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 persistent stereotypes, referral bias, internalized symptoms and comorbidities make it harder for them to get properly assessed and treated.
These strategies could be harmful and ineffective. Here are some of adult women's most commonly reported ADHD symptoms.
1. Unfocused attention
Women with ADHD are often overwhelmed by daily tasks. It can be difficult to keep the track of deadlines, emails, and meetings. They may also be more likely to forget important dates or events. They may also struggle to concentrate in noisy or busy 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 suffering from ADHD. They may believe that they reflect of their own performance or of themselves. Many adults with ADHD have a low sense of self and a negative view of their body. They may also be struggling with maintaining stable relationships and developing effective coping mechanisms. In some instances, they use unhealthy coping strategies like excessive drinking or drugs. This can make it more difficult for others to recognize that they're struggling and delay an accurate diagnosis.
Adults with ADHD are often sensitive to criticism and failure and can lead them to internalize their issues and struggle to get assistance. They may also have issues with relationships and may are unable to find work that is meaningful. They are also more susceptible to anxiety, depression, and mood fluctuations. In some instances the symptoms can result in a mental illness such as non-suicidal harming oneself (NSSI) which could be expressed by cutting or burning.
Although it's more common in males and boys to be diagnosed with ADHD, symptoms can persist into adulthood and impact various aspects of life. Women must recognize the symptoms and seek an evaluation by a health professional. A correct diagnosis can result in better control of symptoms and a better quality of life.
2. Disorganization
Women suffering from ADHD are often overwhelmed, as if their lives are in chaos. They may miss work deadlines or struggle to keep up with household or work tasks like paying bills and scheduling appointments. Their finances and their home could be messy and they may have a difficult time to keep healthy relationships and a stable job.
Inattentive ADHD symptoms can lead to frustration and misunderstandings in relationships between friends, partners and coworkers. These issues can cause to broken or strained relationships, and feelings of loneliness. The inability to listen, forgetfulness, and a tendency to "zone out" in conversations can also contribute to misunderstandings and arguments with loved ones.
Signs of impulsivity, emotional dysregulation and mood swings are more prevalent among women suffering from ADHD than men and can be extremely disruptive to personal and professional life. Women who are not treated for ADHD are often overwhelmed by the demands and expectations of work, family, and society, and might be more sensitive to criticism or harsh judgment.
There are ways to deal with these symptoms. Treatment options for adults include lifestyle modifications, the use of specialized organization tools, and prescription stimulant medications.
Women who suffer from ADHD often find it easier than men to disguise their ADHD symptoms, and as a result they are often not diagnosed until they reach adulthood. They are more likely to be suffering from comorbid disorders such as anxiety and depression, which can exacerbate the effects of untreated ADHD. Women can also have difficulty maintaining healthy relationships and a stable job and may suffer from low self-esteem and chronic stress. *Sex refers a person's biological makeup, chromosomes and hormones, and anatomy; gender refers to the internal feeling of self as a man, woman, nonbinary, or other gender identity and mental health problems are often diagnosed on the basis of both.
3. Anxiety
Women who suffer from ADHD are at risk for anxiety and depression. These emotions may be exacerbated due to the inability of keeping track of daily tasks and appointments and can result in health issues such as missing check-ups, late payments, and even debt. ADHD can cause emotional dysregulation, impulsivity, and forgetfulness which can lead to relationship problems with family, friends and colleagues.
Many women develop coping strategies to disguise their symptoms. This makes it difficult for others to notice that they have difficulty staying organized and focused. These strategies of coping can be healthy, such as making a daily plan or a reminder on the phone or harmful, like drinking alcohol or taking drugs to manage or function. These strategies for coping can make women feel stressed and insecure, leading them to doubt their capabilities and self-confidence. This can trigger feelings of depression or anxiety.
In addition, women with ADHD often feel a sense of not being accepted or meeting the expectations of society which can cause low self-esteem and a sense of frustration. They may also experience issues at work, like difficulties with organizational abilities, adhering to corporate guidelines, or adhering to a routine of 9-5. They may have difficulty managing their finances because of their indecisiveness and uncontrolled spending, or they might struggle to complete work-related assignments or finishing homework.
ADHD is a chronic condition that requires ongoing care, particularly when it affects women and girls. Despite the disorder's prevalence, it is still under-diagnosed, misunderstood and not treated. Remaining stereotypes as well as referral biases internalized symptoms, comorbidities and hormonal fluctuations all contribute to the unique symptom-based presentation of ADHD in females.
4. Impulsivity
Women suffering from ADHD may have trouble controlling their emotions or impulses. They could be easily frustrated or excessively excited, and may lose track of time or be late to events. They might also have difficulty understanding body language or recognizing social cues. This can lead to problems at work or with relationships. For instance, they may be easily entangled in arguments or they may spend too much time in pursuit of hobbies and interests that aren't very important to them. They may also have difficulty maintaining friendships or creating new connections due to the fact that they struggle to stick to promises and commitments.
Women are more adept at developing strategies to manage their ADHD symptoms. This makes it more difficult for them to get diagnosed. For instance, they may develop routines to help them keep track of their time or use apps to remind them of their appointments. They may also alter their behavior in order to conform to societal norms and expectations. They could even conceal their symptoms by using alcohol or drugs to deal with their problems with their symptoms, which could have serious health problems in the end.
Certain people with ADHD do not completely overcome the symptoms. About 60% of women with ADHD in their childhood will have it until they reach adulthood. This compares to 30% of males.
Professional treatment can be beneficial for those who do not experience relief from medication or lifestyle changes. There are a variety of options, including career coaching, counseling, and life coaching. There are also stimulants. Exercise can also be a great way to improve your mood and boost your levels of energy. It releases neurotransmitters that boost motivation and focus. It can also help reduce anxiety and stress.
5. Reactivity to emotions
Women and girls with ADHD often have issues with emotional reactivity. They may have difficulty regulating their emotions and expressing them appropriately. This can lead to frustration for themselves as well as others. A woman with ADHD might become angry when a friend criticizes her, but she might not be able calm down to discuss the matter in a rational manner. ADHD symptoms adults may also struggle to "pause" her reactions by identifying bodily cues that she's overwhelmed or overexcited like a flushed skin or breath shortness.
This inability to regulate emotions can cause confusion and frustration, and can make people with ADHD susceptible to depression or anxiety. It can also lead to problems with social interactions because it is difficult to discern people's moods and social cues.
In certain instances, people with ADHD might appear to be emotionally detached and uninterested in their peers or loved ones, even though they really care about them. In some cases they may avoid situations that trigger strong emotions to avoid experiencing them.
Gender bias is a frequent feature of doctors and the impact of ADHD on women are often omitted because of the nature of their symptoms. Many of them camouflage their ADHD symptoms and, when they do show up they are more likely to be interpreted as anxiety or mood-related, which can lead to misdiagnosis. It's a good idea to speak with a mental health professional who has worked with young girls and women with ADHD when you're experiencing these symptoms. They can validate your experiences, guide you how to utilize strategies such as self-awareness and pacing and offer family psychoeducation that can help you learn to recognize and address your ADHD symptoms in the future.