Symptoms of ADHD in Adult Women
While boys and men are diagnosed far more often with ADHD, women and girls may also be affected. But stereotypes, referral prejudice, internalized symptoms, and comorbidities can make it difficult to get them properly assessed and treated.
These strategies could be harmful and unsustainable. Here are a few of the most common symptoms of ADHD in women who are adults.
1. Unfocused attention
Women with ADHD tend to feeling overwhelmed by everyday tasks. It is often difficult to keep track of deadlines, emails, and meetings. They could also be more likely to miss important events or appointments. They may also have difficulty concentration in noisy or busy surroundings. This could cause them to miss opportunities and lower quality work.
For many adults with ADHD the challenges they face may be an aspect of their personality or performance, which can lead to frustration. Many people who suffer from ADHD end up having low self-esteem and a negative image of their body. They may also have difficulty keeping relationships stable and developing efficient coping strategies. In some cases they may resort to unhealthy coping behaviors that include excessive alcohol or drug use. This can make it more difficult for others to understand that they're struggling, and can delay a diagnosis.
Adults suffering from ADHD may be particularly sensitive to criticism or failure. This may cause them to internalize their problems and make it difficult for them to seek assistance. They may also experience issues with relationships and may struggle to find a meaningful job. They may also be more prone to anxiety, depression and mood swings. In some instances the symptoms can lead to a mental condition such as non-suicidal harming oneself (NSSI), that can be expressed through cutting or burning.
While it's more common for boys and men to be diagnosed with ADHD The symptoms can last into adulthood and can impact many aspects of life. Women should be aware of the signs and seek out an evaluation by a medical professional. A correct diagnosis can lead to better control of symptoms and a better quality of life.
2. Disorganization
Women suffering from ADHD report feeling overwhelmed as if they are chaotic. They may miss deadlines or have difficulty to keep track of work or household tasks, such as paying bills and keeping track of appointments. Their finances and their home could be cluttered, and they may struggle to keep good relationships and a stable job.
Inattention ADHD symptoms can lead to frustration and confusion in relationships between partners, friends and coworkers. These issues can result in strained or even broken connections and feelings of isolation. Inattention, forgetfulness and a tendency "zone out" during conversations can contribute to misunderstandings and arguments with loved ones.
Women who suffer from ADHD are more likely to experience symptoms of emotional instability, impulsivity and mood swings. These can be disruptive both in their professional and personal lives. Women with untreated ADHD can feel overwhelmed by the responsibilities and expectations of their families, work as well as society. inattentive ADHD in adults symptoms are more prone to harsh criticism or harsh judgment.
There are ways to manage these symptoms. For many adults, treatment options include lifestyle adjustments and the use of specialized organizational tools, as well as prescription stimulant medications.
symptoms of inattentive ADHD in adults who suffer from ADHD might be able to conceal their ADHD symptoms better than men, which can lead to being undiagnosed until later in life. They are also more likely to suffer from comorbid disorders, such as anxiety and depression which can exacerbate the effects of untreated ADHD. Women can also struggle to keep stable relationships and jobs and suffer from low self-esteem and chronic stress. *Sex refers a person's genetic makeup, chromosomes and hormones, and anatomy; gender refers to the internal perception of self as a woman, man or nonbinary gender identity and mental health issues are often diagnosed based on both.
3. Anxiety
Women suffering from ADHD are more likely to be suffering from depression and anxiety. These feelings can be exacerbated due to the inability of keeping track of appointments and daily tasks, which can lead to health problems such as missed appointments, late payments and even debt. ADHD can trigger emotional dysregulation, impulsivity and forgetfulness, which can lead to relationships problems with partners, friends and colleagues.
Many women develop coping mechanisms to hide their problems, which can make it harder for others to see that they are struggling to stay focused and organized. These strategies of coping could be healthy, such as establishing an annual schedule or setting reminders for phone calls, or they may be unhealthy depending on alcohol or drugs to help them function or cope with their issues. These coping strategies can make women feel stressed and insecure and make them doubt their abilities and self-confidence. This can lead to depression or anxiety.
In addition, women with ADHD frequently feel the pressure of not fitting in or meeting the expectations of society, which can lead to low self-esteem and a sense of frustration. They may also encounter issues at work, such as difficulties with organization skills, adherence to corporate policies, or sticking to a routine of 9-5. They may struggle with managing their finances due to disorganization and impulsive spending, or they may have difficulty keeping up with work-related tasks or completing homework.
ADHD can be a chronic condition that requires continuous assistance, especially when it affects girls and women. Despite the prevalence of the disorder however, it's still misunderstood, underdiagnosed, and untreated. The distinctive symptoms of ADHD in women are a result of stereotypes, referral biases, internalized symptomatology, comorbidities, and hormonal changes.
4. Impulsivity
Women who suffer from ADHD can have difficulty controlling their emotions and impulses. They may become easily frustrated or excessively exuberant, and they may lose track of their time or be late for events. They might also have difficulty understanding body speech or recognizing social cues. This could cause issues at work or with relationships. For example, they might be easily entangled in arguments or spend too much time in pursuit of hobbies and interests that aren't important to them. They may also have difficulty keeping 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. For example, they might develop routines to help them keep track of their time or use apps to remind them of appointments. They might also alter their lifestyle to comply with social norms and expectations. They may also try to hide their symptoms using alcohol or drugs. This could lead to grave health consequences in the long run.
Some people with ADHD are not able to overcome the symptoms. About 60% of women who have ADHD during childhood continue to be affected until they reach adulthood, compared to 30% of males.
If you are unable to achieve relief with lifestyle or medication professional help can be helpful. There are many options available, such as career coaching, counseling and life coaching. You can also consider taking stimulants. Exercise is a fantastic method to boost your mood and boosting your energy. It releases neurotransmitters that increase attention and motivation and can help ease anxiety and stress.
5. Reactivity to emotional stimuli
Women and girls with ADHD often struggle with emotional reaction. They may have trouble regulating their emotions and expressing them appropriately. This can cause anger for themselves and others. A woman with ADHD may become angry when her partner criticizes them, but she might not be able to calm down to discuss the issue in a rational manner. She also might struggle to "pause" her reaction by identifying body signals that indicate she's getting overexcited or overwhelmed like a flushed skin or breath shortness.
This difficulty regulating their emotions can cause more stress and miscommunications in relationships, and can make those with ADHD more susceptible to depression or anxiety. It can also cause difficulties in social interactions as it is difficult to discern people's moods or pick up social cues.
In certain situations, ADHD people may appear in a way that they are emotionally detached and not interested in their friends or loved one, even though they care about them. In some cases, they may avoid situations that trigger strong emotions to avoid experiencing them.
The nature of women's symptoms could make it easy for clinicians to ignore the effects of ADHD. Many of them hide their ADHD symptoms, and when they do show up they are more likely to be seen as anxiety- or mood-related and thus misdiagnosed. If you're experiencing trouble with these symptoms, it might be beneficial to talk to a mental health professional experienced in working with women and girls who suffer from ADHD. 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 address your ADHD symptoms in the near future.