ADHD Symptoms in Adult Females
While ADHD affects both genders equally throughout adulthood, the condition typically isn't recognized by females. This is likely due to gender stereotypes and the capacity of women to mask their symptoms.
Many healthcare professionals don't have the experience or knowledge to detect ADHD among women. In the end, many females are misdiagnosed before receiving the proper treatment they require.
1. Disorganization
Women and girls who suffer from ADHD are often plagued by disorganization, a condition that can be a challenge to manage. Your desk, for example, may be a mess of papers, 17 different chapsticks, and tickets from the Kings of Leon show you attended in 2008. As you spend money on products that promise to aid in your organization, your home and office are likely to remain messy and chaotic.
Inability to keep on top of your work can result in missed deadlines and appointments. You might also struggle with "time blindness," where you don't know or remember how long it takes to complete the task. This 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, especially if it feels that other people don't appreciate your efforts.
There is a possibility that you have trouble controlling your emotions. This could cause you to overreact when confronted with stressful situations. Your fast-paced verbal communication could cause confusion and miscommunications with your family as well as your coworkers. You may make comments that hurt others' feelings without even knowing. And since impulsivity is common in people with ADHD, you might find it difficult to resist making statements without taking a second to think them through.
If you have ADHD it's possible that a portion of your symptoms are rooted in gender stereotypes or cultural ideas regarding how women, men and boys should behave. This could make it difficult for you to identify and treat your ADHD.
You could also benefit from a treatment for behavioral issues to address the root cause of your disorder. And although it may take a while to discover the appropriate coping strategies Implementing these strategies will help you feel more in control of your life and improve relationships with your family and friends as well as coworkers.
2. Impulsivity
People with ADHD experience intense emotions. However, their brains are not capable of separating them from or analyze them. This means they can get overwhelmed by a single setback or find it hard to discern the mood of other people. This makes them more prone to being distracted by minor inconveniences such as an out of stock book or a shaky friend.
Many women suffering from ADHD overcome their attention difficulties by masking symptoms and developing coping strategies. They could be perfectionists, or highly conscientious at school or work, but have difficulty keeping track of important dates, deadlines and appointments. They might also struggle with self-control in speech and speak too much, interrupt others frequently, or info dump during conversations.
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 an abrupt desire to stop, start or alter activities and being unable to hold your turn in a 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 sometimes difficult to recognize when women suffer from these issues. The rating scales that are used to detect ADHD symptoms are still geared towards male behavior. Some healthcare professionals may not be aware of a woman's ADHD symptoms.
Many women with ADHD also report that their symptoms become worse during times of hormonal changes, for example during the menstrual cycle, pregnancy, or perimenopause (the period leading up to menopausal). This can intensify emotional symptoms and lead to frequent feelings of anger, frustration, or depression. They might also experience an ongoing feeling of dissatisfaction in their relationships or their lives. This can result in substance abuse, low-self-esteem, or unhealthy ways of coping. 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 a person. The good news is that, with a well-planned treatment program the symptoms can be improved or even eliminated.
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 life. You might make mistakes at work or school, forget appointments or spend a lot of time procrastinating. You're not able to be patient and not interrupt other people in conversations.
Attention deficit symptoms in adults could be accompanied by the tendency to get involved in projects without fully planning and researching the subject, which results in poor or insufficient results. You could also become easily distracted and abandon projects that are not completed. This could include a vegetable garden that was planted but not watered, or a new organizational system that you assembled and then put away on your nightstand to accumulate dust.
People with inattention ADHD also have a constant sense of disorganization in their workplaces and at home. adhd women uk may have difficulty finding important documents such as keys or bills, and frequently lose things. You may also lose the track of time and end up being 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 with these signs may perform actions or words without thinking about the impact including snoozing over others or making nonsensical sounds when they are on their own. They might be unable to sit still and adjusting their chair or move. They may have difficulty working and may be in frequent conflict with colleagues and managers.
In some instances, the mood swings and emotional stress caused by ADHD can cause 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 comorbid conditions, such as depression, anxiety or bipolar disorder.
Women and girls with ADHD are likely to face many challenges when seeking treatment. This includes gender bias and a tendency to conceal symptoms or underestimate their severity, and gender bias. The rise of well-known women such as Mia Freedman and Em Rusciano who have shared their own struggles with ADHD has raised awareness, yet many young women and girls aren't aware of the disorder.
4. Anxiety
While most people feel anxious or anxious from time to the other, persistently high anxiety is the hallmark of an anxiety disorder. You might experience an uneasy feeling, fear, or anxiety, as well as a rapid pulse, difficulty being calm, and trouble thinking clearly. You might also feel a sense of danger in situations that you are aware aren't dangerous. The most commonly encountered forms of anxiety include general anxiety disorder, phobias, agoraphobia, panic disorders, separation anxiety and selective mutism.
Anxiety is more common among women suffering from ADHD than in men, and tends to get worse at certain times in the woman's life like the time of her menstrual period, pregnancy or perimenopause. This can make it difficult to manage daily tasks and social interactions and may lead to feelings such as low self-esteem or unsatisfaction.
You're highly sensitive to rejection and 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 do not see as an issue with.
Mood swings are also one of the symptoms of adhd for women in adulthood and you could be able to notice that your moods are unpredictable or difficult to control. You may also be susceptible to self-injury that isn't suicidal, such as hitting, burning or scratching yourself.
It's crucial to seek out a diagnosis if you're experiencing any of the symptoms mentioned above. It will help you understand the issues you're facing, and give you strategies to improve your quality of life. You can take an ADHD test online or talk to your doctor for an assessment from a professional. In some instances your doctor may prescribe medication to ease your symptoms. In certain instances your doctor might suggest an amalgamation of lifestyle changes and cognitive behavior therapy. In either situation, it's crucial to start making some positive changes in your life as soon as you can. This can help you regain control of your life and feel more confident and capable.