ADHD Adult Female Symptoms
ADHD can affect men and women, but it's more difficult for women to be diagnosed. It's because women do not typically show the same hyperactivity or impulsivity that men do, so they are often misdiagnosed or not recognized.
Making sure you have a clear diagnosis is the first step towards managing your symptoms. Adults with ADHD are usually treated with stimulant medications however, there are other alternatives.
1. symptoms of ADHD in adult women focusing
Women suffering from ADHD are often distracted by a myriad of things, but they also have a harder time staying focused on tasks and conversations, especially if they are experiencing emotional or sensory overload. These difficulties can be made worse during menstrual cycle.
Women with inattentive ADHD suffer from problems with their working memory. This makes it difficult to remember simple things, such as appointments or upcoming events. They often forget where they kept their car keys, the name of the woman who took them to home from spin class or even important dates and deadlines.
Other symptoms of ADHD in adult females include procrastination and difficulty in following the steps of plans. They tend to be distracted by shiny objects or social networks, making it difficult to finish their projects and assignments. This can result in feeling overwhelmed and underperforming at school or at work.
Because of societal ideas about gender, a lot of women suffering from ADHD aren't diagnosed. As a result, they feel ashamed and mistakenly label their issues as "bad behaviors" or "character flaws." They also feel like an imposter. A diagnosis can be a lightbulb moment giving them a clear, external explanation for their challenges and allowing them to accept their own uniqueness.
Women and girls with untreated ADHD can suffer from a broad range of negative outcomes that can include academic issues and behavioral issues, as well as relationships and family problems as well as co-occurring mental health conditions. A proper diagnosis and treatment plan will improve the lives of people with ADHD at any stage in their lives. Treatment options include stimulant therapy and medication. *
2. Difficulty Finishing Projects
Women suffering from ADHD often struggle to complete tasks and responsibilities. They might forget important information, have difficulty switching between tasks and responsibilities, or find it hard to meet deadlines. They are also more likely to make errors, have difficulty organizing and managing their schedule, and underestimate how long it takes to complete tasks.
The emotional manifestations of ADHD in adults, like irritability and mood swings, can be a major source of frustration for women with the condition. Symptoms can be exacerbated by hormone changes, including those that occur during the menstrual cycle or during pregnancy, as well as menopausal. Women with undiagnosed ADHD can feel frustrated and disappointed by their performance at work or in their relationships.
Women with ADHD have a hard time with daily routines such as chores and grocery shopping difficult. They may have a hard finding the time to remember to empty the trash or switch off the stove, and they are easily distracted by little things around them. They may also have difficulty doing repetitive tasks, such as folding laundry or washing dishes. The monotonous or boring tasks can become intolerable which can lead to impulsive behaviours like excessive conversation or oversharing. The impulsivity associated with ADHD can cause women to make unruly decisions and depend on unhealthy coping strategies like alcohol or drugs.
If you're having trouble working through tasks, suffer from memory issues, have a tendency to procrastinate for a long time, or face relationship challenges it is essential to seek professional help for ADHD. Getting a proper diagnosis can improve your overall quality of life and set you up for success in your professional and personal lives. It can help you better manage your ADHD symptoms and devise strategies to address them effectively. To prevent lapses in concentration and attention it is recommended to adhere to a regular schedule, use a planner or reminder apps and take notes during meetings, and adhere to good sleeping habits (avoid screens an hour before bedtime). Exercise can also improve focus as it increases the neurotransmitter levels in your brain.
3. Trouble remembering names
It is possible that difficulty remembering names may be coupled with other ADHD symptoms, like difficulty following directions or completing projects. The root cause of these difficulties is an inability to prioritize tasks and organize them which affects the efficiency of information retrieval. This condition can get worse during times of fatigue, stress, or hormonal changes, for instance prior to, during, or after menopausal change.
When a person forgets names and addresses, it can be more frustrating if they also forget important information such as appointments and events or personal reminders. These lapses may be exacerbated by depression and anxiety, which are both common co-occurring conditions with ADHD for women.
ADHD is often underdiagnosed in women due to gender biases and internalized symptoms. Inattentive ADHD symptoms are more subtle than hyperactive/impulsive symptoms, making them harder to detect and identify. This means that they are not recognized and referred to for diagnosis and treatment.
Additionally, gender-based bias exists because ADHD is typically perceived as a problem for males with hyperactive boys being the ones who are the most recommended to clinics for assessment and treatment. In addition to internalized stigma and the fact that women's symptoms tend to differ from those of men as well, a lot of professionals fail to recognize or treat ADHD in women.
It's becoming more common for women to be diagnosed with ADHD as they reach adulthood. A diagnosis can help improve relationships and set you up for success at work and school, and provide the support you require to succeed in your life. If you're seeking a diagnosis, talk to an experienced Salience Health provider. We can assess your symptoms with tools like Creyos Cognitive Testing and Brainview Advanced and connect you with a therapist who's suitable for you.
4. Difficulty Appearing Aloof
Women with ADHD typically have inattention symptoms and their problems may appear insignificant to others. They may not remember to do chores at home, skip appointments or struggle to take notes. They may also be struggling with impulsivity, or struggle to understand the boundaries of social interaction. This could lead to misinterpretation and misunderstandings in relationships with friends and family, and it can cause feelings of loneliness and feeling isolated.
Women who are not treated for ADHD may also have trouble meeting the expectations of society regarding them as women. They may be struggling with the responsibility 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 suffer from low self-esteem, and they resort to unhealthy strategies for coping such as binge eating or television marathons.
The difficulties of ADHD in women are exacerbated by gender bias, both in the way women and girls are perceived and assessed by clinicians. Some research suggests that women and girls tend to cover up or disguise their ADHD symptoms, and may be less likely to receive treatment and diagnosis than boys and men.
Another challenge is that women with ADHD may have trouble recognizing their own symptoms. They may confuse them with depression or anxiety. This could lead to a false diagnosis and delay or ineffective treatment.
The signs of ADHD can be influenced by hormone changes, and they may be especially evident during the ovulation cycle, pregnancy, menstruation, or menopause. These changes can intensify a woman's frustration with her ADHD symptoms, and can increase the risk of being viewed as moody or emotional.
5. Impulsivity
The impulsivity of ADHD affects boys and men differently, women suffer from it as well. They may also have difficulty managing their emotions, and be prone to "foot in the mouth" moments. These actions that are impulsive can have a huge impact on relationships as well as professional life.
The brain part that is responsible for the ability to make decisions and reason is known as the prefrontal cortex. This area can help people avoid making a mistake by providing a nudge on their behavior. The people who suffer from ADHD have a less functional prefrontal cortex, which can make it difficult for them to resist their urges or prevent themselves from engaging in reckless or harmful behavior. It can also lead to a lack of self-respect. In women, impulsiveness usually manifests itself as a problem with social boundaries and conversational self-restraint (interrupting the conversation, not finishing other's sentences, or talking too much).
Women can also experience problems with control of impulses when hormones fluctuate. Estrogen fluctuates in different intervals throughout the menstrual period as well as during pregnancy, childbirth, and menopausal cycles. The use of oral contraception and hormone therapy during perimenopausal and menopause can further alter the levels of estrogen and other hormones that affect women's ADHD symptoms.
ADHD symptoms in girls and women may differ from those in males and boys, which is why they are often incorrectly diagnosed. Due to this, many adults who have ADHD are unaware that they have it. The good news is that identifying and treating ADHD can make a difference in a person's life at any age. If you are unsure whether or not you suffer from ADHD discuss it with your doctor to see if they can assist. Treatment options include medication, cognitive behavioral therapy, and couples counseling.