ADHD Symptoms in Adult Females
Although ADHD affects both genders equally in adulthood, the condition often isn't recognized by females. This is likely due to gender stereotypes and the capability of women to hide their symptoms.
Many healthcare professionals aren't equipped and experience to identify ADHD in women. This means that many women are misdiagnosed and not receiving the treatment they need.
1. Disorganization
Girls and women with ADHD have trouble coordinating. This disorder can be difficult to manage. For instance your desk could be a jumble of tangled papers, 17 chapsticks, and even a ticket for the Kings of Leon concert you went to in the year 2008. Although you may have invested money in products to help you organize, your office or home is probably still chaotic and messy.
Inability to keep track of your responsibilities can lead to missed deadlines and missed appointments. Additionally, you may be struggling with the concept of "time blindness," which means you cannot remember or comprehend the time required to complete the task. This could leave you feeling frustrated and feeling like you're not doing a good job in your professional or personal life, especially when it seems like others don't appreciate your efforts.
You might also have trouble controlling your emotions, which could cause you to react too quickly in stressful situations. Your fast-paced verbal communication could create misunderstandings and miscommunications with family members and coworkers, and you might say things that hurt the feelings of others without a thought. You may also have trouble stopping yourself from speaking before you have thought things through, since the tendency to be impulsive is common among those with ADHD.
If you suffer from ADHD it's possible that a portion of your symptoms are rooted in gender stereotypes or ideas regarding how women, men and boys should behave. This could make it difficult to recognize and treat your ADHD.
In addition to being diagnosed, you might benefit from behavioral therapy to address the root causes of your disorder. Although it might take a while to discover the appropriate coping strategies using these strategies, they can help you feel more in control of your life and enhance relationships with family friends, coworkers, and other family members.
2. Impulsivity
People with ADHD have intense emotions. However their brains aren't capable of filtering them or evaluate them. They may be overwhelmed by a minor event, or have difficulty assessing the emotional state of others. This can also make them more susceptible to being distracted by small inconveniences, such as an out of stock book or an unreliable friend.
Many women with ADHD manage their attention problems by hiding symptoms and devising strategies for coping. They could be perfectionists or extremely attentive at school or at work but struggle to keep the track of important dates, deadlines and appointments. They may struggle with self-talk control and speak too much or interrupt others often.
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. The symptoms include a sudden urge to start, stop or alter the course of action or activities; not being able to wait your turn in conversation; and difficulty in interpreting social cues (like facial expressions or body language).
While gender-based stereotypes may influence the development of ADHD but it's not always easy to recognize when women are suffering from these problems. The scales for rating used to identify ADHD symptoms are still biased towards male behavior. Some healthcare professionals may miss the mark on the woman's ADHD symptoms.
Many women who suffer from ADHD also note that their symptoms tend to become more severe during periods of hormonal changes, for example menstrual cycle or pregnancy, or during perimenopausal (the menopausal transition). This can intensify emotional symptoms and cause frequent feelings of frustration, irritability, or depression. They might also experience a persistent feeling of dissatisfaction in their lives or relationships. This can result in substance abuse, low-self-esteem, or unhealthy ways of coping. This is why it's important for women to recognize that these symptoms are not an indication of their worth or worth as a person. The positive side is that with a solid treatment plan the symptoms can be reduced or even eliminated.
3. Attention!
Everyone has difficulty paying attention and focusing at times, with ADHD the symptoms are experienced often enough that they cause disruption with your life. You might make mistakes at work or at school, miss appointments, or spend a great deal of time procrastinating. You have a difficult time waiting for your turn in conversations and are often interrupted by other people.
Adults who are inattention may also include an inclination to dive into projects without thoroughly planning and researching them, which can result in poor or insufficient results. You might also get side-tracked quickly and tend to abandon projects that are not finished -for example, from the vegetable garden that was planted but never watered to the new organizational system which was erected and put aside to dust on your nightstand.
People with inattention ADHD also have a constant sense of disorganization, both in their workplaces and at home. You might have difficulty finding important documents, keys or bills and frequently lose things. You might also keep losing the track of time and end up running 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 with these issues may perform actions or words without considering the consequences. For example they may speak over others or make nonsensical noises when alone. They may have trouble sitting still and may move around or get out of their seats. They might have trouble keeping a job, and have frequent disputes with their coworkers and manager.
In certain instances, mood swings or emotional distress caused by ADHD can lead to frustration in relationships and miscommunications. This is especially true in relationships with partners as well as at work. People who suffer from ADHD also are more likely to being afflicted with comorbid conditions, such as anxiety, depression, or bipolar disorder.
Women and girls with ADHD are often faced with a range of challenges when seeking treatment and diagnosis that include gender bias and a tendency to hide their symptoms or undervalue the severity of their symptoms. Famous women like Em Rusciano and Mia Freedman who have openly discussed their struggles with ADHD have helped to raise awareness. But, many girls and young woman still do not know they have it.
4. Anxiety
While most people feel anxious or anxious from time to time, persistently outsize anxiety is a sign of an anxiety disorder. You might feel a constant feeling of unease or fear, a rapid heartbeat, difficulty staying at peace and having difficulty focusing. There is also a sense of danger in situations that you know aren't risky. The most common kinds of anxiety include general anxiety disorder, phobias and agoraphobia and panic disorders, separation anxiety and selective mutism.
Anxiety is more prevalent among women suffering from ADHD than men. add test for women can be worsened by certain life events like menstrual cycle or pregnancy, as well as perimenopausal. This can make it harder to handle everyday activities and social interactions and cause feelings of self-doubt and general discontent with your life.
You're highly sensitive to rejection and have a hard to accept criticism. You easily misinterpret feedback or even anticipate rejection and you can get angry over minor things that others don't find a problem with.
Mood swings can also be a symptom of adult adhd in women. You may find that you experience erratic emotions or are unable to manage them. You could also be prone to self-injury that is not suicidal, such as burning, scrubbing or hitting yourself.
If you're struggling with any of the above symptoms, it's crucial to receive a diagnosis. It can help you better identify your issues and give you strategies for improving your quality of life. You can take an online ADHD test, or go to your doctor for a thorough assessment. In some cases, a doctor may prescribe medication to help alleviate your symptoms. In other instances they might suggest the combination of lifestyle changes and cognitive behavior therapy. In either scenario, it's essential to begin making positive changes to your lifestyle as soon as you can. This can help you regain control of your life and feel more confident and capable.