Symptoms of ADHD in Adult Women
While males and females are diagnosed far more often with ADHD however, girls and women are also susceptible to it. But persistent stereotypes, referral biases internalized symptoms and comorbidities make it difficult for them to be evaluated and treated.
Many women develop coping strategies to cover up their ADHD symptoms and to meet social expectations, but these strategies can be unhealthy and unsustainable. Here are some of the adult women's most commonly reported ADHD symptoms.
1. Unfocused attention
Women with ADHD tend to feeling overwhelmed by everyday tasks. It is often difficult for them to keep the track of deadlines, emails, and meetings. They may also be more likely to forget important appointments or events. They may also struggle to concentrate in noisy or crowded environments. This can lead them to miss out on opportunities and produce lower quality work.
For many adults with ADHD the challenges they face can be seen as an expression of their character or performance, which can lead to frustration. They may end up with a low self-esteem and a negative body image. They may also have difficulty to maintain stable relationships and develop effective strategies for coping. In some instances they may use unhealthy coping strategies like excessive drinking or drug use. This can make it more difficult for others to see that they're struggling, and can delay a diagnosis.
Adults with ADHD are particularly sensitive to criticism and failure, which can cause them to internalize their issues and struggle to get help. They may also have issues with relationships and may find it difficult to find meaningful employment. They could also be more susceptible to depression, anxiety and mood swings. In some cases, the symptoms can result in a mental illness, such as non-suicidal harming oneself (NSSI) which could be expressed through cutting, burning or scratching.
ADHD is more common in both boys and men, but symptoms can linger and affect the entire life of. Women must recognize the symptoms and seek an evaluation from a healthcare professional. A proper diagnosis can lead to better management of symptoms and a higher quality of life.
2. Disorganization
Women with ADHD are often overwhelmed, as if their lives are chaotic. They may miss work deadlines or have difficulty keeping track of chores at home or at work like paying bills or making appointments. They may have a disorganized home and finances, and struggle to maintain stable relationships and an employment.
Inattentive-type ADHD symptoms can cause more frustration and miscommunications with partners, friends and colleagues. These problems can lead to broken or strained relationships, and feelings of loneliness. Forgetfulness, difficulty listening, and a tendency to "zone out" in conversations could contribute to misunderstandings and arguments with loved ones.
Symptoms of emotional dysregulation, impulsivity, and mood swings are more common in women with ADHD than in men and can be disruptive to both personal and professional. Women who are not treated for ADHD might feel overwhelmed by the demands of work, family and the social world. They might also be sensitive to harsh judgment and criticism.
There are ways to deal with these symptoms. For many adults, treatment options include lifestyle modifications and the use of specific tools for organization, as well as prescription stimulant medications.
Women with ADHD tend to be more able than men to disguise their ADHD symptoms, and as a result they are often not diagnosed until the age of adulthood. They are also more likely to have multiple disorders that are comorbid, like anxiety and depression that can increase the effects of untreated ADHD. Women may also have trouble maintaining healthy relationships and a steady job, and can suffer from low self-esteem and chronic stress. *Sex refers to a person's hormones and chromosomes; gender refers to the internal perception of oneself as a man woman, a nonbinary, or any other gender identity. Mental health conditions are usually diagnosed based on both.
3. Anxiety
Women with ADHD are at risk of developing depression and anxiety. These feelings can become more severe if you are unable to keep the track of your daily tasks and appointments. This could lead to health issues such as missed checkups, late payments and even debt. ADHD can lead to emotional dysregulation, impulsivity, and forgetfulness, which can lead to problems in relationships with family, friends and coworkers.
Many women develop coping strategies to hide their problems, which can make it harder for others to see that they are struggling to stay focused and organized. These strategies for coping may be healthy, like creating an agenda for the day or setting reminders for phone calls, or they could be harmful depending on alcohol or drugs to help them function or cope with their issues. These coping skills can create an environment of stress and self-doubt for women, causing them to feel like they are not doing enough or productive, which can cause depression and anxiety.
Women with ADHD may also feel that they aren't accepted or aren't meeting social expectations. This can lead to feelings of self-doubt and frustration. They might also face challenges at work, like issues with organization skills, following corporate guidelines, or adhering to a routine of 9-5. They may struggle with managing their finances, due to impulsive and disorganized spending, or they could struggle to complete work-related tasks or completing homework.
ADHD can be a long-lasting condition that requires lifelong care, particularly when it affects girls and women. Despite its prevalence this disorder is undiagnosed and misunderstood. It is also 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 suffering from ADHD might have difficulty controlling their emotions or impulses. They may be easily annoyed or overly excited, lose track time or be late for events. They also might have trouble understanding body language or picking up on social signals. This could cause issues at work or in relationships. For example, they might be easily entangled in arguments or they may spend too much time with hobbies and interests that aren't very important to them. They might also have trouble maintaining friendships or making connections due to their inability to keep their commitments and promises.
Women are more adept in establishing coping mechanisms that help them mask their ADHD symptoms, making it difficult for them to be diagnosed than men. They could, for instance create routines to help them stay organized or use apps to remind themselves of their schedules. They might alter their lifestyle to comply with social expectations and norms. They may even cover up their symptoms by taking drugs or alcohol to cope, which can cause serious health consequences in the end.
Many people suffering from ADHD get over their symptoms, but some don't. About 60% of women who have ADHD in childhood continue to have the condition into adulthood, compared to 30% of males.
Professional therapy can be beneficial for those who can not experience relief from medication or lifestyle changes. There are many options available, including career coaching, life coaching, and counseling, along with medications like stimulants. Exercise is an effective method of improving your mood and increasing your energy. It releases neurotransmitters that boost motivation and attention. It also helps 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 anger for themselves and others. A person suffering from ADHD may become angry when her partner criticizes them however she may not be able calm down to talk about the issue in a rational manner. She may also struggle to "pause her reaction" by recognizing body signals like a flushed face or shortness in breath that indicate she is overexcited or overwhelmed.
This issue with regulating emotions can cause confusion and frustration and make people with ADHD more prone to anxiety or depression. It can also lead to difficulties in social interactions as it's difficult to gauge people's moods or pick up social signals.
In some instances, those who suffer from ADHD might appear emotionally distant and uninterested in their peers or loved ones, even though they genuinely love them. In other instances they may avoid situations that trigger them to avoid feeling emotions that are intense.
Gender bias is a frequent feature of medical professionals and the effects of ADHD on women are often omitted because of the nature of their symptoms. Many of them camouflage their ADHD symptoms when they do manifest, they're more likely to be interpreted as anxiety or mood-related and thus misdiagnosed. It can be helpful to speak with an expert in mental health who has worked with women and young girls with ADHD if you are experiencing these symptoms. ADHD symptoms in adults uk can help you validate your experiences, show you how to utilize strategies such as self-awareness and pacing and provide psychoeducation for your family to help you learn to recognize and address your ADHD symptoms in the future.