ADHD Symptoms in Adult Females
The condition is often misdiagnosed by women, despite the fact that it affects men and women equally as adults. This is probably due to gender stereotypes and the capability females to hide their symptoms.
Many healthcare professionals do not have the experience or knowledge to detect ADHD in women. Many women are misdiagnosed and do not receive the treatment they require.
1. Disorganization
Girls and women who suffer from ADHD have trouble coordinating. This disorder can be difficult to manage. For instance your desk might be a mess of unruly papers, 17 different chapsticks, and a ticket stub from the Kings of Leon concert you went to in 2008. As you purchase products that promise to keep you organized, your home and office are likely to remain chaotic and messy.
Inability to keep on top of your work can cause you to miss deadlines and appointments. You might also be struggling with "time blindness," where you don't know or remember the time it takes to complete a task. This can cause you to be frustrated and feeling like you're not doing a great job in your professional or personal life, especially when you feel that other people don't appreciate your efforts.
You may also be having trouble regulating your emotions, which can cause you to react too quickly in stressful situations. Your fast-paced verbal communication could create misunderstandings and miscommunications with your family as well as your coworkers. You could make statements that hurt others' feelings without meaning to. In addition, since impulsivity is common in people with ADHD and ADD, you may have trouble stopping yourself from saying things before thinking them through.
If you have ADHD it's possible that a portion of your symptoms stem from gender stereotypes or cultural ideas about how women, men, and boys should behave. This can make it difficult to identify and treat ADHD.
In addition to having a diagnosis you may also need a treatment for behavioral issues to deal with the root cause of your disorder. Although it might take some time to identify the appropriate strategies for coping, implementing these strategies can make you feel more in control of your life and enhance relationships with family, friends, and coworkers.
2. undiagnosed adhd in women with ADHD are often overwhelmed by intense emotions however their brains do not have a way to assess or filter them. They can be overwhelmed by a minor incident, or have trouble being able to assess the emotional state of other people. It can also make it easier for them to become distracted by small issues like books that are out of stock or a friend who's late to spin class.
Many women with ADHD cover up their symptoms and devise strategies to cope with their attention problems. They might be extremely meticulous or a perfectionist at work or school and struggle to keep on top of appointments or bills, as well as important dates. 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. These symptoms include the sudden desire to start, stop, or change activities. They also include being unable wait for your turn in a conversation or experiencing difficulty in interpreting social signals.
While gender stereotypes can have an impact on the development of ADHD for women, it's not always easy to spot these issues. Rating scales used to identify ADHD symptoms are still skewed towards male behavior and some healthcare professionals might misunderstand or underestimate the severity of a woman's symptoms.
Many women with ADHD report that their symptoms get worse when hormonal changes occur like menstrual cycle or pregnancy, as well as perimenopausal. This can lead to emotional symptoms like frustration or irritability as well as depression. They might also experience a persistent feeling of dissatisfaction in their lives or relationships. This could lead to depression, substance abuse or unhealthy methods of coping. It is important for women to realize that these symptoms do not indicate their worth or importance as human beings. With a well-planned treatment program, you can reduce or even eliminate these symptoms.
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 daily life. You could make a few blunders at work or school or forget appointments or you may spend a lot of time procrastinating. You're not able to stand in line and interrupt others during conversations.
Inattentive symptoms in adults can be accompanied by a tendency to jump into projects without thoroughly planning and analyzing them, which leads to inadequate or poor results. It is also possible to get lost quickly and tend to leave projects unfinishedfor example, from the vegetable garden that got planted, but never watered, to the new system of organization which was erected and put aside to dust on your nightstand.
People with inattention ADHD are also plagued by a chronic sense of disorganization in their workplaces and at home. It is possible that you have trouble finding important documents keys, bills, or other important documents and lose things on a regular basis. You may also lose your track of time and end up 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. Women with these symptoms can make decisions or conduct actions without thinking about the consequences. For instance they might speak over other people or make unintentional noises in solitude. They may have trouble sitting still and adjusting their chair or move. They can have trouble keeping their job and could be in frequent conflict with colleagues and managers.
In some cases, the mood swings and emotional turmoil caused by ADHD can cause frustration and misunderstandings in relationships. This is especially the case in romantic relationships as well as at work. People with ADHD are also more likely to suffer from comorbid conditions, such as depression, anxiety or bipolar disorder.
Girls and women with ADHD can face a variety of challenges when seeking diagnosis and treatment, including gender bias and a tendency to hide their symptoms or underestimate the severity of their symptoms. The rise of well-known women such as Mia Freedman and Em Rusciano who have shared their own struggles with ADHD has increased awareness, but many young women and girls do not know they have the disorder.
4. Anxiety
Although most people experience anxiety or anxious from time to time, persistently outsize anxiety is a sign of an anxiety disorder. You might experience a constant feeling of unease or anxiety, a fast heartbeat, trouble staying calm and difficulty 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 forms of anxiety include general anxiety disorder, agoraphobia, phobias, separation anxiety and panic disorders.
Anxiety is more common in women suffering from ADHD than men, and tends to get worse during certain periods of the woman's life for instance, during the time of her menstrual cycle and pregnancy or perimenopausal. This can make it difficult to deal with everyday tasks and social interaction and may lead to feelings such as low self-esteem or discontent.
You are very sensitive to rejection and you have a tough to accept criticism. You are prone to interpret feedback incorrectly, or anticipate rejection. You might get upset over small issues that other people don't find an issue with.
Mood swings are a part of the adult female adhd symptoms and you may be able to notice that your moods are unpredictable or difficult to manage. You might also be prone to self-injury that isn't suicidal like striking, burning or scratching yourself.
If you're experiencing any of the above symptoms, it's crucial to receive a diagnosis. It will help you identify your issues and give you strategies to improve your living quality. You can take an ADHD test online or talk to your doctor to get a professional assessment. In some cases, a doctor may prescribe medication to alleviate your symptoms. In other cases, they might recommend a combination of lifestyle changes and cognitive behavior therapy. In any case, it's essential to change your lifestyle as quickly as you can. This can help you regain control of your life and feel more confident and competent.