ADHD Symptoms in Adult Females
The condition is often misdiagnosed by women, despite the fact that it affects men and women equally as adults. 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 identify ADHD in women. In the end, many women are misdiagnosed prior to receiving the treatment they need.
1. Disorganization
Women and girls with ADHD are often plagued by disorganization. This condition is difficult to manage. Your desk, for example, may be a mess of papers, 17 chapsticks, and even a ticket to the Kings of Leon show you attended in 2008. Although you may have spent money on products to help you manage your clutter, your office or home is probably still messy and messy.
Inability to keep the track of your tasks can result in missed deadlines and appointments. In addition, you might be struggling with the concept of "time blindness," which means you aren't able to remember or comprehend the time required to complete an assignment. This could make you feel frustrated and like you aren't doing a good enough job in your profession or in your personal life.
You might also have trouble managing your emotions, which could cause you to overreact in stressful situations. Your rapid verbal communication may result in miscommunications and misunderstandings with family members as well as your coworkers. You may make comments that hurt the feelings of others without meaning to. You might also have difficulty stopping yourself from speaking before you think things through, since impulsivity can be common among people suffering from ADHD.
If you suffer from ADHD it's likely that some of your symptoms are rooted in gender stereotypes and cultural ideas about how boys, men, and women should act. This can make it harder for you to identify and treat your ADHD.
In addition to a diagnosis it is possible that you will benefit from behavioral therapy to tackle the root of your disorder. Although it might take some time to find the right coping mechanisms, implementing these strategies can make you feel more in control of your life and enhance relationships with your family and friends as well as coworkers.
2. Impulsivity
People with ADHD often experience intense emotions however their brains do not have a way to assess or filter them. This means they can get overwhelmed by a single incident or struggle to accurately assess the mood of their peers. This also makes them more prone to being distracted by minor inconveniences such as a book out of stock or a friend who isn't reliable.
Many women suffering from ADHD overcome their attention problems by hiding symptoms and implementing strategies to cope. They could be highly organized or an obsessive at school or at work, and have difficulty keeping the track of appointments, bills, or important dates. They may also have issues with self-control in speech and speak too much, 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 the sudden desire to start, stop, or change activities. They can also be characterized by not being able to wait for your turn in a conversation and having difficulty reading social signals.
Although gender-based stereotypes can play a role in the development of ADHD but it's often difficult to determine if a woman has these issues. Rating scales used to identify ADHD symptoms are still skewed towards male behavior and some healthcare experts may be misinformed or underestimate the severity of a woman's symptoms.
Many women with ADHD report that their symptoms worsen during times of hormonal change like menstrual cycle, pregnancy, and perimenopause. This can intensify emotional symptoms and cause frequent feelings of frustration, irritability or depression. They may also experience an ongoing feeling of dissatisfaction in their lives or relationships. This may lead to substance abuse, low self-esteem and unhealthy coping habits. This is why it's important for women to realize that these symptoms are not a reflection of their value or worth as an individual. The positive side is that with a solid treatment plan the symptoms can be improved or even eliminated.
3. Inattention
Although everyone has trouble paying attention and focusing, with ADHD, these symptoms occur in such a way that they can interfere with your life. You could make a few mistakes at work or in school, miss appointments or spend a good deal of time procrastinating. You are unable to wait your turn and interrupt others in conversations.
Adults who aren't attentive can also jump into projects without fully planning them and researching them. This leads to incomplete results or even subpar ones. You may also be easily distracted and leave projects unfinished. This could be an unwatered vegetable garden planted, but not watered, or an organizational system that you assembled and then put away on your nightstand to collect dust.
People who have inattention ADHD also have an ongoing sense of disorganization, both in their workplaces and at home. signs and symptoms of adhd in women might have difficulty finding important documents, keys or bills and frequently lose things. You may also lose your track of time and end up running late for work, meetings 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. Women with these symptoms can perform actions or words without thinking about the consequences. For instance, they might be rude to others or make a lot of nonsensical noises when alone. They may have trouble sitting still and may move around or get out of their seats. They might be unable to keep a job, and have frequent disputes with their coworkers and supervisor.
In some instances, the mood swings or emotional stress caused by ADHD can cause frustration in relationships and misunderstandings. This is especially the case in romantic relationships as well as at work. People with ADHD are also more likely to suffer from other comorbidities, like depression, anxiety, or bipolar disorder.
Women and girls with ADHD have a myriad of difficulties in seeking treatment and diagnosis that include gender bias and a tendency to hide their symptoms or underestimate the severity of them. The rise of high-profile women such as Mia Freedman and Em Rusciano who have publicly shared their personal struggles with ADHD has raised awareness, however many girls and young women do not know they have the condition.
4. Anxiety
An anxiety disorder is defined by a constant, excessive anxiety. While everyone feels anxious or nervous at times Anxiety disorders are defined by constant high levels of anxiety. You may feel an incessant feeling of anxiety, fear, or anxiety and also rapid pulse, difficulty being calm, and trouble thinking clearly. There is also an underlying sense of danger in situations you know are not dangerous. The most common types of anxiety include general anxiety disorder, phobias, agoraphobia, separation anxiety, panic disorders and selective Mutism.
Anxiety is more common in women with ADHD compared to men. It tends worsen around certain life events, like menstruation, pregnancy, or perimenopause. This can make it harder to manage everyday tasks and social interactions, and cause feelings of low self-esteem and general discontent with your life.
You're highly sensitive to rejection and have a tough to accept criticism. You can easily interpret feedback incorrectly, or anticipate rejection. You might get angry about small things that other people do not see as an issue with.
Mood swings are another of the symptoms of adhd for women in adulthood 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 hitting, burning or scratching yourself.
If you're struggling with any of the above symptoms, it's important to establish a clear diagnosis. It will help you understand some of the challenges you're facing, and offer you strategies to improve your quality of life. You can take an ADHD test online or consult your doctor for an expert assessment. In some instances your doctor may prescribe medication to alleviate your symptoms. In other instances, they might recommend an amalgamation of lifestyle changes and cognitive behavioral therapy. In either case, it's important to begin making positive changes to your life as soon as you can. This will help you gain control over your life and make you feel more productive, confident and competent.