ADHD Symptoms in Adult Females
Although ADHD affects men and women equally throughout adulthood, it often isn't recognized by females. adhd symptoms in adult women is probably due to gender stereotyping and the ability females to hide their symptoms.
Many healthcare professionals aren't equipped and experience to detect ADHD in women. As a result, many women are misdiagnosed prior to receiving the proper treatment they need.
1. Disorganization
Women and girls with ADHD are often plagued by disorganization. This condition is difficult to manage. For instance, your desk may be a jumble of unruly papers, 17 chapsticks, or a ticket to the Kings of Leon concert you attended in 2008. While you buy products that promise to help you stay organized your office and home may still be messy and chaotic.
Inability to keep the track of your tasks can result in missed deadlines and appointments. In addition, you might be struggling with the concept of "time blindness," which means you cannot remember or comprehend the amount of time it takes to complete a task. This can cause you to be in a state of discontent and feeling as if you're not doing an adequate job in your work or in your personal life, particularly when it seems like others don't appreciate your efforts.
You might also have trouble regulating your emotions, which could cause you to react too quickly in stressful situations. You may also make comments without meaning to hurt people's feelings. You may also be having trouble stopping yourself from speaking before thinking things through, as it is common for people suffering from ADHD.
If you suffer from ADHD it's possible that a portion of your symptoms are rooted in gender stereotypes or beliefs about how women, men, and boys should behave. This can make it difficult to identify and treat ADHD.
You could also benefit from behavioral treatment to address the root cause of your disorder. Although it might take some time to find the right coping mechanisms, implementing these strategies can make you feel more in control of your life as well as improve relationships with your family and friends as well as coworkers.
2. Impulsivity
People who suffer from ADHD frequently experience intense emotions however their brains don't have a method to evaluate or filter them. This means they may be overwhelmed by a single incident or find it hard to assess the mood of other people. This makes them more susceptible to being distracted by minor issues like an out of stock book or an unreliable friend.
Many women with ADHD compensate for their attention difficulties by masking symptoms and implementing strategies to cope. They could be perfectionists, or extremely meticulous at school or work however, they have trouble keeping on top of important dates, bills, and appointments. They might also struggle with verbal self-restraint and frequently interrupt others, talk too much, often, or ramble during conversations.
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 urge to start, stop or alter the course of action and being unable to hold your turn in a conversation; and difficulty in interpreting social cues (like facial expressions or body language).
Although gender-based stereotypes can contribute to the development of ADHD but it's often difficult to recognize when women suffer from these issues. The rating scales that are used to identify ADHD symptoms are still biased towards male behavior. Some healthcare professionals may not be aware of a woman's ADHD symptoms.
Many women who suffer from ADHD also note that their symptoms tend to become more severe during periods of hormonal changes, for example during menstrual cycles, pregnancy, or perimenopause (the menopausal transition). This can trigger emotional symptoms such as frustration or irritability as well as depression. They may also experience an unrelenting feeling of discontent in their lives or relationships. This can cause depression, substance abuse, or unhealthy coping strategies. This is the reason it's so important for women to realize that these symptoms are not a reflection of their value or worth as individuals. The good news is that, with a proper treatment strategy these symptoms can be improved or even eliminated.
3. Inattention
Although everyone has trouble paying attention and focusing, with ADHD the symptoms are experienced so frequently that they interfere with your life. You may make careless errors at work or at school, or miss appointments, or spend a great amount of time putting off tasks. You have a difficult time waiting to be the first in a conversation and are often interrupted by other people.
Attention deficit symptoms in adults could include a tendency to jump into projects without properly planning and analyzing them, which leads to poor or insufficient results. You could also become easily distracted and leave projects unfinished. This could include an unwatered vegetable garden planted but never watered, or an organization system you put together and then put away on your nightstand to accumulate dust.
People with inattention ADHD have trouble focusing at home and in the workplace. You may have difficulty finding important documents, keys or bills and frequently lose things. You may also lose your track of time and end up running late for work, meetings 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 perform actions or words without thinking about the impact, like talking over other people or making strange sounds when they're alone. They might have difficulty sitting still, and may flitter around in their seats or at a fast pace. They may have difficulty keeping their job and could have frequent conflicts with coworkers and managers.
In certain instances, mood swings and emotional distress caused by ADHD may lead to frustration in relationships and miscommunications. This is especially the case in romantic relationships as well as at work. People who suffer from ADHD are also more likely to suffer from comorbid conditions, such as depression, anxiety, or bipolar disorder.
Girls and women with ADHD might face a variety of challenges when seeking treatment. This includes gender bias and a tendency to conceal symptoms or undervalue their severity, and gender bias. High-profile women such as Em Rusciano and Mia Freedman who have spoken out about their struggles with ADHD have helped raise awareness. However, many girls and young woman still do not know they have it.
4. Anxiety
An anxiety disorder is characterised by constant anxiety. Although everyone feels anxious or nervous at times, anxiety disorders are characterized by a constant high level of anxiety. You might experience an uncontrollable feeling of anxiety or fear, a rapid heartbeat, trouble staying calm and difficulty thinking clearly. You may also experience an increased fear of danger, even in situations that aren't likely be risky for you. The most frequent types of anxiety are general anxiety disorder, agoraphobia and phobias, separation anxiety and panic disorders.
Anxiety is more prevalent among women with ADHD compared to men. It can be worsened by certain life events, like menstrual cycle or pregnancy, or perimenopausal. This can make it difficult to deal with daily tasks and social interactions and can trigger feelings of low self-esteem or unsatisfaction.
You are very sensitive to rejection and you have a difficult to accept criticism. You can easily misinterpret feedback or even anticipate rejection and you can get angry over minor things that others don't find to be a problem.
Mood swings may also be a symptom of adult adhd in women. You may find that you are prone to having unpredictable emotions or find it difficult to control these. You could also be susceptible to self-injury that isn't suicidal like striking, burning or scratching yourself.
It is crucial to seek a diagnosis if you're experiencing any of the symptoms listed above. It can help you understand the issues you're facing and provide you strategies to improve your quality of life. You can take an ADHD test online, or talk to your doctor to get an assessment from a professional. In some cases doctors may prescribe medication to alleviate your symptoms. In some instances, your doctor may recommend an amalgamation of lifestyle changes and cognitive behavior therapy. In either scenario, it's essential to begin making positive changes to your lifestyle as soon as you can. This can help you regain control of your life and make you feel more confident and capable.