ADHD Symptoms in Adult Females
Although ADHD affects both genders equally throughout adulthood, it often is not recognized in females. This is likely due to gender stereotyping and the capacity of females to conceal their symptoms.
Many healthcare professionals lack the knowledge and experience to recognize ADHD in women. Many females are misdiagnosed and do not receive the care they require.
1. Disorganization
Girls and women with ADHD frequently struggle with disorganization, which can be very difficult to manage. For instance your desk could be a jumble of tangled papers, 17 chapsticks, and even a ticket for the Kings of Leon concert you went to in 2008. And while you purchase products that promise to help you stay organized, your home and office probably still feel messy and chaotic.
Inability to keep on top of your work can result in missed deadlines and appointments. You might also be struggling with "time blindness," where you don't know or remember how long it takes to complete a task. This could leave you feeling in a state of discontent and feeling as if you're not doing a great job in your work or personal life, particularly when you feel that other people don't appreciate your efforts.
You may also have difficulty managing your emotions. This could cause you to overreact when faced with stressful situations. Your fast-paced verbal communication could result in miscommunications and misunderstandings with family members as well as your coworkers. You may make comments that hurt others' feelings without even knowing. In addition, since impulsivity is common for those with ADHD it is possible that you will have trouble stopping yourself from saying things before thinking them through.
If you have ADHD it's likely that some of your symptoms are rooted in gender stereotypes and ideas about how men, boys and women should behave. This can make it harder to recognize and treat your ADHD.
You may also benefit from behavioral treatment to address the root causes of your disorder. Although it might take some time to find the appropriate strategies for coping Implementing these strategies will make you feel more in control of your life and improve relationships with family and friends as well as coworkers.
2. Impulsivity
People who suffer from ADHD frequently experience intense emotions, but their brains don't have a way to filter or assess them. They can be overwhelmed by a minor event, or have difficulty being able to assess the mood of others. This can also make them more prone to being distracted by minor issues such as the availability of a book or an unreliable friend.
Many women suffering from ADHD conceal their symptoms and develop strategies to cope with their attention problems. They may be highly conscientious or an obsessive at school or work and have trouble keeping the track of appointments, bills, or important dates. They may also struggle with verbal self control and may talk too much or interrupt others frequently.
The hyperactive/impulsive subtype of ADHD tends to be more common in boys and men, but it's not unusual for women to have these symptoms too. These symptoms include the sudden desire to start or stop activities. They also include not being able to wait for your turn in a conversation and having difficulty reading social cues.
While gender stereotypes can influence on the development of ADHD in women, it is not always easy to spot these issues. The scales of rating used to detect ADHD symptoms are still biased towards male behavior. Some healthcare professionals might misunderstand a woman's ADHD symptoms.
Many women with ADHD have reported that their symptoms get worse when hormonal changes occur like menstrual cycles, pregnancy, and perimenopause. killer deal can cause emotional issues and cause frequent feelings of frustration, irritability, or depression. They may also experience a persistent feeling of dissatisfaction in their relationships or their lives. This can lead to self-esteem issues, substance abuse or unhealthy ways of coping. This is why it's important for women to realize that these symptoms are not a reflection of their value or worth as an individual. The good news is that, with a proper treatment strategy the symptoms can be alleviated or even eliminated.
3. Attention!
ADHD is often characterized by a higher frequency of these symptoms. While everyone struggles to concentrate and pay attention at times the frequency of these symptoms is so high that they can impede your everyday life. You may make careless errors at work or at school, forget appointments or spend a large amount of time delaying. You have a difficult time waiting for your turn in conversations and are often interrupted by other people.
Adults who are not attentive may also rush into projects before having a complete plan and research them. This leads to incomplete results or even subpar ones. You could also get easily distracted and leave projects unfinished. This could be an unwatered vegetable garden planted but never watered, or an organization system you put together and then put away on your nightstand for it to rot.
People with inattentive ADHD also struggle with a constant sense of disorganization at home and at work. It is possible that you have trouble finding important documents, bills or keys and misplace items on a regular basis. You could also be unable to keep your track of time and end up late for meetings, work or school.
Women with hyperactive/impulsive ADHD are less likely to experience these inattentive symptoms, but they can still have problems with organization, time management and self-control. Women with these symptoms might perform actions or words without considering the impact including snoozing over others or making a nonsensical sound when they are alone. They might have difficulty sitting still, and fidget in their seats or at a fast pace. They might have trouble keeping a job, and have frequent conflicts with their coworkers and manager.
In some instances, the mood swings and emotional distress caused by ADHD may lead to frustration in relationships and miscommunications. This is especially the case in romantic relationships as well as at work. People who suffer from ADHD are also more likely to suffer from comorbid conditions, such as anxiety, depression or bipolar disorder.
Girls and women with ADHD are often faced with a range of challenges when seeking treatment and diagnosis, including gender bias and a tendency to conceal their symptoms or underestimate the severity of them. Famous women like Em Rusciano and Mia Freedman who have publicly discussed their struggles with ADHD have helped to raise awareness. But, many young women and girls aren't aware of it.
4. Anxiety
An anxiety disorder is characterised by persistently excessive anxiety. While everyone feels anxious or nervous at times anxiety disorders are defined by constant high levels of anxiety. You might experience an uneasy feeling, fear, or anxiety as well as a rapid pulse, difficulty being calm, and trouble thinking clearly. There is also a sense of danger in situations that you know are not dangerous. The most frequent types of anxiety include general anxiety disorder, phobias and agoraphobia, separation anxiety, panic disorders and selective Mutism.
Anxiety is more prevalent among women suffering from ADHD than men. It is more likely to be exacerbated during certain life events like menstrual cycle or pregnancy, as well as perimenopausal. This can make it difficult for women to deal with everyday tasks and social interaction, and can lead to feelings such as low self-esteem or unsatisfaction.
You're highly sensitive to rejection and have a hard to accept criticism. You are prone to interpret feedback incorrectly, or anticipate rejection. You might be annoyed by small things that others don't see an issue with.
Mood swings are another of the symptoms of adhd for women in adulthood and you could discover that your mood is unstable or difficult to control. You might also be prone to self-injury that is not suicidal like hitting, burning or scratching yourself.
It's important to seek a diagnosis if you are experiencing any of the symptoms listed above. It will help you comprehend some of the challenges you're facing, and offer you strategies to improve your quality of life. You can take an ADHD test online or talk to your doctor for an assessment from a professional. In certain instances your doctor may prescribe medication to help alleviate your symptoms. In some instances your doctor might suggest an amalgamation of lifestyle changes and cognitive behavior therapy. In either situation, it's crucial to begin making positive changes to your life as soon as you can. This will help you get back in control of your life and make you feel more confident, productive and competent.