Symptoms of ADHD in Adult Women
Women and girls can have ADHD. While men and boys are diagnosed with ADHD more frequently, it is also possible for women to suffer from the disorder. But persistent stereotypes, referral bias, internalized symptoms and comorbidities make it harder for them to be properly assessed and treated.
Many women develop coping strategies to hide their ADHD symptoms and meet societal expectations, but these can be unsustainable and unhealthy. Here are some of the most frequent symptoms of ADHD in women of adulthood.
1. Unfocused attention
Women suffering from ADHD can be prone to feeling overwhelmed by everyday tasks. They often have a difficult time to keep track of numerous deadlines, emails, and meetings. They may also be more likely to miss important appointments or events. They may also have difficulty to focus in noisy or busy environments. This could cause them to miss out on opportunities and produce lower quality work.
For many adults suffering from ADHD, these challenges may be a reflection of their character or performance, and can cause frustration. They often end up with a low self-esteem and a negative image of their body. They may also have difficulty to maintain stable relationships and develop effective coping strategies. In some instances, they resort to unhealthy coping strategies like excessive drinking or drugs. This may make people less likely to recognize their issues and delay a diagnosis.
Adults with ADHD can be especially sensitive to failure and criticism, which can cause them to internalize their problems and struggle to get assistance. They may also have issues with relationships and may are unable to find work that is meaningful. They may also be more prone to depression, anxiety and mood swings. In certain cases, the symptoms can lead to a mental condition, such as non-suicidal self-harm (NSSI) which can be exhibited through cutting or burning.
ADHD is more common in men and boys, but symptoms can linger and affect many areas of your life. It's crucial for women to recognize the symptoms and seek an assessment from a health care professional. A proper diagnosis can result in better-managed symptoms and a better quality of life.
2. Disorganization
Women with ADHD feel overwhelmed and feel as if their lives are chaotic. They might miss deadlines or have difficulty to manage household or work-related tasks such as paying bills and keeping track of appointments. Their finances and home may be cluttered, and they may struggle to keep healthy relationships and a stable job.
Attention-deficit ADHD symptoms can heighten frustration and miscommunications with friends, partners, and coworkers. These issues can result in fractured or even strained relationships and feelings of being isolated. The inability to remember, the difficulty in listening, and the tendency to "zone out", or stop paying attention, may result in misunderstandings between loved ones.
The signs of impulsivity, emotional dysregulation and mood swings are more common among women suffering from ADHD than in men, and can be highly disruptive to personal and professional life. Women with untreated ADHD might be overwhelmed by the demands of work, family and social life. They may also be sensitive to criticism and harsh judgment.
There are ways to deal with these symptoms. For many adults treatment options include lifestyle modifications and the use of specialized tools for organization and prescription stimulant medications.
Women with ADHD tend to be more able than men to conceal their ADHD symptoms and, as a result they are often not diagnosed until they reach adulthood. They are more likely to suffer from multiple disorders that are comorbid, like anxiety and depression that can increase the effects of untreated ADHD. Women also have a difficult time trying to keep their relationships stable and secure and can be afflicted by low self-esteem and chronic stress. *Sex refers to a person's genetic makeup, chromosomes, hormones and anatomy. Gender refers to the internal feeling of self as a man, woman, nonbinary, or other gender identity and mental health problems are often diagnosed on the basis of both.
3. symptoms of ADHD in adults women who have ADHD are at risk for anxiety and depression. These emotions may be exacerbated due to the inability of keeping on top of the daily schedule and appointments that can cause health issues like missed check-ups, late payments and even debt. ADHD can cause emotional dysregulation, impulsivity and forgetfulness, which can lead to relationships problems with friends, partners and coworkers.
Many women develop strategies to disguise their symptoms. This makes it difficult for others to see that they're having difficulty staying organized and focused. These strategies of coping can be beneficial, like making a daily plan or a reminder on the phone or even unhealthy, such as relying on drugs or alcohol to cope or function. These strategies for coping can make women feel anxious and unsecure and make them doubt their abilities and self-confidence. This can lead to feelings of anxiety or depression.
Women with ADHD might also feel like they don't belong or don't conform to social norms. This can lead to frustration and low self-esteem. They might also face difficulties at work, including difficulties with organizational skills, adherence to corporate guidelines, or adhering to a daily 9-to-5 schedule. They may have difficulty managing their finances due to disorganization and impulsive spending, or they might struggle to complete work-related assignments or finishing homework.
ADHD can be a chronic condition that requires lifelong care, particularly when it affects girls and women. Despite its prevalence yet, it is often under-diagnosed, misunderstood and undertreated. The lingering stigmas, referral bias, internalized symptoms, comorbidities, and hormonal changes all contribute to the distinctive symptom manifestation of ADHD in females.
4. Impulsivity
Women suffering from ADHD may have trouble controlling their emotions or impulses. They might become easily frustrated or excited, lose track of time, or be late to events. They may also have difficulty understanding body language or recognizing social cues. This could cause issues at work or with relationships. They could be susceptible to arguing or spend too much time on interests and hobbies that are not important to them. They might also have trouble maintaining friendships or making connections because they are unable to keep their promises and commitments.
Women are more adept at developing strategies to manage their ADHD symptoms. This makes it harder for them than men to be diagnosed. For instance, they could develop routines to help them keep track of their time or use apps to remind them of their appointments. They might alter their behavior to conform to social norms and expectations. They may even cover up their symptoms using alcohol or drugs to deal with their problems, which can cause serious health issues in the end.
Certain people with ADHD do not outgrow the symptoms. About 60% of women who have ADHD in their childhood will suffer from it until they reach adulthood. This is compared to 30% of males.
If you're unable to get relief from lifestyle or medication professional help can be helpful. There are many options available, such as counseling, career coaching, and life coaching. You can also take stimulants. Exercise can also be an excellent way to boost your mood and boost your energy levels. It releases neurotransmitters that increase motivation and focus. It can help ease anxiety and stress.
5. Reactivity to emotional stimuli
Women and girls with ADHD are often afflicted by emotional reaction. They may have difficulty to control their emotions and express them in a proper manner and can cause anger with their own self and others. For example, a woman with ADHD might become enraged when her partner criticizes her, but she might not be able to calm down and talk about the issue in a more rational way. She may also struggle to "pause" her reaction by identifying bodily cues that she's getting overexcited or overwhelmed like flushing skin or shortness of breath.
This difficulty regulating their emotions can heighten frustration and misunderstandings in relationships and can make those with ADHD more susceptible to anxiety or depression. It can also lead to problems with social interactions because it is difficult to read people's moods and social signals.
In certain instances, people with ADHD may seem emotionally detached and uninterested in their peers or loved ones, even though they genuinely care about them. In some instances, they may avoid situations that trigger strong emotions in order to avoid feeling them.
Gender bias is common among clinicians, and the effects of ADHD on women can be easily overlooked because of the nature of their symptoms. Women often hide their ADHD symptoms, and when they do appear, they are more likely to be mistakenly diagnosed as depression or anxiety disorders. If you're struggling with these symptoms, it might be helpful to seek an expert in mental health who is experienced in working with girls and women who suffer from ADHD. They can help validate your experiences, teach you how to apply strategies like pacing and self-awareness and provide psychoeducation for your family that can help you learn to recognize and address your ADHD symptoms in the future.