ADHD Symptoms in Adult Females
While ADHD affects men and women equally in adulthood, the condition typically isn't recognized by females. This is likely due to gender stereotypes and the ability of women to hide their symptoms.
Many healthcare professionals don't have the expertise or experience needed to detect ADHD among women. This means that many females are misdiagnosed before receiving the proper treatment they need.
1. Disorganization
Women and girls with ADHD can struggle with disorganization. This disorder is challenging to manage. Your desk, for example, may be a mess of papers, 17 chapsticks, and tickets from the Kings of Leon show you attended in 2008. Although you may have spent money on products to help you manage your clutter, your office or home is likely still messy and chaotic.
Your inability to keep track of your tasks could result in missed appointments and forgotten deadlines. In addition, you could be struggling with the concept of "time blindness," which means you aren't able to remember or comprehend the amount of time it takes to finish a task. This can cause you to feel frustrated and like you're not doing a great enough job in your profession, or even your personal life.
You may also have difficulty regulating your emotions. This could cause you to overreact when faced with stressful situations. You may also make comments that are not intended to hurt someone's feelings. And since impulsivity is common for people with ADHD it is possible that you will be unable to stop yourself from making comments without considering them.
If you suffer from ADHD It's likely some of your symptoms are rooted in gender stereotypes and cultural ideas regarding how boys, men and women should behave. This makes it difficult to identify and treat ADHD.
You may also benefit from a treatment for behavioral issues to address the underlying causes of your disorder. It may take a while to discover the most effective coping strategies, but implementing them will allow you to feel more in control of your own life and improve your relationships with family, coworkers, and other friends.
2. Impulsivity
People who suffer from ADHD experience intense emotions. However, their brains are not able to filter them or analyze them. They may be overwhelmed by a small incident, or have trouble being able to assess the mood of others. It also makes it easier for them to be distracted by small issues like the book that's out of stock or a friend who's running late to take a spin class.
Many women suffering from ADHD cover up their symptoms and devise strategies to cope with their attention issues. They could be perfectionists or extremely attentive at work or in school but struggle to keep track of important dates, deadlines, and appointments. They may also struggle with verbal self control and talk excessively 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 desire to start or stop activities. They can also be characterized by not being able to wait for your turn in a conversation, and having difficulty reading social cues.
While gender stereotypes can influence on the development of ADHD for women, it's not always easy to spot these issues. The scales of rating used to identify ADHD symptoms are still biased towards male behavior. Some healthcare professionals may miss the mark on the woman's ADHD symptoms.
Many women suffering from ADHD also report that their symptoms become worse during times of hormonal changes, like during the menstrual cycle or pregnancy, or during perimenopausal (the menopausal transition). This can cause emotional symptoms like frustration or irritability as well as depression. They may also experience an unrelenting feeling of discontent in their relationships or their lives. This can cause depression, substance abuse, or unhealthy methods of coping. It is important for women to realize that these symptoms do not indicate their worth or importance as human beings. If you follow a proper treatment program, you can reduce 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, they are so frequent that they can interfere with your everyday life. You could make a few mistakes at work or in school, forget appointments or spend a large deal of time procrastinating. You have a difficult time waiting for your turn in conversations and often interrupt others.
Attention deficit symptoms in adults could be accompanied by the tendency to get involved in projects without fully planning and researching the subject, which results in poor or insufficient results. It is also possible to get lost easily and have a tendency to abandon projects that are not finished -from the garden that got planted, but never watered, to the new organizational system that was put together and left to gather dust on your nightstand.
People with inattention ADHD are also plagued by a chronic sense of disorganization, both in their workplaces and at home. You may have difficulty finding important documents keys, bills, or other important documents and misplace items on a regular basis. You may also lose the track of time and end up 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. People who suffer from these conditions can say or do things without considering the impact. For example they may speak over other people or make unintentional noises in solitude. They might be unable to sit still, and may flitter around in their chair or move. They may have difficulty working and may be in frequent conflict with colleagues and managers.
In some cases mood swings and emotional distress caused by ADHD can cause frustration and misunderstandings in relationships. This is especially true in romantic relationships and at work. People with ADHD are also more likely to suffer from co-occurring conditions, like depression, anxiety, or bipolar disorder.
Women and girls with ADHD are often faced with a range of obstacles when seeking treatment and diagnosis that include gender bias and a tendency to hide their symptoms or undervalue the severity of their symptoms. High-profile women 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
An anxiety disorder is defined by persistently excessive anxiety. While everyone feels anxious or nervous at times, anxiety disorders are characterized by a constant high level of anxiety. You may feel a constant sense of unease, fear, or anxiety and also a rapid pulse, difficulty staying calm, and difficulty thinking clearly. You might also feel an underlying sense of danger in situations you know are not dangerous. The most commonly encountered forms of anxiety include general anxiety disorder, agoraphobia and separation anxiety, phobias and panic disorders.
Anxiety is more prevalent among women with ADHD compared to men. It is more likely to be exacerbated during certain life events, like menstrual cycle or pregnancy, or perimenopausal. This can make it difficult to manage everyday tasks and social interactions and can trigger feelings of self-esteem loss or unsatisfaction.
You are extremely sensitive to rejection, and you have a difficult time accepting criticism. You are prone to misinterpret feedback, or even anticipate rejection. You may be upset over small issues that others don't see an issue with.
Mood swings can also be a symptom of adult adhd in women. It is possible that you experience erratic emotions or are unable to control these. You could also be prone to non-suicidal acts of self-injury such as burning, scrubbing, or hitting yourself.
If you're struggling with any of the above symptoms, it's crucial to establish a clear diagnosis. It can help you better identify your issues and give you strategies for improving your living quality. You can take an online ADHD test, or go to your doctor for a professional assessment. In certain instances your doctor may prescribe medication to ease your symptoms. In other instances they might suggest an amalgamation of lifestyle changes and cognitive behavioral therapy. In any case, it's essential to make positive changes as soon as you can. adhd in adult women symptoms will help you take control of your life and feel more productive, confident and capable.