Symptoms of ADHD in Adult Women
While males and females are more frequently diagnosed with ADHD however, girls and women can also have it. But lingering stereotypes, referral bias, internalized symptoms and comorbidities make it difficult for them to be assessed and treated.
Many women develop coping strategies to mask their ADHD symptoms and meet societal expectations, but they can be unsustainable and unhealthy. Here are a few of the most commonly reported symptoms of ADHD in women of adulthood.
1. Unfocused attention
Women with ADHD can be prone to feel overwhelmed by the daily tasks. They often have a difficult time to keep track of numerous deadlines, emails, and meetings. They are also more likely to overlook important appointments or events. They may also have difficulty to concentrate in noisy or crowded environments. This can cause them to miss opportunities and work that is less than satisfactory.
For many people with ADHD These challenges can feel like an aspect of their personality or performance and lead to frustration. Many people with ADHD have low self-esteem and a negative view of their body. They may also struggle to maintain relationships and develop effective coping strategies. In some cases they resort to unhealthy strategies for coping like excessive drinking or drugs. This can make it more difficult for others to recognize the signs of struggle and delay the diagnosis.
Adults with ADHD might be more sensitive to criticism or failure. This may cause them to internalize the issue and make it difficult for them to seek help. In the end, they may struggle with issues with relationships and may have a difficult time finding meaningful work. They may also be more susceptible to depression, anxiety and mood swings. In some instances the symptoms can lead to a mental condition such as non-suicidal self-harm (NSSI), that can be expressed through cutting, burning or scratching.
While it's more prevalent in men and boys to be diagnosed with ADHD The symptoms can last into adulthood and can impact many aspects of life. Women should recognize the signs and seek out an evaluation by a medical professional. A proper diagnosis can lead to more manageable symptoms and a better quality of life.
2. Disorganization
Women with ADHD feel overwhelmed as if they are chaotic. They may miss deadlines or find it difficult to keep track of work or household tasks, such as paying bills and keeping appointments. Their finances and their home could be messy and they may have a difficult time to keep good relationships and a stable job.
Inattentive-type ADHD symptoms can cause more frustration and miscommunications with friends, partners and colleagues. These issues can result in strained or even broken connections and feelings of being isolated. The inability to listen, forgetfulness, and a tendency to "zone out" in conversations can also cause misunderstandings and arguments with loved ones.
The signs of impulsivity, emotional dysregulation, and mood swings are more prevalent among women suffering from ADHD than in men, and can be highly disruptive to both personal and professional life. Women with untreated ADHD can feel overwhelmed by the demands and expectations of family, work, and society, and may be particularly sensitive to criticism or harsh judgement.
The good news is that there are options to reduce the impact of these symptoms. For many adults, treatment options include lifestyle modifications and the use of specialized tools for organizing, as well as prescription stimulant medications.
Women with ADHD typically have a harder time than men to hide their ADHD symptoms and, as a consequence they may not be diagnosed until adulthood. ADHD symptoms in adulthood are more likely to be suffering from comorbid conditions like anxiety and depression, which can exacerbate the effects of untreated ADHD. Women also have a difficult time trying to maintain stable relationships and jobs and can suffer from low self esteem and chronic stress. *Sex refers a person's hormones and chromosomes. Gender refers the internal sense of oneself as a man woman, a nonbinary, or any other gender identity. Mental health conditions are often diagnoses in relation to both.
3. Anxiety
Women with ADHD are more likely to suffer from anxiety and depression. These feelings can become more severe if you are unable to keep the track of your daily tasks and appointments. This can lead to health issues such as missed checkups or late payments, and can even lead to debt. The emotional dysregulation, impulsivity and apathy of ADHD can also lead to problems with relationships with colleagues, partners and family members.
Many women develop coping strategies to hide their problems, which can make it harder for others to notice they have trouble staying focused and organized. These strategies of coping could be healthy, such as creating a daily schedule or establishing phone reminders or they could be harmful depending on alcohol or drugs to help them manage or overcome their issues. These strategies can make women feel stressed and insecure and make them doubt themselves and their abilities. This can trigger depression or anxiety.
Women who suffer from ADHD might also feel like they don't fit in or don't conform to social norms. This can lead to frustration and low self-esteem. They may also encounter difficulties at work, including issues with organization abilities, adhering to corporate policies, or sticking to a 9-to-5 routine. They may have difficulty managing their finances, because of their indecisiveness and uncontrolled spending, or they might be unable to keep up with work-related tasks or completing homework.
ADHD can be a long-lasting condition that requires ongoing assistance, especially when it affects girls and women. Despite its prevalence this disorder is poorly understood and not properly diagnosed. It is also untreated. The distinctive symptoms of ADHD in women are a result of stereotypes of referral biases, internalized symptomatology and comorbidities as well as hormonal changes.
4. Impulsivity
Women who suffer from ADHD may have trouble controlling their emotions or impulses. They could be easily frustrated or excessively excited, and may lose track of their time or be late to events. They might also have difficulty reading body language or recognizing social cues. This could cause issues at work or with relationships. They might be susceptible to arguments or spend too much time in pursuits and hobbies that are not important to them. They may also have difficulty maintaining friendships or making connections due to their inability to keep their promises and commitments.
Women are better at developing strategies to manage their ADHD symptoms. This makes it harder for them than men to get diagnosed. They might, for example, develop routines that assist them in staying organized, or utilize apps to remind them of their schedules. They may also alter their lifestyle to conform to societal expectations and norms. They might even attempt to hide their symptoms with drugs or alcohol. This could lead to grave health consequences in the long run.
Many people suffering from ADHD overcome their symptoms, but some do not. About 60 percent of women with ADHD in their childhood have the condition until adulthood, as opposed to 30% of men.
Professional treatment may be beneficial for those who do not see relief from medications or lifestyle changes. There are a myriad of options, including career coaching, life coaching, and counseling together with stimulants and medications. Exercise can also be beneficial to boost your mood and boost your energy levels. It releases neurotransmitters which boost the motivation and focus. It can also help reduce anxiety and stress.
5. Reactivity to emotional stimuli
Girls and women who suffer from ADHD are often afflicted by emotional reactivity. They may find it hard to control their emotions and express them in a proper manner and this can lead to frustration with their own self and others. For instance, a person with ADHD might become enraged when a friend criticizes her, but she may not be able to calm down and talk about the issue in a rational manner. She might also be unable to "pause her reaction" by identifying body signals like flushed skin or a short breath which indicate she is either overstimulated or overwhelmed.
This issue with regulating their emotions can cause more stress and miscommunications in relationships, and can make those with ADHD more prone to anxiety or depression. It can also cause issues in social interactions, since it can be difficult to read the mood of others and recognize social signals.
In certain instances, ADHD people may appear in a way that they are emotionally detached and not interested in their friends or loved one even though they are concerned about them. In other situations they might withdraw from triggering situations to avoid experiencing an intense emotion.
Gender bias is common among doctors and the effects of ADHD on women are often overlooked because of the nature of their symptoms. Many of them camouflage their ADHD symptoms when they do manifest they are more likely to be interpreted as anxiety or mood-related, which can lead to misdiagnosis. If you're struggling with these symptoms, it may be beneficial to consult a mental health professional experienced in working with girls and women who suffer from ADHD. They can help you validate your experiences, teach you how to use strategies such as self-awareness and pacing and offer family psychoeducation which can help you understand how to recognize and respond to your ADHD symptoms in the future.