ADHD Adult Female Symptoms
ADHD can affect both women and men, however it's more difficult for women to recognize it. It's because women do not typically exhibit the same inattention or impulsivity as men do, and therefore may be misdiagnosed or missed.
A clear diagnosis is the first step in managing your symptoms. Stimulant medication is a common treatment for adults suffering from ADHD however, there are also other options.
1. Problems with Focusing
Women suffering from ADHD can be distracted by a myriad of things, but they also have difficulties focusing on conversations and tasks particularly when they are experiencing emotional or sensory overload. These problems can become worse during menstrual cycle.
Women who are inattentional ADHD suffer from problems with their working memory. This makes it difficult to remember things that are simple, such as the dates of appointments or events that are coming up. They may often forget where they left their keys to their car or the name of the lady who gave them a ride to home from spin class or even important dates and deadlines.
Procrastination, as well as the inability to stick with plans are also signs of ADHD among females of adulthood. They're more likely to get distracted by shiny objects or social media, which makes it harder to complete their projects and assignments. This can result in feeling overwhelmed and underperforming at school or at work.
Many women suffering from ADHD are not diagnosed due to gender stereotypes. They feel shame and mistakenly classify their issues as "bad behavior" or "character defects". They often feel like they're an imposter. A diagnosis can be a lightbulb moment giving them a clear, external explanation of their struggles and giving them the opportunity to accept themselves more fully.
ADHD adult female symptoms and girls with untreated ADHD are susceptible to a wide range of negative consequences such as academic issues and behavioral issues, as well as relationships and family problems, and co-occurring mental health problems. A correct diagnosis and treatment plan can enhance the lives of those who suffer from ADHD at any point in their life. Treatment options could include stimulant therapy and medication. *
2. Difficulty Finishing Projects
Women with ADHD struggle to complete tasks or duties. They may miss important details, struggle with switching between tasks or responsibilities and have difficulty attempting to meet deadlines. They are also more likely to make careless errors, have difficulty organizing their schedules and underestimate the time they need to finish tasks.
The emotional manifestations of ADHD in adults, such as irritability and mood swings, can be particularly frustrating for women suffering from the condition. Symptoms can be exacerbated by hormonal changes, such as those that occur during the menstrual cycle or during pregnancy, as well as menopausal. Women who aren't diagnosed with ADHD might feel angry and disappointed in their work performance and in their relationships.
Some women who suffer from ADHD struggle with keeping up with daily tasks, such as grocery shopping and chores. They may overlook the need to empty the garbage or turn off the stove, and be easily distracted. They may also have difficulty with routine tasks like folding laundry or washing the dishes. Simple tasks that are boring or repetitive can become unbearable and lead to impulsive behavior like excessive talking or oversharing. Women who suffer from ADHD may also make unruly decisions and resort to unhealthy coping strategies, like alcohol or drugs.
If you are having difficulty finishing tasks, have memory issues, have a tendency to procrastinate for a long time or have relationship problems it is essential to seek professional assistance for ADHD. A correct diagnosis can enhance 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 create strategies to deal with the symptoms. You can minimize lapses of focus and attention by adhering to a schedule using a planner, or a reminder app, taking notes during meetings, and ensuring good sleeping habits. Exercise can also to improve focus by increasing brain neurotransmitter production.
3. It is difficult to remember names.
The difficulty in remembering names may be associated with other ADHD symptoms, such as difficulty following directions and trouble finishing projects. The root cause of these difficulties is an inability to organize and prioritize tasks which affects the efficiency of information retrieval. This symptom tends to worsen when there is a period of stress, fatigue or hormonal changes.
Forgetting names can feel even more frustrating when it's followed by a feeling of numbness over larger things like appointments and events or personal reminders. These lapses can also be caused by depression or anxiety which are frequently associated with ADHD in women.
Due to gender stereotypes and internalized symptoms, ADHD is often misdiagnosed in women. Inattentive ADHD symptoms are more subtle than hyperactive/impulsive symptoms, making them harder to detect and identify. In the end, they are under-identified and under-referred for treatment and diagnosis.
In addition, there is a gender-based bias because the disorder is largely seen as a male condition and boys with hyperactivity being the ones who are the most admitted to clinics for evaluation and treatment. In addition to internalized stigma, female symptoms are usually different from those of men. Many professionals fail to diagnose or treat ADHD in females.
It's becoming more common for women to be diagnosed with ADHD in their adulthood. A diagnosis can improve your relationships, assist you to achieve your goals at work and school, and give you the help you require. Contact an Salience Health provider if you're looking to be diagnosed. We will be able to assess your symptoms with tools like Creyos Cognitive Testing and Brainview Advanced and connect you to a therapist who is suitable for you.
4. Difficulty Appearing Aloof
Women who suffer from ADHD may exhibit subtle signs of inattention. ADHD adult female symptoms may not remember to do chores at home, skip appointments or have difficulty taking notes. They might also be struggling with impulsivity or difficulty understanding the boundaries of social interaction. This could cause them to misinterpret and misunderstandings between family and friends and could lead to feelings of isolation and loneliness.
Women who suffer from untreated ADHD might also have difficulty being able to meet the expectations set by society for them as women. This can lead to feeling inadequate and ADHD symptoms when they are faced with the burden of taking care of children and household chores. Untreated ADHD can cause lower self-esteem in women. They might resort to unhealthy ways of coping such as binge eating or watching marathons of TV.
The challenges of ADHD in women can be caused by gender bias both in the way women and girls are perceived and assessed by healthcare professionals. Certain studies suggest that girls and women tend to conceal their ADHD symptoms or attempt to cover up for them, and they may be less likely than males and females to be referred for diagnosis and treatment.
Women suffering from ADHD can also have difficulty understanding their symptoms and could be confused with mood disorders or anxiety disorders. This could lead to a false diagnosis and delay or ineffective treatment.
Symptoms of ADHD are influenced by hormonal fluctuations. They are most evident during the ovulation period, pregnancy, menstruation or menopausal. These changes can cause women to be more unhappy with her ADHD symptoms and increase the chance of being misunderstood, or viewed as moody or emotional.
5. Impulsivity
While the impulsivity of ADHD affects men and boys differently, women suffer from it as well. They might also have trouble managing their emotions, and be prone to "foot in mouth" moments. These actions that are impulsive can have a big impact on relationships and professional life.
Prefrontal cortex is the part of the brain that is responsible for controlling thinking and making decisions. This brain area can help people avoid making bad decisions by acting as a check on behavior. ADHD sufferers have less functional prefrontal cortex. This can make it difficult for them to resist urges and stop themselves from engaging in reckless behavior. It can also result in an inability to respect themselves. Women's impulsiveness can be seen as the lack of social boundaries and self-control during conversations (interrupting others, finishing their sentences, or talking too much).
Women can also have problems with control of impulses when hormones change. Estrogen is naturally fluctuates at various times during the menstrual cycle, as well as during childbirth, pregnancy and menopausal. The use of oral contraception and hormone therapy during perimenopausal and menopausal changes the levels of estrogen and other hormones that impact the woman's ADHD symptoms.
The method by which ADHD symptoms are expressed in girls and women can differ from that of boys and men, which is one of the reasons they are often underdiagnosed. Because of this, many people who suffer from ADHD are unaware that they do. The good news is that diagnosing and treating ADHD can help improve the quality of life of a person at any age. If you're unsure if or not you suffer from ADHD consult your doctor and find out how they can assist. Treatment options include medication and cognitive behavioral therapy and couples counseling.