ADHD Symptoms in Adult Females
Although ADHD affects both genders equally in adulthood, the condition typically goes undiagnosed in females. This is likely due to gender stereotypes and the capability of women to hide their symptoms.
Many healthcare professionals lack the experience or knowledge to identify ADHD among women. In the end, many females are misdiagnosed before receiving the proper treatment they need.
1. Disorganization
Women and girls who suffer from ADHD often struggle with disordered thinking, which can be very difficult to manage. For instance your desk might be a jumble of muddled papers, 17 chapsticks, or a ticket to the Kings of Leon concert you attended in 2008. Even if you've purchased a few items to help you organize, your office or home is likely still chaotic and messy.
Inability to keep on top of your work can result in missed deadlines and appointments. You may also experience "time blindness," where you don't know or remember how long it takes to complete a 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, particularly when it seems like other people don't value your efforts.
You may also have difficulty regulating your emotions, which can make you overreact in stressful situations. You may also say things without intention of hurting the feelings of someone else. You may also have trouble stopping yourself from speaking before you have thought things through, as it is common for those with ADHD.
If you have ADHD, it's likely that some of your symptoms stem from gender stereotypes and cultural ideas about how men, boys and women should behave. This can make it difficult to diagnose and treat ADHD.
In addition to being diagnosed, you might require a behavioral therapy program to address the root causes of your condition. It may take a while to determine the most effective strategies to cope, but using them will help you feel more in control of your own life and improve your relationships with family members, colleagues, and friends.
2. Impulsivity
People with ADHD are often overwhelmed by intense emotions however their brains do not have a method to assess or filter them. They may be overwhelmed by a tiny incident, or have trouble assessing the emotional state of others. This also makes them more susceptible to being distracted by minor inconveniences such as a book out of stock or an unreliable friend.
Many women with ADHD cover up their symptoms and devise coping strategies to compensate for their attention issues. They may be highly conscientious or a perfectionist at work or school and have difficulty keeping the track of appointments or bills, as well as important dates. They might also struggle with verbal self control and speak too much 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 an abrupt desire to start or stop activities. They can also be characterized by being unable wait for your turn in a conversation or experiencing difficulty in interpreting social signals.
While gender stereotypes can influence on the development of ADHD for women, it's not always easy to spot these issues. Rating scales used to identify ADHD symptoms are still biased towards male behavior and some health experts may be misinformed or misunderstand the symptoms of women.
Many women suffering from ADHD also say that their symptoms get more severe during times of hormonal changes, such as menstrual cycle or pregnancy, or during perimenopausal (the run-up to menopause). This can lead to emotional symptoms such as frustration, irritability or depression. They may also have an unrelenting feeling of discontent in their lives or relationships. This may lead to substance abuse, low self-esteem and unhealthy coping habits. It is important for women to realize that these symptoms don't indicate their worth or importance as a human being. The positive side is that with a solid treatment strategy, these symptoms can be improved or even eliminated.
3. Inattention
Everyone has difficulty paying attention and focusing, with ADHD, these symptoms occur in such a way that they can interfere with your life. You might make mistakes at work or in school, miss appointments or spend a good deal of time procrastinating. You aren't comfortable waiting your turn in conversations and often interrupt other people.
Adults who are inattention may be accompanied by the tendency to get involved in projects without properly planning and researching them, which can result in poor or insufficient results. You might also get side-tracked easily and have a tendency to leave projects unfinished -from the garden that got planted, but never watered, to the new organizational system that got assembled and then put aside to dust on your nightstand.
People with inattentive ADHD are also plagued by a constant sense of disorganization in their workplaces and at home. It is possible that you have trouble finding important documents, bills or keys and may lose items on a regular basis. You could be unable to keep the track of time and end up late for school, work or for meetings.
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 say or do things without considering the impact, like talking over others or making a nonsensical sound when they are on their own. They might be unable to sit still, and fidget in their seats or at a fast pace. They might be unable to keep a job, and have frequent conflicts with their coworkers and supervisor.
In some instances, the mood swings and emotional distress caused by ADHD may lead to frustration in relationships and miscommunications. adhd in adult women test is especially the case in romantic relationships as well as at work. People with ADHD also have a higher likelihood of being afflicted with comorbid conditions, such as bipolar disorder, depression or anxiety disorder.
Women and girls with ADHD are often faced with a range of challenges when seeking diagnosis and treatment, including gender bias and a tendency to hide their symptoms or undervalue the severity of them. The rise of famous women like Mia Freedman and Em Rusciano who have spoken out about their own struggles with ADHD has raised awareness, but many young women and girls aren't aware of the disorder.
4. Anxiety
Although many people feel anxious or anxious from time to moment, a constant and overwhelming anxiety is a sign of an anxiety disorder. You may experience an uncontrollable feeling of anxiety or fear, a rapid heartbeat, difficulty staying calm and difficulty thinking clearly. You may also feel the sense of danger even in situations you know aren't risky. The most common forms of anxiety include general anxiety disorder, agoraphobia, phobias, separation anxiety and panic disorders.
Anxiety is more common among women suffering from ADHD than in men, and it is more likely to become worse during certain periods of a woman's life for instance, during her menstrual cycle or pregnancy, or perimenopausal. This can make it difficult for women to handle everyday tasks and social interactions, and can lead to feelings such as low self-esteem or dissatisfaction.
You're highly sensitive to rejection and have a tough to accept criticism. You're prone to miss the mark on feedback, or anticipate rejection. You might be angry about small things that others don't see an issue with.
Mood swings are another of the symptoms of adhd in women who are older and you could be able to notice that your moods are unstable or difficult to control. You may also be prone self-injury that is not suicidal, such as burning, scrubbing, or hitting yourself.
It's important to seek a diagnosis if you are experiencing any of the symptoms listed above. It can help you understand your challenges and give you strategies to improve your quality of life. You can take an ADHD test online or talk to your doctor for an expert assessment. In some instances, your doctor might prescribe medication to help alleviate your symptoms. In other cases they may recommend an amalgamation of lifestyle changes and cognitive behavior therapy. In any scenario, it's essential to begin making positive changes in your life as soon as you can. This will allow you to regain control of your life and make you feel more confident and capable.