Symptoms of ADHD in Adult Women
While men and boys are diagnosed far more often with ADHD, women and girls are also susceptible to it. However, lingering stereotypes, referral bias, internalized symptoms and comorbidities can make it more difficult for them to be properly assessed and treated.
These strategies can be unhealthy and unsustainable. Here are a few of the most commonly reported symptoms of ADHD in women who are adults.
1. Unfocused attention
Women suffering from ADHD are susceptible to feeling overwhelmed by everyday tasks. They often struggle to keep track of numerous deadlines, email notifications and meetings. They may also be more likely to miss important appointments or events. They may also have difficulty staying focused in noisy or crowded surroundings. This can lead to missed opportunities and a lower level of productivity.
For many adults suffering from ADHD the challenges they face may be a reflection of their character or performance and lead to frustration. They may end up with a low self-esteem and a negative image of themselves. They may also have trouble keeping relationships stable and developing effective coping mechanisms. In some cases, they use unhealthy coping strategies like excessive drinking or drugs. This can make others less likely to acknowledge their problems and delay diagnosis.
Adults suffering from ADHD may be particularly sensitive to criticism or failure. This can cause them to internalize the issue and make it difficult for them to seek help. As a result, they may struggle with relationship difficulties and have difficulty finding work that is meaningful. They may also be more susceptible to anxiety, depression and mood fluctuations. In certain cases the symptoms may cause a mental disorder that is non-suicidal, like self-harm (NSSI) which could be expressed through cutting, burning or scratching.
ADHD is more common among men and boys, but symptoms can last and affect the entire life of. It is crucial for women to identify the signs and seek a thorough assessment from a health care professional. A proper diagnosis can lead to better control of symptoms and a better quality of life.
2. Disorganization
Women with ADHD often feel overwhelmed and feel like their lives are a mess. They may miss deadlines or find it difficult to manage household or work-related tasks like paying bills and keeping track of appointments. Their finances and their home could be disorganized and they may have a difficult time to keep healthy relationships and a steady job.
Attention-deficit ADHD symptoms can lead to frustration and miscommunications in relationships between friends, partners and colleagues. These issues can cause to broken or strained relationships and feelings of loneliness. Inattention, forgetfulness and the tendency to "zone out", or stop paying attention, can cause misunderstandings with loved ones.
The signs of impulsivity, emotional dysregulation and mood swings are more frequent among women suffering from ADHD than men and can be disruptive to both personal and professional. Women who are not treated for ADHD might be overwhelmed by the demands of work, family and social life. They might also be sensitive to harsh criticism and harsh judgment.
There are methods to manage these symptoms. Treatment options for many adults include lifestyle modifications and the use of specialized tools for organizing, as well as prescription stimulant drugs.
Women with ADHD might be able to cover up their ADHD symptoms better than males, which can lead to an undiagnosed condition until adulthood. They are also more likely to have comorbid disorders, such as depression and anxiety, which can compound the effects of untreated ADHD. Women may also have trouble maintaining healthy relationships and a steady job and are susceptible to low self-esteem and chronic stress. *Sex refers a person's hormones and chromosomes; gender is the internal belief in oneself as a man woman, a nonbinary, or any other gender identity. Mental health problems are usually diagnosed in relation to both.
3. Anxiety
Women who have ADHD are at risk of developing anxiety and depression. These emotions may be exacerbated due to the inability of keeping the track of daily tasks and appointments that can cause health problems such as missed check-ups, late payments or even debt. ADHD can lead to emotional dysregulation, impulsivity and forgetfulness, which can lead to relationships problems with friends, partners, and coworkers.
Many women develop coping mechanisms to disguise their symptoms, which can make it difficult for others to recognize that they have trouble staying focused and organized. These coping mechanisms may be beneficial, like creating a daily schedule or a reminder on the phone, or unhealthy, like using alcohol or drugs to function or cope. These coping strategies can cause women to feel stressed and insecure which can cause them to doubt their abilities and self-confidence. This can lead to feelings of depression or anxiety.
Additionally, women with ADHD often feel a sense of not being accepted or meeting the expectations of society and this can lead to low self-esteem and a sense of frustration. They might also experience difficulties at work, such as difficulties in establishing organizational skills and adhering to corporate guidelines or sticking to a standard 9-to-5 schedule. They may be struggling with managing their finances due to disorganization and impulsive spending, or they may struggle to complete work-related assignments or finishing homework.
ADHD can be a chronic condition that requires ongoing assistance, especially when it affects women and girls. Despite its prevalence this disorder is misunderstood and underdiagnosed. It is also untreated. The lingering stigmas and referral biases, internalized symptoms, comorbidities, and hormonal fluctuations all contribute to the unique symptom-based presentation of ADHD in females.
4. Impulsivity
Women with ADHD can have difficulty controlling their emotions and impulses. They might become easily frustrated or overwhelmed, lose track of time, or be late to events. They also might have trouble understanding body speech or recognizing social cues. This could cause problems at work or in relationships. For instance, they could be easily entangled in arguments or spend too much time in pursuit of hobbies and interests that aren't important to them. They might also have trouble maintaining 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 than men to be diagnosed. They could, for instance develop routines to help them stay organized or use apps to remind themselves of their schedules. They might also change their behaviour to comply with the norms and expectations of society. They may even try to hide their symptoms with alcohol or drugs. This could have negative health effects over time.
Many people suffering from ADHD get over their symptoms, but there are some who do not. About 60% of women who have ADHD in their childhood will suffer from it until they reach adulthood. This is in contrast to 30% of men.
If you're unable to get relief from lifestyle changes or medication Professional treatment may be helpful. There are many options available, such as career coaching, counseling, and life coaching. You can also take stimulants. Exercise is also beneficial to boost your mood and boost your levels of energy. signs and symptoms of add and ADHD in adults releases neurotransmitters to boost the ability to focus and motivate and can also ease anxiety and stress.
5. Emotional reactivity
Girls and women who suffer from ADHD are frequently affected by emotional hyperactivity. They may have a difficult time to manage their emotions and communicate them effectively and this can lead to frustration with themselves and others. For instance, a person with ADHD might become enraged when her partner criticizes her, but she may not be able to settle down and discuss the issue in a more rational manner. It is also possible that she struggles to "pause her reaction" by identifying body signals such as flushed skin or a short breath that indicate she is overexcited or overwhelmed.
This issue with regulating emotions can cause confusion and frustration, and can make people with ADHD susceptible to anxiety or depression. It can also cause problems in social interactions, since it can be difficult to read other people's moods and detect social signals.
In certain situations, ADHD people may appear disconnected and uninterested in their friends or loved one, even though they care about them. In some cases they may avoid situations that trigger strong emotions to avoid feeling them.
Gender bias is a common feature among doctors and the impact of ADHD on women are often overlooked due to the nature of their symptoms. Many women conceal their ADHD symptoms, and when they do appear, they are more likely to be misdiagnosed as anxiety or mood disorders. If you're struggling with these symptoms, it might be beneficial to talk to an experienced mental health professional who has experience in working with girls and women with ADHD. They can help you validate your experiences, show you how to utilize strategies like pacing and self-awareness, and provide family psychoeducation to help you learn to recognize and address your ADHD symptoms in the near future.