Symptoms of ADHD in Adult Women
Women and girls can have ADHD. While both men and boys are diagnosed with ADHD more frequently however, it is also feasible for women to be affected by the condition. However, lingering stereotypes, referral biases, internalized symptoms and comorbidities make it difficult for them to be evaluated and treated.
Many women devise coping strategies to cover up their ADHD symptoms and conform to social expectations, but these can be unhealthy and unsustainable. Here are a few of the most common symptoms of ADHD in adult women.
1. Unfocused attention
Women suffering from ADHD can be prone to feel overwhelmed by the daily tasks. It is often difficult to keep on top of deadlines, emails, and meetings. They could also be more likely to miss important dates or events. They may also struggle to concentrate in noisy or busy environments. This can result in missed opportunities and lower quality of work.
These issues can cause frustration for many people with ADHD. They might feel that they are a reflection of their own performance or of themselves. Many people with ADHD experience a low sense of self and a negative perception of their body. They may also have difficulty maintaining stable relationships and establishing efficient coping strategies. In some instances, they resort to unhealthy coping strategies, such as excessive drinking or drug use. This can make others less likely to recognize their issues and delay a diagnosis.
Adults suffering from ADHD might be more sensitive to criticism or failure. This can cause them to internalize the issue and make it difficult to seek assistance. As a result, they may struggle with issues with relationships and may have a difficult time finding work that is meaningful. They may also be more susceptible to depression, anxiety, and mood fluctuations. In certain cases the symptoms may lead to a mental condition, such as non-suicidal harming oneself (NSSI) which could be expressed by cutting, burning or scratching.
ADHD is more common in men and boys, but symptoms can persist and impact all aspects of your life. Women should recognize the signs and seek an evaluation by a health professional. A correct diagnosis can result in better control of symptoms and a better quality of life.
2. Disorganization
Women suffering from ADHD often report feeling overwhelmed and like their lives are a mess. They might miss deadlines at work or have difficulty keeping up with household or work tasks like paying bills and keeping appointments. Their finances and their home could be messy and they may find it difficult to maintain healthy relationships and a steady job.
Inattentive-type ADHD symptoms can heighten frustration and misunderstandings in relationships with friends, partners, and coworkers. These issues can cause broken or strained connections and feelings of being isolated. Inattention, forgetfulness and the tendency to "zone out" or to not pay attention, can lead to misunderstandings with loved ones.
The signs of impulsivity, emotional dysregulation and mood swings are more common among women suffering from ADHD than in men and can be extremely disruptive to both your personal and professional. Women who are not treated for ADHD may be overwhelmed by the demands of family, work, and society. They might also be sensitive to criticism and harsh judgment.
There are ways to manage these symptoms. For ADHD symptoms in adults quiz include lifestyle changes and the use of specialized tools for organization and prescription stimulant medications.
Women with ADHD might be able hide their ADHD symptoms better than males which could lead to an undiagnosed condition that can last until the age of. They are more likely to suffer from multiple disorders that are comorbid, like anxiety and depression that can increase the effects of untreated ADHD. Women also have a difficult time trying to maintain stable relationships and jobs and can be afflicted by low self-esteem and chronic stress. *Sex refers to a person's chromosomes and hormones; gender refers the internal sense of self-identity as a man woman, woman, nonbinary or another gender identity. Mental health conditions are usually diagnosed based on both.
3. Anxiety
Women with ADHD are more likely to experience anxiety and depression. These feelings can be exacerbated when you're unable keep track of your daily tasks and appointments. This could lead to health issues such as missed checkups, late payments and even debt. ADHD can cause emotional dysregulation, impulsivity, and forgetfulness and can cause relationships problems with family, friends and coworkers.
Many women develop coping strategies to hide their symptoms. This can make it difficult for others to recognize that they are having trouble staying focused and organized. These strategies of coping can be beneficial, like setting up a daily schedule or a phone reminder or harmful, like drinking alcohol or taking drugs to cope or function. These coping strategies can cause women to feel anxious and unsure, leading them to doubt their abilities and self-confidence. This can lead to depression or anxiety.
Women with ADHD might also feel like they aren't accepted or aren't meeting social expectations. This can cause anxiety and low self-esteem. They may also experience challenges at work, such as issues with organization skills, adherence to corporate policies, or sticking to a 9-to-5 routine. They may struggle with managing their finances, because of their indecisiveness and uncontrolled spending, or they could be unable to keep up with work-related tasks or completing homework.
ADHD can be a lifetime condition that requires constant support, especially when it affects women and girls. Despite its prevalence this disorder is poorly understood and not properly diagnosed. It is also not treated. Lingering stereotypes and referral biases internalized symptoms, comorbidities, and hormonal changes all contribute to the distinctive symptom manifestation of ADHD in females.
4. Impulsivity
Women with ADHD can have difficulty controlling their emotions and impulses. They can be easily annoyed or excessively excited, and they might lose track of their time or be late for events. They also might have trouble reading body language or picking up on social cues. This could cause issues at work or in relationships. For instance, they could be easily entangled in arguments or they may spend too much time in pursuit of hobbies and interests that aren't important to them. They might also have trouble maintaining friendships or making connections due to their inability to keep their promises and commitments.
Women are more adept at forming strategies to manage their ADHD symptoms. This makes it harder for them to diagnose. They might, for example, develop routines that assist them in staying organized, or utilize apps to remind themselves of their schedules. They may also alter their behavior to conform to societal norms and expectations. They might even attempt to conceal their symptoms by using drugs or alcohol. This could have negative health effects over time.
Some people with ADHD do not completely overcome the symptoms. Around 60% of women who have ADHD during childhood will suffer from it until they reach adulthood. This is in contrast to 30% of men.
Professional therapy can be beneficial for those who could not see relief from medications or lifestyle changes. There are many options, like career coaching, counseling and life coaching. There are also stimulants. Exercise is a great way of improving your mood and boosting your energy. It releases neurotransmitters that boost attention and motivation and can help ease anxiety and stress.
5. Reactivity to emotions
Girls and women with ADHD are often affected by emotional reactivity. They may have difficulty to control their emotions and express them appropriately and this can lead to frustration with their own self and others. For instance, a person with ADHD might become enraged when a friend critiques her, but she may not be able to calm down and discuss the problem in a more rational way. She may also struggle to "pause" her reactions by recognizing bodily signals that indicate she's feeling overwhelmed or stressed like a flushed skin or breath shortness.
This inability to regulate emotions can lead to confusion and frustration, and can make people with ADHD susceptible to depression or anxiety. It can also lead to difficulties in social interactions as it is difficult to read people's moods and social signals.
In some cases, ADHD people may appear emotionally detached and uninterested towards their friends or loved one even though they care about them. In other instances they may avoid situations that trigger them to avoid feeling a strong emotion.
Gender bias is common among doctors and the impact of ADHD on women can be easily overlooked because of the nature of their symptoms. Many of them hide their ADHD symptoms when they do show up in the future, they're more likely be seen as anxiety- or mood-related and thus misdiagnosed. It's a good idea to consult an expert in mental health who has experience working with young girls and women with ADHD if you are experiencing these symptoms. They can help you validate your experiences, teach you how to apply strategies like pacing and self-awareness, and provide family psychoeducation which can help you understand how to recognize and respond to your ADHD symptoms in the future.