ADHD Symptoms in Adult Females
The condition is often misdiagnosed in women, even though it affects men and women equally as adults. This is likely due to gender stereotypes and the ability of women to conceal their symptoms.
Many healthcare professionals aren't equipped and experience to detect ADHD in women. As a result, many women are misdiagnosed and not receiving the proper treatment they need.
1. Disorganization
Girls and women with ADHD can struggle with disorganization. This disorder is challenging to manage. Your desk, for example, may be a mess of papers, 17 different chapsticks and a ticket from the Kings of Leon show you attended in 2008. Even though you may have invested money in products to help you manage your clutter, your office or home is likely to remain messy and messy.
Inability to keep on top of your work can cause you to miss deadlines and appointments. In addition, you could be struggling with the concept of "time blindness," which means you aren't able to remember or comprehend how much time it takes to complete the task. This could make you feel frustrated and feel like you're not doing a good enough job in your career, or even your personal life.
You may also be having trouble managing your emotions, which could make you overreact in stressful situations. You may also say things without meaning to hurt someone's feelings. You may also be having trouble stopping yourself from speaking before you think things through, since the tendency to be impulsive is common among those with ADHD.
If you suffer from ADHD It's likely some of your symptoms are rooted in gender stereotypes and cultural ideas about the ways men, boys, and women should act. This makes it more difficult for you to recognize and treat your ADHD.
You may also benefit from a behavioral therapy to address the underlying causes of your disorder. It may take a while to discover the most effective coping strategies, but implementing them can help you feel in control of your life and improve your relationships with family, coworkers, and other friends.
2. Impulsivity
People with ADHD frequently experience intense emotions, but their brains don't have a good way to filter or assess them. This means that they could be overwhelmed by a single setback or have difficulty being able to assess the emotional state of others. It also makes it easier for them to get distracted by minor inconveniences like a book that's out of stock or a friend who's running late to take a spin class.
Many women suffering from ADHD overcome their attention problems by hiding symptoms and implementing strategies to cope. They may be perfectionists or extremely attentive at work or in school however, they have trouble keeping track of important dates, deadlines, and appointments. They might also struggle with self-control and verbal control. They may also speak too much, interrupt others frequently, or info dump 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 also include being unable 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 sometimes difficult to recognize when women are suffering from these problems. agree with this rating scales that are used to detect ADHD symptoms still favor male behavior. Some healthcare professionals might not be aware of a woman's ADHD symptoms.
Many women suffering from ADHD have reported that their symptoms get worse when hormonal changes occur like menstrual cycle, pregnancy, and perimenopause. This can intensify emotional symptoms and trigger a lot of feelings of anger, frustration or depression. They may also have a persistent feeling of dissatisfaction in their relationships or lives. This can lead to depression, substance abuse or unhealthy methods of coping. It's important that women understand that these symptoms don't show their worth or value as human beings. The good news is that, with a solid treatment program the symptoms can be improved or even eliminated.
3. Inattention
ADHD is often characterized by a higher frequency of these symptoms. While everyone struggles to focus and pay attention at certain times, they are so frequent that they can disrupt your everyday life. You could make a few blunders at school or work and forget appointments, or spend many hours putting off work. You're not able to be patient and not interrupt others in conversations.
Adults who are not attentive may also get caught up in projects before having a complete plan and research them. This can lead to poor results or subpar ones. You might also get side-tracked easily and tend to leave projects unfinished -from the garden that was planted but never watered to the new system of organization that was put together and put aside to dust on your nightstand.
People with inattention ADHD are also plagued by a constant feeling of disorganization, both in their workplaces and at home. You may have difficulty finding important documents keys, bills or even keys and may lose items on a regular basis. You could also lose your track of time and become late for work, school or even 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 say or do things without thinking about the consequences. For instance they may speak over others or make a lot of nonsensical noises when alone. They may have trouble sitting still and can fidget or pace in their seats. They might be unable to keep their job and may have frequent conflicts with their coworkers and their manager.
In some instances mood swings and emotional distress caused by ADHD can cause frustration and miscommunication in relationships. This is particularly true when it comes to romantic relationships and at work. People who suffer from ADHD also have a higher likelihood of having comorbid conditions such as bipolar disorder, depression or anxiety disorder.
Girls and women with ADHD may face many difficulties when seeking treatment. These include gender discrimination and a tendency to conceal symptoms or undervalue their severity, and gender bias. High-profile women such as Em Rusciano and Mia Freedman who have spoken out about their struggles with ADHD have helped raise awareness. But, many girls and young woman still don't know they have it.
4. Anxiety
Although many people feel anxious or anxious from time to the other, persistently high anxiety is a sign of an anxiety disorder. You might experience an incessant feeling of anxiety or fear as well as an intense pulse, trouble maintaining calm, and having trouble thinking clearly. You may also feel an underlying sense of danger in situations that you are aware aren't dangerous. The most frequent forms of anxiety include general anxiety disorder, agoraphobia and phobias, separation anxiety and panic disorders.
Anxiety is more prevalent in women suffering from ADHD compared to men. It is more likely to be exacerbated during certain life events, like menstrual cycle, pregnancy, or perimenopause. This can make it more difficult to manage everyday activities and social interactions and lead to feelings of self-doubt and a general feeling of discontent with your life.
You are very sensitive to rejection and you have a difficult time accepting criticism. You can easily interpret feedback incorrectly, or anticipate rejection. You might be upset over small issues that others don't see an issue with.
Mood swings are also one of the symptoms of adhd for women in adulthood, and you might discover that your mood is unpredictable or difficult to control. You could also be susceptible to self-injury that is not suicidal which includes scratching, burning or hitting yourself.
If you're struggling with any of the above symptoms, it's crucial to establish a clear diagnosis. It will help you understand some of the challenges you're facing and provide you strategies to improve the quality of your life. You can take an online ADHD test, or go to your doctor for a professional assessment. In certain instances, a doctor may prescribe medication to alleviate your symptoms. In other cases they might suggest an amalgamation of lifestyle changes and cognitive behavior therapy. In any case, it's important to change your lifestyle as quickly as possible. This can help you get back in control of your life and make you feel more productive, confident and competent.