Symptoms of ADHD in Adult Women
While men and boys are more frequently diagnosed with ADHD, women and girls are also susceptible to it. But stereotypes, referral prejudice, internalized symptoms, and other comorbidities can make it difficult to get them properly evaluated and treated.
These strategies can be unhealthy and not sustainable. Here are a few of the most frequent symptoms of ADHD in adult women.
1. Unfocused attention
Women suffering from ADHD are often overwhelmed by the daily tasks. It is often difficult for them to keep the track of deadlines, emails and meetings. They are also more likely to forget important appointments or events. They might also have trouble concentration in noisy or busy environments. This could cause them to miss out on opportunities and lower quality work.
For many adults with ADHD the challenges they face can feel like an aspect of their personality or performance, which can lead to frustration. They may have a low self-esteem as well as a negative body image. They may also struggle to keep relationships stable and develop effective coping strategies. In some cases, they turn to unhealthy strategies for coping that include excessive drinking or drugs. This can make it harder for others to understand the signs of struggle and delay a diagnosis.
Adults suffering from ADHD may be particularly sensitive to criticism or failure. This may cause them to internalize their problems and make it difficult to seek assistance. This is why they may experience issues with relationships and may have a difficult time finding meaningful work. They can also be more susceptible to depression, anxiety, and mood fluctuations. In some cases these symptoms may result in the development of a mental health issue such as self-injury that is non-suicidal (NSSI) which could be manifested by burning, cutting or scratching.
While it's more prevalent in men and boys to be diagnosed with ADHD the symptoms can last throughout adulthood and affect many aspects of life. It's essential for women to recognize the symptoms and seek an evaluation from a health care professional. A proper diagnosis can lead to better-managed symptoms and a better quality of life.
2. Disorganization
Women suffering from ADHD report feeling overwhelmed, as if their lives are in chaos. They may not meet deadlines or find it difficult to keep track of household or work-related tasks such as paying bills and keeping track of appointments. Their finances and home may be messy, and they may struggle to keep healthy relationships and a stable job.
Inattention ADHD symptoms can lead to frustration and confusion in relationships between partners, friends and colleagues. These issues can cause to broken or strained relationships and feelings of isolation. The inability to remember, the difficulty in listening, and the tendency to "zone out", or stop paying attention, can also lead to misunderstandings with loved ones.
Women who suffer from ADHD are more likely to experience signs of emotional instability, impulsivity, and mood swings. These can be disruptive both in their personal and professional lives. Women with untreated ADHD can feel overwhelmed by the responsibilities and expectations of their families, work and the society, and may be particularly sensitive to criticism or harsh judgment.
The good news is that there are solutions to control the effects of these symptoms. For many adults, treatment options include lifestyle modifications and the use of specific organizational tools, as well as prescription stimulant medication.
Women with ADHD typically have a harder time than men to disguise their ADHD symptoms, and as a result, may go undiagnosed until they reach adulthood. They are more likely to be suffering from comorbid conditions like anxiety and depression, which can exacerbate the effects of untreated ADHD. Women can also have difficulty maintaining healthy relationships and a stable job and may suffer from low self-esteem and chronic stress. *Sex refers a person's chromosomes and hormones; gender refers the internal sense of oneself as a male, woman, nonbinary or any other gender identity. Mental health conditions are often diagnoses by both.
3. Anxiety
Women suffering from ADHD are more likely to experience depression and anxiety. These feelings can be exacerbated when you're unable keep the track of your daily tasks and appointments. This can lead to health issues like missed appointments, late payments and even debt. The emotional dysregulation, impulsivity and apathy of ADHD can also cause issues with relationships with partners, coworkers and even friends.
Many women develop coping strategies to disguise their symptoms. This makes it difficult for others to notice that they're having difficulty staying organized and focused. These coping strategies may be healthy, such as establishing a daily schedule or establishing phone reminders or they could be harmful, such as relying on alcohol or drugs to help them function or cope with their issues. These coping strategies can trigger an environment of self-doubt and stress for women, causing them to feel like they are not doing enough or productive, which could cause anxiety and depression.
In addition, women who suffer from ADHD often feel a sense of not being accepted or meeting societal expectations, which can lead to low self-esteem and a sense of frustration. They may also face challenges at work, including difficulties in establishing organizational skills, adhering to corporate policies or sticking to a regular 9-to-5 schedule. They may be struggling with managing their finances due to disorganization and impulsive spending, or they might have difficulty keeping up with work-related assignments or finishing homework.
ADHD can be a chronic condition that requires ongoing care, particularly when it affects girls and women. Despite its prevalence yet, it is often under-diagnosed, misunderstood and untreated. Remaining stereotypes as well as referral biases internalized symptoms, comorbidities and hormonal changes all contribute to the distinctive symptom manifestation of ADHD in females.
4. Impulsivity
Women suffering from ADHD may have trouble controlling their emotions and impulses. They could be easily frustrated or excessively excited, and they might lose track of their time or be late for an event. They may also have difficulty reading body language and recognizing social signals. This can lead to issues at work or in relationships. They might be susceptible to arguing or spend too much time on interests and hobbies that are not important to them. They may also have difficulty keeping friendships or making connections due to their inability to keep their commitments and promises.
Women are generally better in developing coping mechanisms to aid in reducing their ADHD symptoms, making it more difficult for them to be diagnosed than men. For instance, they could develop routines to help them stay organized or rely on apps to remind them of their appointments. They might also alter their behavior to conform to social norms and expectations. They may even cover up their symptoms using drugs or alcohol to cope with their symptoms, which could have serious health issues in the long term.
Certain people with ADHD are not able to overcome the symptoms. About 60 percent of women with ADHD during childhood continue to be affected until adulthood, as opposed to 30% of men.
If you're unable to achieve relief with lifestyle or medication professional help can be helpful. There are many options available, including career coaching, life coaching, and counseling together with stimulants and medications. Exercise is a fantastic method to improve your mood and boosting your energy. It releases neurotransmitters which boost the motivation and focus. It also helps reduce anxiety and stress.
5. Reactivity to emotions
Girls and women who suffer from ADHD often have trouble with emotional hyperactivity. They may have difficulty regulating their emotions and how they express them. This can cause anger for themselves and others. ADHD symptoms in adults males with ADHD might become angry when her partner criticizes them however she may not be able to discuss the matter in a rational manner. She also might struggle to "pause" her response by identifying bodily cues that she's getting overexcited or overwhelmed like a flushed skin or shortness of breath.
This issue with regulating emotions can cause confusion and anger and make those with ADHD susceptible to depression or anxiety. It can also cause issues with social interactions, as it is difficult to discern the mood of others and recognize social signals.
In certain instances, ADHD people may appear disconnected and uninterested in their friends or loved one, even though they care about them. In other situations they might withdraw from triggering situations to avoid experiencing a strong emotion.
The nature of women's symptoms can make it easy for healthcare professionals to ignore the effects of ADHD. Many of them hide their ADHD symptoms when they do show up they are more likely to be interpreted as anxiety or mood-related and thus misdiagnosed. If you're experiencing these symptoms, it may be beneficial to consult an experienced mental health professional who has experience in working with women and girls with ADHD. They can help you validate your experiences, teach you how to apply strategies like pacing and self-awareness and provide psychoeducation for your family that can help you learn to recognize and respond to your ADHD symptoms in the future.