ADHD Adult Female Symptoms
ADHD can affect people of all age groups and genders, however it is more difficult for women to get diagnosed. It's because women rarely show the same hyperactivity and indecisiveness as men, and so they can be overlooked or incorrectly diagnosed.
The first step to manage your symptoms is to receive an accurate diagnosis. Adults who suffer from ADHD are often treated with stimulant medications, but there are other options.
1. Trouble focusing
While everyone gets distracted occasionally, women who suffer from ADHD have difficulty putting their focus on tasks and conversations especially when they're suffering from sensory or emotional overload. These problems can be made worse when menstrual cycles are in full swing.
what is ADHD symptoms in adults who are inattentional ADHD have problems with their working memory. This causes them to be unable to remember everyday things like the dates of appointments or events that are coming up. They may forget where they left their keys in their car or the name of the lady who offered them a lift home from spin class. They may forget important dates or deadlines.
Other signs of ADHD females in adulthood include procrastination and difficulty following through with plans. They tend to be distracted by shiny objects or social media which makes it difficult to complete their projects and assignments. This can lead to feeling overwhelmed and underperforming at school or work.
Many women with ADHD are not diagnosed due to gender stereotypes. In turn, they feel shame and mistakenly label their issues as "bad behavior" or "character issues". They are often viewed like they're an imposter. A diagnosis can be a moment of clarity, giving them a clear, external explanation of their struggles and giving them the opportunity to accept their own uniqueness.
Untreated ADHD in girls and women can cause a range of negative effects, such as academic difficulties, behavioral problems, relationship and family problems, and coexisting mental health issues. A correct diagnosis and treatment plan can make a difference to the lives of people who suffer from ADHD at any point in their lives. Treatment options include stimulant medications and therapy. *
2. Difficulty Finishing Projects
Women with ADHD often struggle to complete tasks and responsibilities. They might forget important information, have difficulty shifting between tasks and responsibilities and find it difficult to meet deadlines. They might also be more prone to making careless mistakes or having difficulty organizing their time efficiently and underestimate the time it takes to finish their work.
Women with ADHD are likely to experience emotional symptoms of ADHD, such as mood swings or irritability, particularly frustrating. The symptoms can be exacerbated by hormonal changes, including those that occur during menstrual cycles or during pregnancy, as well as menopausal. Women who aren't diagnosed with ADHD might feel angry and dissatisfied about their performance at work and in their relationships.
Women with ADHD find daily routines like chores and grocery shopping challenging. They might have a difficult finding the time to remember to empty the trash or to turn off the stove, and they are easily distracted by little things in their environment. They can also struggle with routine tasks, such as washing dishes or folding laundry. Boring or mundane chores can become exhausting which can lead to impulsive behavior like excessive talking or sharing. Women with ADHD may also make unruly choices and employ unhealthy strategies to cope, such as alcohol or drugs.
If you are having difficulty getting things done, have memory issues, have a tendency to procrastinate for a long time or are experiencing relationship issues It is crucial to seek professional assistance for ADHD. Getting a proper diagnosis can improve the quality of life and set you up for success in both your professional and personal lives. It can help you manage your ADHD symptoms and develop strategies to manage them effectively. To prevent lapses in attention and focus you should keep a consistent schedule using a planner or reminder apps and take notes during meetings, and adhere to good sleeping habits (avoid screens for an hour prior to the time you go to bed). Exercise also helps increase focus by boosting brain neurotransmitter production.
3. Trouble remembering names
Trouble remembering names can go hand-in-hand with other ADHD symptoms such as difficulties following directions and difficulty finishing projects. This is due to an inability of organizing and prioritizing tasks, which can hinder information retrieval. This issue can get worse during times of stress, fatigue, or hormonal changes, like prior to, during, or after menopausal change.
Forgetting names can be more frustrating when it's followed by a feeling of forgetfulness over bigger items like appointments, events, or personal reminders. These lapses may be exacerbated by depression and anxiety which are common co-occurring conditions with ADHD among women.
Due to gender biases and internalized symptoms, ADHD is often misdiagnosed in women. Inattentive ADHD symptoms are more subtle than hyperactive/impulsive symptoms, making them harder to detect and identify. Therefore, they are not diagnosed and are not being referred to a doctor for treatment and diagnosis.
Additionally, gender-based bias exists because ADHD is typically seen as a male condition with hyperactive boys being the ones who are the most referred to clinics for evaluation and treatment. In addition to internalized stigma and the fact that women's symptoms frequently appear different from men's, many professionals fail to diagnose or treat ADHD in women.
It's becoming more common for women to be diagnosed with ADHD in their adulthood. A diagnosis can improve your relationships, aid you to achieve success at work and in school, and provide you with the help you require. Talk to a Salience Health provider if you're interested in getting diagnosed. We will be able to assess your symptoms using tools like Creyos Cognitive Testing and Brainview Advanced and connect you to a therapist that is suitable for you.
4. Difficulty Appearing Aloof
Women who suffer from ADHD might exhibit subtle signs of inattention. They may not remember to do chores at home, fail to attend appointments, or have trouble taking notes. They may also be struggling with impulsivity or have difficulty understanding the boundaries of social interaction. This can lead to misinterpretations and confusions between family and friends and may lead to feelings of loneliness and isolation.
In addition, women with untreated ADHD often have difficulty meeting the expectations of society for them as women. They may be struggling with the burden of caring for their children and household chores, and this social pressure can exacerbate their ADHD symptoms and feelings of inadequateness. Many women suffering from untreated ADHD have low self-esteem and resort to unhealthy coping strategies like binge eating and marathons on TV.
The difficulties of ADHD for women could be compounded by gender discrimination in the way women and girls are viewed and how doctors evaluate them. Certain studies suggest that girls and women are more likely to conceal or minimize their ADHD symptoms, and may be less likely to receive treatment and diagnosis than men and boys.
Women with ADHD may also have difficulties recognizing their symptoms and may confuse them with anxiety disorders or mood disorders. This could lead to a false diagnosis and delayed or incorrect treatment.
These changes can make women more frustrated with her ADHD symptoms. They can also increase the chance that she will be misunderstood or dismissed as moody or overly emotional. These changes can heighten women's anger over their ADHD symptoms, and can increase the likelihood of being viewed as moody or emotional.
5. Impulsivity
Women are also susceptible to the impulsivity that is a sign of ADHD. They may also have difficulty controlling their emotions, and be prone to "foot in the mouth" moments. These impulsive behaviors can have a big impact on relationships and professional life.
Prefrontal cortex is a part of the brain that controls reasoning and decision-making. This area is able to prevent people from making poor decisions since it serves as a check. ADHD sufferers have a weaker prefrontal cortex. This makes it more difficult to resist impulses and prevent themselves from doing something reckless. It can also cause an absence of self-esteem. In women, impulsiveness often manifests itself as a problem with social boundaries and self-control in conversation (interrupting the conversation, not finishing other's sentences, and talking excessively).
Women also have issues with control of impulses when hormones are fluctuating. Estrogen changes naturally at different periods during the menstrual cycle, during pregnancy, childbirth and menopausal. Contraceptives and hormone therapy used during perimenopause or menopause may further alter estrogen levels and other hormones, which can affect the woman's ADHD.
ADHD symptoms in women and girls can differ from those of men and boys, which is why they are often incorrectly diagnosed. Because of this, many adults with ADHD are unaware of the fact that they do. The good news is, diagnosing and treating ADHD at any age can improve the quality of life a person. If you are unsure whether or not you have ADHD discuss it with your doctor to see if they can help. Treatment options include medications as well as cognitive behavioral therapy and couples counseling.