ADHD Symptoms in Adult Females
While ADHD affects both genders equally in adulthood, the condition typically goes undiagnosed in females. This could be due to gender stereotyping and the capability of females to mask their symptoms.
Many healthcare professionals lack the knowledge and experience to detect ADHD in women. In the end, many females are misdiagnosed before receiving the treatment they require.
1. Disorganization
Girls and women who suffer from ADHD are often plagued by disorganization. This condition is difficult to manage. For example your desk might be a jumble of muddled papers, 17 chapsticks, and even a ticket for the Kings of Leon concert you attended in the year 2008. Even though you may have spent money on products to help you organize, your office or home is likely to remain messy and chaotic.
Inability to keep track of your responsibilities can result in missed deadlines and missed appointments. You might also be struggling with "time blindness," where you don't know or remember the time it takes to complete the task. This could leave you feeling unhappy and feeling that you're not doing a great job in your work or personal life, especially if it feels like others don't appreciate your efforts.
There is a possibility that you have trouble controlling your emotions. This can lead you to react excessively when confronted by stressful situations. Your high-speed verbal communication can cause confusion and miscommunications with your family and colleagues, and you might say things that hurt others' feelings without a thought. And since impulsivity is common for people with ADHD it is possible that you will have trouble stopping yourself from making comments without considering them.
If you suffer from ADHD it's possible that a portion of your symptoms stem from gender stereotypes or cultural ideas about how men, women and boys should behave. This makes it more difficult for you to recognize and treat your ADHD.
You could also benefit from a behavioral therapy to address the root cause of your disorder. It may take a while to find the best coping strategies, but implementing them can help you feel in control of your own life and improve your relationships with family, coworkers, and other friends.
2. Impulsivity
People who suffer from ADHD are often overwhelmed by intense emotions however their brains don't have a method to assess or filter them. This means they may be overwhelmed by a single setback or find it hard to assess the emotional state of their peers. This makes them more prone to be distracted by minor inconveniences such as the availability of a book or an unreliable friend.
Many women with ADHD cover up their symptoms and devise strategies to cope with their attention problems. They could be perfectionists or highly conscientious at school or work however, they have trouble keeping the track of important dates, bills, and appointments. They might also struggle with verbal self control and talk excessively or interrupt others frequently.
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 or stop activities. They also include being unable to wait for your turn in a conversation and being unable to discern social cues.
While gender stereotypes can influence on the development of ADHD for women, it is not always easy to identify these issues. The scales for rating used to detect ADHD symptoms still favor male behavior. Some healthcare professionals may miss the mark on a woman's ADHD symptoms.
Many women suffering from ADHD say that their symptoms are more severe during times of hormonal change 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 experience a persistent feeling of unsatisfaction with their lives or relationships. 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 human beings. With a well-planned treatment program, you can reduce or even eliminate these symptoms.
3. Attention
ADHD is characterized by a high frequency of these symptoms. While everyone struggles to focus and pay attention at certain times the frequency of these symptoms is so high that they can interfere with your day-to-day life. You might make mistakes at school or work and forget appointments, or spend a lot of time procrastinating. You aren't comfortable waiting for your turn in conversations and are often interrupted by others.
Adults who aren't attentive can be prone to get caught up in projects before fully planning them and researching them. This leads to incomplete results or subpar ones. It is also possible to get lost easily and tend to leave projects unfinishedfrom the garden that got planted but never watered to the new organizational system which was erected and left to gather dust on your nightstand.
People who have inattention ADHD also struggle with a constant feeling of disorganization, both in their home and workplaces. You might have trouble finding important documents, bills or keys and misplace things on a regular basis. You could be unable to keep your track of time and become 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 may make decisions or conduct actions without considering the impact. For example they might talk over others or make nonsensical noises in solitude. They might be unable to sit still and adjusting their chair or move. They might have trouble keeping the job they have, and are in frequent disputes with their coworkers and their manager.
In add women and emotional distress caused by ADHD can lead to frustration and misunderstandings in relationships. This is especially the case when it comes to romantic relationships and at work. People who suffer from ADHD are also more likely to suffer from co-occurring conditions, like depression, anxiety, or bipolar disorder.
Girls and women who suffer from ADHD may face many difficulties when seeking treatment. This includes gender bias and a tendency to conceal symptoms or underestimate their severity, and gender bias. The rise of high-profile women such as Mia Freedman and Em Rusciano who have publicly shared their personal struggles with ADHD has helped raise awareness, yet many girls and young women do not know they have the condition.
4. Anxiety
An anxiety disorder is characterized by a constant, excessive anxiety. While everyone feels anxious or nervous occasionally anxiety disorders are defined by constant high levels of anxiety. You may feel an uneasy feeling, fear, or anxiety, as well as a rapid pulse, difficulty maintaining calm, and having trouble thinking clearly. You may also feel an increased sense of danger, even in situations that aren't likely be risky for you. The most commonly encountered forms of anxiety are general anxiety disorder, phobias and agoraphobia, separation anxiety, panic disorders and selective mutism.
Anxiety is more common in women suffering from ADHD as compared to men. It is more likely to be exacerbated during certain life events, such as menstrual cycle, pregnancy, or perimenopause. This makes it more difficult to handle everyday activities and social interactions and can cause feelings of self-doubt and a general feeling of discontent with your life.
You're highly sensitive to rejection and have a difficult time accepting criticism. You can easily misinterpret feedback, or even anticipate rejection. You might be annoyed by small things that other people do not see as an issue with.
Mood swings are another of the symptoms of adhd in women who are older and you may find that your emotions are unstable or difficult to control. You could also be susceptible to self-injury that isn't suicidal, such as striking, burning or scratching yourself.
It's crucial to seek a diagnosis if you are experiencing any of the symptoms listed above. It can help you understand your challenges and give you strategies for improving your quality of life. You can take an ADHD test online or consult your doctor to get an assessment from a professional. In some cases, a doctor may prescribe medication to alleviate your symptoms. In other instances they may recommend the combination of lifestyle changes and cognitive behavioral therapy. In any case, it's important to change your lifestyle as quickly as possible. This will allow you to get back in control of your life and feel more productive, confident and competent.