ADHD Symptoms in Adult Females
Although ADHD affects both genders equally throughout adulthood, it often goes undiagnosed in females. This is likely due to gender stereotyping and the capacity of females to mask their symptoms.
Many healthcare professionals aren't equipped and experience to identify ADHD in women. In the end, many women are misdiagnosed and not receiving the proper treatment they need.
1. Disorganization
Women and girls who suffer from ADHD often struggle with disorganization, which can be very difficult to manage. Your desk, for instance, may be a mess of papers, 17 different chapsticks and a ticket from the Kings of Leon show you attended in 2008. And while you spend money on products that claim to aid in your organization your office and home may still be chaotic and messy.
Inability to keep the track of your tasks can cause you to miss deadlines and appointments. You might also struggle with "time blindness," where you don't recall or know how long it takes to complete the task. This can cause you to be in a state of discontent and feeling as if you're not doing a great job in your professional or personal life, especially when it seems that other people don't appreciate your efforts.
You might also have trouble regulating your emotions. This can lead you to react excessively when confronted by stressful situations. You may also say things that are not intended to hurt the feelings of someone else. You may also be having trouble stopping yourself from speaking before you think things through, as it is common for people suffering from ADHD.
If you have ADHD it's likely that some of your symptoms are rooted in gender stereotypes and beliefs about the ways men, boys and women should behave. This can make it harder to recognize and treat your ADHD.
You may also benefit from a behavioral therapy to address the root causes of your disorder. And although it may take some time to identify the appropriate coping strategies Implementing these strategies will help you feel more in control of your life and enhance relationships with your family, friends, and coworkers.
2. Impulsivity
People who suffer from ADHD often experience intense emotions however their brains do not have a way to filter or assess them. They can be overwhelmed by a small event, or have difficulty in assessing the emotional state of others. This makes them more prone to be distracted by small inconveniences such as an out of stock book or an unreliable friend.
Many women suffering from ADHD cover up their symptoms and develop strategies to deal with their attention issues. They might be extremely meticulous or a perfectionist at school or work and have trouble keeping the track of appointments and bills or important dates. They might struggle with self-talk control and speak too much or interrupt others frequently.
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 urge to begin or stop activities. They can also be characterized by not being able to wait for your turn in a conversation or experiencing difficulty in interpreting social signals.
While gender stereotypes can have an impact on the development of ADHD for women, it's not always easy to spot these issues. The scales for rating used to detect ADHD symptoms are still geared towards male behavior. inattentive adhd in women might not be aware of the woman's ADHD symptoms.
Many women suffering from ADHD have reported that their symptoms get worse during times of hormonal change, such as during menstruation or pregnancy, as well as perimenopausal. This can lead to emotional symptoms like frustration or irritability as well as depression. They may also feel an unending sense of dissatisfaction with their relationships or life. This could result in depression, substance abuse, or unhealthy ways of coping. It is important for women to realize that these signs do not show their worth or value as a human being. If you follow a proper treatment plan, you can improve or even eliminate these signs.
3. Inattention
While everyone struggles with paying attention and focusing at times with ADHD the symptoms are experienced so frequently that they interfere with your life. You may make careless errors at work or at school, forget appointments or spend a good amount of time delaying. You aren't comfortable waiting your turn in conversations and frequently interrupt others.
Adults who are inattention may include a tendency to jump into projects without properly planning and researching them, which can result in incomplete or subpar results. You may also be easily distracted and leave projects unfinished. This could be the vegetable garden that was planted but not watered, or an organization system you put together and then put on your nightstand to collect dust.
People with inattentive ADHD struggle with chronic disorganization at home and in the workplace. You may have difficulty finding important documents keys, bills, or other important documents and lose things on a regular basis. 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. Women who suffer from these conditions may say or do things without thinking about the impact such as yelling at other people or making strange sounds when they're alone. They may have trouble sitting still and can fidget or pace in their seats. They might have issues maintaining a job and might have frequent conflicts with coworkers and managers.
In some instances, the mood swings or emotional stress caused by ADHD may lead to frustration in relationships and miscommunications. This is especially the case when it comes to romantic relationships and at work. People with ADHD also are more likely to being afflicted with comorbid conditions, such as bipolar disorder, depression or anxiety disorder.
Women and girls with ADHD are likely to face many challenges when seeking treatment. These include gender discrimination and a tendency to conceal symptoms or minimize their severity, as well as gender bias. The rise of well-known women such as Mia Freedman and Em Rusciano who have shared their struggles with ADHD has helped raise awareness, yet many girls and young women still don't know they have the condition.
4. Anxiety
While most people feel anxious or nervous from time moment, a constant and overwhelming anxiety is the hallmark of an anxiety disorder. You may experience a constant feeling of unease or anxiety, a fast heartbeat, trouble staying calm and difficulty thinking clearly. You might also have a heightened sense of danger even in situations that aren't likely be risky for you. The most common forms of anxiety include general anxiety disorder, phobias and agoraphobia, panic disorders, separation anxiety and selective mutism.
Anxiety is more common in women with ADHD than men, and tends to get worse during certain periods of the woman's life like her menstrual cycle, pregnancy or perimenopause. This can make it difficult to handle everyday tasks and social interaction and can trigger feelings of low self-esteem or discontent.
You're highly sensitive to rejection and have a difficult time accepting criticism. You can easily miss the mark on feedback, or anticipate rejection. You might be annoyed by small things that other people don't find an issue with.
Mood swings can also be a symptom of adult adhd in women. You may find that you are prone to having unpredictable emotions or find it difficult to manage these. add test for women may also be prone self-injury that is not suicidal, like burning, scrubbing, or hitting yourself.
It's crucial to seek out a diagnosis if you're experiencing any of the symptoms listed above. It can help you understand the issues you're facing and provide you strategies to improve your quality of life. You can take an ADHD test online, or talk to your doctor to get an assessment from a professional. In certain cases, a doctor may prescribe medication to ease your symptoms. In some cases your doctor may suggest an amalgamation 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 will allow you to get back in control of your life and feel more confident, productive and capable.