Symptoms of ADHD in Adult Women
While men and boys are diagnosed far more often with ADHD, women and girls may also be affected. However, stereotypes, prejudices about referrals and internalized symptoms as well as the presence of comorbidities may make it difficult for them to be appropriately evaluated and treated.
Many women develop coping strategies to hide their ADHD symptoms and to meet social expectations, but they can be unhealthy and unsustainable. Here are a few of the adult women's most commonly reported ADHD symptoms.
1. Unfocused attention
Women with ADHD can be prone to feeling overwhelmed by everyday tasks. They often find it challenging to keep track of multiple deadlines, email notifications and meetings. They are also more likely to overlook important events or appointments. They may also have difficulty staying focused in noisy or crowded environments. This could cause them to miss out on opportunities and work that is less than satisfactory.
These issues can cause frustration for many adults with ADHD. ADHD symptom test for adults might feel that they are a reflection of themselves or their performance. Many people who suffer from ADHD end up having low self-esteem and a negative perception of their body. They may also have difficulty to maintain stable relationships and develop effective coping strategies. In some instances, they use unhealthy coping strategies that include excessive alcohol or drugs. This can make it more difficult for others to see that they're struggling and delay the diagnosis.
Adults with ADHD are particularly sensitive to criticism and failure, which can cause them to internalize their difficulties and find it difficult to seek help. In the end, they may experience relationship difficulties and have difficulty finding work that is meaningful. They are also more susceptible to anxiety, depression and mood swings. In some cases these symptoms may cause the development of a mental health condition such as non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI), which can be expressed through cutting, burning or scratching.
While it's more prevalent in men and boys to be diagnosed with ADHD the symptoms can last into adulthood and can impact many aspects of life. It is crucial for women to recognize the signs and seek a thorough examination from a medical professional. A proper diagnosis can lead to better-managed symptoms and a higher quality of life.
2. Disorganization
Women suffering from ADHD often feel overwhelmed and like their lives are in chaos. They might miss deadlines or have difficulty to manage household or work-related tasks, such as paying bills and keeping the track of appointments. Their home and finances could be cluttered and they may find it difficult to maintain good relationships and a stable job.
Attention-deficit ADHD symptoms can heighten frustration and miscommunications with friends, partners, and coworkers. These problems can lead to strained or even broken connections and feelings of loneliness. Inattention, forgetfulness, and the tendency to "zone out" or to not pay attention, may lead to misunderstandings with loved ones.
The signs of impulsivity, emotional dysregulation and mood swings are more frequent in women with ADHD than men and can be extremely disruptive to personal and professional life. Women with untreated ADHD can feel overwhelmed by the responsibilities and expectations of their families, work, and society, and might be more sensitive to criticism or harsh judgment.
There are methods to manage these symptoms. For many adults treatments include lifestyle modifications and the use of specialized tools for organizing and prescription stimulant medication.
Women who suffer from ADHD often find it easier than men to hide their ADHD symptoms and, as a result, may go undiagnosed until the age of adulthood. They are more likely to be suffering from comorbid conditions like anxiety and depression which can worsen the effects of untreated ADHD. Women may also struggle to keep stable relationships and jobs and can suffer from low self esteem and chronic stress. *Sex refers to the person's genetic makeup, chromosomes, hormones, and anatomy; gender refers to the internal sense of self as a man, woman or a nonbinary gender identity and mental health issues are often diagnosed based on both.
3. Anxiety
Women with ADHD are at risk of developing anxiety and depression. These emotions may be exacerbated by the inability to keep track of appointments and daily tasks that can cause health problems such as missed health check-ups, missed payments, and even debt. ADHD can cause emotional dysregulation, impulsivity and forgetfulness, which can lead to problems in relationships with partners, friends, and coworkers.
Many women develop strategies to mask their symptoms. This can make it difficult for others to recognize that they are having trouble staying organized and focused. These strategies for coping could be healthy, such as making a daily plan or a reminder on the phone, or unhealthy, like drinking alcohol or taking drugs to cope or function. These strategies for coping can cause women to feel stressed and insecure, leading them to doubt their capabilities and self-confidence. This can lead to feelings of anxiety or depression.
Women with ADHD might also feel like they don't belong or aren't meeting social expectations. This can cause anxiety and low self-esteem. They might also experience difficulties at work, such as difficulties with organization skills adhering to company policies or adhering to a routine 9-to-5 schedule. They may have difficulty managing their finances due to disorganization or excessive spending. They may also struggle to keep up with homework assignments or other work.
ADHD can be a lifetime condition that requires constant support, especially when it affects women and girls. Despite its prevalence however, it's still under-diagnosed, misunderstood and undertreated. The unique symptoms of ADHD in women are a result of stereotypes, referral biases, internalized symptomatology and comorbidities as well as hormonal fluctuations.
4. Impulsivity
Women with ADHD can have difficulty controlling their emotions and impulses. They may be easily annoyed or overly excited, lose track time or be late to events. They also might have trouble understanding body language or picking up on social cues. This could cause problems at work or in relationships. For example, they might get into arguments easily or they may spend too much time in pursuit of hobbies and interests that aren't important to them. They might also have difficulty keeping friendships and creating new connections due to the fact that they struggle to stick to promises and commitments.
Women are more adept in establishing coping mechanisms that can help them to manage their ADHD symptoms, so it's harder for them to get diagnosed than men are. They could, for instance, develop routines that assist them in staying organized, or utilize apps to remind them of their schedules. They could change their behavior in order to comply with social norms and expectations. They may also try to hide their symptoms using alcohol or drugs. This could have negative health effects over time.
Many people with ADHD get over their symptoms, but there are some who do not. About 60% of women suffering from ADHD during childhood will suffer from it into adulthood. This compares to 30% of males.
Professional treatment may be beneficial for those who do not see relief from medications or lifestyle changes. There are many options available, including counseling, career coaching, and life coaching. You can also take stimulants. Exercise is a great way to boost your mood and boosting your energy. It releases neurotransmitters that boost motivation and focus. It can also ease anxiety and stress.
5. Reactivity to emotions
Women and girls with ADHD often struggle with emotional hyperactivity. They may have difficulty regulating their emotions and how they express them. This can cause frustration for both themselves and others. For instance, a person with ADHD might become enraged when her partner is critical of her, but she might not be able to control her anger and talk about the issue in a more rational manner. She may also struggle to "pause her reaction" by identifying body signals like a flushed face or breath shortness that indicate she is overexcited or overwhelmed.
This issue with regulating emotions can result in confusion and frustration and make people with ADHD prone towards depression or anxiety. It can also cause difficulties with social interactions since it's difficult to gauge people's moods or pick up social cues.
In certain situations, ADHD people may appear disconnected and uninterested in their loved ones or friends, even though they care about them. In other cases, they may withdraw from triggering situations to avoid experiencing emotions that are intense.
Gender bias is common among medical professionals and the impact of ADHD on women can be easily overlooked due to the nature of their symptoms. Many women conceal their ADHD symptoms and when they do show up, they are more likely to be misdiagnosed as anxiety or mood disorders. If you're experiencing these symptoms, it can be beneficial to talk to an experienced mental health professional who has experience in working with women and girls with ADHD. They can validate your experiences, teach you strategies such as self-awareness or pacing, and also provide you with family psychoeducation to help you identify and respond to the upcoming ADHD symptoms.