ADHD Symptoms in Adult Females
The condition is often misdiagnosed in women, despite the fact that it is a problem that affects men and women equally as adults. This is likely due to gender stereotyping and the capability of females to mask their symptoms.
Many healthcare professionals lack the expertise or experience needed to recognize ADHD in women. Many females are misdiagnosed and do not receive the treatment they require.
1. Disorganization
Women and girls with ADHD often struggle with disorganization, a condition that can be very difficult to manage. For example, your desk may be a mess of muddled papers, 17 chapsticks, and a ticket for the Kings of Leon concert you went to in 2008. And while you buy products that claim to aid in your organization, your home and office are likely to remain messy and chaotic.
Inability to keep track of your work can lead to missed appointments and forgotten deadlines. In addition, you could struggle with a concept called "time blindness," which means you aren't able to remember or comprehend how much time it takes to complete the task. This could make you feel frustrated and like you aren't doing a good enough job in your career, or even your personal life.
You may also have difficulty managing your emotions. This could cause you to react excessively when confronted by stressful situations. You might also say things without intention of hurting the feelings of someone else. You might also have difficulty stopping yourself from speaking before you think things through, as the tendency to be impulsive is common among people suffering from ADHD.
If you suffer from ADHD, it's likely that some of your symptoms are rooted in gender stereotypes and cultural ideas about how boys, men, and women should act. signs and symptoms of adhd in women makes it difficult to identify and treat ADHD.
In addition to being diagnosed you may also need a treatment for behavioral issues to deal with the root cause of your disorder. Although it might 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, coworkers, and other family members.
2. Impulsivity
People who suffer from ADHD are often overwhelmed by intense emotions however their brains do not have a good way to filter or assess them. This means they can get overwhelmed by a single incident or find it hard to assess the emotional state of other people. This also makes them more prone to be distracted by minor issues, such as a book out of stock or an unreliable friend.
Many women suffering from ADHD mask their symptoms and come up with coping strategies to compensate for their attention problems. They could be perfectionists or extremely attentive at school or at work but struggle to keep on top of important dates, bills, and appointments. They may also have issues with self-control in speech and frequently interrupt others, talk too much, often, or dump information 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 an abrupt desire to begin, stop or change activities or activities; not being able to wait for your turn during a conversation and difficulty in interpreting social cues (like facial expressions or body language).
While gender stereotypes can influence on the development of ADHD in women, it is not always easy to spot these issues. The rating scales that are used to detect ADHD symptoms are still biased towards male behavior. Some healthcare professionals might misunderstand a woman's ADHD symptoms.
Many women with ADHD also report that their symptoms become worse during times of hormonal changes, like menstrual cycle or pregnancy, or perimenopausal (the menopausal transition). This can cause emotional issues and trigger a lot of feelings of frustration, irritability, or depression. They may also feel an ongoing feeling of discontent with their lives or relationships. This could lead to self-esteem issues, substance abuse or unhealthy methods of coping. It is important for women to realize that these symptoms don't indicate their worth or importance as a human being. The positive side is that with a well-planned treatment strategy these symptoms can be alleviated or even eliminated.
3. Attention
ADHD is defined by a high frequency of these symptoms. While everyone struggles to focus and pay attention at times and in a variety of ways, they are so frequent that they can impede your daily life. You could make a few mistakes at work or in school, forget appointments or spend a large amount of time putting off tasks. You're not able to wait your turn and interrupt others in conversations.
Attention deficit symptoms in adults could also include the tendency to get involved in projects without properly planning and researching them, which leads to incomplete or subpar results. You might also get side-tracked easily and have a tendency to leave projects unfinished -for example, from the vegetable garden that got planted but never watered to the new system of organization which was erected and left to rot on your nightstand.
People with inattentive ADHD suffer from chronic disorganization at home and in the workplace. You may have difficulty finding important documents such as keys or bills, and lose things regularly. You might also keep losing your track of time and end up running late for work, meetings 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. Women who suffer from these conditions may perform actions or words without thinking about the consequences such as yelling at others or making a nonsensical sound when they are alone. They may have trouble sitting still and might be prone to fumbling around or pacing in their seats. They may have difficulty maintaining a job, and have frequent conflicts with their coworkers and supervisor.
In some instances, the mood swings and emotional stress caused by ADHD can cause frustration and misunderstandings in relationships. This is especially true in romantic relationships as well as at work. People who suffer from ADHD are also more likely to have co-occurring conditions, like anxiety, depression or bipolar disorder.
Girls and women with ADHD can face a variety of difficulties in seeking diagnosis and treatment, including gender bias and a tendency to cover up their symptoms or undervalue the severity of them. High-profile women such as Em Rusciano and Mia Freedman who have publicly discussed their struggles with ADHD have contributed to raising awareness. But, many girls and young woman still aren't aware of it.
4. Anxiety
Although most people experience anxiety or anxious from time to the other, persistently high anxiety is a sign of an anxiety disorder. You may feel a constant sense of unease or fear, as well as an intense pulse, trouble staying calm, and difficulty thinking clearly. You may also experience a heightened sense of danger even in situations that aren't likely be dangerous to you. The most frequent forms of anxiety include general anxiety disorder, agoraphobia and phobias, separation anxiety and panic disorders.
Anxiety is more prevalent in women suffering from ADHD than in men and tends to get worse during certain periods of the woman's life like the time of her menstrual cycle or pregnancy, or perimenopausal. This can make it more difficult to handle everyday tasks and social interactions, and cause feelings of low self-esteem and general discontent with your life.
You are very sensitive to rejection and you have a tough time accepting criticism. You can easily miss the mark on feedback, or anticipate rejection. You might get angry about small things that other people do not see as an issue with.
Mood swings are another of the adult female adhd symptoms and you could find that your emotions are unpredictable or difficult to manage. You might also be prone 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 crucial to establish a clear diagnosis. It will help you identify your issues and give you strategies for improving your quality of living. You can take an online ADHD test, or visit your doctor for a thorough assessment. In certain instances, your doctor might prescribe medication to alleviate your symptoms. In other instances they might suggest a combination of lifestyle changes and cognitive behavioral therapy. In any case, it's essential to change your lifestyle as quickly as possible. This can help you take control of your life and feel more confident, productive and competent.