Symptoms of ADHD in Adult Women
While males and females are diagnosed far more often with ADHD, women and girls may also be affected. But lingering stereotypes, referral biases internalized symptoms and comorbidities can make it more difficult for them to get properly evaluated and treated.
Many women develop coping strategies to hide their ADHD symptoms and conform to social expectations, but these strategies can be unsustainable and unhealthy. Here are some of the adult women's most frequent ADHD symptoms.
1. Unfocused attention
Women suffering from ADHD are susceptible to feel overwhelmed by daily tasks. They often struggle to keep track of multiple deadlines, email notifications and meetings. They may also be more likely to overlook important events or appointments. They may also find it difficult to concentrate in noisy or busy environments. This could result in missed opportunities as well as a lower level of productivity.
These challenges can cause frustration for many people with ADHD. They may feel that they reflect of their own performance or of themselves. They often end up with a low self-esteem as well as a negative body image. They may also have difficulty keeping relationships stable and developing efficient coping strategies. In some cases they resort to unhealthy coping strategies, such as excessive drinking or drugs. This can make it harder for others to see that they're struggling and delay a diagnosis.
Adults with ADHD may be particularly sensitive to criticism or failure. This can cause them to internalize the problem and make it difficult for them to seek assistance. In the end, they may experience relationship difficulties and have difficulty finding meaningful employment. They are also more susceptible to anxiety, depression and mood fluctuations. In some instances, the symptoms can lead to a mental condition, such as non-suicidal harming oneself (NSSI) which could be expressed by cutting or burning.
ADHD is more common among males and females, however symptoms can linger and affect many areas of your life. It's crucial for women to recognize the signs and seek a thorough examination from a medical professional. A proper diagnosis can lead to more manageable symptoms and an improved quality of life.
2. Disorganization
Women with ADHD feel overwhelmed and feel as if their lives are in chaos. They may fail to meet deadlines for work or struggle to keep track of the tasks at home or at work like paying bills and making appointments. They may be disorganized with their home and finances, and could struggle to maintain stable relationships and a job.
Attention-deficit ADHD symptoms can lead to more anger and misunderstandings in relationships with partners, friends and colleagues. These issues can result in strained or even broken connections and feelings of loneliness. The inability to remember, the difficulty in listening and the tendency to "zone out" or to not pay attention, can also lead to misunderstandings with loved ones.
Signs of emotional dysregulation, impulsivity and mood swings are more common in women with ADHD than in men and can be extremely disruptive to both your personal and professional life. Women with untreated ADHD may feel overwhelmed by the demands and expectations of work, family and the society, and may be particularly sensitive to criticism or harsh judgement.
There are methods to manage these symptoms. For many adults treatment options include lifestyle changes and the use of specialized tools for organizing and prescription stimulant medications.
Women who suffer from ADHD might be able conceal their ADHD symptoms better than males which could lead to an undiagnosed condition until adulthood. They are more likely to suffer from comorbid disorders like depression and anxiety that can increase the effects of untreated ADHD. Women may also have trouble maintaining healthy relationships and a stable job and are susceptible to low self-esteem and chronic stress. *Sex refers a person's biological makeup, chromosomes and hormones and anatomy. Gender refers to the internal sense of self as a man, woman or nonbinary gender identity; and mental health conditions are usually diagnosed based on both.
3. Anxiety
Women who have ADHD are more susceptible to anxiety and depression. These symptoms can be worsened if you are unable to keep the track of your daily tasks 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 and can cause relationships problems with partners, friends, and coworkers.
Many women develop coping mechanisms to mask their symptoms, which can make it harder for others to recognize that they are struggling to stay focused and organized. These strategies for coping may be healthy, such as establishing an annual schedule or establishing phone reminders or they could be harmful, such as relying on alcohol or other drugs to manage or overcome their challenges. These strategies can make women feel stressed and insecure and make them doubt their abilities and self-confidence. This can lead to feelings of depression or anxiety.
Additionally, women with ADHD frequently feel the pressure of not being accepted or achieving social norms which can cause feelings of self-doubt and anger. They may also encounter issues at work, including difficulties with organization abilities, adhering to corporate policies, or sticking to a routine of 9-5. They may have difficulty managing their finances due in part to disorganization or impulsive spending. Or, they may struggle to keep up with assignments or homework.
ADHD is a long-lasting condition that requires constant support, especially when it affects girls and women. Despite the disorder's prevalence however, it's still under-diagnosed, misunderstood and not treated. Remaining stereotypes 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 may have trouble controlling their emotions or impulses. They could be easily frustrated or excessively exuberant, and they may lose track of time or be late to events. They may also have difficulty understanding body speech or recognizing social cues. This could cause issues at work or in relationships. For instance, they could have a tendency to get into fights easily, or they may spend too much time with hobbies and interests that aren't important to them. They might also have difficulty keeping friendships and making new connections because they struggle to keep their promises and commitments.
Women are generally better at building coping mechanisms that help them mask their ADHD symptoms, making it harder for them to get diagnosed than men are. For instance, they could create routines to help remain organized or rely on apps to remind them of their appointments. They may also alter their behaviour to comply with the norms and expectations of society. They may even try to hide their symptoms using alcohol or drugs. This could lead to negative health effects over time.
Many people suffering from ADHD overcome their symptoms, but some don't. About 60% of women suffering from ADHD in childhood will suffer from it throughout their adulthood. This is compared to 30% of men.
If you're unable to find relief through lifestyle changes or medication Professional treatment may be beneficial. There are a myriad of options, such as career coaching, life coaching, and counseling, together with stimulants and medications. Exercise is a great way to boost your mood and increasing your energy. It releases neurotransmitters which boost the motivation and focus. It also helps reduce anxiety and stress.
5. Reactivity to emotions
Girls and women with ADHD are often afflicted by emotional reaction. They may have a difficult time to manage their emotions and express them in a proper manner and can cause anger with others and themselves. what is adult ADHD symptoms with ADHD may become angry when a friend criticizes them however, she may not be able calm down to discuss the issue in a rational way. It is also possible that she struggles to "pause her reaction" by recognizing body signals such as flushed skin or breath shortness that suggest she is stressed or overwhelmed.
This inability to regulate emotions can result in confusion and frustration, and can make people with ADHD prone towards anxiety or depression. It can also cause problems with social interactions, as it can be difficult to gauge the mood of others and pick up on social signals.
In certain situations, ADHD people may appear disconnected and uninterested in their friends or loved one even though they are concerned about them. In certain situations they may avoid situations that trigger strong emotions to avoid experiencing them.
The nature of women's symptoms could make it easier for doctors to overlook the effects of ADHD. Many of them camouflage their ADHD symptoms and, when they do manifest, they're more likely to be seen as anxiety- or mood-related and thus misdiagnosed. If you're struggling with these symptoms, it can be beneficial to consult an expert in mental health who is experienced in working with girls and women with ADHD. They can validate your experiences, teach you strategies such as self-awareness or pacing, as well as provide you with family psychoeducation to help you recognize and manage future ADHD symptoms.