ADHD Symptoms in Adult Females
Although ADHD affects both genders equally in adulthood, it often is not recognized in females. This could be due to gender stereotypes and the capability females to hide their symptoms.
Many healthcare professionals lack the experience or knowledge to detect ADHD among women. This means that many women are misdiagnosed prior to receiving the proper treatment they require.
1. Disorganization
Women and girls with ADHD are often plagued by disorganization, a condition that can be a challenge to manage. Your desk, for instance, may be a mess of papers, 17 different chapsticks, and tickets from the Kings of Leon show you attended in 2008. While adhd in women adults spend money on products that promise to help you stay organized, your home and office may still be chaotic and messy.
Inability to keep track of your tasks may lead to missed deadlines and appointments. In addition, you could be struggling with the concept of "time blindness," which means you can't remember or understand the amount of time it takes to finish a task. This can leave you in a state of discontent and feeling as if you're not doing a great job in your career or personal life, particularly if it feels that other people don't appreciate your efforts.
You might also have trouble regulating your emotions, which could make you overreact in stressful situations. You may also say things without meaning to hurt the feelings of someone else. In addition, since impulsivity is common for people with ADHD and ADD, you may find it difficult to resist making statements without thinking them through.
If you have ADHD It's likely some of your symptoms are rooted in gender stereotypes and ideas about how boys, men, and women should act. This can make it harder to recognize and treat your ADHD.
You may also benefit from a behavioral therapy to address the root cause of your disorder. It might take time to determine the most effective coping strategies, but implementing them can help you feel more in control of your life and improve your relationships with family, colleagues, and friends.
2. Impulsivity
People who suffer from ADHD experience intense emotions. However their brains aren't capable of filtering them or evaluate them. They may be overwhelmed by a tiny event, or have difficulty being able to assess the emotional state of others. It also makes it easier for them to get distracted by minor issues such as a book that's out of stock or a friend who's running late to the spin class.
Many women with ADHD overcome their attention issues by hiding symptoms and devising strategies for coping. They could be perfectionists or extremely attentive at school or work, but have difficulty keeping track of important dates, bills, and appointments. They might also struggle with verbal self-restraint and frequently interrupt others, talk too much, often, or dump information 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 a sudden desire to stop, start or change activities and being unable to hold your turn in conversation; and difficulty in interpreting social cues (like facial expressions or body language).
Although gender-based stereotypes can influence the development of ADHD however, it's not always easy to determine if women are suffering from these problems. Rating scales used to identify ADHD symptoms are still biased toward male behavior, and some healthcare professionals may misunderstand or underestimate the severity of a woman's symptoms.
Many women with ADHD also say that their symptoms get worse during times of hormonal changes, for example menstrual cycle or pregnancy, or during perimenopausal (the menopausal transition). This can trigger emotions such as anger and irritability, or depression. They may also feel a persistent sense of dissatisfaction with their relationships or lives. This may lead to depression, substance abuse and unhealthy coping habits. It is crucial for women to understand that these symptoms don't show their worth or value as human beings. With a good treatment plan, you can improve or even eliminate these signs.
3. Inattention
ADHD is defined by a high frequency of these symptoms. While everyone struggles to focus and pay attention at times the frequency of these symptoms is so high that they can interfere with your daily life. You might make mistakes at work or at school, forget appointments or spend a good deal of time procrastinating. You have a hard time waiting for your turn in conversations and often interrupt others.
Adults who are inattentive can also get caught up in projects before thoroughly planning them and researching them. This results in a lack of results or even subpar ones. You could also become easily distracted and abandon projects that are not completed. This could be a vegetable garden that was planted but never watered, or a brand new organization system you put together and then put away on your nightstand to accumulate dust.
People with inattentive ADHD suffer from chronic disorganization at home and at work. It is possible that you have trouble finding important documents such as keys or bills, and lose things regularly. You may also lose your track of time and end up being 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 considering the impact such as yelling at others or making a nonsensical sound when they're alone. They might be unable to sit still and adjusting their chair or move. They can have trouble maintaining a job and might be in frequent conflict with colleagues and managers.
In some cases mood swings and emotional turmoil caused by ADHD can cause frustration and miscommunication in relationships. This is especially the case when it comes to romantic relationships and at work. People with ADHD also have a higher likelihood of having co-occurring conditions like bipolar disorder, depression or anxiety disorder.
Women and girls who suffer from ADHD can face a variety of challenges when seeking treatment and diagnosis that include gender bias and a tendency to conceal their symptoms or underestimate the severity of their symptoms. 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, a lot of girls and young woman still aren't aware of it.
4. Anxiety
While most people feel anxious or anxious from time to the other, persistently high anxiety is a sign of an anxiety disorder. You may feel an uneasy feeling, fear, or anxiety, as well as an intense pulse, trouble maintaining calm, and having trouble thinking clearly. You may also feel an underlying sense of danger in situations you know aren't risky. The most common forms of anxiety are general anxiety disorder, phobias and agoraphobia as well as panic disorders, separation anxiety and selective Mutism.
Anxiety is more prevalent in women suffering from ADHD as compared to men. It is more likely to be exacerbated during certain life events, like menstrual cycles or pregnancy, as well as perimenopausal. This can make it difficult to handle everyday tasks and social interaction and may lead to feelings of low self-esteem or dissatisfaction.
You are extremely sensitive to rejection, and you have a tough acceptance of 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 are also an indication of adhd in women. It is possible that you experience erratic emotions or are unable to manage them. You might also be prone to non-suicidal self-injury, such as hitting, burning or scratching yourself.
It is crucial to seek out a diagnosis if you're experiencing any of the symptoms listed above. It will help you understand the challenges you're facing, and give you strategies to improve the quality of your life. You can take an online ADHD test, or go to your doctor for a professional evaluation. In certain instances a doctor might prescribe medication to ease your symptoms. In other instances they might suggest the combination of lifestyle changes and cognitive behavior therapy. In any scenario, it's essential to make positive changes to your lifestyle as soon as you can. This will allow you to gain control over your life and feel more confident, productive and competent.