ADHD Symptoms in Adult Females
While ADHD affects men and women equally in adulthood, the condition typically goes undiagnosed in females. This is likely due to gender stereotypes and the ability of women to conceal their symptoms.
Many healthcare professionals lack the expertise or experience needed to detect ADHD in women. Many females are misdiagnosed and fail to receive the care they require.
1. Disorganization
Women and girls with ADHD are often plagued by disorganization. This condition is difficult to manage. For instance, your desk may be a mess of tangled papers, 17 different chapsticks, and a ticket for the Kings of Leon concert you attended in 2008. And while you purchase products that claim to keep you organized your office and home may still be chaotic and messy.
Your inability to keep track of your responsibilities can result in missed appointments and forgotten deadlines. In addition, you could be struggling with the concept of "time blindness," which means you cannot remember or comprehend the time required to finish an assignment. This can cause you to be unhappy and feeling that you're not doing a great job in your career or personal life, particularly if it feels like others don't appreciate your efforts.
You might also have trouble controlling your emotions, which could make you overreact in stressful situations. Your fast-paced verbal communication could result in miscommunications and misunderstandings with family members and coworkers, and you might say things that hurt feelings of others without meaning to. You may also be having trouble stopping yourself from speaking before you think things through, as impulsivity can be common among people suffering from ADHD.
If you have ADHD it's possible that a portion of your symptoms are rooted in gender stereotypes or cultural ideas regarding how women, men, and boys should behave. This could make it difficult to recognize and treat your ADHD.
You could also benefit from a treatment for behavioral issues to address the root causes of your disorder. Although it might take a while to discover the appropriate coping strategies Implementing these strategies will assist you in feeling more in control of your life and enhance relationships with family and friends as well as coworkers.
2. Impulsivity
People with ADHD often experience intense emotions, but their brains don't have a way to assess or filter them. They can be overwhelmed by a small incident, or have trouble assessing the mood of other people. It also makes it easier for them to get distracted by minor issues such as books that are out of stock or an acquaintance who's late for the spin class.
Many women with ADHD mask their symptoms and devise strategies to cope with their attention issues. They may be perfectionists or extremely meticulous at work or in school, but have difficulty keeping on top of important dates, deadlines and appointments. They might also struggle with verbal self-restraint 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 the sudden urge to begin, stop, or change activities. They can also be characterized by being unable to wait for your turn in a conversation and experiencing difficulty in interpreting social cues.
While gender-based stereotypes can contribute to the development of ADHD however, it's often difficult to tell if women suffer from these issues. Rating scales that are used to determine ADHD symptoms are still biased towards male behavior and some health professionals might misunderstand or underestimate a woman's symptoms.
Many women suffering from ADHD say that their symptoms are more severe during times of hormonal change, such as during menstruation or pregnancy, and also during perimenopausal symptoms. This can lead to emotional symptoms like frustration or irritability as well as depression. They may also feel an ongoing feeling of discontent with their relationships or lives. This could lead to substance abuse, low self-esteem and unhealthy coping habits. This is why it's crucial for women to understand that these signs aren't a reflection of their value or worth as an individual. The good news is that with a well-planned treatment plan, these symptoms can be improved or even eliminated.
3. Attention
While everyone struggles with paying attention and focusing, with ADHD the symptoms can occur so frequently that they interfere with your daily life. You might make mistakes at school or work or forget appointments or you may spend long hours delaying. You are unable to wait your turn and interrupt others in conversations.
Attention deficit symptoms in adults could be accompanied by an inclination to dive into projects without fully planning and analyzing them, which can result in incomplete or subpar results. You may also be easily distracted and leave projects unfinished. This could be an unwatered vegetable garden planted, but not watered, or a brand new organization system you put together and then left on your nightstand to accumulate dust.
People who have inattention ADHD have trouble focusing at home and in the workplace. You may have difficulty finding important documents, bills or keys and misplace things on a regular basis. You may also lose the track of time and end up running 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 who suffer from these conditions might make decisions or conduct actions without considering the impact. For instance they may be rude to others or make a lot of nonsensical noises in solitude. They may have trouble sitting still and can fidget or pace in their seats. They may have difficulty working and may be in frequent conflict with colleagues and managers.
In certain cases, the mood swings and emotional distress caused by ADHD can cause frustration and misunderstandings in relationships. This is especially true in romantic relationships as well as at work. People with ADHD also are more likely having co-occurring conditions like depression, anxiety or bipolar disorder.
high functioning adhd in women and women with ADHD might face a variety of challenges when seeking treatment. This includes gender bias and a tendency to conceal symptoms or undervalue their severity, as well as gender bias. High-profile women such as Em Rusciano and Mia Freedman who have openly discussed their struggles with ADHD have contributed to raising awareness. But, many young women and girls aren't aware of it.
4. Anxiety
Although most people experience anxiety or nervous from time the other, persistently high anxiety is a sign of an anxiety disorder. You may experience an incessant feeling of anxiety, fear, or anxiety and also a rapid pulse, difficulty maintaining calm, and having trouble thinking clearly. You might also have an increased sense of danger, even in situations that aren't likely to be risky for you. The most common forms of anxiety are general anxiety disorder, phobias, agoraphobia, separation anxiety, panic disorders and selective Mutism.
Anxiety is more common in women suffering from ADHD than in men, and it tends to worsen during certain periods of women's lives like the time of her menstrual cycle or pregnancy, or perimenopausal. This can make it difficult to handle daily tasks and social interactions, and can lead to feelings such as low self-esteem or dissatisfaction.
You're very sensitive to rejection and have a difficult time accepting criticism. You're prone to interpret feedback incorrectly, or anticipate rejection. You might get angry about small things that other people don't find an issue with.
Mood swings may also be an indication of adhd in women. It is possible that you experience erratic emotions or find it difficult to manage them. You may also be susceptible to non-suicidal self-injury, such as striking, burning or scratching yourself.
It's important to seek out a diagnosis if you're experiencing any of the symptoms mentioned above. It will help you understand your challenges and give you strategies to improve your living quality. You can take an online ADHD test, or go to your doctor for a professional evaluation. In certain cases doctors may prescribe medication to help alleviate your symptoms. In other cases, they might recommend an amalgamation of lifestyle changes and cognitive behavior therapy. In any situation, it's crucial to start making some positive changes in your life as soon as you can. This can help you regain control of your life and feel more confident and capable.