ADHD Adult Female Symptoms
ADHD can affect people of all genders and ages, but it is more difficult for women to be diagnosed. This is because women rarely show the same hyperactivity or impulsivity that men do, which means they may be misdiagnosed or missed.
The first step in addressing your symptoms is to obtain an accurate diagnosis. Adults who suffer from ADHD are often treated with stimulant medications however, there are other alternatives.
1. Difficulty Focusing
Women suffering from ADHD are often distracted by a myriad of things, but they're also having difficulty being focused on their conversations and tasks, especially if they are experiencing emotional or sensory overload. These issues can become worse during menstrual periods.
Women with inattention ADHD suffer from problems with their working memory. This makes it difficult to remember everyday things like appointments or upcoming events. ADHD symptoms in women adults forget where they left their car keys, the name of the lady who drove them home from spin class or even important deadlines and dates.
Other symptoms of ADHD in females of adulthood include procrastination and difficulty following through with plans. They're more likely to get distracted by shiny objects or social media, which makes it difficult to finish their projects and assignments. This can lead to feeling overwhelmed and underperforming in the classroom or at work.
Because of the way society views gender, many women with ADHD aren't diagnosed. They feel shame and mistakenly classify their problems as "bad behavior" or "character issues". They are often viewed like an impostor. A diagnosis could be an "lightbulb" moment for them, since it gives them an external explanation of their challenges and helps them accept themselves more fully.
Untreated ADHD for girls and women can cause a range of negative effects, including problems with academics, behavioral issues as well as family and relationship issues and co-existing mental health conditions. A proper diagnosis and treatment plan will improve the lives of people who suffer from ADHD at any point in their life. Treatment options include stimulant drugs and therapy. *
2. Difficulty Finishing Projects
Women with ADHD often struggle to complete tasks and duties. They can forget important details, have difficulty switching between tasks or responsibilities and have difficulty attempting to meet deadlines. They may also be more likely to make mistakes, have trouble organizing their schedules and managing their time and underestimate the amount of time it takes them to complete tasks.
The emotional symptoms of ADHD in adults, like mood swings and irritability can be a major source of frustration for women suffering from the condition. ADHD symptoms in women adults can cause symptoms, including those that are experienced during menopausal cycles, pregnancy, and during menstruation. Women with undiagnosed ADHD may feel angry and dissatisfied with their performance at workplace or in their relationships.
Women who suffer from ADHD find daily routines like chores and grocery shopping extremely challenging. They might overlook the need to empty the garbage or turn off the stove, and easily get distracted. They might also struggle with monotonous tasks like folding laundry or washing dishes. Boring or mundane chores can become exhausting, resulting in impulsive behaviors like excessive talk or sharing. Women who suffer from ADHD might also make unruly choices and employ unhealthy coping mechanisms such as alcohol or drugs.
If you have difficulty finishing tasks, have memory issues that cause chronic procrastination or relationships, you should consider a professional assessment for ADHD. A proper diagnosis can improve the quality of your life and assist you in achieving success in your personal and professional life. It can help you manage your ADHD symptoms, and help you develop strategies to manage them. You can minimize lapses of concentration and attention by adhering to a schedule by using a planner or reminder apps, taking notes during meetings, and ensuring good sleep hygiene. Exercise also helps improve focus by increasing brain neurotransmitter production.
3. Difficulty remembering names
It is possible that a difficulty in remembering names could be associated with other ADHD symptoms, such as difficulty following directions or completing projects. This is due to the difficulty of organizing and prioritizing tasks, which hinders information retrieval. This symptom tends to worsen during times of fatigue, stress or hormonal changes.
If someone forgets their names and addresses, it can be more annoying if they forget important things like appointments, events or personal reminders. These lapses could be exacerbated by anxiety or depression that are often associated with ADHD in women.
ADHD is often underdiagnosed in women due to gender bias and internalized symptoms. Inattentive ADHD symptoms are more subtle than hyperactive/impulsive symptoms, making them harder to detect and identify. As a result, they are not recognized and referred to for diagnosis and treatment.
Additionally, gender-based bias exists because the disorder is largely perceived as a problem for males with hyperactive boys being the ones who are the most referred to clinics for evaluation and treatment. In addition to internalized stigma, the symptoms of women are usually different from those of men. Many professionals do not diagnose or treat ADHD in females.
Fortunately, it's becoming increasingly common for women to receive an ADHD diagnosis in adulthood. A diagnosis can enhance your relationships, help you achieve your goals at work and school, and give you the help you require. Speak to a Salience Health provider if you're interested in being diagnosed. We'll evaluate your symptoms using tools such as Creyos cognitive testing and Brainview Advanced, and connect you with a therapist suitable for you.
4. Ailoofs that appear difficult to see
Women suffering from ADHD typically have inattention symptoms and their problems may appear insignificant to other people. They might miss appointments, forget to complete chores around the home, or have difficulty making notes at work. They might also struggle with impulsivity, or struggle to understand the boundaries of social interaction. This can lead to confusion and misinterpretation of relationships with family and friends and can result in feelings of loneliness and isolation.
In addition, women with untreated ADHD frequently have difficulty meeting social expectations for them as women. They may struggle with the burden of caring for children and household chores, and this societal pressure can exacerbate their ADHD symptoms and feelings of inadequateness. Many women with untreated ADHD report low self-esteem and resort to unhealthy coping strategies such as binge eating and TV marathons.
The difficulties of ADHD for women can be amplified by gender bias, both in how girls and women are perceived and assessed by healthcare professionals. Certain studies suggest that women and girls tend to cover up or disguise their ADHD symptoms, and could be less likely to receive treatment and diagnosis than men and boys.
Women suffering from ADHD can also have difficulty recognizing their symptoms and may be confused with mood disorders or anxiety disorders. This can lead to a false diagnosis and delay or ineffective treatment.
Symptoms of ADHD can be influenced by hormone changes, and they may be especially evident during the ovulation period, pregnancy, menstruation or menopausal. These changes can make women more unhappy with her ADHD symptoms and increase the likelihood of being misunderstood, or dismissed as moody or emotional.
5. Impulsivity
Although the impulsivity associated with ADHD affects both men and boys differently, women are affected as well. They can also experience trouble controlling their emotions and may be more prone to "foot-in-mouth" moments. These actions that are impulsive can have a huge impact on relationships as well as professional life.
The brain part that controls the ability to make decisions and reason is known as the prefrontal cortex. This area is able to prevent individuals from making poor choices because it acts as a safeguard. People who suffer from ADHD have a less functional prefrontal cortex, which makes it difficult for them to resist urges or stop themselves from doing something reckless or hurtful. It can also cause an inability to respect themselves. Women's impulsiveness is often manifested as an inability to maintain social boundaries and self-control in conversation (interrupting others, finishing their sentences, or talking too often).
Women can also experience problems with control of impulses when hormones are fluctuating. Estrogen fluctuates at different times throughout the menstrual period as well as during pregnancy, childbirth, and menopause. The use of oral contraception and hormone therapy during perimenopausal and menopause can further alter the levels of estrogen as well as other hormones that impact the woman's ADHD symptoms.
ADHD symptoms in women and girls can differ from those seen in men and boys, which is why they are often incorrectly diagnosed. This is why many adults with ADHD are unaware of the fact that they have it. The positive side is that identifying and treating ADHD can help improve the quality of life for anyone at any age. If you're not sure whether or not you suffer from ADHD consult your doctor and find out how they can help. Treatment options include medication and cognitive behavioral therapy and couples counseling.