ADHD Symptoms in Adult Females
The condition is often misdiagnosed among women, even though it affects men and women equally as adults. This is probably due to gender stereotypes and the ability of females to conceal their symptoms.
Many healthcare professionals lack the expertise and experience to identify ADHD in women. In the end, many women are misdiagnosed prior to receiving the treatment they require.
1. Disorganization
Women and girls with ADHD are often plagued by disorganization. This disorder is challenging to manage. For example your desk might be a mess of unruly papers, 17 chapsticks, or a ticket for the Kings of Leon concert you attended in the year 2008. While you buy products that promise to aid in your organization your office and home may still be messy and chaotic.
Inability to keep track of your tasks could result in missing deadlines and appointments. You might also be struggling with "time blindness," where you don't know or remember the time it takes to complete the task. This can leave you in a state of discontent and feeling as if you're not doing a great job in your professional or in your personal life, particularly when it seems like other people don't value your efforts.
You might also have trouble regulating your emotions. This can lead you to react excessively when faced with stressful situations. You may also say things that are not intended to hurt the feelings of someone else. Since impulsivity is a common trait in people with ADHD it is possible that you will find it difficult to resist making statements without thinking them through.
If you suffer from ADHD, it's likely that some of your symptoms are rooted in gender stereotypes and cultural ideas about how boys, men, and women should act. This makes it more difficult for you to identify and treat your ADHD.
In addition to being diagnosed it is possible that you will need a treatment for behavioral issues to tackle the root of your condition. And although it may take some time to find the appropriate coping strategies using these strategies, they can help you feel more in control of your life as well as improve relationships with family and friends as well as coworkers.
2. Impulsivity
People with ADHD have intense emotions. However their brains aren't capable of filtering them or analyze them. This means they can get overwhelmed by a single incident or have difficulty being able to discern the emotional state of others. It can also make it easier for them to be distracted by minor issues such as the book that's out of stock or a friend who's running late to take a spin class.
Many women suffering from ADHD mask their symptoms and come up with strategies to deal with their attention issues. They might be extremely meticulous or an obsessive at school or work and have trouble keeping track of appointments or bills, as well as important dates. adhd in women adults may struggle with self-talk control and speak too much or interrupt others often.
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 an abrupt desire to begin, stop or change activities or activities; not being able to wait for your turn during a conversation and having trouble reading social cues (like facial expressions or body language).
While gender-based stereotypes may contribute to the development of ADHD however, it's often difficult to tell if women are suffering from these problems. The scales used to measure ADHD symptoms are still biased towards male behavior and some healthcare experts may be misinformed or misunderstand the symptoms of women.
Many women with ADHD also say that their symptoms get more severe during times of hormonal changes, for example menstrual cycle, pregnancy, or perimenopause (the run-up to menopause). This can cause emotional symptoms like frustration, irritability or depression. They may also feel an ongoing feeling of unsatisfaction with their relationships or lives. This can contribute to substance abuse, low self-esteem and unhealthy coping strategies. This is the reason it's so important for women to understand that these symptoms are not an indication of their worth or worth as a person. The positive side is that with a well-planned treatment program the symptoms can be improved or even eliminated.
3. Inattention
Although everyone has trouble paying attention and focusing at times, with ADHD the symptoms are experienced so frequently that they interfere with your daily routine. You could make a few blunders at school or work or forget appointments or you may spend long hours delaying. You aren't comfortable waiting for your turn in conversations and frequently interrupt others.
Adults who are inattention may also include a tendency to jump into projects without properly planning and analyzing them, which leads to incomplete or subpar results. You might also get side-tracked easily and tend to abandon projects that are not finished -from the garden that got planted but never watered to the new system of organization that got assembled and then put aside to dust on your nightstand.
People who have inattention ADHD suffer from chronic disorganization at home and at work. You may have difficulty finding important documents keys, bills or even keys and may lose things frequently. You may also lose track of the time and end up running 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 with these signs may make or do actions without thinking about the consequences such as yelling at others or making nonsensical sounds when they are alone. They might have difficulty sitting still and adjusting their seat or pace. They might have issues keeping their job and could have frequent conflicts with coworkers and managers.
In certain cases mood swings and emotional turmoil caused by ADHD can lead to frustration and misunderstandings in relationships. This is particularly true in romantic relationships as well as at work. People who suffer from ADHD are also more likely to suffer from 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 minimize their severity, and gender bias. The rise of well-known women like Mia Freedman and Em Rusciano who have publicly shared their own struggles with ADHD has raised awareness, yet many young women and girls aren't aware of the condition.
4. Anxiety
Although most people experience anxiety or nervous from time to moment, a constant and overwhelming anxiety is a sign of an anxiety disorder. You might feel an uncontrollable feeling of anxiety or fear, a rapid heartbeat, trouble keeping calm and difficulty thinking clearly. You might also feel a sense of danger in situations you know aren't dangerous. The most commonly encountered forms of anxiety include general anxiety disorder, phobias and agoraphobia and panic disorders, separation anxiety and selective mutism.
Anxiety is more prevalent in women with ADHD than in men, and it tends to worsen during certain times of the woman's life, such as around the time of her menstrual period or pregnancy, or perimenopausal. This can make it harder to manage everyday tasks and social interactions and can cause feelings of low self-esteem and a general feeling of discontent with your life.
You're very sensitive to rejection and have a hard to accept criticism. You can easily interpret feedback incorrectly, or anticipate rejection. You might be angry about small things that other people do not see as an issue with.
Mood swings can also be a symptom of adult adhd in women. You might notice that you are prone to having unpredictable emotions or are unable to manage them. You could also be prone to self-injury that is not suicidal, such as burning, scrubbing or hitting yourself.
It's crucial to seek a diagnosis when you're experiencing any of the symptoms listed above. It will help you comprehend the challenges you're facing, and give you strategies to improve your quality of life. You can take an online ADHD test, or go to your doctor for a thorough assessment. In certain cases, a doctor may prescribe medication to ease your symptoms. In other instances, they might recommend the combination of lifestyle changes and cognitive behavioral therapy. In any case, it's important to change your lifestyle as quickly as possible. This will allow you to regain control of your life, and make you feel more confident and capable.