Symptoms of ADHD in Adult Women
Women and girls can have ADHD. While men and boys are diagnosed with ADHD more often, it is also possible for women to be affected by the disorder. However, stereotypes, prejudices about referrals, internalized symptoms, and the presence of comorbidities may make it difficult for them to be appropriately assessed and treated.
Many women come up with strategies to hide their ADHD symptoms and to meet social expectations, but these can be unsustainable and unhealthy. Here are some of the adult women's most frequent ADHD symptoms.
1. Unfocused attention
Women with ADHD are often overwhelmed by daily tasks. They often have a difficult time to keep track of many deadlines, emails, and meetings. They may also be more likely to forget important events or appointments. They may also have difficulty to concentrate in noisy or crowded environments. This can lead to missed opportunities and a lower quality of work.
For many adults suffering from ADHD, these challenges may be a reflection of their character or performance, which can lead to frustration. They often end up with a low self-esteem and a negative image of themselves. They may also struggle to maintain stable relationships and develop effective strategies for coping. In some cases, they use unhealthy coping strategies like excessive drinking or drugs. This may make others less likely to recognize their issues and delay a diagnosis.
Adults with ADHD are often sensitive to criticism and failure, which can cause them to internalize their issues and find it difficult to seek assistance. They may also experience issues with relationships and may find it difficult to find meaningful employment. They may also be more susceptible to anxiety, depression, and mood swings. In some cases these signs can result in the development of a mental health problem such as non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI), which can be manifested through burning, cutting, or scratching.
ADHD is more common in men and boys, but symptoms can persist and impact the entire life of. Women should be aware of the signs and seek out an evaluation from a healthcare professional. A proper diagnosis can lead to better-managed symptoms and a better quality of life.
2. Disorganization
Women with ADHD are often overwhelmed, as if their lives are chaotic. They may not meet deadlines or find it difficult to keep track of household or work-related tasks like paying bills and keeping track of appointments. They may have a disorganized home and finances, and could struggle to maintain stable relationships and a job.
Inattentive ADHD symptoms can lead to frustration and confusion in relationships between partners, friends and colleagues. These problems can lead strained or broken connections, and feelings of loneliness. The inability to remember, the difficulty in listening and the tendency to "zone out" or to not pay attention, may lead to misunderstandings with loved ones.
symptoms of ADHD in adults quiz with ADHD are more likely to suffer from symptoms of emotional instability, impulsivity, and mood swings. These can be disruptive both in their professional and personal lives. Women who are not treated for ADHD may feel overwhelmed by the demands of family, work, and society. They may also be sensitive to harsh judgment and criticism.
There are methods to manage these symptoms. For many adults treatments include lifestyle adjustments and the use of specialized organizational tools, as well as prescription stimulant medications.
Women with ADHD typically have a harder time than men to hide their ADHD symptoms and, as a consequence they may not be diagnosed until they reach adulthood. They are more likely to suffer from comorbid disorders such as depression and anxiety that can increase the effects of untreated ADHD. Women can also have issues maintaining healthy relationships and a steady job and may suffer from low self-esteem and chronic stress. *Sex refers to a person's biological makeup, chromosomes, hormones and anatomy. Gender refers to the internal sense of self as a woman, man, nonbinary, or other gender identity and mental health problems are usually diagnosed based on both.
3. Anxiety
Women who have ADHD are more susceptible to depression and anxiety. These feelings can be exacerbated due to the inability of keeping the track of appointments and daily tasks and can result in health issues such as missing check-ups, late payments or even debt. The emotional dysregulation, impulsivity, and forgetfulness associated with ADHD can also lead to issues with relationships with coworkers, partners, and friends.
Many women develop coping strategies to mask their symptoms that can make it harder for others to see that they are struggling to stay focused and organized. These strategies of coping can be healthy, such as creating a daily schedule, or a phone reminder or harmful, like relying on drugs or alcohol to manage or function. These strategies for coping can make women feel anxious and unsure and make them doubt their abilities and self-confidence. This can trigger depression or anxiety.
Women with ADHD might also feel that they aren't accepted or don't conform to social norms. This can lead to anxiety and low self-esteem. They may also face challenges at work, including difficulties in establishing organizational skills and adhering to corporate guidelines or sticking to a standard 9-to-5 schedule. They may be struggling to manage their finances due to disorganization or excessive spending. They may also be struggling to complete assignments or homework.
ADHD can be a long-lasting condition that requires continuous assistance, especially when it affects women and girls. Despite its prevalence, it is still undiagnosed, misunderstood, and untreated. Remaining stereotypes and referral biases, internalized symptoms, comorbidities, and hormonal fluctuations all contribute to the distinctive symptom manifestation of ADHD in females.
4. Impulsivity
Women who suffer from ADHD can have difficulty controlling their emotions and impulses. They could be easily frustrated or excessively exuberant, and they may lose track of their time or be late to events. They might also have difficulty reading body language or picking up on social signals. This can lead to issues at work or in relationships. They could be susceptible to arguments or spend too much time in pursuits and hobbies that aren't important to them. They may also have difficulty keeping friendships or making connections due to their inability to keep their commitments and promises.
Women are more adept at forming coping mechanisms to mask their ADHD symptoms. This makes it more difficult for them to get diagnosed. They could, for instance develop routines to aid in staying organized or utilize apps to remind them of their appointments. They may also alter their lifestyle to conform to social norms and expectations. They might even attempt to hide their symptoms with alcohol or drugs. This could lead to serious health consequences over time.
Some people suffering from ADHD do not completely overcome the symptoms. About 60% of women with ADHD in their childhood will suffer from it until they reach adulthood. This compares to 30% of males.
Professional treatment may be beneficial for those who could not find relief from medication or lifestyle changes. There are a variety of options, such as career coaching, life coaching, and counseling along with medications like stimulants. Exercise is a great way to improve your mood and boosting your energy. It releases neurotransmitters, which increase motivation and focus. It can also help reduce anxiety and stress.
5. Emotional reactivity
Girls and women who suffer from ADHD often struggle with emotional hyperactivity. They may have difficulty to manage their emotions and express them in a proper manner and can cause anger with others and themselves. For instance, a person with ADHD may become angry when her spouse critiques her, but she might not be able to settle down and talk about the issue in a more sensible manner. She also might struggle to "pause" her reaction by recognizing bodily signals that indicate she's overwhelmed or overexcited, such as flushing skin or a shortness of breath.
This issue with regulating their emotions can cause more stress and miscommunications in relationships, and it can make people with ADHD more susceptible to depression or anxiety. It can also lead to difficulties in social interactions as it is difficult to read people's moods and social cues.
In certain instances, ADHD people may appear disconnected and uninterested in their friends or loved one, even though they care about them. In other instances, they may withdraw from triggering situations to avoid experiencing an intense emotion.
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 show up, they're more likely to be interpreted as anxiety or mood-related, which can lead to misdiagnosis. If you're experiencing trouble with these symptoms, it may be helpful to seek an experienced mental health professional who has experience in working with women and girls who suffer from ADHD. They can validate your experience, instruct you on strategies such as self-awareness or pacing, as well as provide you with psychoeducation for your family members to help you recognize and manage future ADHD symptoms.