Symptoms of ADHD in Adult Women
While boys and men are more frequently diagnosed with ADHD but girls and women may also be affected. However, lingering stereotypes, referral biases internalized symptoms and comorbidities make it harder for them to be evaluated and treated.
Many women develop coping strategies to hide their ADHD symptoms and to meet social expectations, but these can be unsustainable and unhealthy. Here are some of the adult women's most commonly reported ADHD symptoms.
1. Unfocused attention
Women with ADHD are often overwhelmed by daily tasks. It can be difficult for them to keep track of deadlines, emails and meetings. They may also be more likely to overlook important dates or events. They may also find it difficult to focus in noisy or busy environments. This can lead to missed opportunities as well as a lower level of productivity.
These challenges can lead to frustration for many people with ADHD. They may believe that they reflect of their own performance or of themselves. They can often suffer from low self-esteem as well as a negative image of themselves. They may also have difficulty to maintain stable relationships and develop effective strategies for coping. In some instances, they use unhealthy coping strategies like excessive drinking or drug use. This may make people less likely to recognize their problems and delay diagnosis.
signs and symptoms of ADHD in adults with ADHD might be more sensitive to criticism or failure. This may cause them to internalize the issue and make it difficult to seek help. They may also have problems with relationships and are unable to find a meaningful job. They could also be more prone to depression, anxiety and mood swings. In certain cases the symptoms may cause a mental disorder, such as non-suicidal self-harm (NSSI) which can be exhibited through cutting, burning or scratching.
ADHD is more common among males and females, however symptoms can persist and impact many areas of your life. Women should be aware of the signs and seek an evaluation by a medical professional. A positive diagnosis can lead to better management of symptoms and a better quality of life.
2. Disorganization
Women suffering from ADHD often report feeling overwhelmed and like their lives are a mess. They may fail to meet deadlines for work or have difficulty keeping up with household or work tasks like paying bills or making appointments. Their finances and home may be cluttered and they may have a difficult time to keep healthy relationships and a steady job.
Inattentive-type ADHD symptoms can heighten frustration and miscommunications between friends, partners and colleagues. These issues can result in to broken or strained relationships, and feelings of loneliness. The inability to listen, forgetfulness and a tendency "zone out" in conversations could cause misunderstandings and arguments with loved ones.
Women with ADHD are more likely to experience symptoms of impulsivity, emotional instability, and mood swings. These can cause disruption in both their personal and professional lives. Women with untreated ADHD may be overwhelmed by the demands of family, work, and society. They may also be sensitive to harsh criticism and harsh judgment.
The good news is that there are options to control the effects of these symptoms. For many adults, treatment options include lifestyle changes and the use of specialized tools for organization, as well as prescription stimulant medication.
Women with ADHD might be able hide their ADHD symptoms better than males, which can lead to an undiagnosed condition until adulthood. They are more likely to be suffering from comorbid disorders such as depression and anxiety that can increase the effects of untreated ADHD. Women can also have difficulty maintaining healthy relationships and a stable job and are susceptible to low self-esteem and chronic stress. *Sex refers to the chromosomes and hormones; gender refers to the internal perception of oneself as a man, woman, nonbinary or another gender identity. Mental health issues are usually diagnosed based on both.
3. Anxiety
Women who suffer from ADHD are at risk for anxiety and depression. These feelings can be exacerbated when you're unable to keep track of your daily tasks and appointments. This could lead to health issues such as missed health checkups, late payments and even debt. The emotional dysregulation, impulsivity, and apathy of ADHD can also lead to issues with relationships with colleagues, partners and even friends.
Many women develop coping strategies to hide their problems, which can make it harder for others to recognize that they are struggling to stay focused and organized. These coping strategies may be healthy, like creating an annual schedule or establishing phone reminders or they may be unhealthy and rely on alcohol or other drugs to function or cope with their challenges. These strategies can make women feel anxious and unsure and make them doubt their abilities and self-confidence. This can lead to feelings of anxiety or depression.
Women with ADHD may also feel that they don't fit in or aren't meeting social expectations. This can cause frustration and low self-esteem. They may also experience difficulties at work, including difficulties with organizational skills, following corporate guidelines, or adhering to a routine of 9-5. They may have difficulty managing their finances due to impulsive and disorganized spending, or they may have difficulty keeping up with work-related assignments or finishing homework.
ADHD can be a lifetime condition that requires constant support, especially when it affects girls and women. Despite its prevalence, the disorder is still misunderstood and underdiagnosed. It is also undertreated. Remaining stereotypes and referral biases internalized symptoms, comorbidities and hormonal fluctuations all contribute to the unique symptom presentation of ADHD in females.
4. Impulsivity
Women suffering from ADHD can have difficulty controlling their emotions and impulses. They may become easily frustrated or excessively excited, and they might lose track of time or be late for an event. They may also have difficulty understanding body language and picking up social signals. This can lead to problems at work or in relationships. For example, they might have a tendency to get into fights easily, or they may spend too much time in pursuit of hobbies and interests that aren't important to them. They may also have difficulty maintaining friendships or making connections because they are unable to keep their promises and commitments.
Women are better at developing ways to cope with their ADHD symptoms. This makes it more difficult for them to be diagnosed. They could, for instance develop routines to help them stay organized or use apps to remind themselves of their appointments. They might change their behavior to comply with social norms and expectations. They may even try to hide their symptoms using drugs or alcohol. This could lead to serious health consequences over time.
Many people suffering from ADHD get over their symptoms, but there are some who don't. Around 60% of women who have ADHD during childhood will suffer from it until they reach adulthood. This is compared to 30% of males.
Professional treatment may be beneficial for those who can not experience relief from medication or lifestyle changes. There are a myriad of options, such as life coaching, career coaching, and counseling together with stimulants and medications. Exercise is a great way to boost your mood and increasing your energy. It releases neurotransmitters, which increase the motivation and focus. It can also reduce anxiety and stress.
5. Reactivity to emotions
Girls and women who suffer from ADHD are often affected by emotional reactivity. They may have difficulty regulating their emotions and communicating them in a proper manner. This can cause frustration for themselves as well as others. A woman with ADHD might become angry when a friend criticizes them, but she might not be able to discuss the matter in a rational way. It is also possible that she struggles to "pause" her response by recognizing bodily signals that indicate she's feeling overwhelmed or stressed like flushing skin or shortness of breath.
This inability to regulate their emotions can heighten frustration and misunderstandings in relationships, and can make those with ADHD more susceptible to depression or anxiety. It can also cause difficulties when it comes to social interactions, because it can be difficult to read other people's moods and detect social cues.
In some cases, ADHD people may appear emotionally detached and uninterested towards their loved ones or friends even though they are concerned about them. In other instances, they may withdraw from situations that trigger emotions to avoid feeling emotions that are intense.
The nature of women's symptoms can make it easy for clinicians to ignore the effects of ADHD. Many women hide their ADHD symptoms and when they do manifest they are more likely to be misdiagnosed as mood or anxiety disorders. It's a good idea to seek out a mental health professional who has experience working with women and young girls with ADHD when you're experiencing these symptoms. They can validate your experiences, teach you strategies like self-awareness and pacing, as well as provide you with psychoeducation for your family to help you recognize and address any future ADHD symptoms.