ADHD Symptoms in Adult Females
Although ADHD affects both genders equally throughout adulthood, the condition typically isn't recognized by females. This is likely due to gender stereotyping and the capacity of females to mask their symptoms.
Many healthcare professionals lack the knowledge and experience to detect ADHD in women. This means that many females are misdiagnosed before receiving the proper treatment they need.
1. Disorganization
Girls and women with ADHD can struggle with disorganization. This condition is difficult to manage. For example your desk could be a mess of unruly papers, 17 chapsticks, and a ticket to the Kings of Leon concert you went to in 2008. As you purchase products that promise to keep you organized your office and home may still be chaotic and messy.
Inability to keep the track of your tasks can lead to missed deadlines and appointments. You might also be struggling with "time blindness," where you don't know or remember how long it takes to finish the task. This can make you feel frustrated and like you aren't doing a good enough job in your career or in your personal life.
You might also have trouble controlling your emotions, which may cause you to react too quickly in stressful situations. You may also make comments that are not intended to hurt people's feelings. In addition, since impulsivity is common for those with ADHD and ADD, you may be unable to stop yourself from saying things before considering them.
If you suffer from ADHD it's possible that some of your symptoms stem from gender stereotypes or beliefs about how men, women and boys should behave. This can make it difficult to recognize and treat ADHD.
In addition to having a diagnosis, you might benefit from behavioral therapy to deal with the root cause of your disorder. It could take some time to discover the most effective coping strategies, but implementing them will allow you to feel in control of your life and improve your relationships with family members, colleagues, and friends.
2. Impulsivity
People who suffer from ADHD have intense emotions. However their brains aren't able to filter them or assess them. This means they can get overwhelmed by a single setback or struggle to discern the emotional state of their peers. It also makes it easier for them to get distracted by minor issues such as books that are out of stock or a friend who's late to spin class.
Many women suffering from ADHD conceal their symptoms and come up with strategies to cope with their attention issues. They might be extremely meticulous or an obsessive at school or at work, and struggle to keep on top of appointments and bills or important dates. They may struggle with self-talk control and talk excessively 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 desire to stop, start or alter the course of action and being unable to hold your turn in conversation; and difficulty interpreting social cues (like facial expressions or body language).
Although gender-based stereotypes can influence the development of ADHD but it's not always easy to tell if women are suffering from these problems. The scales used to measure ADHD symptoms are still skewed toward male behavior and some healthcare professionals might misunderstand or underestimate a woman's symptoms.
Many women who suffer from ADHD also say that their symptoms get more severe during periods of hormonal changes, like during menstrual cycles or pregnancy, or during perimenopausal (the period leading up to menopausal). This can intensify emotional symptoms and trigger a lot of feelings of frustration, irritability, or depression. They may also feel an ongoing feeling of unsatisfaction with their relationships or life. This may lead to the use of drugs, low self-esteem and unhealthy coping habits. This is the reason it's so important for women to recognize that these symptoms are not an indication of their worth or worth as individuals. With a good treatment strategy, you can lessen or even eliminate these symptoms.
3. Attention!
Everyone has difficulty paying attention and focusing at times with ADHD the symptoms can occur in such a way that they can interfere with your daily routine. You may make careless errors at work or at school, or miss appointments or spend a good deal of time procrastinating. You have a difficult time waiting for your turn in conversations and frequently interrupt other people.
Adults who are inattention may be accompanied by a tendency to jump into projects without fully planning and researching them, which can result in incomplete or subpar results. It is also possible to get lost easily and have a tendency to leave projects unfinishedfrom the garden that got planted but never watered to the new organizational system which was erected and left to gather dust on your nightstand.
People with inattentive ADHD struggle with chronic disorganization at home and in the workplace. You might have trouble finding important documents, bills or keys and lose things frequently. You may also lose the track of time and end up late for work, school 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. People who suffer from these conditions might make decisions or conduct actions without considering the consequences. For example they might talk over other people or make unintentional noises in solitude. They might have difficulty sitting still and adjusting their seat or pace. They may have difficulty maintaining the job they have, and are in frequent disputes with their coworkers and their manager.
In some cases mood swings and emotional distress caused by ADHD can lead to frustration and misunderstandings in relationships. This is particularly true in romantic relationships as well as at work. People who suffer from ADHD are also more likely to have co-occurring conditions, like depression, anxiety, or bipolar disorder.
Girls and women with ADHD might face a variety of challenges when seeking treatment. These include gender discrimination as well as a tendency to cover up symptoms or underestimate their severity, and gender bias. The rise of famous women like Mia Freedman and Em Rusciano who have shared their struggles with ADHD has increased awareness, however many girls and young women still don't know they have the disorder.
4. Anxiety
Although many people feel anxious or nervous from time moment, a constant and overwhelming anxiety is the hallmark of an anxiety disorder. You may experience an incessant feeling of anxiety or fear, as well as a rapid pulse, difficulty staying calm, and difficulty thinking clearly. You may also experience an increased fear of danger, even in situations that aren't likely be dangerous to you. The most common forms of anxiety include general anxiety disorder, agoraphobia and separation anxiety, phobias and panic disorders.
Anxiety is more prevalent in women with ADHD than men, and it tends to worsen during certain times of the woman's life, such as around her menstrual cycle, pregnancy or perimenopause. This can make it difficult to handle daily tasks and social interactions and may lead to feelings of self-esteem loss or unsatisfaction.
You are very sensitive to rejection and you have a hard to accept criticism. You are prone to misinterpret feedback, or even anticipate rejection. You might get annoyed by small things that other people don't find an issue with.
Mood swings are also one of the symptoms of adhd in women who are older and you may find that your emotions are unpredictable or difficult to control. You could also be susceptible to non-suicidal self-injury which includes striking, burning or scratching yourself.
It is crucial to seek out a diagnosis if you are experiencing any of the symptoms listed above. It will help you understand some of the challenges you're facing, and offer you strategies to improve the quality of your life. adhd in older women can take an online ADHD test, or go to your doctor for a thorough evaluation. In certain cases doctors may prescribe medication to help alleviate your symptoms. In other cases they might suggest a combination of lifestyle changes and cognitive behavioral therapy. In any case, it's important to make positive changes as soon as possible. This will allow you to regain control of your life, and make you feel more confident and competent.