ADHD Symptoms in Adult Women
Women who aren't diagnosed with ADHD may have issues at work or in their relationships. It is important to identify the signs and seek out treatment that is effective for you.
Symptoms of ADHD in adults are more likely to be the inattentive type than hyperactivity/impulsive. A proper diagnosis can help to improve your life by addressing your symptoms and focus your attention on the things that matter.
1. Difficulty paying attention
Women may struggle to pay attention to details, remembering appointments and deadlines, or underestimating how long it takes to complete the task. They can also have trouble keeping track of their responsibilities at workplace or in relationships, get distracted easily, and fail to keep their word on promises. They might also be impulsive, have difficulty controlling their emotions, and may blurt out things before considering them.
The difficulty in paying attention experienced by ADHD symptoms in women of adulthood can cause problems with relationships and friendships, which is why it's crucial to spot the symptoms and seek treatment. combined ADHD symptoms in adults may find it difficult to make new friends, or may struggle in their current relationships due to frequent fights and missing opportunities to have fun and being ignored. Women may also find it difficult to balance the demands of work, home and childcare.
Many people with ADHD don't meet the diagnostic criteria, and it could be hard for health professionals or therapists to detect the condition. But that doesn't mean it's not true or that the person doesn't need to try harder to stay on task. Diagnoses are based upon the symptoms and how they impact daily functioning in various areas.
Women are more likely to experience inattentional symptoms as opposed to hyperactive or impulsive ones, which could explain why they're not diagnosed. Additionally, many women with ADHD are afflicted with a sense of being embarrassed about their issues because they don't fit the stereotypes of people with ADHD. This can make it even more difficult to reach out for help or access treatment.
In a few cases, women with ADHD remain undiagnosed for a long time due to the fact that they are trying to cope and hide their symptoms. They are also more likely to suffer from other comorbidities, including depression or anxiety that can cover up the symptoms of ADHD. They are more likely to have hormonal fluctuations that could cause their symptoms flare up or disappear. This is particularly relevant during menstrual cycle or pregnancy, as well as perimenopausal.
2. Organizational Problems
Disorganization, forgetfulness, impulsivity, and emotional dysregulation are all common ADHD symptoms for women. These symptoms can make them incapable of completing everyday tasks, fulfill their obligations, or maintain relationships. They may also have low self-esteem or anxiety. Women who have not been diagnosed with ADHD may feel that they're not meeting society's expectations. They may also experience anxiety and low self-esteem.
In addition to a lack of organization and forgetfulness, ADHD in adult women can be manifested as hyperfocus or procrastination. These issues can cause women to miss appointments, fail to pay bills on time and feel overwhelmed. Hyperfocus can cause an inability to focus on other things that are important and a lack of sense of time, which can make it difficult to switch from one activity to another. Procrastination may also lead to anxiety, stress and a constant feeling of being lagging behind.
Another common symptom of ADHD is trouble with verbal and nonverbal communication. This could include a lot of talking, interrupting other people, or using inappropriate words. It can also indicate an inability to wait for her turn or trouble understanding social boundaries. It is important to note that these issues don't always suggest a lack of intelligence or ability.
Many women suffering from ADHD have coping strategies to manage their symptoms. These strategies can have both positive and negative impacts. Some of these coping strategies can be healthy, such as having a daily schedule or setting reminders for certain events. Some aren't, such as drinking alcohol or using drugs to hide symptoms or ignoring them altogether. Therefore, it is essential that women who suspect that they be suffering from ADHD seek out professional help.
Women with ADHD can benefit from medication treatment, lifestyle modifications, therapy and a range of other treatment options. Some of these include cognitive behavior therapy to address the root of negative beliefs and thoughts mindfulness and relaxation techniques, exercise and a balanced diet and adequate sleep. A health professional may also recommend accommodations to make school or work simpler.
3. Disruptive Behaviors
Women with ADHD might struggle with emotional dysregulation. As a result, they can become frustrated and discouraged when the challenges of life aren't solved. It can be difficult to maintain relationships, whether it's with romantic partners, colleagues, or friends. For example an impulsive or forgetful attitude can create confusion or frustration in romantic relationships and lead to feelings of depression or loneliness. In addition the desire to find excitement on a whim can be misinterpreted as disinterest or apathy by others.
For these reasons, ADHD symptoms are often missed or misdiagnosed in women and girls. They may also have a hard time realizing that their problems are a result of the disorder due to social norms and stereotypes about gender roles and behavior.
Women and girls with ADHD may camouflage symptoms to avoid embarrassment. This may lead to them being diagnosed less often than boys and men who have the same symptoms. In addition, gender bias in the research that informs the diagnostic criteria could contribute to this discrepancy. In a recent study, Hartung and Widiger discovered that girls and women are more likely to be under-identified and under-diagnosed than boys and men with similar ADHD symptoms. This could be due to the fact that doctors are conditioned by their education to view hyperactive and hyperactive and impulsive ADHD as more prevalent for both genders. This makes them easier to identify and to refer to an assessment.
Adult ADHD symptoms can manifest as anxiety and a struggle to settle down. These are typical symptoms of ADHD however, as we age, they can have a significant impact on one's life and well-being. People with ADHD can feel restless and find it difficult to sit still, especially if they're feeling anxious or stressed. They are also prone to fidgeting and tend to be very talkative, often interrupting or ending sentences of others without thinking they're being rude.
If you suspect you may have ADHD, your GP or registered psychologist can refer you to psychiatrists to conduct an assessment. Or, you can self-refer. This content was reviewed by Madeline Dykes (clinical psychologist) as well as members of the Thriving Madly network in Christchurch in October 2024. The content was updated in November 2022.
4. Social Skills Problems
Women with ADHD may have difficulties managing their emotions and communicating effectively at work. This can cause problems that interfere with personal relationships and professional goals. For example, they might have trouble recognizing and responding to feedback, which could result in frustration and displeasure. They also may struggle to keep a healthy diet and sleep habits, which can increase anxiety. Many women with ADHD use unhealthy coping methods to compensate for their problems. They may resort to eating disorders, addiction to substances and non-suicidal harming of oneself (NSSI) which includes cutting, burning or scratching.
Women who suffer from ADHD might be more hesitant to get help as adults than men, because they tend mask their symptoms. They often develop coping strategies to try to fit in and meet the expectations of society, which can make their ADHD symptoms difficult for others to detect. These coping strategies could be as simple as creating lists and establishing reminders, or more complex, such as developing a strategy to manage their emotions or developing mindfulness techniques.
However, these strategies can backfire and make symptoms worse. They can also make it difficult to get an adequate amount of sleep, which is vital to manage ADHD symptoms. Additionally, women who suffer from ADHD often feel overwhelmed by life's demands and this can increase stress and exacerbate ADHD symptoms.
While it's true that more boys are diagnosed with ADHD than girls, this gap shrinks when they reach the age of adulthood. It's because it's common for women to experience a variety of symptoms throughout their lives, which can result in being diagnosed at different dates.
The changes in hormone levels can also impact ADHD symptoms in women. If they have higher levels of estrogen during pregnancy, for example, their symptoms may improve. Higher levels of estrogen regulate brain chemicals that affect attention. However, if they begin to notice a decrease in estrogen levels due to perimenopausal or age-related decline or perimenopausal symptoms, their ADHD symptoms could become more severe.
Adults with ADHD are able to receive a precise diagnosis and receive effective treatment. This includes cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and neurocognitive psychotherapy, which can aid people suffering from ADHD develop the essential skills needed to improve their everyday functioning. They are also able to attend support group meetings for ADHD in order to share their experiences with other people on the same journey and gain valuable information from their peers.