ADHD Symptoms in Adult Females
While ADHD affects both genders equally in adulthood, it often goes undiagnosed in females. This is likely due to gender stereotypes and the ability of women to hide their symptoms.
Many healthcare professionals don't have the knowledge or experience to detect ADHD in women. As a result, many females are misdiagnosed before receiving the treatment they require.
1. Disorganization
Girls and women with ADHD are often plagued by disorganization. This disorder can be difficult to manage. For instance your desk could be a mess of unruly papers, 17 different chapsticks, or a ticket to the Kings of Leon concert you attended in 2008. As you buy products that claim to keep you organized, 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. Additionally, you may be struggling with the concept of "time blindness," which means you cannot remember or comprehend the amount of time it takes to complete an assignment. This can cause you to feel frustrated and like you're not doing a good enough job at your job, or even your personal life.
You may also have difficulty regulating your emotions, which can cause you to react too quickly in stressful situations. signs of adhd in women might also say things that are not intended to hurt people's feelings. You may also be having trouble stopping yourself from speaking before you think things through, as impulsivity can be common among those with ADHD.
If you suffer from ADHD it's possible that a portion of your symptoms are rooted in gender stereotypes or beliefs about how men, women and boys should behave. This can make it difficult to identify and treat ADHD.
You could also benefit from a treatment for behavioral issues to address the root cause of your disorder. It may take a while to find the best strategies for dealing with stress, but implementing them can help you feel more in control of your own life and improve your relationships with family members, coworkers, and other friends.
2. Impulsivity
People with ADHD experience intense emotions. However their brains aren't capable of separating them from or evaluate them. They can be overwhelmed by a tiny setback, or have difficulty in assessing the mood of others. This can also make them more prone to be distracted by minor issues such as an out of stock book or an unreliable friend.
Many women with ADHD overcome their attention issues by hiding symptoms and devising strategies for coping. They may be perfectionists or extremely meticulous at school or at work however, they have trouble keeping the track of important dates, deadlines and appointments. They might struggle with self-talk control and may talk 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 the sudden urge to begin or stop activities. They can also be characterized by being unable to wait for your turn in a conversation, and experiencing difficulty in interpreting social signals.
While gender-based stereotypes may play a role in the development of ADHD, it's sometimes difficult to determine if women suffer from these issues. Rating scales that are used to determine ADHD symptoms are still skewed towards male behavior and some healthcare professionals might misunderstand or misunderstand the symptoms of women.
Many women with ADHD report that their symptoms worsen when hormonal changes occur, such as during menstruation or pregnancy, and also during perimenopausal symptoms. This can cause emotions such as anger and irritability, or depression. They may also experience an unrelenting feeling of discontent in their lives or relationships. This may lead to depression, substance abuse 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. With a well-planned treatment strategy, you can lessen or even eliminate these signs.
3. Attention
ADHD is characterized by a high frequency of these symptoms. While everyone struggles to concentrate and pay attention at certain times and in a variety of ways, they are so frequent that they can impede your everyday life. You could make a few blunders at school or work and forget appointments, or spend a lot of time procrastinating. You aren't comfortable waiting to be the first in a conversation and are often interrupted by others.
Adults who are not attentive may be prone to get caught up in projects before having a complete plan and research them. This leads to incomplete results or even subpar ones. You could also get easily distracted and leave projects unfinished. This could include a vegetable garden that was planted but not watered, or a brand new system of organization that you built and then put on your nightstand for it to rot.
People who have inattention ADHD struggle with chronic disorganization at home and in the workplace. You might have trouble finding important documents keys, bills, or other important documents and lose things on a regular basis. You may be unable to keep your track of time and become late for school, work or even 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 who suffer from these conditions can perform actions or words without considering the consequences. For example they might talk over other people or make unintentional noises in solitude. They have difficulty sitting still and might move around or get out of their seats. They may have difficulty maintaining their job and may have frequent disagreements with their colleagues and their manager.
In certain instances, mood swings and emotional distress caused by ADHD can cause frustration in relationships and misunderstandings. This is especially true in romantic relationships as well as at work. People who suffer from ADHD are also more likely to suffer from co-occurring conditions, like depression, anxiety, or bipolar disorder.
Girls and women with ADHD are likely to face many challenges when seeking treatment. These include gender discrimination as well as a tendency to cover up symptoms or underestimate their severity, as well as gender bias. The rise of famous women like Mia Freedman and Em Rusciano who have shared their personal struggles with ADHD has helped raise awareness, but many young women and girls do not know they have the disorder.
4. Anxiety
Although many people feel anxious or nervous from time moment, a constant and overwhelming anxiety is a sign of an anxiety disorder. You might experience a constant sense of unease, fear, or anxiety, as well as rapid pulse, difficulty being calm, and trouble thinking clearly. You may also experience an increased fear of danger, even in situations that aren't likely be risky for you. The most commonly encountered forms of anxiety are general anxiety disorder, phobias and agoraphobia, separation anxiety, panic disorders and selective Mutism.
Anxiety is more common in women suffering from ADHD than men, and it is more likely to become worse during certain times of women's lives for instance, during the time of her menstrual cycle and pregnancy or perimenopausal. This makes it more difficult to handle everyday activities and social interactions and can cause feelings of self-doubt and general dissatisfaction with your life.
You're highly sensitive to rejection and have a tough to accept criticism. You are prone to misinterpret feedback, or even anticipate rejection. You might get upset over small issues that other people do not see as an issue with.
Mood swings can also be a symptom of adult adhd in women. You might notice that you have unpredictable emotions or find it difficult to control these. You could also be prone to self-injury that is not suicidal, such as scrubbing, burning or hitting yourself.
If you're struggling with any of the above symptoms, it's essential to receive a diagnosis. It can help you understand the issues you're facing, and give you strategies to improve the quality of your life. You can take an ADHD test online, or talk to your physician for an assessment from a professional. In some cases your doctor may prescribe medication to help alleviate your symptoms. In other cases, they might recommend an amalgamation of lifestyle changes and cognitive behavior therapy. In any scenario, it's essential to start making some positive changes in your life as soon as you can. This can help you get back in control of your life and make you feel more productive, confident and capable.