ADHD Symptoms in Adult Females
The condition is often misdiagnosed by women, even though it affects both men and woman equally as adults. This is likely due to gender stereotypes and the ability of women to mask their symptoms.
Many healthcare professionals lack the expertise or experience needed to recognize ADHD in women. As a result, many women are misdiagnosed and not receiving the treatment they require.
1. Disorganization
Women and girls who suffer from ADHD frequently struggle with disorganization, a condition that can be very difficult to manage. For example your desk might be a jumble of tangled papers, 17 different chapsticks, or a ticket for the Kings of Leon concert you attended in 2008. Even if you've invested money in products to help you organize your workspace, your office or home is probably still chaotic and messy.
Inability to keep the track of your tasks can cause you to miss deadlines and appointments. In addition, you might struggle with a concept called "time blindness," which means you can't remember or understand the amount of time it takes to finish the task. This can leave you in a state of discontent and feeling as if you're not doing a great job in your work or personal life, particularly when it seems like others don't appreciate your efforts.
You might also have trouble controlling your emotions, which may make you overreact in stressful situations. You may also say things that are not intended to hurt people's feelings. Since impulsivity is a common trait in people with ADHD, you might find it difficult to resist saying things before considering them.
If you suffer from ADHD it's possible that some of your symptoms stem from gender stereotypes or beliefs about how women, men, and boys should behave. This makes it more difficult to recognize and treat your ADHD.
In signs of add in adult women to having a diagnosis you may also benefit from behavioral therapy to deal with the root cause of your condition. While it could take a while to discover the right coping mechanisms using these strategies, they can help you feel more in control of your life as well as improve relationships with family, friends, and coworkers.
2. Impulsivity
People with ADHD experience intense emotions. However their brains aren't able to filter them or analyze them. This means that they could be overwhelmed by a single setback or find it hard to assess the mood of other people. This makes them more susceptible to being distracted by minor inconveniences like a book out of stock or an unreliable friend.
Many women with ADHD cover up their symptoms and devise strategies to cope with their attention issues. They may be highly conscientious or a perfectionist at work or school and have trouble keeping on top of appointments, bills, or important dates. They may also have issues with self-control and verbal control. They may also speak too much, interrupt others frequently, or info dump during conversations.
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 the sudden 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 cues.
While gender stereotypes can have an impact on the development of ADHD in women, it's not always easy to identify these issues. Rating scales used to identify ADHD symptoms are still skewed towards male behavior and some healthcare experts may be misinformed or underestimate a woman's symptoms.
Many women suffering from ADHD also say that their symptoms get worse during times of hormonal changes, like during the menstrual cycle, pregnancy, or perimenopause (the run-up to menopause). This can cause emotional symptoms like frustration or irritability as well as depression. They might also experience an unrelenting feeling of discontent in their relationships or lives. This may lead to substance abuse, low self-esteem and unhealthy coping habits. It is crucial for women to understand that these symptoms don't indicate their worth or importance as a human being. If you follow a proper treatment strategy, you can lessen or even eliminate these symptoms.
3. Inattention
While everyone struggles with paying attention and focusing at times with ADHD the symptoms are experienced in such a way that they can interfere with your daily life. You might make mistakes at school or work and forget appointments, or spend long hours delaying. You're not able to wait your turn and interrupt others during conversations.
Inattentive symptoms in adults can also include an inclination to dive into projects without fully planning and researching the subject, which results in poor or insufficient results. You could also become easily distracted and abandon projects that are not completed. This could include a vegetable garden that was planted, but not watered, or an organization system you put together and then put away on your nightstand to collect dust.
People who have inattention ADHD are also plagued by a chronic sense of disorganization in their home and workplaces. You might have difficulty finding important documents, keys or bills and lose things regularly. You may be unable to keep track of time and be late for school, work or for meetings.
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, like talking over others or making nonsensical sounds when they are alone. They might be unable to sit still and adjusting their seats or at a fast pace. They may have difficulty maintaining a job and might have frequent disagreements with coworkers and managers.
In some cases mood swings and emotional stress caused by ADHD can cause frustration and misunderstandings in relationships. This is particularly true in romantic relationships and at work. People who suffer from ADHD are also more likely to have other comorbidities, like depression, anxiety, or bipolar disorder.
Girls and women with ADHD are likely to face many challenges when seeking treatment. This includes gender bias as well as a tendency to cover up symptoms or minimize their severity, as well as 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 girls and young women aren't aware of the condition.
4. Anxiety
Although most people experience anxiety or anxious from time to moment, a constant and overwhelming anxiety is the hallmark of an anxiety disorder. You might experience an uncontrollable feeling of anxiety or fear, a rapid heartbeat, trouble staying calm and having trouble thinking clearly. You may also feel the sense of danger even in situations that you know are not dangerous. The most commonly encountered types of anxiety are general anxiety disorder, phobias and agoraphobia, separation anxiety, panic disorders and selective Mutism.
Anxiety is more prevalent in women suffering from ADHD as compared to men. It tends worsen around certain life events, like menstrual cycles, pregnancy, or perimenopause. This makes it more difficult to handle everyday tasks and social interactions and lead to feelings of self-doubt and general discontent with your life.
You are extremely sensitive to rejection, and you have a hard time accepting criticism. You are prone to miss the mark on feedback, or anticipate rejection. You might be upset over small issues that others don't see an issue with.
Mood swings are a part of the adult female adhd symptoms and you could find that your emotions are unpredictable or difficult to manage. You could also be susceptible to self-injury that is not suicidal which includes hitting, burning or scratching yourself.
If you're struggling with any of the above symptoms, it's important to get a proper diagnosis. It will 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 for an expert assessment. In some instances your doctor may prescribe medication to ease your symptoms. In certain instances your doctor may suggest an amalgamation of lifestyle changes and cognitive behavior therapy. In any situation, it's crucial to make positive changes to your lifestyle as soon as you can. This will allow you to regain control of your life, and feel more confident and capable.