ADHD Symptoms in Adult Females
Although ADHD affects both genders equally throughout adulthood, the condition often is not recognized in females. This is likely due to gender stereotypes and the ability of women to hide their symptoms.
Many healthcare professionals lack the knowledge and experience to detect ADHD in women. As a result, many women are misdiagnosed and not receiving the proper treatment they require.
1. Disorganization
Girls and women who suffer from ADHD have trouble coordinating. This condition is difficult to manage. Your desk, for example could be a jumble of papers, 17 different chapsticks, and tickets from the Kings of Leon show you attended in 2008. Although you may have invested money in products to help you organize your workspace, your home or office is likely to remain chaotic and messy.
Inability to stay on top of your work can lead to missing deadlines and appointments. You may also experience "time blindness," where you don't know or remember how long it takes to finish a task. This could make you feel frustrated and like you're not doing a great enough job in your profession or in your personal life.
You might also have trouble controlling your emotions. This could cause you to react excessively when faced with stressful situations. You might also say things without meaning to hurt the feelings of someone else. And since impulsivity is common for those with ADHD it is possible that you will be unable to stop yourself from making statements without considering them.
If you suffer from ADHD it's likely that some of your symptoms are rooted in gender stereotypes and beliefs about the ways boys, men and women should behave. This makes it more difficult for you to recognize and treat your ADHD.
You may also benefit from a treatment for behavioral issues to address the root cause of your disorder. It could take some time to discover the most effective coping strategies, but implementing them will help you feel in control of your life and improve your relationships with family, coworkers, and friends.
2. Impulsivity
People who suffer from ADHD are often overwhelmed by intense emotions however their brains do not have a way to evaluate or filter them. They may be overwhelmed by a tiny setback, or have difficulty in assessing the mood of other people. It can also make it easier for them to become distracted by minor issues such as the book that's out of stock or an acquaintance who's late for take a spin class.
Many women with ADHD compensate for their attention problems by hiding symptoms and devising strategies for coping. They may be highly conscientious or a perfectionist at school or work and struggle to keep the track of appointments and bills or important dates. They may also have issues with self-control in speech 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 the sudden urge to begin, stop, or change activities. They also include being unable to wait for your turn in a conversation, and experiencing difficulty in interpreting social cues.
Although gender-based stereotypes can play a role in the development of ADHD but it's often difficult to recognize when a woman has these issues. The rating scales that are used to identify ADHD symptoms are still biased towards male behavior. Some healthcare professionals might not be aware of a woman's ADHD symptoms.
Many women suffering from ADHD also note that their symptoms tend to become more severe during times of hormonal changes, like during menstrual cycles, pregnancy, or perimenopause (the menopausal transition). This can trigger emotional symptoms like frustration, irritability or depression. They may also feel an ongoing feeling of discontent with their relationships or lives. This can lead to self-esteem issues, substance abuse, or unhealthy methods of coping. This is the reason it's so important for women to realize that these symptoms aren't an indication of their worth or worth as an individual. The positive side is that with a proper treatment plan, these symptoms can be improved or even eliminated.
3. Attention!
While everyone struggles with paying attention and focusing, with ADHD the symptoms are experienced so frequently that they interfere with your daily life. You could make a few mistakes at work or at school, miss appointments or spend a large amount of time delaying. You aren't comfortable waiting to be the first in a conversation and are often interrupted by other people.
Inattentive symptoms in adults can be accompanied by an inclination to dive into projects without thoroughly planning and researching the subject, which results in poor or insufficient results. You could also become easily distracted and abandon projects that are not completed. This could include a vegetable garden that was planted but not watered, or a brand new system of organization that you built and then left on your nightstand to collect dust.
People who have inattention ADHD are also plagued by a constant sense of disorganization in their home and workplaces. adhd symptoms in women test may have difficulty finding important documents keys, bills or even keys and may lose items on a regular basis. You may also lose your track of time and become 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. Women with these symptoms might make or do actions without thinking about the consequences, like talking over other people or making strange sounds when they are alone. They are unable to sit still and can move around or get out of their seats. They might be unable to keep the job they have, and are in frequent disagreements with their colleagues and supervisor.
In some instances mood swings and emotional stress caused by ADHD can cause frustration and misunderstandings in relationships. This is especially true in romantic relationships as well as at work. People who suffer from ADHD also are more likely to being afflicted with comorbid conditions, such as depression, anxiety or bipolar disorder.
Women and girls who suffer from ADHD can face a variety of challenges when seeking treatment and diagnosis which include gender discrimination and a tendency to hide their symptoms or underestimate the severity of them. Women with a high profile, such as Em Rusciano and Mia Freedman who have spoken out about their struggles with ADHD have contributed to raising awareness. However, many young women and girls don't know they have it.
4. Anxiety
While most people feel anxious or nervous from time time, persistently outsize anxiety is a sign of an anxiety disorder. You might experience a constant feeling of unease or fear, a rapid heartbeat, difficulty staying at peace and having difficulty focusing. There is also the sense of danger even in situations you know aren't dangerous. The most commonly encountered forms of anxiety include general anxiety disorder, agoraphobia, phobias, separation anxiety and panic disorders.
Anxiety is more prevalent among women suffering from ADHD as compared to men. It can be worsened by certain life events like menstruation or pregnancy, or perimenopausal. This can make it harder to manage everyday tasks and social interactions and cause feelings of self-doubt and a general feeling of discontent with your life.
You're very sensitive to rejection and have a tough to accept criticism. You're prone to interpret feedback incorrectly, or anticipate rejection. You might be upset over small issues that other people don't find an issue with.
Mood swings are also one of the adult female adhd symptoms and you may find that your emotions are unpredictable or difficult to manage. You might also be prone to non-suicidal self-injury, such as scratching, burning or hitting yourself.
It is crucial to seek out a diagnosis if you're experiencing any of the symptoms mentioned above. It can help you understand some of the challenges you're facing, and offer you strategies to improve your quality of life. You can take an online ADHD test, or visit your doctor for a professional evaluation. In certain instances doctors may prescribe medication to ease your symptoms. In certain instances your doctor might suggest an amalgamation of lifestyle changes and cognitive behavior therapy. In signs of add in adult women , it's important to begin making positive changes in your life as soon as you can. This will help you gain control over your life and make you feel more confident, productive and competent.