ADHD Symptoms in Adult Females
The condition is often misdiagnosed in women, even though it affects men and women equally as adults. This is likely due to gender stereotypes and the capability of women to conceal their symptoms.
Many healthcare professionals aren't equipped and experience to identify ADHD in women. Many females are misdiagnosed and do not receive the treatment they need.
1. Disorganization
Girls and women with ADHD frequently struggle with disorganization, which can be very difficult to manage. For instance your desk could be a mess of muddled papers, 17 different chapsticks, and even a ticket to the Kings of Leon concert you attended in 2008. Even though you may have purchased a few items to help you organize your workspace, your office or home is probably still messy and messy.
Inability to stay on top of your responsibilities could result in missed deadlines and missed appointments. You might also struggle with "time blindness," where you don't know or remember the time it takes to finish an assignment. This could make you feel frustrated and feel like you're not doing a good enough job in your career, or even your personal life.
You may also be having trouble managing your emotions, which may cause you to react too quickly in stressful situations. Your fast-paced verbal communication could cause confusion and miscommunications with your family and colleagues, and you may make comments that hurt the feelings of others without meaning to. You may also have trouble stopping yourself from speaking before thinking things through, since impulsivity can be common among those with ADHD.
If you have ADHD, it's likely that some of your symptoms stem from gender stereotypes and ideas about the ways boys, men and women should behave. This makes it difficult to identify and treat ADHD.
You could also benefit from behavioral treatment to address the underlying causes of your disorder. It may take a while to find the best coping strategies, but implementing them will allow you to feel more in control of your own life and improve your relationships with family, coworkers, and other friends.
2. Impulsivity
People with ADHD frequently experience intense emotions however their brains do not have a method to evaluate or filter them. This means that they could be overwhelmed by a single setback or find it hard to assess the mood of other people. It can also make it easier for them to get distracted by minor inconveniences like the book that's out of stock or an acquaintance who's late for the spin class.
Many women with ADHD cover up their symptoms and develop coping strategies to compensate for their attention issues. They could be highly organized or an obsessive at work or school and have trouble keeping on top of appointments and bills or important dates. They may also struggle with verbal self control and speak too much or interrupt others often.
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 desire to start or stop activities. They also include being unable wait for your turn in a conversation or experiencing difficulty in interpreting social cues.
While gender stereotypes can influence on the development of ADHD in women, it's not always easy to spot these issues. Rating scales that are used to determine ADHD symptoms are still skewed toward male behavior, and some healthcare experts may be misinformed or underestimate a woman's symptoms.
Many women with ADHD also note that their symptoms tend to become more severe during times of hormonal changes, such as during menstrual cycles or pregnancy, or perimenopausal (the menopausal transition). This can exacerbate emotional symptoms and cause frequent feelings of anger, frustration or depression. They may also experience an unrelenting feeling of discontent in their relationships or their lives. This may lead to the use of drugs, low self-esteem and unhealthy coping habits. It is important for women to realize that these symptoms do not indicate their worth or importance as human beings. The good news is that, with a proper treatment strategy these symptoms can be reduced 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, they are so frequent that they can disrupt your everyday life. You might make mistakes at work or in school, forget appointments or spend a large deal of time procrastinating. You can't be patient and not interrupt others during conversations.
Adults who are inattentive can also rush into projects before fully planning them and researching them. This results in a lack of results or even subpar ones. It is also possible to get lost easily and tend to leave projects unfinished- from the vegetable garden that got planted but never watered to the new organizational system that got assembled and then left to rot on your nightstand.
People with inattention ADHD also have a constant feeling of disorganization, both in their workplaces and at home. You may have difficulty finding important documents such as keys or bills, and frequently lose things. You may also lose track of time and be late for school, work or even 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 issues might make decisions or conduct actions without considering the consequences. For instance they might speak over others or make nonsensical noises when alone. They might be unable to sit still, and may flitter around in their seat or pace. They may have difficulty maintaining a job, and have frequent disagreements with their colleagues and their manager.
In some instances, the mood swings or emotional stress caused by ADHD can cause frustration in relationships and miscommunications. This is especially the case in romantic relationships and at work. People who suffer from ADHD are also more likely to have comorbid conditions, such as depression, anxiety or bipolar disorder.
Girls and women with ADHD can face a variety of challenges when seeking treatment and diagnosis that include gender bias and a tendency to cover up their symptoms or undervalue the severity of them. Women with a high profile, such as Em Rusciano and Mia Freedman who have spoken out about their struggles with ADHD have helped to raise awareness. However, a lot of young women and girls aren't aware of it.
4. Anxiety
An anxiety disorder is defined by persistently excessive anxiety. While everyone is anxious or nervous occasionally, anxiety disorders are characterized by persistently high levels of anxiety. You may experience a constant sense of unease or fear as well as rapid pulse, difficulty being calm, and trouble thinking clearly. There is also a sense of danger in situations that you are aware aren't risky. The most common forms of anxiety include general anxiety disorder, agoraphobia, phobias, separation anxiety and panic disorders.
Anxiety is more prevalent in women suffering from ADHD than men, and it tends to worsen during certain periods of the woman's life for instance, during the time of her menstrual period, pregnancy or perimenopause. This can make it difficult for women to manage everyday tasks and social interaction and may lead to feelings such as low self-esteem or unsatisfaction.
You're very sensitive to rejection and have a tough time accepting criticism. You can easily interpret feedback incorrectly, or anticipate rejection. You may be upset over small issues that others don't see an issue with.
Mood swings are also one of the symptoms of adhd in women who are older, and you might be able to notice that your moods are unpredictable or difficult to manage. You might also be prone to self-injury that isn't suicidal like hitting, burning or scratching yourself.
If you're struggling with any of the above symptoms, it's crucial to receive a 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 online ADHD test, or visit your doctor for a professional assessment. In adhd in young women may prescribe medication to alleviate your symptoms. In some cases your doctor might suggest a combination between lifestyle changes and cognitive behavior therapy. In any case, it's essential to change your lifestyle as quickly as possible. This can help you regain control of your life and make you feel more confident and competent.