ADHD Symptoms in Adult Females
The condition is often misdiagnosed in women, even though it affects both men and woman equally as adults. 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 detect ADHD in women. In the end, many females are misdiagnosed before receiving the treatment they require.
1. Disorganization
Girls and women who suffer from ADHD are often plagued by disorganization. This disorder can be difficult to manage. For instance your desk could be a jumble of tangled papers, 17 different chapsticks, or a ticket stub from the Kings of Leon concert you went to in 2008. Even though you may have spent money on products to help you organize your workspace, your office or home is likely to remain messy and messy.
Inability to keep track of your tasks may result in missed deadlines and appointments. In addition, you could be struggling with a concept known as "time blindness," which means you aren't able to remember or comprehend the amount of time it takes to complete a task. This can leave you frustrated and feeling like you're not doing a great job in your work or personal life, especially if it feels like others don't appreciate your efforts.
You may also have difficulty managing your emotions. This could cause you to overreact when confronted with stressful situations. You may also make comments without meaning to hurt people's feelings. In addition, since impulsivity is common for those with ADHD, you might have trouble stopping yourself from saying things before considering them.
If you suffer from ADHD It's likely some of your symptoms are rooted in gender stereotypes and cultural ideas about the ways men, boys, and women should act. This makes it difficult to diagnose and treat ADHD.
In addition to a diagnosis it is possible that you will need a treatment for behavioral issues to deal with the root cause of your disorder. It might take time to determine the most effective coping strategies, but implementing them will allow you to feel more in control of your life and improve your relationships with family, coworkers, and other friends.
2. Impulsivity
People who suffer from ADHD often experience intense emotions however their brains don't have a good way to evaluate or filter them. They may be overwhelmed by a minor setback, or have difficulty being able to assess the emotional state of others. This makes them more susceptible to being distracted by minor inconveniences, such as a book out of stock or a shaky friend.
Many women suffering from ADHD overcome their attention issues by hiding symptoms and implementing strategies to cope. They could be perfectionists or highly conscientious at school or work, but have difficulty keeping on top of important dates, deadlines and appointments. They may also have issues with verbal self-restraint and talk excessively, interrupt others often, or ramble 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 a sudden urge to start, stop or change activities and being unable to hold your turn in a conversation; and having trouble reading social cues (like facial expressions or body language).
While gender-based stereotypes can play a role in the development of ADHD but it's not always easy to recognize when women suffer from these issues. Rating scales used to identify ADHD symptoms are still biased toward male behavior and some health professionals might misunderstand or underestimate a woman's symptoms.
Many women with ADHD say that their symptoms get worse when hormonal changes occur like menstrual cycles, pregnancy, and perimenopause. This can intensify emotional symptoms and cause frequent feelings of frustration, irritability, or depression. They may also feel a persistent feeling of discontent with their lives or relationships. This could result in self-esteem issues, substance abuse, or unhealthy ways of coping. It is crucial for women to understand that these signs do not reflect their worth or value as human beings. With a good treatment strategy, you can lessen or even eliminate these symptoms.
3. Inattention
ADHD is often characterized by a higher frequency of these symptoms. While everyone struggles to concentrate and pay attention at certain times the frequency of these symptoms is so high that they can impede your everyday life. You might make mistakes at school or work and forget appointments, or spend many hours putting off work. You can't stand in line and interrupt others in conversations.
Inattentive symptoms in adults can include the tendency to get involved in projects without properly planning and analyzing them, which leads to inadequate or poor results. You may also be easily distracted and abandon projects that are not completed. This could be an unwatered vegetable garden planted but never watered, or a new organization system you put together and then put away on your nightstand to collect dust.
People with inattention ADHD also struggle with an ongoing sense of disorganization, both at home and at work. You may have difficulty finding important documents, keys or bills and lose things regularly. You could also lose your track of time and become late for work, school 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 with these signs may say or do things without thinking about the impact, like talking over others or making nonsensical sounds when they're alone. They might have difficulty sitting still, and may flitter around in their seat or pace. They can have trouble working and may be in frequent conflict with colleagues and managers.
In certain instances, mood swings or emotional distress caused by ADHD can cause frustration in relationships and miscommunications. This is especially the case in relationships with partners as well as at work. People with ADHD are also more likely to suffer from co-occurring conditions, like anxiety, depression or bipolar disorder.
Girls and women who suffer from ADHD may face many difficulties when seeking treatment. These include gender bias as well as a tendency to cover up symptoms or underestimate their severity, and gender bias. The rise of well-known women like Mia Freedman and Em Rusciano who have spoken out about their own struggles with ADHD has helped raise awareness, however many young women and girls still don't know they have the condition.
4. Anxiety
While most people feel anxious or anxious from time to the other, persistently high anxiety is a sign of an anxiety disorder. You may experience an uneasy feeling, fear, or anxiety and also rapid pulse, difficulty maintaining calm, and having trouble thinking clearly. You may also feel an increased sense of danger even in situations that aren't likely be dangerous for you. The most frequent forms of anxiety are general anxiety disorder, phobias, agoraphobia and panic disorders, separation anxiety and selective Mutism.
Anxiety is more prevalent among women suffering from ADHD compared to men. It tends worsen around certain life events, such as menstruation or pregnancy, as well as perimenopausal. This can make it more difficult to handle everyday tasks and social interactions, and can cause feelings of self-doubt and general dissatisfaction with your life.
You are extremely sensitive to rejection and you have a hard acceptance of criticism. You are prone to interpret feedback incorrectly, or anticipate rejection. You may be upset over small issues that others don't see an issue with.
Mood swings are another of the symptoms of adhd for women in adulthood and you may find that your emotions are unpredictable or difficult to manage. You could also be susceptible 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 important to establish a clear diagnosis. It can help you identify your issues and give you strategies to improve your living quality. adhd symptoms in adult women can take an ADHD test online, or talk to your physician for a professional assessment. In certain cases doctors may prescribe medication to help alleviate your symptoms. In other cases they might suggest a combination of lifestyle changes and cognitive behavior therapy. In either scenario, it's essential to make positive changes in your life as soon as you can. This will allow you to gain control over your life and make you feel more productive, confident and capable.