Symptoms of ADHD in Adult Women
While males and females are more frequently diagnosed with ADHD, women and girls can also have it. But stereotypes, prejudices regarding referrals, internalized symptoms, and other comorbidities can make it difficult to get them properly assessed and treated.
These strategies can be unhealthy and unsustainable. Here are a few of the adult women's most commonly reported ADHD symptoms.
1. Unfocused attention
Women with ADHD are susceptible to feel overwhelmed by the daily tasks. It is often difficult for them to keep on top of deadlines, emails and meetings. They could also be more likely to miss important appointments or events. They may also be unable to focus. staying focused in noisy or crowded environments. This could result in missed opportunities and a lower quality of work.
These challenges can lead to frustration for many adults with ADHD. symptoms of ADHD in adult women might feel that they reflect of their own performance or of themselves. They often suffer from low self-esteem as well as a negative image of their body. They may also have difficulty keeping relationships stable and developing efficient coping strategies. In some cases they resort to unhealthy strategies for coping, such as excessive drinking or drug use. This may make others less likely to recognize their issues and delay a diagnosis.
Adults suffering from ADHD might be more sensitive to criticism or failure. This can cause them to internalize the issue and make it difficult for them to seek assistance. As a result, they may experience relationships and have trouble finding meaningful work. They may also be more susceptible to anxiety, depression and mood swings. In some instances these signs can lead to the development of a mental health issue such as self-injury that is non-suicidal (NSSI), which can be expressed through cutting, burning, or scratching.
ADHD is more common in males and females, however symptoms can linger and affect the entire life of. Women must recognize the symptoms and seek out an evaluation by a medical professional. A proper diagnosis can result in better-managed symptoms and a better quality of life.
2. Disorganization
Women suffering from ADHD often report feeling overwhelmed and feel like their lives are chaotic. They may not meet deadlines or have difficulty to keep track of household or work-related tasks such as paying bills and keeping appointments. Their finances and their home could be cluttered and they may have a difficult time to maintain healthy relationships and a stable job.
Inattentive ADHD symptoms can cause frustration and confusion in relationships with friends, partners and coworkers. These issues can cause broken or strained connections and feelings of loneliness. The inability to listen, forgetfulness and a tendency to "zone out" during conversations can result in arguments and miscommunications with loved ones.
Women with ADHD are more likely to experience symptoms of emotional instability, impulsivity, and mood swings. They can be disruptive both in their personal and professional lives. Women with untreated ADHD can feel overwhelmed by the demands and expectations of family, work and the society, and may be particularly sensitive to criticism or harsh judgment.
There are ways to manage these symptoms. For many adults, treatment options include lifestyle modifications and the use of specialized tools for organizing and prescription stimulant medication.
Women who suffer from ADHD tend to be more able than men to disguise their ADHD symptoms, and as a result, may go undiagnosed until they reach adulthood. They are more likely to be suffering from comorbid disorders such as depression and anxiety that can increase the effects of untreated ADHD. Women can also have difficulty maintaining healthy relationships and stable jobs and are susceptible to low self-esteem and chronic stress. *Sex refers to a person's hormones and chromosomes; gender refers the internal sense of oneself as a man woman, woman, nonbinary or other gender identity. Mental health problems are usually diagnosed based on both.
3. Anxiety
Women with ADHD are more likely to suffer from depression and anxiety. These feelings can be exacerbated due to the inability of keeping on top of appointments and daily tasks, which can lead to health issues like missed appointments, late payments or even debt. The emotional dysregulation, impulsivity, and apathy of ADHD can also cause relationship issues with coworkers, partners and even friends.
Many women develop strategies to mask their symptoms. This can make it difficult for others to notice that they are having trouble staying focused and organized. These strategies of coping could be healthy, such as creating a daily schedule or setting reminders for phone calls, or they may be unhealthy and rely on alcohol or drugs to help them perform or manage their issues. These coping strategies can trigger a cycle of stress and self-doubt for women, making them feel like they are not doing enough or productive, which may increase feelings of depression and anxiety.
Women with ADHD might also feel that they don't fit in or don't meet social expectations. This can lead to feelings of self-doubt and frustration. They may also encounter challenges at work, including difficulties with organization skills adhering to company policies or adhering to a routine 9-to-5 schedule. They may have difficulty managing their finances due in part to disorganization or impulsive spending. Or, they may have trouble keeping up with homework assignments or other work.
ADHD can be a long-lasting condition that requires continuous assistance, especially when it affects girls and women. Despite the disorder's prevalence, it is still under-diagnosed, misunderstood and untreated. The unique symptoms of ADHD in women are the result of stereotypes, referral biases, internalized symptomatology, comorbidities and hormonal fluctuation.
4. Impulsivity
Women with ADHD may have trouble controlling their emotions and impulses. They may be easily annoyed or excited, lose track of time, or be late to events. They might also have difficulty reading body language or picking up on social cues. symptoms of ADHD in adults women can cause problems at work or in relationships. For example, they might be easily entangled in arguments or spend too much time on hobbies and interests that aren't important to them. They may also have difficulty maintaining relationships or making new connections because they struggle to follow through on promises and commitments.
Women are more adept at forming coping mechanisms to mask their ADHD symptoms. This makes it harder for them to get diagnosed. For instance, they could create routines to help stay organized or rely on apps to remind them of appointments. They could also alter their behavior to fit in with societal expectations and norms. They may even cover up their symptoms by using drugs or alcohol to cope and avoid serious health issues in the end.
Many people suffering from ADHD outgrow their symptoms, but others do not. About 60% of women who have ADHD during childhood continue to be affected until they reach adulthood, compared to 30% of men.
If you are unable to get relief from lifestyle or medication professional help can be beneficial. There are a myriad of options available, including career coaching, life coaching, and counseling, together with stimulants and medications. Exercise can also be a great way to improve your mood and boost your energy levels. It releases neurotransmitters that boost the ability to focus and motivate and can reduce anxiety and stress.
5. Reactivity to emotions
Girls and women with ADHD often struggle with emotional reactivity. They may have difficulty to regulate their emotions and express them in a proper manner and this can lead to frustration with their own self and others. symptoms of ADHD in adult women with ADHD may become angry when her partner criticizes them however she may not be able to discuss the matter in a rational manner. She also might struggle to "pause" her reaction by identifying body signals that indicate she's getting overexcited or overwhelmed like a flushed skin or shortness of breath.
This difficulty in regulating emotions can cause frustration and misunderstandings and make people with ADHD more prone to depression or anxiety. It can also cause difficulties in social interactions as it's difficult to gauge people's moods and social cues.
In some cases, ADHD people may appear disconnected and uninterested in their friends or loved one, even though they care about them. In some cases, they may avoid situations that trigger strong emotions in order to avoid feeling them.
Gender bias is common among clinicians and the effects of ADHD on women are often omitted because of the nature of their symptoms. Many of them camouflage their ADHD symptoms, and when they do appear they are more likely to be seen as anxiety- or mood-related, and therefore misdiagnosed. It's a good idea to speak with an expert in mental health who has worked with girls and women with ADHD when you're experiencing these symptoms. They can help validate your experiences, show you how to apply strategies like pacing and self-awareness and offer family psychoeducation that can help you learn to recognize and respond to your ADHD symptoms in the near future.