ADHD Adult Female Symptoms
ADHD can affect people of all age groups and genders, however it can be harder for women to be diagnosed. This is because women rarely show the same high levels of impulsivity or hyperactivity that men do, which means they may be misdiagnosed or missed.
The first step in managing your symptoms is to get an accurate diagnosis. Adults who suffer from ADHD are usually treated with stimulant medication, however, there are other options.
1. Trouble focusing
While everyone gets distracted at times, women who suffer from ADHD have difficulty putting their attention on tasks and conversations especially when they're suffering from sensory or emotional overload. These issues can become more difficult during menstrual cycles.
Women with inattention ADHD have problems with their working memory. This causes them to be unable to remember simple things like the dates of appointments or events that are coming up. They might forget where they left their keys in their car or the name of the lady who gave them a lift home from the spin class. They might forget important dates or deadlines.
Other signs of ADHD females in adulthood include procrastination and difficulty in following through with plans. They are more likely to be distracted by shiny objects or social media, which makes it difficult to finish their assignments and projects. This can lead to feeling overwhelmed and underperforming at school or work.
Due to the societal perceptions of gender, a lot of women suffering from ADHD go undiagnosed. They feel shame and mistakenly classify their issues as "bad behavior" or "character defects". They are often viewed like an impostor. A diagnosis could be a moment of clarity, giving them a clear external explanation of their struggles and giving them the opportunity to accept their own uniqueness.
Untreated ADHD for girls and women can have a variety of negative effects, such as academic difficulties, behavioral problems as well as family and relationship issues and co-existing mental health issues. But a proper diagnosis and treatment plan can drastically enhance the lives of people suffering from ADHD at all stages of life. Treatment options include stimulant medications and therapy. *
2. Difficulty Finishing Projects
Women suffering from ADHD are unable to complete tasks or responsibilities. They may forget important details, struggle with switching between tasks or responsibilities, and find it difficult to meet deadlines. They may also be more susceptible to make mistakes that aren't their fault or have difficulty organizing their time effectively, and overestimate how long it takes to complete their tasks.
Women with ADHD are likely to experience emotional symptoms of ADHD, such as mood swings or irritability especially frustrating. Hormonal changes can exacerbate symptoms, which can occur during menopausal, pregnancy, and during menstruation. Women who aren't diagnosed with ADHD can feel frustrated and dissatisfied with their performance at workplace or in their relationships.
Some women who suffer from ADHD find daily routines like chores and grocery shopping difficult. They might forget to take out the garbage or turn off the stove, and can be easily distracted. They may also struggle performing routine tasks like folding the laundry or washing dishes. The monotonous or boring tasks can become intolerable and lead to impulsive behavior like excessive talking or oversharing. Women who suffer from ADHD may also make unruly decisions and resort to unhealthy strategies to cope, such as alcohol or drugs.
If you're having difficulty finishing tasks, have memory issues, are constantly procrastinating, or face relationship challenges It is crucial to seek professional help 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 better manage your ADHD symptoms and devise strategies to deal with them effectively. You can reduce lapses in focus and attention by adhering to a schedule using a planner, or a reminder app, taking notes during meetings, and maintaining good sleep hygiene. Exercise can also improve focus as it increases the neurotransmitter levels in your brain.
3. Difficulty remembering names
It is possible that a difficulty remembering names may be coupled with other ADHD symptoms, such as trouble following directions or finishing projects. This is due to a lack to organize and prioritize tasks, which hinders information retrieval. This issue can worsen during periods of fatigue, stress, or hormonal changes, like before, during, and after menopausal change.
Forgetting names can be more frustrating if it's accompanied by a sense of forgetfulness about larger items, such as appointments and events, or personal reminders. These lapses may be exacerbated by anxiety and depression, which are both common co-occurring conditions with ADHD among women.
Due to gender perceptions and internalized symptoms ADHD is often misdiagnosed among women. Inattentive ADHD symptoms are more subtle than hyperactive/impulsive symptoms, making them harder to detect and identify. ADHD symptoms in women adults are, therefore, under-diagnosed and are not being referred to a doctor to receive treatment and diagnosis.
Additionally, gender-based bias exists due to the fact that ADHD is generally seen as a male condition, with hyperactive boys being the ones who are the most recommended to clinics for assessment and treatment. Coupled with internalized stigmas and the fact that women's symptoms tend to differ from those of men as well, a lot of professionals fail to diagnose or treat ADHD in women.
Fortunately, it's becoming increasingly common for women to receive an ADHD diagnosis in their adulthood. A diagnosis can help improve relationships and prepare you for success at school and at work, and provide the support you require to succeed in your life. If you are looking to get diagnosed, speak to an experienced Salience Health provider. We can evaluate your symptoms with tools like Creyos Cognitive Testing and Brainview Advanced and connect you to a therapist who is the right fit for you.
4. Difficulty Appearing Aloof
Women who suffer from ADHD can have subtle symptoms of inattention. They might miss appointments, fail to finish chores around the home, or have trouble making notes at work. They might also have problems with impulsivity and trouble understanding the boundaries of social interaction. This can lead to confusion and misinterpretation in relationships with friends and family and can result in feelings of loneliness and disconnection.
In addition, women with untreated ADHD frequently have difficulty meeting social expectations for them as women. This can result in feelings of inadequacy and ADHD symptoms as they struggle with the burden of taking care of children and household chores. If not treated, ADHD can cause lower self-esteem in women. They may resort to unhealthy coping mechanisms like binge eating and watching marathons of TV.
The difficulties of ADHD for women are amplified by gender bias in the way that women and girls are viewed and how doctors evaluate their symptoms. Some research suggests that women and girls tend to cover up or disguise their ADHD symptoms, and can be less likely to be referred for treatment and diagnosis than boys and men.
Women with ADHD can also have difficulty recognizing their symptoms and may confuse them with mood disorders or anxiety disorders. This can lead to a false diagnosis as well as delayed or improper treatment.
The symptoms of ADHD are influenced by hormone changes, and they are most noticeable during the ovulation cycle, pregnancy, menstruation, or menopause. These changes can make women more annoyed with her ADHD symptoms and increase the likelihood of being misunderstood or viewed as moody or too emotional.
5. Impulsivity
Women are also prone to impulsivity, which is associated with ADHD. They also may have difficulty managing their emotions and can be prone to experiencing "foot-in-mouth" moments. These behaviors that are impulsive can have a significant impact on your personal and professional life.
Prefrontal cortex is the part of the brain that is responsible for controlling thinking and making decisions. This area can assist people avoid making poor decisions by acting as a check on their behavior. ADHD patients have a less-functional prefrontal cortex. This can make it more difficult for them to resist urges and avoid doing something reckless. It can also lead to an absence of self-esteem. In women, impulsiveness often manifests itself as a problem with social boundaries and self-control in conversation (interrupting, finishing others' sentences, and speaking too much).
Women also may have issues with impulse control during the various hormonal fluctuations throughout their lives. Estrogen fluctuates naturally at different times throughout the menstrual cycle, during pregnancy, childbirth, and menopause. The use of oral contraception and hormone therapy during perimenopause and menopause can further alter the levels of estrogen and other hormones that affect a woman's ADHD symptoms.
ADHD symptoms in women and girls can differ from those of males and boys, which is why they are often not properly diagnosed. Because of this, many adults who have ADHD are unaware that they have it. The good news is that identifying and treating ADHD can make a difference in the quality of life of a person regardless of age. Consult your doctor if there's a doubt whether you're suffering from ADHD. They'll be able to give you guidance. Treatment options include medication and cognitive behavioral therapy and couples counseling.