ADHD Symptoms in Adult Females
Although ADHD affects both genders equally throughout adulthood, the condition often isn't recognized by females. This is likely due to gender stereotypes and the capability of women to conceal their symptoms.
Many healthcare professionals lack the knowledge and experience to recognize ADHD in women. In the end, many women are misdiagnosed prior to receiving the treatment they require.
1. Disorganization
Women and girls with ADHD are often plagued by disorganization. This condition is difficult to manage. For high functioning adhd in women could be a mess of muddled papers, 17 different chapsticks, and even a ticket for the Kings of Leon concert you went to in the year 2008. As you purchase products that promise to aid in your organization, your home and office may still be chaotic and messy.
Inability to keep track of your tasks may cause you to miss deadlines and appointments. You might also struggle with "time blindness," where you don't recall or know how long it takes to finish a task. This can leave you frustrated and feeling like you're not doing a great job in your work or personal life, particularly when it seems like others don't appreciate your efforts.
You may also have difficulty controlling your emotions. This could cause you to overreact when confronted by stressful situations. Your rapid verbal communication may cause confusion and miscommunications with your loved ones and coworkers, and you could make statements that hurt feelings of others without even knowing. And since impulsivity is common in people with ADHD and ADD, you may have trouble stopping yourself from saying things before taking a second to think them through.
If you have ADHD, it's likely that some of your symptoms are rooted in gender stereotypes and beliefs about how men, boys and women should behave. This makes it difficult to recognize and treat ADHD.
You may also benefit from a behavioral therapy to address the underlying causes of your disorder. It could take some time to determine the most effective strategies to cope, but using them will help you feel more in control of your life and improve your relationships with family, coworkers, and other friends.
2. Impulsivity
People with ADHD frequently experience intense emotions however their brains do not have a good way to filter or assess them. This means they may be overwhelmed by a single incident or find it hard to accurately assess the emotional state of others. This can also make them more susceptible to being distracted by minor inconveniences such as an out of stock book or a shaky friend.
Many women with ADHD conceal their symptoms and devise strategies to deal with their attention issues. They could be perfectionists, or extremely meticulous at school or work, but have difficulty keeping track of important dates, bills and appointments. They might also struggle with verbal self-restraint and talk excessively, 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 an abrupt desire to begin, stop or alter activities and being unable to hold your turn in conversation; and difficulty in interpreting social signals (like facial expressions or body language).
Although gender-based stereotypes can contribute to the development of ADHD however, it's sometimes difficult to tell if women suffer from these issues. The scales used to measure ADHD symptoms are still skewed toward male behavior and some health experts may be misinformed or underestimate a woman's symptoms.
Many women suffering from ADHD say that their symptoms worsen during times of hormonal change like menstrual cycle or pregnancy, and also during perimenopausal symptoms. This can cause emotional symptoms like frustration, irritability or depression. They may also have an unrelenting feeling of discontent in their relationships or lives. This can contribute to the use of drugs, low self-esteem, and unhealthy coping behaviors. This is why it's crucial for women to recognize that these symptoms aren't a reflection of their value or worth as an individual. The good news is that, with a solid treatment program the symptoms can be reduced or even eliminated.
3. Attention!
Although everyone has trouble paying attention and focusing, with ADHD, these symptoms occur often enough that they cause disruption with your daily life. You could make a few mistakes at work or in school, miss appointments or spend a good amount of time putting off tasks. You are unable to be patient and not interrupt others during conversations.
Attention deficit symptoms in adults could also include an inclination to dive into projects without fully planning and analyzing them, which can result in incomplete or subpar results. You might also get side-tracked easily and have a tendency to leave projects unfinished -from the garden that was planted but never watered to the new system of organization which was erected and put aside to dust on your nightstand.
People with inattentive ADHD suffer from chronic disorganization at home and at work. You may have difficulty finding important documents keys, bills, or other important documents and lose items on a regular basis. You could also be unable to keep your track of time and end up late for meetings, work or school.
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 say or do things without considering the impact. For example they might talk over others or make nonsensical noises in solitude. They are unable to sit still and can be prone to fumbling around or pacing in their seats. They might have trouble keeping a job, and have frequent conflicts with their coworkers and supervisor.
In some cases the mood swings or emotional distress caused by ADHD can cause frustration in relationships and miscommunications. This is especially true in romantic relationships as well as at work. People with ADHD also are more likely having co-occurring conditions like depression, anxiety or bipolar disorder.
Girls and women who suffer from ADHD are likely to face many challenges when seeking treatment. adhd in older women include gender discrimination and a tendency to conceal symptoms or undervalue their severity, as well as gender bias. The rise of high-profile women like Mia Freedman and Em Rusciano who have shared their struggles with ADHD has helped raise awareness, yet many girls and young women still don't know they have the disorder.
4. Anxiety
An anxiety disorder is defined by persistently excessive anxiety. While everyone feels anxious or nervous at times anxiety disorders are defined by persistently high levels of anxiety. You may experience a constant sense of unease, fear, or anxiety and also a rapid pulse, difficulty being calm, and trouble thinking clearly. You may also feel the sense of danger even in situations you know aren't dangerous. The most common types of anxiety include general anxiety disorder, phobias, agoraphobia as well as separation anxiety, panic disorders and selective Mutism.
Anxiety is more common in women with ADHD than in men and it is more likely to become worse during certain periods of the woman's life for instance, during her menstrual cycle or pregnancy, or perimenopausal. This can make it difficult to handle everyday tasks and social interaction and may lead to feelings of low self-esteem or unsatisfaction.
You're highly sensitive to rejection and have a tough time accepting criticism. You easily misinterpret feedback or even anticipated rejection, and you can get angry over minor things that others do not see as a problem with.
Mood swings can also be an indication of adhd in women. It is possible that you have unpredictable moods or find it difficult to manage them. You could also be susceptible to self-injury that is not suicidal, such as hitting, burning or scratching yourself.
If you're experiencing any of the above symptoms, it's essential to establish a clear diagnosis. It will help you comprehend the issues you're facing, and offer you strategies to improve your quality of life. You can take an ADHD test online or consult your physician for an assessment from a professional. In certain instances your doctor may prescribe medication to ease your symptoms. In certain instances your doctor may suggest the combination of lifestyle changes and cognitive behavior therapy. In either case it's crucial to make positive changes as soon as possible. This will allow you to get back in control of your life and make you feel more productive, confident and competent.