ADHD Symptoms in Adult Females
The condition is often misdiagnosed in women, despite the fact that it affects both men and woman equally as adults. This is likely due to gender stereotypes and the capacity of women to mask their symptoms.
Many healthcare professionals aren't equipped and experience to identify ADHD in women. Many women are misdiagnosed and fail to receive the care they require.
1. Disorganization
Women and girls with ADHD are often plagued by disorganization. This disorder can be difficult to manage. For example your desk could be a mess of tangled papers, 17 different chapsticks, and a ticket for the Kings of Leon concert you attended in 2008. Although you may have purchased a few items to help you manage your clutter, your office or home is likely still messy and chaotic.
Inability to stay on top of your work can result in missed appointments and forgotten deadlines. You may also experience "time blindness," where you don't recall or know how long it takes to complete a task. adhd in women treatment could leave you feeling in a state of discontent and feeling as if you're not doing a good job in your professional or personal life, particularly when it seems like other people don't value your efforts.
You might also have trouble controlling your emotions, which can cause you to react too quickly in stressful situations. Your rapid verbal communication may result in miscommunications and misunderstandings with family members and coworkers, and you might say things that hurt others' feelings without meaning to. You might also have difficulty stopping yourself from speaking before you think things through, as the tendency to be impulsive is common among those with ADHD.
If you have ADHD it's possible that some of your symptoms are rooted in gender stereotypes or beliefs about how women, men, and boys should behave. This makes it difficult to identify 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. It may take a while to determine the most effective coping strategies, but implementing them can help you feel more in control of your own life and improve your relationships with family, coworkers, and other friends.
2. Impulsivity
People who suffer from ADHD are often overwhelmed by intense emotions however their brains don't have a method to evaluate or filter them. They can be overwhelmed by a small incident, or have trouble assessing the emotional state of others. It also makes it easier for them to become distracted by minor issues such as the book that's out of stock or a friend who's late to take a spin class.
Many women with ADHD compensate for their attention problems by hiding symptoms and developing coping strategies. They could be perfectionists, or extremely meticulous at work or in school however, they have trouble keeping track of important dates, bills and appointments. They might 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. These symptoms include a sudden urge to start, stop or change activities; being unable to wait your turn in a conversation; and having trouble reading social cues (like facial expressions or body language).
While gender stereotypes can impact on the development of ADHD for women, it is not always easy to identify these issues. The scales used to measure 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, such as during menstruation, pregnancy, and perimenopause. This can intensify emotional symptoms and lead to frequent feelings of anger, frustration, or depression. They may also have a persistent feeling of dissatisfaction in their relationships or lives. This can result in depression, substance abuse or unbalanced methods of coping. This is why it's important for women to understand that these symptoms are not a reflection of their value or worth as individuals. The good news is that, with a well-planned treatment plan these symptoms can be improved or even eliminated.
3. Attention!
ADHD is defined by a high frequency of these symptoms. While everyone struggles to concentrate and pay attention at times, they are so frequent that they can interfere with your daily life. You might make mistakes at work or at school, miss appointments, or spend a great deal of time procrastinating. You're not able to be patient and not interrupt other people in conversations.
women and adhd who aren't attentive can be prone to get caught up in projects before having a complete plan and research them. This results in a lack of results or even subpar ones. You may also be easily distracted and abandon projects that are not completed. This could be the vegetable garden that was planted, but not watered, or a new system of organization that you built and then left on your nightstand to accumulate dust.
People who have inattention ADHD have trouble focusing at home and in the workplace. It is possible that you have trouble finding important documents keys, bills, or other important documents and lose items on a regular basis. You may also lose track of the time and end up running late for work, meetings 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. People who suffer from these conditions can perform actions or words without considering the consequences. For instance, they might speak over other people or make unintentional noises when they are alone. They may have trouble sitting still and adjusting their seat or pace. They might have trouble keeping their job and may have frequent disagreements with their colleagues and supervisor.
In some instances, the mood swings or emotional distress caused by ADHD can cause frustration in relationships and misunderstandings. This is especially the case in romantic relationships as well as at work. People who suffer from ADHD also are more likely to having co-occurring conditions like depression, anxiety or bipolar disorder.
Women and girls with ADHD might face a variety of challenges when seeking treatment. This includes gender bias and a tendency to conceal symptoms or minimize their severity, as well as gender bias. The rise of high-profile women like Mia Freedman and Em Rusciano who have spoken out about their struggles with ADHD has helped raise awareness, yet many young women and girls still don't know they have the disorder.
4. Anxiety
Although many people feel anxious or nervous from time time, persistently outsize anxiety is the hallmark of an anxiety disorder. You might experience a constant sense of unease or fear, as well as rapid pulse, difficulty maintaining calm, and having trouble thinking clearly. You might also feel a sense of danger in situations that you know are not dangerous. The most frequent forms of anxiety include general anxiety disorder, agoraphobia and separation anxiety, as well as panic disorders.
Anxiety is more common in women suffering from ADHD than in men and it is more likely to become worse during certain times of a woman's life like her menstrual cycle or pregnancy, or perimenopausal. This can make it more difficult to manage daily activities and social interactions and lead to feelings of low self-esteem and a general feeling of discontent with your life.
You're extremely sensitive to rejection and have a tough time accepting criticism. You can easily misinterpret feedback or even anticipated rejection, and you might get angry over small things that others don't find an issue with.
Mood swings are also a sign of adult adhd in women. You might notice that you are prone to having unpredictable emotions or are unable to manage these. You could also be susceptible to self-injury that is not suicidal, such as scrubbing, burning or hitting yourself.
If you're struggling with any of the above symptoms, it's important to get a proper diagnosis. It can help you understand your challenges and give you strategies for improving your living quality. You can take an online ADHD test, or go to your doctor for a professional assessment. In some cases doctors may prescribe medication to ease your symptoms. In other instances, they might recommend a combination of lifestyle changes and cognitive behavior therapy. In any case, it's essential to make positive changes as soon as possible. This will allow you to regain control of your life, and feel more confident and capable.