ADHD Symptoms in Adult Females
The condition is often misdiagnosed in women, despite the fact that it affects both men and woman equally as adults. This is likely due to gender stereotypes and the capability of females to mask their symptoms.
Many healthcare professionals lack the knowledge and experience to detect ADHD in women. As a result, many females are misdiagnosed before receiving the proper treatment they need.
1. Disorganization
Girls and women who suffer from ADHD can struggle with disorganization. This disorder is challenging to manage. For instance your desk might be a mess of unruly papers, 17 different chapsticks, and a ticket to the Kings of Leon concert you attended in 2008. And while you buy products that promise to aid in your organization, your home and office may still be chaotic and messy.
Inability to stay on top of your responsibilities can lead to missed deadlines and missed appointments. You might also be struggling with "time blindness," where you don't recall or know how long it takes to complete an assignment. This can cause you to feel frustrated and feel like you're not doing a great enough job in your profession or in your personal life.
You may also be having trouble managing your emotions, which can cause you to react too quickly in stressful situations. You might also say things without intention of hurting someone's feelings. And since impulsivity is common for people with ADHD it is possible that you will 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 beliefs about the ways men, boys, and women should act. This could make it difficult for you to recognize and treat your ADHD.
You may also benefit from a treatment for behavioral issues to address the underlying causes of your disorder. It might take time to discover the most effective strategies to cope, but using them will help you feel in control of your life and improve your relationships with family, colleagues, and friends.
2. Impulsivity
People with ADHD experience intense emotions. However, their brains are not capable of separating them from or analyze them. This means they may be overwhelmed by a single setback or struggle to discern the emotional state of their peers. It can also make it easier for them to get distracted by minor inconveniences like a book that's out of stock or a friend who's running late to spin class.
Many women suffering from ADHD compensate for their attention problems by hiding symptoms and devising strategies for coping. They may be perfectionists or highly conscientious at school or work, but have difficulty keeping the track of important dates, bills and appointments. They might also struggle with verbal self-restraint and speak too much, interrupt others frequently, or info dump 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 begin, stop or alter the course of action; being unable to wait your turn in conversation; and having trouble reading social signals (like facial expressions or body language).
While gender stereotypes can influence on the development of ADHD in women, it is not always easy to spot these issues. Rating scales that are used to determine ADHD symptoms are still skewed towards male behavior and some healthcare professionals may misunderstand or underestimate a woman's symptoms.
Many women with ADHD report that their symptoms are more severe when hormonal changes occur like menstrual cycle or pregnancy, as well as perimenopausal. This can lead to emotional symptoms such as frustration and irritability, or depression. They may also have an unrelenting feeling of discontent in their lives or relationships. This may lead to substance abuse, low self-esteem and unhealthy coping habits. This is why it's crucial for women to realize that these signs aren't an indication of their worth or worth as individuals. The good news is that with a solid treatment plan the symptoms can be alleviated or even eliminated.
3. Attention!
ADHD is often characterized by a higher frequency of these symptoms. While everyone struggles to concentrate and pay attention at certain times the frequency of these symptoms is so high that they can impede your everyday life. You might make mistakes at work or in school, miss appointments or spend a large amount of time putting off tasks. signs of adhd in women have a difficult time waiting to be the first in a conversation and often interrupt other people.
Adults who are inattentive can be prone to rush into projects before thoroughly planning them and researching them. This can lead to poor results or even subpar ones. You could also get easily distracted and abandon projects that are not completed. This could include the vegetable garden that was planted but never watered, or a new organization system you put together and then left on your nightstand to collect dust.
People with inattentive ADHD have trouble focusing at home and at work. You may have difficulty finding important documents keys, bills or even keys and lose things on a regular basis. You may also lose track of time and be late for school, work or even meetings.
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 make or do actions without considering the impact including snoozing over others or making a nonsensical sound when they're alone. They might be unable to sit still, and fidget in their chair or move. They might have issues working and may be in frequent conflict with colleagues and managers.
In some instances, the mood swings or emotional stress caused by ADHD can lead to frustration in relationships and misunderstandings. This is especially the case in relationships with partners as well as at work. People who suffer from ADHD also have a higher likelihood of having co-occurring conditions like depression, anxiety or bipolar disorder.
Girls and women who suffer from ADHD might face a variety of challenges when seeking treatment. This includes gender bias as well as a tendency to cover up symptoms or underestimate their severity, as well as gender bias. The rise of high-profile women like Mia Freedman and Em Rusciano who have publicly shared their personal struggles with ADHD has increased awareness, however many girls and young women still don't know they have the disorder.
4. Anxiety
An anxiety disorder is characterized by persistently excessive anxiety. Although everyone feels anxious or nervous occasionally Anxiety disorders are defined by a constant high level of anxiety. You might experience a constant feeling of unease or anxiety, a fast heartbeat, difficulty staying calm and difficulty thinking clearly. You may also feel an increased fear of danger even in situations that aren't likely to be dangerous to you. The most common kinds of anxiety include general anxiety disorder, phobias and agoraphobia as well as separation anxiety, panic disorders and selective Mutism.
Anxiety is more common in women suffering from ADHD than men. It tends worsen around certain life events like menstrual cycle, pregnancy, or perimenopause. This can make it more difficult to handle everyday tasks and social interactions, and lead to feelings of low self-esteem and a general feeling of discontent with your life.
You're extremely sensitive to rejection and have a hard time accepting criticism. You can easily misinterpret feedback or even anticipating rejection and you may get angry over small things that others do not see as a problem with.
Mood swings can also be an indication of adhd in women. It is possible that you have unpredictable moods or find it difficult to control them. You may also be prone non-suicidal acts of self-injury like burning, scrubbing or hitting yourself.
It is crucial to seek out a diagnosis if you're experiencing any of the symptoms mentioned above. It will help you identify your issues and give you strategies for improving your living quality. You can take an ADHD test online, or talk to your doctor to get a professional assessment. In signs of adhd in women may prescribe medication to help alleviate your symptoms. In certain instances your doctor might suggest the combination of lifestyle changes and cognitive behavior therapy. In either case, it's important to begin making positive changes to your life as soon as you can. This can help you take control of your life and feel more confident, productive and capable.