Symptoms of ADHD in Adult Women
While boys and men are more frequently diagnosed with ADHD, women and girls may also be affected. But stereotypes, prejudices regarding referrals, internalized symptoms, and other comorbidities can make it difficult for them to be properly assessed and treated.
Many women develop coping strategies to cover up their ADHD symptoms and conform to social expectations, but they can be unhealthy and unsustainable. Here are some of adult women's most frequent ADHD symptoms.
1. Unfocused attention
Women suffering from ADHD tend to feeling overwhelmed by everyday tasks. They often have a difficult time to keep track of multiple deadlines, email notifications and meetings. They may also be more likely to miss important dates or events. They may also find it difficult to focus in noisy or busy environments. This can cause them to miss out on opportunities and work that is less than satisfactory.
For many adults with ADHD These challenges can feel like a reflection of their character or performance, and can cause frustration. Many people who suffer from ADHD end up having an unsatisfactory self-image and a negative perception of their body. They may also struggle to maintain stable relationships and develop effective strategies for coping. In some instances, they resort to unhealthy strategies for coping like excessive drinking or drugs. This can make people less likely to recognize their problems and delay diagnosis.
Adults with ADHD are particularly sensitive to criticism and failure, which can cause them to internalize their difficulties and have difficulty seeking help. As a result, they may struggle with relationship difficulties and have difficulty finding meaningful work. They may also be more prone to anxiety, depression and mood swings. In some cases, the symptoms can result in a mental illness, such as non-suicidal harming oneself (NSSI), that can be expressed by cutting or burning.
While it's more prevalent in males and boys to be diagnosed with ADHD, symptoms can persist into adulthood and can impact various aspects of life. It's crucial for women to identify the signs and seek a thorough assessment from a health care professional. A correct diagnosis can lead to better-managed symptoms and a better quality of life.
2. Disorganization
Women suffering from ADHD are often overwhelmed, as if their lives are chaotic. They might miss deadlines or have difficulty to keep track of work or household tasks, such as paying bills and keeping track of appointments. Their finances and their home could be cluttered and they may find it difficult to maintain healthy relationships and a stable job.
Attention-deficit ADHD symptoms can heighten frustration and miscommunications with friends, partners, and coworkers. These issues can result in to broken or strained relationships and feelings of loneliness. Forgetfulness, difficulty listening, and a tendency to "zone out" in conversations could cause misunderstandings and arguments with loved ones.
Symptoms of impulsivity, emotional dysregulation, and mood swings are more prevalent in women with ADHD than in men and can be disruptive to personal and professional life. Women with untreated ADHD might feel overwhelmed by the demands of work, family, and society. They may also be sensitive to harsh judgment and criticism.
The good news is that there are solutions to control the effects of these symptoms. For many adults treatment options include lifestyle adjustments and the use of specific tools for organizing and prescription stimulant medication.
Women with ADHD tend to be more able than men to hide their ADHD symptoms, and as a result they may not be diagnosed until they reach adulthood. They are more likely to suffer from comorbid disorders such as depression and anxiety that can increase the effects of untreated ADHD. adult male ADHD symptoms have a difficult time trying to keep stable relationships and jobs and suffer from low self-esteem and chronic stress. *Sex refers a person's hormones and chromosomes. Gender refers the internal sense of self-identity as a man, woman, nonbinary or any other gender identity. Mental health conditions are often diagnoses by both.
3. Anxiety
Women with ADHD are at risk of developing depression and anxiety. These moods can be made worse by the inability to keep track of appointments and daily tasks that can cause health issues such as missing health check-ups, missed payments and even debt. ADHD can trigger emotional dysregulation, impulsivity, and forgetfulness which can lead to relationship problems with family, friends and coworkers.
Many women develop coping mechanisms to mask their symptoms that can make it harder for others to recognize that they have trouble staying focused and organized. These strategies of coping can be healthy like setting up a daily schedule or a reminder on the phone, or unhealthy, like relying on drugs or alcohol to cope or function. These coping strategies can lead to an environment of self-doubt and anxiety for women, making them feel like they are not doing enough or productive, which could increase feelings of depression and anxiety.
Women who suffer from ADHD might also feel that they aren't accepted or don't conform to social norms. This can lead to anxiety and low self-esteem. They might also experience difficulties at work, such as difficulties with organization skills adhering to company policies or sticking to a regular 9-to-5 schedule. They may struggle with managing their finances, due to disorganization and impulsive spending, or they could be unable to keep up with work-related assignments or finishing homework.
ADHD is a chronic condition that requires continuous support, particularly when it affects girls and women. Despite its prevalence however, it's still misunderstood, underdiagnosed, and undertreated. The distinctive symptoms of ADHD in women are the result of stereotypes and referral biases, as well as internalized symptomatology, comorbidities and hormonal fluctuations.
4. Impulsivity
Women who suffer from ADHD may have trouble controlling their emotions and impulses. They may become easily frustrated or overly excited, and may lose track of their time or be late to events. They might also have difficulty understanding body language or recognizing social cues. This can lead to problems at work or in relationships. They could be susceptible to arguing or spend too much time in pursuits and hobbies that aren't important to them. They may also have difficulty keeping relationships or forming connections because they are unable to keep their promises and commitments.
Women are better at developing coping mechanisms to mask their ADHD symptoms. This makes it more difficult for them than men to get diagnosed. They might, for example develop routines to aid in staying organized or use apps to remind themselves of their schedules. They could also alter their behavior to fit in with societal expectations and norms. They might even attempt to hide their symptoms using alcohol or drugs. This could have serious health consequences over time.
Certain people with ADHD do not outgrow the symptoms. Around 60% of women suffering from ADHD in their childhood will continue to have it into adulthood. This is compared to 30% of males.
Professional therapy can be beneficial for those who can not find relief from medication or lifestyle changes. There are a variety of options, like counseling, career coaching, and life coaching. You can also take stimulants. Exercise is a great way to boost your mood and increasing your energy. It releases neurotransmitters which boost motivation and attention. It can also reduce anxiety and stress.
5. Reactivity to emotions
Women and girls with ADHD often have trouble with emotional reaction. They may have difficulty to manage their emotions and express them appropriately, which can cause frustration with themselves and others. A woman with ADHD may become angry when her partner criticizes them however, she may not be able to calm down to talk about the issue in a rational way. It is also possible that she struggles to "pause her reaction" by identifying body signals like flushed skin or shortness in breath that suggest she is stressed or overwhelmed.
This issue with regulating their emotions can cause more stress and miscommunications in relationships, and it can make people with ADHD more susceptible to anxiety or depression. It can also cause difficulties in social interactions as it is difficult to read people's moods or detect social cues.
In some instances, those with ADHD might appear emotionally distant and uninterested in their family or loved ones, even though they truly love them. In some cases they may avoid situations that trigger strong emotions to avoid experiencing them.
The nature of women's symptoms could make it easy for clinicians to overlook the effects of ADHD. Many women hide their ADHD symptoms and when they do appear they are more likely to be misdiagnosed as anxiety or mood disorders. It's a good idea to consult an expert in mental health who has experience working with young girls and women with ADHD if you are experiencing these symptoms. They can help validate your experiences, show you how to use strategies such as self-awareness and pacing and offer family psychoeducation which can help you understand how to recognize and address your ADHD symptoms in the future.