ADHD Symptoms in Adult Females
While ADHD affects men and women equally in adulthood, it often isn't recognized by females. This is probably due to gender stereotyping and the capacity of females to conceal their symptoms.
Many healthcare professionals do not have the knowledge or experience to detect ADHD among women. In the end, many women are misdiagnosed and not receiving the proper treatment they need.
1. Disorganization
Women and girls with ADHD are often plagued by disorganization, a condition that can be a challenge to manage. Your desk, for example could be a jumble of papers, 17 different chapsticks, and tickets from the Kings of Leon show you attended in 2008. Even if you've spent money on products to help you organize, your office or home is likely to remain messy and messy.
Inability to keep track of your tasks may lead to missed deadlines and appointments. You might also struggle with "time blindness," where you don't know or remember the time it takes to complete an assignment. This can leave you in a state of discontent and feeling as if you're not doing a great job in your professional or personal life, particularly when it seems that other people don't appreciate your efforts.
There is a possibility that you have trouble controlling your emotions. This can lead you to react too quickly when confronted with stressful situations. Your rapid verbal communication may result in miscommunications and misunderstandings with family members and coworkers, and you might say things that hurt feelings of others without even knowing. And since impulsivity is common in people with ADHD it is possible that you will find it difficult to resist saying things before taking a second to think them through.
If you have ADHD It's likely some of your symptoms are rooted in gender stereotypes and beliefs about the ways men, boys, and women should act. This can make it difficult to identify and treat ADHD.
You could also benefit from behavioral treatment to address the underlying causes of your disorder. Although it might take some time to identify the right coping mechanisms using these strategies, they can make you feel more in control of your life and improve relationships with family friends, coworkers, and other family members.
2. Impulsivity
People who suffer from ADHD frequently experience intense emotions however their brains don't have a good way to assess or filter them. They may be overwhelmed by a minor incident, or have trouble in assessing the emotional state of others. It can also make it easier for them to become distracted by small issues like a book that's out of stock or a friend who's running late to spin class.
Many women with ADHD manage their attention difficulties by masking symptoms and devising strategies for coping. They could be perfectionists, or highly conscientious at work or in school, but have difficulty keeping track of important dates, deadlines, and appointments. They may also struggle with verbal self control and talk excessively or interrupt others frequently.
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 desire to stop, start 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).
Although gender-based stereotypes can influence the development of ADHD, it's not always easy to determine if a woman has these issues. The scales used to measure ADHD symptoms are still skewed towards male behavior, and some healthcare professionals might misunderstand or underestimate a woman's symptoms.
Many women suffering from ADHD also note that their symptoms tend to become more severe during periods of hormonal changes, such as during menstrual cycles, pregnancy, or perimenopause (the period leading up to menopausal). This can lead to emotional symptoms like frustration and irritability, or depression. They may also experience a persistent feeling of dissatisfaction in their relationships or lives. This can lead to self-esteem issues, substance abuse or unbalanced coping strategies. This is the reason it's so important for women to recognize that these symptoms are not a reflection of their value or worth as individuals. With a well-planned treatment plan, you can improve or even eliminate these signs.
3. Attention
Everyone has difficulty paying attention and focusing, with ADHD the symptoms are experienced often enough that they cause disruption with your life. You could make a few blunders at school or work or forget appointments or you may spend a lot of time procrastinating. You have a hard time waiting for your turn in conversations and are often interrupted by other people.
Adults who are inattentive can also get caught up in projects before having a complete plan and research them. This can lead to poor results or even subpar ones. You could also become easily distracted and leave projects unfinished. This could be a vegetable garden that was planted, but not watered, or a brand new organizational system that you assembled and then put away on your nightstand to accumulate dust.
People who have inattention ADHD suffer from chronic disorganization at home and in the workplace. It is possible that you have trouble finding important documents keys, bills or even keys and may lose items on a regular basis. You could also lose track of time and be late for school, work or even 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. People who suffer from these conditions might say or do things without considering the impact. For example, they might be rude to others or make nonsensical noises when alone. They might have difficulty sitting still and adjusting their chair or move. They might have trouble keeping a job, and have frequent conflicts with their coworkers and supervisor.
In some instances, the mood swings or emotional stress caused by ADHD can lead to frustration in relationships and miscommunications. This is especially true in romantic relationships and 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 might face a variety of challenges when seeking treatment. This includes gender bias as well as a tendency to cover up symptoms or minimize their severity, as well as gender bias. Women with a high profile, such as 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 aren't aware of 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 calm and difficulty thinking clearly. There is also the sense of danger even in situations that you are aware aren't dangerous. The most common types of anxiety include general anxiety disorder, phobias and agoraphobia as well as separation anxiety, panic disorders and selective Mutism.
Anxiety is more prevalent among women with ADHD as compared to men. It can be worsened by certain life events, like menstruation, pregnancy, or perimenopause. This can make it difficult for women to deal with everyday tasks and social interactions and can trigger feelings of self-esteem loss or dissatisfaction.
You are extremely sensitive to rejection, and you have a hard time accepting criticism. adhd in women test misinterpret feedback or even anticipating rejection and you can get angry over minor things that others do not see as a problem with.
Mood swings are also a sign of adult adhd in women. It is possible that you have unpredictable emotions or find it difficult to manage these. You could also be prone to self-injury that isn't suicidal such as burning, scrubbing or hitting yourself.
It's crucial to seek out a diagnosis if you're experiencing any of the symptoms listed above. It can help you know your issues and offer you strategies for improving your quality of living. You can take an online ADHD test, or visit your doctor for a thorough assessment. In some instances, your doctor might prescribe medication to help alleviate your symptoms. In other instances they may recommend an amalgamation of lifestyle changes and cognitive behavior therapy. In any case, it's important to begin making positive changes in your life as soon as you can. This will allow you to regain control of your life and feel more confident and capable.