Symptoms of ADHD in Adult Women
While males and females are diagnosed far more often with ADHD however, girls and women may also be affected. But lingering stereotypes, referral biases internalized symptoms and comorbidities make it difficult for them to be evaluated and treated.
Many women come up with strategies to hide their ADHD symptoms and to meet social expectations, but they 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 often overwhelmed by the daily tasks. They often find it challenging to keep track of numerous deadlines, emails, and meetings. They are also more likely to overlook important events or appointments. They may also have difficulty concentrating in noisy or busy surroundings. This can cause them to miss out on opportunities and lower quality work.
These issues can cause frustration for many people with ADHD. They may feel that they reflect of themselves or their performance. They can often suffer from low self-esteem and negative body image. They may also have difficulty to keep relationships stable and come up with effective strategies to cope. In some instances they will use unhealthy coping strategies, such as excessive alcohol or drug use. This could make others less likely to recognize their issues and delay a diagnosis.
symptoms of ADHD in adults female with ADHD are particularly sensitive to criticism and failure which can cause them to internalize their difficulties and find it difficult to seek help. This is why they may have issues with relationships and may have a difficult time finding meaningful employment. They could be more susceptible to depression, anxiety and mood swings. In some cases the symptoms may lead to a mental condition that is non-suicidal, like self-harm (NSSI), that can be expressed by cutting or burning.
ADHD is more common among men and boys, but symptoms can last and affect the entire life of. It's crucial for women to identify the symptoms and seek an evaluation from a health care professional. A positive diagnosis can lead to better management of symptoms and a higher quality of life.
2. Disorganization
Women with ADHD often complain of feeling overwhelmed and like their lives are in chaos. They might miss deadlines or have difficulty to keep track of household or work-related tasks like paying bills and keeping the track of appointments. They may have a disorganized home and finances, and struggle to maintain stable relationships and a job.
Inattentive-type ADHD symptoms can cause more frustration and miscommunications between partners, friends, and coworkers. These problems can lead to broken or strained relationships and feelings of isolation. Inattention, forgetfulness, and a tendency to "zone out" in conversations could cause misunderstandings and arguments with loved ones.
Women who suffer from ADHD are more likely to experience symptoms of emotional instability, impulsivity, and mood swings. They can be disruptive in their professional and personal lives. Women who are not treated for ADHD are often overwhelmed by the demands and expectations of family, work, and society, and might be more sensitive to criticism or harsh judgement.
There are methods to manage these symptoms. Treatment options for many adults include lifestyle modifications as well as the use of specific tools for organization, and prescription stimulant drugs.
Women with ADHD typically have a harder time than men to hide their ADHD symptoms, and as a result, may go undiagnosed until the age of adulthood. They are also more likely to have multiple disorders that are comorbid, like depression and anxiety which can exacerbate the effects of untreated ADHD. Women also have a difficult time trying to keep their relationships stable and secure and can suffer from low self esteem and chronic stress. *Sex refers to the chromosomes and hormones; gender refers the internal sense of oneself as a male, woman, nonbinary or another gender identity. Mental health issues are often diagnoses in relation to both.
3. Anxiety
Women who have ADHD are at risk of developing anxiety and depression. These feelings can be exacerbated if you are unable to keep the track of your daily tasks and appointments. This can cause health problems such as missed checkups or payments that are late, or even debt. ADHD can trigger emotional dysregulation, impulsivity and forgetfulness, which can lead to relationships problems with family, friends and coworkers.
Many women develop coping strategies to disguise their symptoms and make it difficult for others to recognize that they have trouble staying focused and organized. These strategies for coping may be healthy, like creating an annual schedule or setting phone reminders, or they could be harmful, such as relying on alcohol or drugs to help them perform or manage their issues. These coping strategies can cause women to feel stressed and insecure, leading them to doubt themselves and their abilities. This can lead to feelings of anxiety or depression.
Women with ADHD might also feel like they aren't accepted or aren't meeting social expectations. This can cause frustration and low self-esteem. They might also experience difficulties at work, including difficulties in establishing organizational skills and adhering to corporate guidelines or sticking to a regular 9-to-5 routine. They may have difficulty managing their finances due to impulsive and disorganized spending, or they may struggle to complete work-related assignments or finishing homework.
ADHD is a long-lasting condition that requires continuous assistance, particularly when it affects girls and women. Despite the prevalence of the disorder yet, it is often under-diagnosed, misunderstood and undertreated. The unique symptoms of ADHD in women are a result stereotypes, referral biases, internalized symptomatology, comorbidities and hormonal fluctuation.
4. Impulsivity
Women who suffer from ADHD can have difficulty controlling their emotions and impulses. They might become easily frustrated or overly excited, lose track time, or be late to events. They may also have difficulty understanding body language and recognizing social signals. This could cause problems at work or with relationships. They may be prone to arguing or spend too much time in pursuits and hobbies that aren't important to them. They might also have trouble maintaining relationships or creating new connections due to the fact that they struggle to keep their promises and commitments.
Women are more adept at developing ways to cope with their ADHD symptoms. This makes it harder for them to be diagnosed. They could, for example develop routines to assist them in staying organized, or use apps to remind themselves of their schedules. They might also change their behavior to conform with the norms and expectations of society. They might even attempt to hide their symptoms using alcohol or drugs. This could have grave health consequences in the long run.
Many people who suffer from ADHD get over their symptoms, but there are some who don't. About 60 percent of women with ADHD during childhood continue to suffer from the condition into adulthood, compared to 30% of males.
If you are unable to achieve relief with lifestyle or medication professional help can be helpful. There are many options, including counseling, career coaching, and life coaching. You can also consider taking stimulants. Exercise is a great way of improving your mood and boosting your energy. ADHD symptoms female adults releases neurotransmitters, which increase motivation and attention. It also helps reduce anxiety and stress.
5. Reactivity to emotions
Girls and women with ADHD are often afflicted by emotional reactivity. They may have a difficult time to control their emotions and express them appropriately and can cause anger with their own self and others. For example, a woman with ADHD might become enraged when a friend critiques her, but she may not be able to control her anger and discuss the issue in a more rational way. It is also possible that she struggles to "pause" her reactions by identifying bodily cues that she's feeling overwhelmed or stressed like a flushed skin or breath shortness.
This inability to regulate emotions can lead to confusion and frustration and make people with ADHD susceptible to depression or anxiety. It can also cause difficulties with social interactions since it is difficult to read people's moods and social cues.
In certain instances, people who suffer from ADHD might appear emotionally distant and uninterested in their peers or loved ones, even when they really care about them. In some cases, they may avoid situations that trigger strong emotions in order to avoid feeling them.
The nature of women's symptoms can make it easy for clinicians to ignore the effects of ADHD. Women often hide their ADHD symptoms, and when they do manifest, they are more likely to be misdiagnosed as anxiety or mood disorders. If you're experiencing these symptoms, it may be beneficial to talk to an expert in mental health who is experienced in working with women and girls who have ADHD. They can validate your experiences, show you how to utilize strategies like pacing and self-awareness and provide psychoeducation for your family to help you learn to recognize and address your ADHD symptoms in the future.