ADHD Symptoms in Adult Females
The condition is often misdiagnosed among women, even though it affects men and women equally as adults. This is likely due to gender stereotypes and the capability of females to mask their symptoms.
Many healthcare professionals aren't equipped and experience to recognize ADHD in women. This means that many women are misdiagnosed prior to receiving the proper treatment they require.
1. Disorganization
Girls and women with ADHD can struggle with disorganization. This disorder can be difficult to manage. For instance your desk could be a jumble of unruly papers, 17 different chapsticks, and even a ticket stub from the Kings of Leon concert you attended in the year 2008. While you spend money on products that promise to help you stay organized, your home and office may still be chaotic and messy.
Inability to stay on top of your tasks can result in missed deadlines and missed appointments. Additionally, you may struggle with a concept called "time blindness," which means you aren't able to remember or comprehend the time required to finish a task. This can cause you to be frustrated and feeling like you're not doing a great job in your professional or in your personal life, particularly if it feels like other people don't value your efforts.
You may also have difficulty controlling your emotions, which can cause you to overreact in stressful situations. You may also say things without meaning to hurt people's feelings. Since impulsivity is a common trait for those with ADHD, you might find it difficult to resist making statements without thinking them through.
If you have ADHD it's possible that a portion of your symptoms are rooted in gender stereotypes or cultural ideas about how women, men, and boys should behave. This makes it more difficult for you to recognize and treat your ADHD.
In addition to a diagnosis it is possible that you will benefit from behavioral therapy to tackle the root of your disorder. It might take time to discover the most effective coping strategies, but implementing them will allow you to feel in control of your life and improve your relationships with family members, colleagues, and friends.
2. Impulsivity
People with ADHD are often overwhelmed by intense emotions however their brains do not have a method to evaluate or filter them. This means they may be overwhelmed by a single setback or find it hard to assess the emotional state of others. This can also make them more prone to being distracted by small inconveniences such as the availability of a book or a friend who isn't reliable.
Many women with ADHD manage their attention issues by hiding symptoms and implementing strategies to cope. They could be perfectionists or extremely meticulous at school or work but struggle to keep the track of important dates, bills, and appointments. They might also struggle with verbal self control and may talk 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 also include being unable to wait for your turn in a conversation and experiencing difficulty in interpreting social cues.
Although gender-based stereotypes can influence the development of ADHD however, it's sometimes difficult to tell if a woman has these issues. The scales for rating used to identify ADHD symptoms are still geared towards male behavior. Some healthcare professionals may misunderstand the woman's ADHD symptoms.
Many women with ADHD report that their symptoms worsen when hormonal changes occur like menstrual cycles or pregnancy, as well as perimenopausal. This can exacerbate emotional symptoms and cause frequent feelings of anger, frustration, or depression. They may also experience an ongoing feeling of dissatisfaction in their relationships or their lives. This can result in self-esteem issues, substance abuse or unbalanced methods of coping. This is why it's crucial for women to realize that these symptoms are not a reflection of their value or worth as a person. The positive side is that with a proper treatment program these symptoms can be alleviated or even eliminated.
3. Attention!
ADHD is characterized by a high frequency of these symptoms. While everyone struggles to concentrate and pay attention at times and in a variety of ways, they are so frequent that they can disrupt your everyday life. You may make careless errors at work or at school, forget appointments or spend a good deal of time procrastinating. You are unable to be patient and not interrupt other people in conversations.
Attention deficit symptoms in adults could be accompanied by an inclination to dive into projects without fully planning and researching them, which can result 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 on your nightstand to collect dust.
People with inattentive ADHD are also plagued by an ongoing sense of disorganization at home and at work. You might have difficulty finding important documents keys, bills or keys and frequently lose things. You might also keep losing the track of time and end up being over time 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. People with these issues might perform actions or words without considering the consequences. For instance they may talk over others or make a lot of nonsensical noises when they are alone. They may have trouble sitting still, and fidget in their chair or move. They might have issues keeping their job and could have frequent conflicts with coworkers and managers.
In certain cases mood swings and emotional stress caused by ADHD can cause frustration and misunderstandings in relationships. This is especially true in relationships with partners as well as at work. People with ADHD also are more likely having comorbid conditions such as bipolar disorder, depression or anxiety disorder.
Women and girls with ADHD are often faced with a range of obstacles when seeking diagnosis and treatment which include gender discrimination and a tendency to hide their symptoms or underestimate the severity of their symptoms. Famous women like Em Rusciano and Mia Freedman who have spoken out about their struggles with ADHD have contributed to raising awareness. However, a lot of young women and girls aren't aware of it.
4. Anxiety
An anxiety disorder is defined by constant anxiety. While everyone is anxious or nervous occasionally, anxiety disorders are characterized by persistently high levels of anxiety. You might experience an uncontrollable feeling of anxiety or fear, a rapid heartbeat, difficulty staying calm and having trouble thinking clearly. You may also feel an increased sense of danger even in situations that aren't likely be risky for you. The most frequent kinds of anxiety include general anxiety disorder, phobias, agoraphobia and panic disorders, separation anxiety and selective Mutism.
Anxiety is more common in women with ADHD than in men and tends to get worse during certain periods of the woman's life for instance, during her menstrual cycle and pregnancy or perimenopausal. This can make it harder to handle everyday tasks and social interactions and lead to feelings of self-doubt and a general feeling of discontent with your life.
You're extremely sensitive to rejection and have a tough to accept criticism. You are prone to interpret feedback incorrectly, or anticipate rejection. You might get upset over small issues that others don't see an issue with.
Mood swings are also one of the adult female adhd symptoms and you could discover that your mood is unpredictable or difficult to manage. adhd in women signs could also be susceptible to self-injury that is not suicidal, such as scratching, burning or hitting yourself.
It is crucial to seek a diagnosis if you're experiencing any of the symptoms mentioned above. It can help you better know your issues and offer you strategies to improve your quality of life. You can take an online ADHD test, or visit your doctor for a professional evaluation. In certain cases, a doctor may prescribe medication to help alleviate your symptoms. In other cases they might suggest a combination of lifestyle changes and cognitive behavioral therapy. In any case, it's essential to make positive changes as soon as you can. This will help you take control of your life and make you feel more productive, confident and capable.