Symptoms of ADHD in Adult Women
While men and boys are more frequently diagnosed 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 assessed and treated.
Many women devise coping strategies to hide their ADHD symptoms and conform to social expectations, but these strategies can be unhealthy and unsustainable. Here are a few of the most frequent symptoms of ADHD in adult women.
1. Unfocused attention
Women suffering from ADHD are often overwhelmed by daily tasks. They often have a difficult time to keep track of numerous deadlines, emails, and meetings. They could also be more prone to forget important dates or events. They may also find it difficult to focus in noisy or busy environments. This can lead them to miss opportunities and lower quality work.
These challenges can cause frustration for many adults suffering from ADHD. They may feel that they reflect of their own performance or of themselves. They can often suffer from low self-esteem and a negative body image. They may also be struggling with maintaining stable relationships and establishing efficient coping strategies. In some instances, they resort to unhealthy strategies for coping like excessive drinking or drug use. This can make others less likely to recognize their issues and delay a diagnosis.
Adults with ADHD can be especially sensitive to criticism and failure which can cause them to internalize their issues and struggle to get assistance. As a result, they may have issues with relationships and may have a difficult time finding meaningful employment. They can also be more prone to anxiety, depression and mood swings. In some instances these symptoms may lead to the development of a mental health problem such as self-injury that is non-suicidal (NSSI) which may be manifested by burning, cutting or scratching.
While it's more prevalent in men and boys to be diagnosed with ADHD the symptoms can last throughout adulthood and affect many aspects of life. Women should be aware of the signs and seek a diagnosis from a healthcare professional. A correct diagnosis can result in better-managed symptoms and a better quality of life.
2. Disorganization
Women suffering from ADHD often complain of feeling overwhelmed and feeling like their lives are in chaos. They might miss deadlines at work or struggle to keep track of the tasks at home or at work like paying bills or keeping appointments. Their finances and home may be messy and they may have a difficult time to keep healthy relationships and a steady job.
Inattentive ADHD symptoms can cause frustration and confusion in relationships between friends, partners and coworkers. These problems can lead to broken or strained connections and feelings of being isolated. The inability to remember, the difficulty in listening, and the tendency to "zone out" or not pay attention, can cause misunderstandings with loved ones.
The signs of impulsivity, emotional dysregulation, and mood swings are more prevalent among women suffering from ADHD than in men and can be disruptive to both your personal and professional. Women with untreated ADHD might feel overwhelmed by the demands of family, work and social life. They may also be sensitive to harsh criticism and harsh judgment.
There are ways to manage these symptoms. Treatment options for many adults include lifestyle adjustments, the use of specialized tools for organizing, as well as prescription stimulant drugs.
Women with ADHD might be able to cover up their ADHD symptoms better than males which could lead to an undiagnosed condition that can last until the age of. They are more likely to be suffering from comorbid disorders such as anxiety and depression which can worsen the effects of untreated ADHD. Women also have a difficult time trying to maintain stable relationships and jobs, and may suffer from low self-esteem and chronic stress. *Sex refers a person's genetic makeup, chromosomes and hormones and anatomy. Gender refers to the internal feeling of self as a man, woman or nonbinary gender identity and mental health problems are often diagnosed based on both.
3. Anxiety
Women who suffer from ADHD are at risk for depression and anxiety. These symptoms can be worsened when you're unable keep the track of your daily tasks and appointments. This can lead to health issues like missed appointments or payments that are late, or even debt. The emotional dysregulation, impulsivity and apathy of ADHD can also lead to problems with relationships with colleagues, partners, and friends.
Many women come up with strategies to hide their symptoms. This can make it difficult for others to recognize that they have difficulty staying organized and focused. These strategies for coping may be healthy, like creating an agenda for the day or setting phone reminders, or they could be harmful and rely on alcohol or other drugs to function or cope with their difficulties. These coping strategies can lead to an environment of self-doubt and stress for women, which makes them feel they are not successful or productive, which may increase feelings of anxiety and depression.
Women with ADHD may also feel that they don't fit in or don't meet social expectations. This can cause anxiety and low self-esteem. They may also encounter issues at work, like difficulties with organizational abilities, adhering to corporate policies, or adhering to a daily 9-to-5 schedule. They may be struggling with managing their finances, due to disorganization and impulsive spending, or they could have difficulty keeping up with work-related tasks or completing homework.
ADHD can be a long-lasting condition that requires continuous assistance, especially when it affects women and girls. Despite its prevalence it is undiagnosed and misunderstood. It is also undertreated. The distinctive symptoms of ADHD in women are a result stereotypes of referral biases, internalized symptomatology and comorbidities as well as hormonal fluctuation.
4. Impulsivity
Women suffering from ADHD might have difficulty controlling their emotions or impulses. They may be easily annoyed or overly excited, lose track time, or be late to events. They might also have difficulty understanding body language or picking up on social signals. This can lead to issues at work or in relationships. They could be susceptible to arguing or spend too much time in pursuits and hobbies that aren't important to them. They might also have trouble maintaining friendships or making connections because they are unable to keep their promises and commitments.
Women are more adept at developing ways to cope with their ADHD symptoms. This makes it more difficult for them than men to get diagnosed. For instance, they could create routines to help stay organized or rely on apps to remind them of their appointments. what are the symptoms for ADHD in adults could alter their lifestyle to comply with social norms and expectations. They might even attempt to hide their symptoms with alcohol or drugs. This could lead to negative health effects over time.
Some people with ADHD do not outgrow the symptoms. Around 60% of women who have ADHD during childhood will suffer from it into adulthood. This compares to 30% of males.
For those who don't get relief from medication or lifestyle changes professional help can be beneficial. There are a variety of options, such as life coaching, career coaching, and counseling along with medications like stimulants. Exercise is also beneficial to boost your mood and increase your energy levels. It releases neurotransmitters that increase motivation and focus. It can help ease anxiety and stress.
5. Reactivity to emotional stimuli
Girls and women who suffer from ADHD often have issues with emotional hyperactivity. They may have trouble regulating their emotions and communicating them in a proper manner. This can cause anger for themselves and others. For example, a woman with ADHD may become angry when a friend is critical of her, but she may not be able to calm down and talk about the problem in a more rational manner. She may also struggle to "pause" her response by identifying body signals that indicate she's overwhelmed or overexcited like a flushed skin or a shortness of breath.
This inability to regulate their emotions can heighten frustration and misunderstandings in relationships, and it can make people with ADHD more susceptible to anxiety or depression. It can also lead to problems with social interactions because it's difficult to gauge people's moods and social signals.
In some instances, those with ADHD might appear to be emotionally detached and disinterested in their friends or loved ones, even if they truly are concerned about them. In some cases they may avoid situations that trigger strong emotions to avoid experiencing them.
The nature of women's symptoms could make it easy for clinicians to ignore the effects of ADHD. Many of them hide their ADHD symptoms, and when they do appear they are more likely to be seen as anxiety- or mood-related, and therefore misdiagnosed. If you're struggling with these symptoms, it may be beneficial to talk to an experienced mental health professional who has experience in working with girls and women with ADHD. They can validate your experiences, show you how to utilize strategies like pacing and self-awareness and offer family psychoeducation that can help you learn to recognize and address your ADHD symptoms in the near future.