ADHD Symptoms in Adult Females
Although ADHD affects both genders equally in adulthood, the condition typically isn't recognized by females. This is probably due to gender stereotyping and the capacity of females to mask their symptoms.
Many healthcare professionals do not have the expertise or experience needed to recognize ADHD in women. Many females are misdiagnosed and fail to receive the care they require.
1. Disorganization
Women and girls who suffer from ADHD often struggle with disorganization, which can be very difficult to manage. For example your desk might be a mess of muddled papers, 17 chapsticks, and a ticket to the Kings of Leon concert you went to in the year 2008. And while you buy products that claim to help you stay organized, your home and office may still be messy and chaotic.
Your inability to stay on top of your tasks can result in missed appointments and forgotten deadlines. In addition, you might struggle with a concept called "time blindness," which means you cannot remember or comprehend the amount of time it takes to complete a task. This could make you feel frustrated and feel like you aren't doing a good enough job in your profession, or even your personal life.
There is a possibility that you have trouble managing your emotions. This can lead you to react too quickly when confronted with stressful situations. Your high-speed verbal communication can result in miscommunications and misunderstandings with family members and colleagues, and you might say things that hurt others' feelings without even knowing. Since impulsivity is a common trait for people with ADHD it is possible that you will have trouble stopping yourself from making statements without thinking them through.
If you have ADHD it is possible that some of your symptoms stem from gender stereotypes or cultural ideas about how women, men, and boys should behave. This can make it difficult to recognize and treat ADHD.
You could also benefit from behavioral treatment to address the underlying causes of your disorder. It could take some time to find the best coping strategies, but implementing them will help you feel in control of your life and improve your relationships with family members, coworkers, and friends.
2. Impulsivity
People with ADHD experience intense emotions. However, their brains are not capable of separating them from or evaluate them. They may be overwhelmed by a minor event, or have difficulty being able to assess the mood of other people. This can also make them more susceptible to being distracted by small inconveniences like the availability of a book or an unreliable friend.
Many women suffering from ADHD cover up their symptoms and devise strategies to cope with their attention issues. They could be perfectionists or highly conscientious at school or at work but struggle to keep on top of important dates, deadlines, and appointments. They may struggle with self-talk control and may talk too much or interrupt others often.
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 desire to start or stop activities. They can also be characterized by being unable wait for your turn in a conversation, and having difficulty reading social cues.
While gender stereotypes can influence on the development of ADHD for women, it is not always easy to spot these issues. The rating scales that are used to identify ADHD symptoms still favor male behavior. Some healthcare professionals might not be aware of the woman's ADHD symptoms.
Many women who suffer from ADHD also say that their symptoms get more severe during times of hormonal changes, like during the menstrual cycle or pregnancy, or during perimenopausal (the run-up to menopause). This can lead to emotions such as anger, irritability or depression. They might also experience a persistent feeling of dissatisfaction in their relationships or their lives. This may lead to depression, substance abuse and unhealthy coping habits. It is crucial for women to understand that these symptoms do not indicate their worth or importance as a human being. The good news is that, with a well-planned treatment plan the symptoms can be improved or even eliminated.
3. Attention
ADHD is characterized by a high frequency of these symptoms. While everyone struggles to focus and pay attention at certain times and in a variety of ways, they are so frequent that they can impede your daily life. You may make careless errors at work or at school, or miss appointments or spend a large amount of time putting off tasks. You are unable to wait your turn and interrupt others during conversations.
Inattentive symptoms in adults can be accompanied by the tendency to get involved in projects without properly planning and analyzing them, which leads to inadequate or poor results. You might also get side-tracked easily and tend to abandon projects that are not finished -from the garden that got planted but never watered to the new organizational system that was put together and left to rot on your nightstand.
People with inattentive ADHD struggle with chronic disorganization at home and in the workplace. It is possible that you have trouble finding important documents such as keys or bills, and lose things regularly. You may be unable to keep track of time and be late for school, work or for meetings.
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 with these symptoms might perform actions or words without thinking about the consequences. For instance they may speak over others or make a lot of nonsensical noises when they are alone. They are unable to sit still and might fidget or pace in their seats. They might have trouble keeping their job and may have frequent disagreements with their colleagues and their manager.
In some cases mood swings and emotional turmoil caused by ADHD can cause frustration and misunderstandings in relationships. This is especially true when it comes to romantic relationships and at work. People with ADHD are also more likely to suffer from co-occurring conditions, like anxiety, depression or bipolar disorder.
Women and girls who suffer from ADHD can face a variety of difficulties in seeking diagnosis and treatment which include gender discrimination and a tendency to conceal their symptoms or underestimate the severity of their symptoms. Women with a high profile, such as Em Rusciano and Mia Freedman who have spoken out about their struggles with ADHD have helped raise awareness. However, adhd in young women and girls don't know they have it.
4. Anxiety
An anxiety disorder is characterised by persistently excessive anxiety. Although everyone feels anxious or nervous at times anxiety disorders are defined by constant high levels of anxiety. You might experience a constant sense of unease, fear, or anxiety and also an intense pulse, trouble staying calm, and difficulty thinking clearly. You may also feel an increased fear of danger even in situations that aren't likely be dangerous for you. The most commonly encountered types of anxiety are general anxiety disorder, agoraphobia, phobias, separation anxiety and panic disorders.
Anxiety is more prevalent in women with ADHD than in men and it is more likely to become worse during certain periods of a woman's life for instance, during the time of her menstrual cycle or pregnancy, or perimenopausal. This can make it difficult to deal with daily tasks and social interactions and can trigger feelings of low self-esteem or unsatisfaction.
You are extremely sensitive to rejection and you have a tough to accept criticism. You can easily misinterpret feedback or even anticipating rejection and you might be angry about minor things that others wouldn't see as a problem with.
Mood swings are a part of the symptoms of adhd for women in adulthood and you may find that your emotions are unpredictable or difficult to manage. You could also be prone to self-injury that is not suicidal, like burning, scrubbing or hitting yourself.
If you're struggling with any of the above symptoms, it's crucial to get a proper diagnosis. It will help you understand your challenges and give you strategies for improving your living quality. You can take an online ADHD test, or go to your doctor for a thorough assessment. In some instances your doctor may prescribe medication to help alleviate your symptoms. In certain instances, your doctor may recommend an amalgamation of lifestyle changes and cognitive behavior therapy. In any case, it's important to make positive changes to your lifestyle as soon as you can. This will allow you to regain control of your life, and feel more confident and capable.