ADHD Symptoms in Adult Females
While ADHD affects both genders equally in adulthood, the condition typically goes undiagnosed in females. This is likely due to gender stereotypes and the ability of women to hide their symptoms.
Many healthcare professionals lack the expertise or experience needed to detect ADHD in women. Many women are not diagnosed correctly and don't receive the treatment they need.
1. Disorganization
Women and girls with ADHD have trouble coordinating. This disorder is challenging to manage. For instance your desk might be a mess of unruly papers, 17 chapsticks, or a ticket for the Kings of Leon concert you attended in 2008. Even if you've invested money in products to help you organize your workspace, your home or office is likely to remain messy and chaotic.
Your inability to keep track of your tasks can lead to missing deadlines and appointments. In addition, you might be struggling with the concept of "time blindness," which means you cannot remember or comprehend how much time it takes to complete an assignment. This can make you feel frustrated and believe that you're not doing a good enough job at your job, or even your personal life.
You may also have difficulty regulating your emotions, which can make you overreact in stressful situations. You may also say things without meaning to hurt people's feelings. You might also have difficulty stopping yourself from speaking before you think things through, as it is common for people with ADHD.
If you have ADHD it's possible that a portion of your symptoms are rooted in gender stereotypes or cultural ideas about how men, women and boys should behave. This could make it difficult to recognize and treat your ADHD.
You may also benefit from behavioral treatment to address the root cause of your disorder. Although it might take some time to find the appropriate coping strategies Implementing these strategies will help you feel more in control of your life as well as improve relationships with your family friends, coworkers, and other family members.
2. Impulsivity
People who suffer from ADHD are often overwhelmed by intense emotions however their brains do not have a method to assess or filter them. adhd in women treatment means that they could be overwhelmed by one setback or struggle to assess the emotional state of others. This also makes them more prone to being distracted by small inconveniences such as a book out of stock or an unreliable friend.
Many women suffering from ADHD overcome their attention issues by hiding symptoms and developing coping strategies. They could be highly organized or a perfectionist at school or work and struggle to keep on top of appointments or bills, as well as important dates. They may struggle with self-talk control and talk excessively 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 urge to begin, stop, or change activities. They also include being unable to wait for your turn in a conversation or having difficulty reading social signals.
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. The scales for rating used to determine ADHD symptoms are still geared towards male behavior. Some healthcare professionals might miss the mark on the woman's ADHD symptoms.
Many women suffering from ADHD have reported that their symptoms get worse when hormonal changes occur like menstrual cycle or pregnancy, and also during perimenopausal symptoms. This can lead to emotional symptoms such as frustration and irritability, or depression. They may also have an unrelenting feeling of discontent in their relationships or lives. This can result in depression, substance abuse or unhealthy ways of coping. It's important that women understand that these symptoms do not reflect their worth or value as human beings. The good news is that with a proper treatment plan the symptoms can be improved or even eliminated.
3. Attention!
Everyone has difficulty paying attention and focusing at times with ADHD, these symptoms occur in such a way that they can interfere with your daily life. You could make a few blunders at work or school, forget appointments or spend long hours delaying. You have a difficult time waiting to be the first in a conversation and are often interrupted by other people.
Attention deficit symptoms in adults could be accompanied by a tendency to jump into projects without thoroughly planning and researching the subject, which results in poor or insufficient results. You could also become easily distracted and abandon projects that are not completed. This could include the vegetable garden that was planted but never watered, or an system of organization that you built and then put on your nightstand to collect dust.
People with inattention ADHD also struggle with a chronic sense of disorganization at home and at work. You may have difficulty finding important documents keys, bills or even keys and misplace things on a regular basis. You could also lose the track of time and end up late for work, school 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. People who suffer from these conditions may make decisions or conduct actions without considering the impact. For example they may talk over others or make nonsensical noises in solitude. They may have trouble sitting still, and fidget in their seats or at a fast pace. They might be unable to keep the job they have, and are in frequent disagreements with their colleagues and supervisor.
In some instances, the mood swings or emotional distress caused by ADHD may lead to frustration in relationships and miscommunications. This is particularly true when it comes to romantic relationships and at work. People with ADHD also have a higher likelihood of having co-occurring conditions like depression, anxiety or bipolar disorder.
Girls and women with ADHD are likely to face many challenges when seeking treatment. These include gender discrimination, a tendency to hide symptoms or undervalue their severity, as well as gender bias. Women with a high profile, such as Em Rusciano and Mia Freedman who have publicly discussed their struggles with ADHD have helped to raise awareness. However, many girls and young woman still don't know they have it.
4. Anxiety
An anxiety disorder is characterised by constant anxiety. While everyone is anxious or nervous occasionally, anxiety disorders are characterized by persistently high levels of anxiety. You might feel a constant feeling of unease or anxiety, a fast heartbeat, trouble keeping calm and having trouble thinking clearly. You may also feel an underlying sense of danger in situations that you know are not dangerous. The most frequent forms of anxiety include general anxiety disorder, agoraphobia and separation anxiety, as well as panic disorders.
Anxiety is more prevalent in women with ADHD than men, and tends to get worse during certain periods of the woman's life for instance, during the time of her menstrual period and pregnancy or perimenopausal. This can make it more difficult to handle everyday tasks and social interactions, and can cause feelings of low self-esteem and general dissatisfaction with your life.
You are very sensitive to rejection and you have a tough time accepting criticism. You easily misinterpret feedback or even anticipated rejection, and you might get angry over minor things that others wouldn't see as to be a problem.
Mood swings can also be an indication of adhd in women. women and adhd might notice that you experience erratic emotions or are unable to manage these. You may also be susceptible to non-suicidal self-injury which includes hitting, burning or scratching yourself.
It's important to seek out a diagnosis if you're experiencing any of the symptoms listed above. It can help you better know your issues and offer you strategies for improving your living quality. You can take an ADHD test online or consult your doctor for an assessment from a professional. In some cases, a doctor may prescribe medication to ease your symptoms. In adhd in women treatment might suggest an amalgamation of lifestyle changes and cognitive behavior therapy. In either situation, it's crucial to start making some positive changes to your life as soon as you can. This can help you gain control over your life and feel more productive, confident and capable.