Symptoms of ADHD in Adult Women
While males and females are more frequently diagnosed with ADHD, women and girls may also be affected. But stereotypes, prejudices regarding referrals, internalized symptoms, and other comorbidities can make it difficult for them to be properly evaluated and treated.
These strategies can be unhealthy and unsustainable. Here are some 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 find it challenging to keep track of many deadlines, email notifications and meetings. They are also more likely to overlook important appointments or events. They may also have difficulty to concentrate in noisy or crowded environments. This can cause them to miss out on opportunities and produce lower quality work.
For many people with ADHD These challenges can be seen as an expression of their character or performance, which can lead to frustration. They often suffer from low self-esteem as well as a negative image of themselves. They may also have difficulty maintaining stable relationships and establishing effective coping mechanisms. In some cases they resort to unhealthy coping strategies like excessive drinking or drug use. This could make people less likely to recognize their struggles and delay a diagnosis.
Adults with ADHD can be especially sensitive to failure and criticism and can lead them to internalize their problems and have difficulty seeking assistance. They may also have issues with relationships and may find it difficult to find a meaningful job. They are also more prone to depression, anxiety, and mood swings. In certain instances, these symptoms can cause the development of a mental health issue like non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI), which can be manifested by burning, cutting, or scratching.
Although it's more common in men and boys to be diagnosed with ADHD, symptoms can persist into adulthood and impact many aspects of life. It's crucial for women to be aware of the signs and seek a thorough examination from a medical professional. A correct diagnosis can lead to better-managed symptoms and an improved quality of life.
2. Disorganization
Women suffering from ADHD often report feeling overwhelmed and like their lives are chaotic. They may miss deadlines or have difficulty to keep track of household chores, such as paying bills and keeping appointments. They may have a disorganized home and finances, and struggle to keep relationships stable and maintain work.
Inattentive-type ADHD symptoms can lead to more anger and miscommunications with friends, partners, and coworkers. These problems can lead to strained or even broken connections and feelings of being isolated. Forgetfulness, difficulty in listening and the tendency to "zone out", or stop paying attention, may result in misunderstandings between loved ones.
Women who suffer from ADHD are more likely to suffer from symptoms of emotional instability, impulsivity and mood swings. They can be disruptive in their personal and professional lives. Women with untreated ADHD can feel overwhelmed by the demands and expectations of their families, work and the society, and might be more sensitive to criticism or harsh judgment.
There are ways to deal with these symptoms. Treatment options for adults include lifestyle modifications, the use of specialized tools for organizing, as well as prescription stimulant medications.
Women with ADHD tend to be more able than men to disguise their ADHD symptoms and, as a consequence, may go undiagnosed until the age of 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 difficulty maintaining healthy relationships and a stable job and are susceptible to low self-esteem and chronic stress. *Sex refers to a person's hormones and chromosomes; gender refers to the internal perception of oneself as a male woman, a nonbinary, or other gender identity. Mental health conditions are usually diagnosed based on both.
3. Anxiety
Women who suffer from ADHD are at risk for anxiety and depression. These feelings can become more severe if you are unable to keep on top of your daily activities and appointments. This can cause health problems such as missed checkups, late payments and 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 strategies to mask their symptoms, which can make it difficult for others to see that they have trouble staying focused and organized. These strategies for coping may be healthy, such as establishing a daily schedule or setting reminders for phone calls, or they could be harmful, such as relying on alcohol or drugs to help them manage or overcome their difficulties. These strategies can cause women to feel stressed and insecure and make them doubt themselves and their abilities. This can lead to feelings of anxiety or depression.
In addition, women who suffer from ADHD frequently feel the pressure of not being accepted or meeting the expectations of society and this can lead to feelings of self-doubt and anger. They may also encounter difficulties at work, such as difficulties with organizational skills, adherence to corporate guidelines, or adhering to a daily 9-to-5 schedule. symptoms of inattentive ADHD in adults may have difficulty managing their finances due to disorganization or excessive spending. They may also be struggling to complete work assignments or completing homework.
ADHD can be a lifelong condition that requires ongoing assistance, particularly when it affects girls and women. Despite its prevalence, it is still undiagnosed, misunderstood, and not treated. The unique symptoms of ADHD in women are a result stereotypes and referral biases, as well as internalized symptomatology, comorbidities and hormonal fluctuations.
4. Impulsivity
Women with ADHD are often unable to control their emotions and impulses. They could be easily upset or overly excited, lose track time, or be late to events. They also might have trouble reading body language or recognizing social cues. This could cause issues at work or in relationships. They may be prone to arguments or spend too much time in pursuits and hobbies that aren't important to them. They might also have trouble maintaining relationships or making new connections because they struggle to keep their promises and commitments.
Women are more adept in developing coping mechanisms to can help them to manage their ADHD symptoms, making it more difficult for them to be diagnosed than men. They could, for example, develop routines that assist them in staying organized, or use apps to remind themselves of their schedules. They might also alter their behavior to conform to social expectations and norms. They may also try to hide their symptoms with drugs or alcohol. This could have grave health consequences in the long run.
Many people suffering from ADHD overcome their symptoms, but there are some who don't. Around 60% of women suffering from ADHD during childhood will suffer from it into adulthood. This is compared to 30% of males.
If you are unable to achieve relief with medication or lifestyle changes professional help can be helpful. There are many options, such as counseling, career coaching, and life coaching. You can also take stimulants. Exercise is a great way to improve your mood and increasing your energy. It releases neurotransmitters that boost motivation and focus. It can reduce anxiety and stress.
5. Reactivity to emotional stimuli
Women and girls with ADHD are frequently affected by emotional reactivity. They may have difficulty to manage their emotions and communicate them effectively and can cause anger with themselves and others. For instance, a woman with ADHD might become enraged when her partner is critical of her, but she might not be able to control her anger and talk about the issue in a sensible 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 inability to regulate emotions can lead to confusion and frustration and make people with ADHD susceptible to depression or anxiety. It can also cause problems with social interactions because it is difficult to read people's moods or detect social cues.
In some cases, ADHD people may appear emotionally detached and uninterested towards their loved ones or friends, even though they care about them. In some cases they may avoid situations that trigger strong emotions to avoid experiencing them.
Gender bias is a common feature among medical professionals 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 experiencing trouble with these symptoms, it might be helpful to seek an experienced mental health professional who has experience in working with women and girls with ADHD. They can confirm your experience, teach you strategies like self-awareness and pacing, and provide you with family psychoeducation to help you identify and respond to the upcoming ADHD symptoms.