Symptoms of ADHD in Adult Women
Women and girls can have ADHD. While both men and boys are diagnosed with ADHD more often but it is also possible for women to be affected by the condition. But stereotypes, referral prejudice, internalized symptoms, and comorbidities can make it difficult for them to be properly assessed and treated.
Many women develop coping strategies to cover up their ADHD
symptoms of adhd in adults female and meet societal expectations, but these strategies can be unhealthy and unsustainable. Here are a few of the most commonly reported
symptoms of ADHD in adult women.
1. Unfocused attention
Women suffering from ADHD are often overwhelmed by their daily tasks. They often find it challenging to keep track of numerous deadlines, emails, and meetings. They may also be more likely to miss important events or appointments. They may also find it difficult to focus in noisy or busy environments. This can result in missed opportunities and a lower quality of work.
These issues can cause frustration for many adults suffering from ADHD. They may believe that they are a reflection of their own performance or of themselves. They may end up with a low self-esteem as well as a negative image of their body. They may also have difficulty maintaining stable relationships and establishing efficient coping strategies. In some instances they may resort to unhealthy coping behaviors like excessive drinking or drugs. This can make it more difficult for others to understand that they're struggling and delay the diagnosis.
Adults with ADHD may be particularly sensitive to criticism or failure. This may cause them to internalize the issue and make it difficult to seek assistance. They may also have relationship problems and struggle to find work that is meaningful. They can also be more susceptible to depression, anxiety, and mood fluctuations. In certain instances these signs can result in the development of a mental health problem like non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI), which can be manifested by burning, cutting, or scratching.
While it's more prevalent in men and boys to be diagnosed with ADHD, symptoms can persist into adulthood and can impact many aspects of life. It is crucial for women to identify the signs and seek a thorough evaluation from a health care professional. A correct diagnosis can lead to better-managed symptoms and a better quality of life.
2. Disorganization
Women suffering from ADHD often complain of feeling overwhelmed and feel like their lives are chaotic. They may miss deadlines or find it difficult to manage household chores like paying bills and keeping the track of appointments. Their finances and their home could be messy, and they may struggle to maintain good relationships and a stable job.
Inattentive-type ADHD symptoms can lead to more anger and misunderstandings in relationships with partners, friends and colleagues. These issues can cause fractured or even strained relationships and feelings of loneliness. Inattention, forgetfulness and the tendency to "zone out", or stop paying attention, can also cause misunderstandings with loved ones.
Women with ADHD are more likely to experience symptoms of emotional instability, impulsivity, and mood swings. These can cause disruption both in their professional and personal lives. Women with untreated ADHD may be overwhelmed by the demands of family, work and social life. They might also be sensitive to criticism and harsh judgment.
There are methods to manage these symptoms. Treatment options for adults include lifestyle changes and the use of specialized organization tools, and prescription stimulant drugs.
Women who suffer from ADHD might be able conceal their ADHD symptoms better than men which could lead to an undiagnosed condition until adulthood. They are more likely to suffer from comorbid disorders, such as anxiety and depression which can exacerbate the effects of untreated ADHD. Women also have a difficult time trying to keep their relationships stable and secure and can be afflicted by low self-esteem and chronic stress. *Sex refers a person's biological makeup, chromosomes, hormones, and anatomy; gender refers to the internal perception of self as a woman, man or a nonbinary gender identity and mental health problems are often diagnosed on the basis of both.
3. Anxiety
Women suffering from ADHD are more likely to suffer from anxiety and depression. These feelings can be exacerbated by the inability to keep the track of the daily schedule and appointments that can cause health issues like missed appointments, late payments or even debt. The emotional dysregulation, impulsivity, and apathy of
severe adhd symptoms in adults can also create issues with relationships with colleagues, partners and even friends.
Many women develop coping strategies to mask their symptoms. This makes it difficult for others to notice that they are having trouble staying focused and organized. These strategies for coping could be healthy like creating a daily schedule or a phone reminder, or unhealthy, like using alcohol or drugs to manage or function. These strategies for coping can cause women to feel anxious and unsure which can cause them to doubt their abilities and self-confidence. This can lead to depression or anxiety.
Women who suffer from ADHD might also feel that they aren't accepted or don't meet social expectations. This can lead to feelings of self-doubt and frustration. They might also face issues at work, like issues with organization abilities, adhering to corporate guidelines, or adhering to a routine of 9-5. They may be struggling to manage their finances due in part to disorganization or impulsive spending. Or, they may be struggling to complete homework assignments or other work.
ADHD is a long-lasting condition that requires ongoing support, especially when it affects girls and women. Despite its prevalence, the disorder is still misunderstood and underdiagnosed. It is also untreated. Lingering stereotypes and referral biases, internalized symptoms, comorbidities and hormonal changes all contribute to the unique symptom presentation of ADHD in females.
4. Impulsivity
Women suffering from ADHD might have difficulty controlling their emotions or impulses. They may be easily annoyed or excited, lose track of time or be late to events. They also might have trouble reading body language or picking up on social cues. This can cause problems at work or with relationships. They could be susceptible to arguments or spend too much time on interests and hobbies that aren't important to them. They might also have difficulty maintaining friendships or making new connections because they struggle to keep their promises and commitments.
Women are more adept at developing ways to cope with their
severe adhd symptoms adults symptoms. This makes it harder for them than men to get diagnosed. For instance, they could develop routines to help them keep track of their time or use 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 using alcohol or drugs to deal with their problems, which can cause serious health consequences in the long term.
Some people with ADHD do not completely overcome the symptoms. About 60 percent of women who suffer from ADHD in childhood continue to have the condition until adulthood, as opposed to 30% of males.
For those who don't achieve relief with medication or lifestyle changes, professional treatment can be beneficial. There are many options, such as counseling, career coaching, and life coaching. You can also consider taking stimulants. Exercise is also beneficial to boost your mood and boost your levels of energy. It releases neurotransmitters that increase attention and motivation and can help ease anxiety and stress.
5. Reactivity to emotions
Girls and women with ADHD often have trouble with emotional hyperactivity. They may have a difficult time to regulate their emotions and communicate them effectively, which can cause frustration with themselves and others. A person suffering from ADHD may get angry when her partner criticizes her however she may not be able to discuss the issue in a rational manner. She may also struggle to "pause" her response by identifying body signals that indicate she's feeling overwhelmed or stressed like a flushed skin or breath shortness.
This difficulty in regulating emotions can cause confusion and frustration and make people with ADHD susceptible to depression or anxiety. It can also cause difficulties in social interactions as it's difficult to gauge people's moods or pick up social signals.
In some cases, people who suffer from
adhd in adults symptoms women may seem emotionally detached and disinterested in their friends or loved ones, even when they genuinely care about them. In other instances they might withdraw from triggering situations to avoid experiencing emotions that are intense.
The nature of women's symptoms can make it easy for clinicians to overlook the effects of ADHD. Many women conceal their ADHD symptoms and when they do show up they are more likely to be misdiagnosed as mood or anxiety disorders. If you're experiencing trouble with these symptoms, it might be beneficial to talk to a mental health professional experienced in working with women and girls who suffer from ADHD. They can help you validate your experiences, show you how to apply strategies like pacing and self-awareness and provide psychoeducation for your family which can help you understand how to recognize and address your ADHD symptoms in the future.