ADHD Adult Female Symptoms
ADHD can affect both men and women, but it's more difficult for women to diagnose. ADHD symptoms in adulthood is because women rarely exhibit the same levels of hyperactivity or impulsivity that men do, which means they are often misdiagnosed or not recognized.
The first step in addressing your symptoms is to obtain an accurate diagnosis. Stimulant medication is a common treatment for adults with ADHD however there are other options.
1. Difficulty Focusing
Although everyone is distracted from time to time women with ADHD struggle to keep their focus on conversations and tasks particularly when they're dealing with emotional or sensory overload. These problems can be made worse during menstrual cycles.
Women with inattentive ADHD also have problems with their working memory, which makes it difficult to remember simple things like appointments or future events. They may often forget where they kept their car keys or the name of the lady who gave them a ride home from spin class or even important deadlines and dates.
Other symptoms of ADHD females in adulthood include procrastination and difficulty following through on plans. They are more likely to get distracted by shiny objects or social networks which can make it difficult for them to complete their projects and assignments. This can lead to a sense of being overwhelmed and underperforming at school or at work.
Many women with ADHD aren't diagnosed because of gender stereotypes. In turn, they feel shame and mistakenly label their issues as "bad behavior" or "character imperfections". They are often viewed as if they are a fraud. A diagnosis can be a lightbulb moment providing them with a clear external explanation for their issues and giving them the opportunity to accept themselves more fully.
Untreated ADHD in girls and women can have a variety of negative consequences, including academic difficulties, behavioral problems, relationship and family problems and co-existing mental health conditions. A proper diagnosis and treatment plan will improve the lives of people who suffer from ADHD at any time in their life. Treatment options include stimulant medication and therapy. *
2. Difficulty Finishing Projects
Women with ADHD often have difficulty completing tasks and duties. They may be unable to remember important details, struggle with switching between tasks or responsibilities and are unable to meet deadlines. They could also be more prone to make erroneous mistakes or having difficulty organizing their time efficiently and underestimate the time it takes to complete their tasks.
The emotional manifestations of ADHD in adults, like mood swings and irritability, can be a major source of frustration for women with the condition. Hormonal changes can trigger symptoms, such as those that occur in pregnancy, menopause and during menstrual cycles. Women who have not been diagnosed with ADHD can be frustrated and dissatisfied with their performance at work or in relationships.
Some women with ADHD are unable to complete daily tasks like chores and grocery shopping difficult. They might have a difficult time remembering to take out the trash or switch off the stove, and they are easily distracted by the smallest things in their environment. They might also struggle performing repetitive tasks, such as folding laundry or washing the dishes. Simple tasks that are boring or repetitive can become intolerable which can lead to impulsive behaviours such as excessive talk or sharing. Women with ADHD might also make unruly decisions and resort to unhealthy coping mechanisms such as alcohol or other drugs.
If you are having difficulty completing tasks, memory problems that cause chronic procrastination or problems with relationships, it is time to take a look at a professional evaluation for ADHD. A proper diagnosis can boost your quality of life and assist you in achieving success in your professional and personal life. It will help you better manage your ADHD symptoms and devise strategies to address them effectively. You can reduce lapses in attention and focus by sticking to a plan using a planner, or a reminder apps, making notes during meetings, and ensuring good sleeping habits. Exercise can also help increase focus by boosting the production of brain neurotransmitters.
3. Difficulty Remembering Names
Difficulty remembering names can go hand-in-hand with other ADHD symptoms such as difficulty in following directions and having trouble finishing projects. This is due to an inability to organize and prioritize tasks, which affects efficient information retrieval. This problem is more likely to occur when there are periods of fatigue, stress or hormonal changes.
If a person is unable to remember names and addresses, it can be more annoying if they forget important things like appointments or events, or personal reminders. These lapses can also be caused by depression or anxiety that are often associated with ADHD in women.
ADHD is often not recognized in women due to gender biases and internalized symptoms. Inattentive ADHD symptoms are more subtle than hyperactive/impulsive symptoms, making them harder to detect and identify. As a result, they are not recognized and referred to for diagnosis and treatment.
Additionally, gender-based bias exists because ADHD is typically considered to be a male-specific condition, with hyperactive boys being the ones most admitted to clinics for assessment and treatment. In addition, due to internalized stigma, the symptoms of women differ from those of men. Many doctors fail to diagnose or treat ADHD in females.
Fortunately, it's becoming more common for women to receive an ADHD diagnosis in their adulthood. A diagnosis can improve relationships, set you up for success at school and at work and provide the support you need to excel in your life. Talk to an Salience Health provider if you're interested in getting diagnosed. We'll evaluate your symptoms with tools like Creyos cognitive testing and Brainview Advanced, and connect you with a therapist the right fit for you.
4. Difficulty Appearing Aloof
Women who suffer from ADHD might exhibit subtle signs of inattention. They may skip appointments, forget to complete chores around the house or have trouble taking notes at work. They may also struggle with impulsivity and have difficulty understanding the boundaries of social interaction. ADHD symptoms in adulthood could lead to confusion and misinterpretation in relationships with friends and family and could cause feelings of loneliness and feeling isolated.
Additionally, women with untreated ADHD often struggle to meet the expectations of society for them as women. This can lead to feelings of inadequacy and ADHD symptoms as they struggle with the responsibility of taking care of children and household chores. Many women with untreated ADHD report low self-esteem and turn to unhealthy strategies for coping like binge eating and marathons on TV.
The challenges of ADHD for women can be amplified by gender bias in the way that women and girls are treated, and how clinicians evaluate them. Some research suggests that women and girls tend to hide or compensate for their ADHD symptoms, and may be less likely to be referred for treatment and diagnosis than boys and men.
Women suffering from ADHD may also have difficulties recognizing their symptoms and may confuse them with mood disorders or anxiety disorders. This could lead to false diagnoses and improper or delayed treatment.
These changes can cause women to be more frustrated with her ADHD symptoms. They could also increase the chance to be misinterpreted or dismissed as moody or emotional. These changes can intensify the woman's frustration over her ADHD symptoms, and can increase the likelihood of being viewed as moody or emotionally overly emotional.
5. Impulsivity
Women are also susceptible to the impulsivity that is associated with ADHD. They also may have difficulty controlling their emotions and could be prone to having "foot-in-mouth" moments. These actions that are impulsive can have a big impact on relationships and professional life.
The part of the brain that controls decision-making and reasoning is called the prefrontal cortex. This area can prevent people from making poor decisions because it acts as an alarm. The people who suffer from ADHD have less functioning prefrontal cortex. This can make it difficult for them to resist urges or stop themselves from doing something dangerous or damaging. It can also result in an absence of self-esteem. For women, impulsiveness typically manifests itself as a problem with social boundaries and self-control in conversation (interrupting the conversation, not finishing other's sentences, and talking excessively).
Women also may have issues with impulse control due to the many hormonal changes throughout their lives. Estrogen changes naturally at different times throughout the menstrual cycle, and also during pregnancy, childbirth, and menopause. The use of oral contraception and hormone therapy during perimenopausal and menopausal changes the levels of estrogen and other hormones that affect women's ADHD symptoms.
ADHD symptoms in girls and women may differ from those in males and boys. This is why they are often misdiagnosed. Due to this, many people who suffer from ADHD are unaware that they do. The good news is that identifying and treating ADHD can make a difference in the quality of life for anyone at any age. If you're not sure whether or not you are suffering from ADHD, talk to your doctor and see how they can help. Treatment options include medication, cognitive behavioral therapy and couples counseling.