ADHD Symptoms in Adult Females
Although ADHD affects men and women equally throughout adulthood, the condition typically is not recognized in females. This is likely due to gender stereotypes and the capacity of women to mask their symptoms.
Many healthcare professionals lack the experience or knowledge to recognize ADHD among women. As a result, many women are misdiagnosed and not receiving the treatment they require.
1. Disorganization
Women and girls who suffer from ADHD often struggle with disorganization, a condition that can be a challenge to manage. For example, your desk may be a mess of unruly papers, 17 different chapsticks, or a ticket to the Kings of Leon concert you went to in 2008. Although attention deficit disorder in women may have spent money on products to help you manage your clutter, your office or home is likely still messy and messy.
Inability to stay on top of your responsibilities can result in missed deadlines and missed appointments. You might also struggle with "time blindness," where you don't know or remember the time it takes to finish an assignment. This can cause you to feel frustrated and believe that you're not doing a great enough job in your profession or in your personal life.
You may also have difficulty regulating your emotions, which could make you overreact in stressful situations. You may also make comments without meaning to hurt the feelings of someone else. You might also have difficulty stopping yourself from speaking before you have thought things through, as it is common for people with ADHD.
If you suffer from ADHD it's possible that a portion of your symptoms stem from gender stereotypes or beliefs regarding how women, men, and boys should behave. This can make it harder for you to identify and treat your ADHD.
You may also benefit from behavioral treatment to address the underlying causes of your disorder. Although it might take a while to discover the appropriate coping strategies, implementing these strategies can help you feel more in control of your life and improve relationships with your family and friends as well as coworkers.
2. Impulsivity
People who suffer from ADHD often experience intense emotions however their brains don't have a method to filter or assess them. They can be overwhelmed by a tiny event, or have difficulty assessing the emotional state of others. This makes them more prone to being distracted by small inconveniences such as an out of stock book or a shaky friend.
Many women with ADHD cover up their symptoms and develop coping strategies to compensate for their attention issues. They might be extremely meticulous or an obsessive at school or at work, and struggle to keep track of appointments or bills, as well as important dates. They may also have issues with self-control in speech 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 stop, start or alter the course of action or activities; not being able to wait for your turn during a conversation and difficulty in interpreting social signals (like facial expressions or body language).
Although gender-based stereotypes can play a role in the development of ADHD, it's not always easy to determine if women are suffering from these problems. The rating scales that are used to detect ADHD symptoms are still biased towards male behavior. Some healthcare professionals might not be aware of a woman's ADHD symptoms.
Many women suffering from ADHD have reported that their symptoms get worse when hormonal changes occur like menstrual cycle or pregnancy, as well as perimenopausal. This can trigger emotional symptoms such as frustration and irritability, or depression. They may also have an unrelenting feeling of discontent in their relationships or lives. This could lead to depression, substance abuse and unhealthy coping strategies. This is why it's important for women to recognize that these signs aren't a reflection of their value or worth as a person. The good news is that with a solid treatment plan these symptoms can be reduced or even eliminated.
3. Inattention
ADHD is often characterized by a higher frequency of these symptoms. While everyone struggles to concentrate and pay attention at times and in a variety of ways, they are so frequent that they can interfere with your daily life. You may make careless mistakes at work or school and forget appointments, or spend long hours delaying. You're not able to be patient and not interrupt others in conversations.
Attention deficit symptoms in adults could be accompanied by a tendency to jump into projects without thoroughly planning and analyzing them, which can result in poor or insufficient results. You may also get distracted easily and tend to leave projects unfinished -- from the vegetable garden that got planted but never watered to the new system of organization that got assembled and then left to gather dust on your nightstand.
People with inattentive ADHD are also plagued by a chronic sense of disorganization at home and at work. You might have difficulty finding important documents such as keys or bills, and frequently lose things. You might also keep losing the track of time and end up late for meetings, work 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 with these issues might make decisions or conduct actions without considering the consequences. For example they might speak over others or make nonsensical noises in solitude. They are unable to sit still and might be prone to fumbling around or pacing in their seats. They may have difficulty maintaining a job, and have frequent disputes with their coworkers and their manager.
In some cases the mood swings and emotional distress caused by ADHD can lead to frustration in relationships and miscommunications. This is particularly true in romantic relationships and at work. People who suffer from ADHD are also more likely to have comorbid conditions, such as depression, anxiety, or bipolar disorder.
Women and girls who suffer from ADHD can face a variety of challenges when seeking diagnosis and treatment which include gender discrimination and a tendency to hide their symptoms or minimize the severity of their symptoms. Famous women like Em Rusciano and Mia Freedman who have openly discussed their struggles with ADHD have helped raise awareness. But, many girls and young woman still don't know they have it.
4. Anxiety
While most people feel anxious or nervous from time to time, persistently outsize anxiety is a sign of an anxiety disorder. You might feel an uncontrollable feeling of anxiety or fear, a rapid heartbeat, trouble staying calm and difficulty thinking clearly. You might also feel a sense of danger in situations that you know are not dangerous. The most frequent forms of anxiety include general anxiety disorder, agoraphobia and phobias, separation anxiety and panic disorders.
adhd traits in women is more common among women suffering from ADHD than in men, and it is more likely to become worse during certain times of a woman's life, such as around the time of her menstrual period, pregnancy or perimenopause. adhd in women checklist can make it harder to manage daily tasks and social interactions and cause feelings of low self-esteem and general discontent with your life.
You are very sensitive to rejection, and you have a tough to accept criticism. You are prone to interpret feedback incorrectly, or anticipate rejection. You might get angry about small things that others don't see an issue with.
Mood swings are also one of the symptoms of adhd in women who are older and you could be able to notice that your moods are unpredictable or difficult to manage. You could also be prone to self-injury that isn't suicidal like burning, scrubbing, or hitting yourself.
If you're struggling with any of the above symptoms, it's important to get a proper diagnosis. It will help you understand your challenges and give you strategies for improving your quality of living. You can take an online ADHD test, or visit your doctor for a professional assessment. In certain instances your doctor may prescribe medication to alleviate your symptoms. In other cases they might suggest an amalgamation of lifestyle changes and cognitive behavioral therapy. In either situation, it's crucial to begin making positive changes to your life as soon as you can. This will allow you to regain control of your life, and feel more confident and competent.