ADHD Symptoms in Adult Females
The condition is often misdiagnosed among women, even though it is a problem that affects men and women equally as adults. This could be due to gender stereotypes and the ability of females to conceal their symptoms.
Many healthcare professionals lack the expertise or experience needed to detect ADHD among women. This means that many women are misdiagnosed prior to receiving the proper treatment they need.
1. Disorganization
Women and girls who suffer from ADHD frequently struggle with disorganization, which can be very difficult to manage. Your desk, for example could be a jumble of papers, 17 chapsticks, and even a ticket to the Kings of Leon show you attended in 2008. As you purchase products that promise to keep you organized, your home and office are likely to remain chaotic and messy.
Your inability to stay on top of your tasks could result in missed appointments and forgotten deadlines. Additionally, you may be struggling with the concept of "time blindness," which means you can't remember or understand the time required to finish a task. This can make you feel frustrated and believe that you're not doing a good enough job in your profession or in your personal life.
You may also have difficulty managing your emotions, which may cause you to react too quickly in stressful situations. Your fast-paced verbal communication could cause confusion and miscommunications with your loved ones and colleagues, and you might say things that hurt feelings of others without even knowing. You may also have trouble stopping yourself from speaking before you have thought things through, since impulsivity can be common among those with ADHD.
If you suffer from ADHD it's possible that some of your symptoms are rooted in gender stereotypes or cultural ideas about how women, men, and boys should behave. This makes it difficult to diagnose and treat ADHD.
In addition to having a diagnosis you may also need a treatment for behavioral issues to address the root causes of your condition. And although it may take some time to find the appropriate strategies for coping Implementing these strategies will make you feel more in control of your life as well as improve relationships with your family, friends, and coworkers.
2. Impulsivity
People who suffer from ADHD are prone to intense emotions. However, their brains are not capable of separating them from or analyze them. This means they can get overwhelmed by a single incident or have difficulty being able to accurately assess the mood of their peers. It can also make it easier for them to become distracted by small issues like the book that's out of stock or an acquaintance who's late for the spin class.
Many women suffering from ADHD mask their symptoms and devise strategies to cope with their attention issues. They may be highly conscientious or a perfectionist at work or school and have difficulty keeping track of appointments and bills or important dates. They might also struggle with verbal self control and may talk 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. 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 experiencing difficulty in interpreting social cues.
While gender-based stereotypes may influence the development of ADHD however, it's not always easy to determine if women suffer from these issues. The scales used to measure ADHD symptoms are still skewed towards male behavior and some healthcare professionals may misunderstand or underestimate a woman's symptoms.
Many women with ADHD have reported that their symptoms get worse when hormonal changes occur, such as during menstruation, pregnancy, and perimenopause. This can cause emotions such as anger and irritability, or depression. They may also experience an unending feeling of unsatisfaction with their lives or relationships. adhd symptoms for women could result in substance abuse, low-self-esteem or unhealthy ways of coping. It's important that women understand that these symptoms don't show their worth or value as human beings. The good news is that, with a well-planned treatment program, these symptoms can be reduced or even eliminated.
3. Inattention
Everyone has difficulty paying attention and focusing, with ADHD, these symptoms occur often enough that they cause disruption with your life. You may make careless errors at work or in school, miss appointments or spend a good deal of time procrastinating. You aren't comfortable waiting for your turn in conversations and frequently interrupt other people.
Adults who are not attentive may be prone to jump into projects without thoroughly planning them and researching them. This results in a lack of results or even subpar ones. You may also be easily distracted and leave projects unfinished. This could be the vegetable garden that was planted but never watered, or a brand new organization system you put together and then put on your nightstand to collect dust.
People with inattention ADHD struggle with chronic disorganization at home and at work. You might have difficulty finding important documents keys, bills or keys and frequently lose things. You could be unable to keep the track of time and end up late for school, work or meetings.
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 might make decisions or conduct actions without considering the impact. For example, they might talk over others or make a lot of nonsensical noises when alone. They may have trouble sitting still and may fidget or pace in their seats. They might be unable to keep a job, and have frequent disagreements with their colleagues and their manager.
In some cases mood swings and emotional stress caused by ADHD can cause frustration and miscommunication in relationships. This is especially true in romantic relationships and at work. People who suffer from ADHD also are more likely to having comorbid conditions such as bipolar disorder, depression or anxiety disorder.
Women and girls who suffer from ADHD are often faced with a range of difficulties in seeking treatment and diagnosis, including gender bias and a tendency to cover up their symptoms or undervalue the severity of them. The rise of well-known women such as Mia Freedman and Em Rusciano who have publicly shared their personal struggles with ADHD has increased awareness, however many girls and young women aren't aware of the disorder.
4. Anxiety
An anxiety disorder is characterised by constant anxiety. While everyone is anxious or nervous at times, anxiety disorders are characterized by persistently high levels of anxiety. You might experience an incessant feeling of anxiety or fear as well as an intense pulse, trouble being calm, and trouble thinking clearly. You may also feel a heightened sense of danger, even in situations that aren't likely to be risky for you. The most frequent types of anxiety are general anxiety disorder, phobias, agoraphobia and separation anxiety, panic disorders and selective Mutism.
Anxiety is more common in women suffering from ADHD than in men, and it tends to worsen during certain periods of the woman's life, such as around the time of her menstrual cycle, pregnancy or perimenopause. This can make it difficult for women to deal with everyday tasks and social interaction, and can lead to feelings such as low self-esteem or unsatisfaction.
You're very sensitive to rejection and have a difficult to accept criticism. You are prone to misinterpret feedback, or even anticipate rejection. You might get upset over small issues that other people do not see as an issue with.
Mood swings are also one of the adult female adhd symptoms and you could be able to notice that your moods are unpredictable or difficult to control. You may also be susceptible to self-injury that is not suicidal which includes hitting, burning or scratching yourself.
It's crucial to seek out a diagnosis if you're experiencing any of the symptoms mentioned above. It will help you understand the issues you're facing and provide you strategies to improve the quality of your life. You can take an ADHD test online or talk to your doctor to get an expert assessment. In some cases doctors may prescribe medication to alleviate your symptoms. In some cases your doctor might suggest a combination between lifestyle changes and cognitive behavior therapy. In either case it's crucial to make positive changes as soon as possible. This can help you regain control of your life and make you feel more confident and capable.