treatment. These include gender bias and a tendency to conceal symptoms or minimize their severity, as well as gender bias. Women with a high profile, such as Em Rusciano and Mia Freedman who have publicly discussed their struggles with ADHD have helped to raise awareness. However, many young women and girls do not know they have it.
4. Anxiety
An anxiety disorder is characterized by persistently excessive anxiety. Although everyone feels anxious or nervous occasionally, anxiety disorders are characterized by persistently high levels of anxiety. You may experience a constant feeling of unease or anxiety, a fast heartbeat, trouble staying calm and having trouble thinking clearly. You may also feel an underlying sense of danger in situations that you are aware are not dangerous. The most frequent kinds of anxiety are general anxiety disorder, phobias and agoraphobia and panic disorders, separation anxiety and selective mutism.
Anxiety is more common in women with ADHD than men. It is more likely to be exacerbated during certain life events, like menstrual cycle or pregnancy, or perimenopausal. This can make it harder to manage everyday activities and social interactions and lead to feelings of low self-esteem and a general feeling of discontent with your life.
You are very sensitive to rejection, and you have a difficult acceptance of criticism. You easily misinterpret feedback or even anticipate rejection and you can get angry over small things that others don't find a problem with.
Mood swings are also a symptom of adult adhd in women. You may find that you have unpredictable emotions or are unable to control these. You may also be prone self-injury that isn't suicidal such as burning, scrubbing or hitting yourself.
It is crucial to seek a diagnosis if you are experiencing any of the symptoms mentioned above. It will help you understand your challenges and give you strategies for improving your living quality. You can take an ADHD test online, or talk to your doctor for an assessment from a professional. In certain instances doctors may prescribe medication to ease your symptoms. In other cases they might suggest a combination of lifestyle changes and cognitive behavioral therapy. In either case it's crucial to change your lifestyle as quickly as possible. This will allow you to get back in control of your life and make you feel more productive, confident and competent.