Symptoms of ADHD in Adult Women
While boys and men are more frequently diagnosed with ADHD, women and girls can also have it. However, stereotypes, prejudices about referrals, internalized symptoms, and other comorbidities can make it difficult for them to be appropriately assessed and treated.
Many women develop coping strategies to hide their ADHD symptoms and meet societal expectations, but these can be unsustainable and unhealthy. Here are some of adult women's most frequent ADHD symptoms.
1. Unfocused attention
Women with ADHD tend to feel overwhelmed by daily tasks. They often find it challenging to keep track of many deadlines, email notifications and meetings. They may also be more likely to forget important appointments or events. They may also have difficulty concentrating in noisy or busy surroundings. This could cause them to miss opportunities and work that is less than satisfactory.
These issues can cause frustration for many adults suffering from ADHD. They may feel that they are a reflection of themselves or their performance. They often have a low self-esteem and a negative image of their body. They may also have difficulty to maintain stable relationships and develop effective coping strategies. In some cases they may use unhealthy coping strategies that include excessive alcohol or drug use. This can make it harder for others to understand the signs of struggle and delay the diagnosis.
Adults with ADHD are particularly sensitive to failure and criticism and can lead them to internalize their difficulties and find it difficult to seek help. This is why they may struggle with relationships and have trouble finding meaningful employment. ADHD adult female symptoms could also be more prone to depression, anxiety and mood swings. In certain instances, these symptoms can lead to the development of a mental health issue like non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI) which may be manifested through burning, cutting, or scratching.
ADHD is more prevalent among men and boys, but symptoms can linger and affect the entire life of. Women should be aware of the signs and seek a diagnosis by a health professional. A correct diagnosis can lead to better-managed symptoms and an improved quality of life.
2. Disorganization
Women with ADHD are often overwhelmed and feel as if their lives are chaotic. They might miss deadlines or have difficulty to keep track of household or work-related tasks like paying bills and keeping appointments. They may have a disorganized home and finances, and struggle to keep relationships stable and maintain work.
Inattention ADHD symptoms can lead to frustration and confusion in relationships between partners, friends and coworkers. These issues can result in to broken or strained relationships and feelings of loneliness. Inattention, forgetfulness and the tendency to "zone out" or not pay attention, can result in misunderstandings between loved ones.
Women who suffer from ADHD are more likely to experience symptoms of emotional instability, impulsivity, and mood swings. These can cause disruption in their professional and personal lives. Women with untreated ADHD may feel overwhelmed by the demands and expectations of family, work and the society, and might be more sensitive to criticism or harsh judgement.
There are ways to manage these symptoms. Treatment options for adults include lifestyle adjustments as well as the use of specific tools for organization, and prescription stimulant drugs.
Women who suffer from ADHD tend to be more able than men to disguise their ADHD symptoms, and as a result, may go undiagnosed until they reach adulthood. They are also more likely to have comorbid disorders, such as depression and anxiety that can increase the effects of untreated ADHD. Women may also have trouble maintaining healthy relationships and stable jobs and may suffer from low self-esteem and chronic stress. *Sex refers to a person's genetic makeup, chromosomes and hormones and anatomy; gender refers to the internal sense of self as a man, woman or nonbinary gender identity and mental health problems are usually diagnosed based on both.
3. Anxiety
Women suffering from ADHD are more likely to experience depression and anxiety. These symptoms can be worsened when you're unable keep track of your daily tasks and appointments. This could lead to health issues like missed appointments, late payments and even debt. The emotional dysregulation, impulsivity, and forgetfulness associated with ADHD can also cause issues with relationships with coworkers, partners and even friends.
Many women develop coping strategies to hide their problems and make it harder for others to notice they are struggling to stay focused and organized. These coping mechanisms may be healthy, such as making a daily plan, or a phone reminder or even unhealthy, such as using alcohol or drugs to manage or function. These coping strategies can make women feel anxious and unsecure which can cause them to doubt their capabilities and self-confidence. This can lead to feelings of anxiety or depression.
Additionally, women with ADHD often experience a sense of not being accepted or meeting societal expectations, which can lead to low self-esteem and frustration. They may also encounter challenges at work, including difficulties with organization skills, adhering to corporate policies or sticking to a standard 9-to-5 work schedule. They may be struggling to manage their finances due to a lack of organization or impulsive spending. Or, they may have trouble keeping up with homework assignments or other work.
ADHD is a long-lasting condition that requires continuous support, particularly when it affects girls and women. Despite the disorder's prevalence yet, it is often misunderstood, underdiagnosed, and not treated. The lingering stigmas, referral bias internalized symptoms, comorbidities and hormonal changes all contribute to the unique symptom-based presentation of ADHD in females.
4. Impulsivity
Women who suffer from ADHD might have difficulty controlling their emotions or impulses. They could be easily upset or overly excited, lose track time or be late for events. They may also have difficulty reading body language or recognizing social signals. This can lead to problems at work or in relationships. They could be susceptible to arguing or spend too much time with interests and hobbies that are not important to them. They might also have trouble maintaining friendships or creating new connections due to the fact that they struggle to stick to promises and commitments.
Women are more adept in developing coping mechanisms to can help them to manage their ADHD symptoms, making it difficult for them to be diagnosed than men are. ADHD adult female symptoms could, for instance develop routines to help them stay organized or utilize apps to remind them of their schedules. They may change their lifestyle to comply with social expectations and norms. They might even hide their symptoms by using alcohol or drugs to deal with their problems with their symptoms, which could have serious health consequences in the long term.
Many people suffering from ADHD outgrow their symptoms, but some do not. About 60 percent of women with ADHD in childhood continue to suffer from the condition until they reach adulthood, compared to 30% of males.
If you're unable to find relief through medication or lifestyle changes professional help can be beneficial. There are a variety of options, including counseling, career coaching, and life coaching. You can also consider taking stimulants. Exercise is a great way to boost your mood and boosting your energy. It releases neurotransmitters to boost attention and motivation and can also ease anxiety and stress.
5. Reactivity to emotional stimuli
Girls and women who suffer from ADHD often struggle with emotional reactivity. They may find it hard to control their emotions and communicate them effectively and this can lead to frustration with themselves and others. A person suffering from ADHD may become angry when her partner critiques them however, she may not be able to calm down to talk about the issue in a rational way. It is also possible that she struggles to "pause" her reaction by identifying body signals that indicate she's overwhelmed or overexcited like a flushed skin or shortness of breath.
This inability to regulate their emotions can lead to more frustration and misunderstandings in relationships, and can make those with ADHD more susceptible to anxiety and depression. It can also cause problems with social interactions, as it is difficult to discern the mood of others and pick up on social signals.
In certain instances, ADHD people may appear emotionally detached and uninterested towards their loved ones or friends even though they care about them. In other situations they may avoid situations that trigger emotions to avoid feeling a strong emotion.
The nature of women's symptoms could make it easy for healthcare professionals to overlook the effects of ADHD. Many women conceal their ADHD symptoms and when they do appear, they are more likely to be misdiagnosed as anxiety or mood disorders. If you're experiencing these symptoms, it can be beneficial to talk to a mental health professional experienced in working with girls and women who suffer from ADHD. They can help validate your experiences, guide you how to use strategies like pacing and self-awareness, and provide family psychoeducation that can help you learn to recognize and address your ADHD symptoms in the future.