ADHD Adult Female Symptoms
ADHD can affect men and women, but it's more difficult for women to diagnose. It's because women do not typically exhibit the same hyperactivity or impulsivity that men do, so they are often misdiagnosed or not recognized.
The first step in managing your symptoms is to get an accurate diagnosis. Adults who suffer from ADHD are often treated with stimulant medications however, there are other alternatives.
1. Trouble focusing
Women suffering from ADHD can be distracted by a myriad of things, but they have a harder time staying focused on tasks and conversations particularly when they are experiencing emotional or sensory overload. These issues can become more difficult during menstrual cycles.
Women who are inattentive ADHD also have trouble with their working memory, making it difficult to remember simple things like appointments or forthcoming events. They might forget where they kept their keys to their car, the name of the lady who took them home from spin class, or even important deadlines and dates.
Procrastination, and the inability to keep up with plans are other signs of ADHD in females who are adults. They are more likely to get distracted by shiny objects or social networks, making it difficult to complete their work and assignments. This can lead to a sense of being overwhelmed and underperforming at school or work.
Because of societal ideas about gender, many women suffering from ADHD are not diagnosed. In turn, they feel shame and mistakenly classify their issues as "bad behaviors" or "character imperfections". They often feel like they're an imposter. A diagnosis can be a "lightbulb" moment for them, because it provides them with an external explanation of their struggles and allows them to accept themselves better.
Girls and women with untreated ADHD can suffer from a broad range of negative outcomes, including academic problems and behavioral issues, bad relationships and family problems and co-occurring mental health conditions. A proper diagnosis and treatment plan can enhance the lives of those who suffer from ADHD at any point in their life. Treatment options may include therapy and stimulant medications. *
2. Difficulty Finishing Projects
Women suffering from ADHD are unable to complete tasks or obligations. They may forget important details, have trouble switching between tasks or responsibilities and are unable to meet deadlines. They could also be more prone to making careless mistakes or having difficulty organizing and managing their time effectively and underestimate the amount of time it takes to complete their tasks.
ADHD symptoms in adulthood with ADHD are likely to experience emotional symptoms of ADHD such as irritability or mood swings, particularly difficult. Hormonal changes can trigger symptoms, which can occur in pregnancy, menopause and during menstrual cycle. Women who aren't diagnosed with ADHD may feel angry and dissatisfied with their performance at work or in relationships.
Women who suffer from ADHD find daily routines like chores and grocery shopping challenging. They may forget to take out the garbage or turn off the stove, and can be easily distracted. symptoms of ADHD in an adult may also have difficulty with repetitive tasks, such as folding the dishes or washing the laundry. The monotonous or boring tasks can become unbearable, leading to impulsive behaviors like excessive talking or oversharing. Women with ADHD can also make erratic decisions and resort to unhealthy coping mechanisms such as alcohol or drugs.
If you have difficulty finishing tasks, memory problems or chronic procrastination, as well as problems with relationships, it is time to take a look at a professional evaluation for ADHD. Finding the right diagnosis can improve your quality of life and help you achieve success in your personal and professional lives. It can help you better manage your ADHD symptoms and devise strategies to deal with them effectively. You can minimize lapses of concentration and attention by adhering to a schedule by using a planner or reminder apps, taking notes during meetings, and maintaining good sleep hygiene. Exercise can also improve focus as it increases the levels of brain neurotransmitters.
3. It is difficult to remember names.
Difficulty remembering names can be a sign of other ADHD symptoms, such as difficulty following directions and trouble finishing projects. The root cause of the difficulties is a lack of ability to prioritize and organize tasks which affects the efficiency of information retrieval. This symptom also tends to get worse during times of fatigue, stress or hormonal changes, such as prior to, during, or after menopausal changes.
Forgetting names can feel even more frustrating when it's followed by a feeling of numbness over larger things, such as appointments and events or personal reminders. These lapses may be exacerbated by depression and anxiety, which are common co-occurring conditions with ADHD for women.
Due to gender biases and internalized symptoms, ADHD is often misdiagnosed among women. Inattentive ADHD symptoms are more subtle than hyperactive/impulsive symptoms, making them harder to detect and identify. As a result, they are under-identified and under-referred for diagnosis and treatment.
Additionally there is discrimination based on gender due to the fact that ADHD tends to be seen as a condition that is affecting boys. Boys with hyperactivity are the ones most often being referred to clinics and analyzed for treatment. In addition to the internalized stigma, women's symptoms are usually different from those of men. Many professionals do not diagnose or treat ADHD for females.
It's becoming more common for women to receive an ADHD diagnosis in their adulthood. A diagnosis can improve your relationships, help you achieve your goals at work and school, and give you the assistance you require. If you are seeking an assessment, speak with an experienced Salience Health provider. We can evaluate your symptoms using tools like Creyos cognitive testing and Brainview Advanced, and connect you with a therapist the right fit for you.
4. Difficulty Appearing in Aloof
Women with ADHD may exhibit subtle signs of inattention. They may miss appointments, forget to complete chores around the house or have difficulty making notes at work. They may also be struggling with impulsivity or difficulty understanding social boundaries. This can lead to misinterpretation and misunderstandings in relationships with family and friends and can result in feelings of loneliness and disconnection.
Women who suffer from untreated ADHD may also have trouble fulfilling the expectations of society regarding them as women. They may struggle with the responsibility of caring for children and household chores, and this social pressure can exacerbate their ADHD symptoms and feelings of inadequacy. If left untreated, ADHD can lead to low self-esteem in women. They might resort to unhealthy methods of coping, such as binge eating or watching marathons of TV.
The difficulties of ADHD in women are caused by gender bias both in the way that women and girls are viewed and assessed by healthcare professionals. There is evidence that suggests that girls and women tend to hide their ADHD symptoms or to compensate for them, and they might be less likely than males and females to be referred to a specialist for treatment and diagnosis.
Women with ADHD can also have difficulty understanding their symptoms and could be confused with mood disorders or anxiety disorders. This could lead to incorrect diagnosis and delayed treatment.
Symptoms of ADHD can vary with hormonal fluctuations. They may be especially evident during the ovulation cycle and during menstrual cycles, pregnancy, or menopause. These changes can intensify a woman's frustration with her ADHD symptoms, and could increase the chance of being misinterpreted or dismissed as moody or emotional.
5. Impulsivity
Women are also susceptible to the impulsivity that is a sign of ADHD. They may also have trouble managing their emotions and can be more prone to "foot-in-mouth" moments. These uncontrollable behaviors can have a major impact on your professional and personal life.
Prefrontal cortex is the region of the brain that controls reasoning and decision-making. This brain area can stop people from making poor decisions since it serves as a safeguard. ADHD sufferers have a weaker prefrontal cortex. This can make it more difficult to resist impulses and stop themselves from engaging in reckless behavior. It can also result in a lack in self-respect. Women's impulsiveness can be seen as the lack of social boundaries and self-control during conversations (interrupting other people, not finishing their sentences, or talking too much).
Women also may have issues with impulse control during the different hormone fluctuations throughout their lives. Estrogen is naturally fluctuates at various times during the menstrual cycle, during pregnancy, childbirth, and menopause. Contraceptives and hormone therapy used during perimenopause or menopause may affect estrogen levels as well as other hormones, which can affect the woman's ADHD.
The way ADHD symptoms are expressed for women and girls may vary from those of males and females, which is one of the reasons why they are often not diagnosed. Many people with ADHD are not aware of their condition. The good news is, the diagnosis and treatment of ADHD at any age can improve the quality of life of an individual. Speak to your doctor if there's a doubt whether you're suffering from ADHD. They can offer you advice. Treatment options include medication, cognitive behavior therapy, and couples counseling.