ADHD Adult Female Symptoms
ADHD can affect women and men, however it is more difficult for women to diagnose. That's because females often don't exhibit the same levels of hyperactivity and the same impulsivity as men, which means they could be overlooked or incorrectly diagnosed.
The first step to manage your symptoms is to receive an accurate diagnosis. Stimulant medication is a common treatment for adults with ADHD however there are other options.
1. Problems with Focusing
Women suffering from ADHD are often distracted by a myriad of things, but they also have difficulties focusing on conversations and tasks, especially if they are experiencing sensory or emotional overload. These problems can become worse during menstrual cycle.
Women with inattention ADHD also have issues with their working memory, which makes it hard to remember simple things like appointments or upcoming events. ADHD symptoms in adult men may often forget where they put their car keys, 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 keep up with plans are also symptoms of ADHD among adult females. They are more likely to get distracted by shiny objects or social media which makes it difficult to finish their projects and assignments. This can result in a sense of being overwhelmed and underperforming at school or at work.
Because of societal ideas about gender, many women with ADHD are not diagnosed. They feel guilt and mistakenly attribute their issues as "bad behaviours" or "character imperfections". They often feel like they're an imposter. A diagnosis could be a lightbulb moment giving them a clear, external explanation of their struggles and helping them accept themselves more fully.
Untreated ADHD in girls and women can result in a myriad of negative effects, such as academic difficulties, behavioral problems as well as family and relationship issues and co-existing mental health conditions. A proper diagnosis and treatment plan can improve the lives of people who suffer from ADHD at any time in their lives. Treatment options include stimulant drugs and therapy. *
2. Difficulty Finishing Projects
Women with ADHD often have difficulty completing tasks and tasks. They might miss important details, have trouble switching between tasks or responsibilities, and have difficulty attempting to meet deadlines. They may also be more susceptible to make mistakes that aren't their fault or having difficulty organizing and managing their time efficiently and underestimate the time it takes to finish their work.
Women suffering from ADHD can find the emotional symptoms of ADHD, such as mood swings or irritability particularly difficult. Hormonal changes can trigger symptoms, including those that occur during menopausal, pregnancy and during menstrual cycle. Women who aren't diagnosed with ADHD may feel angry and dissatisfied with their performance at workplace or in their relationships.
Some women with ADHD have a difficult time managing everyday tasks such as grocery shopping and household chores. They might not remember to empty the garbage or turn off the stove, and easily get distracted. They can also struggle with repetitive tasks such as folding laundry or washing dishes. The monotonous or boring tasks can become intolerable, leading to impulsive behaviors like excessive talking or oversharing. Women with ADHD may also make unruly decisions and resort to unhealthy coping strategies, like alcohol or other drugs.
If you're having trouble finishing tasks, have memory issues or chronic procrastination, as well as relationship challenges, you should take a look at a professional evaluation for ADHD. Getting a proper diagnosis can enhance your overall quality of life and set you up for success in your personal and professional lives. It can help you manage your ADHD symptoms, and help you develop strategies to manage these. You can minimize lapses of attention and focus by sticking to a plan, using a planner or reminder apps, making notes during meetings, and maintaining good sleeping habits. Exercise also helps improve focus by increasing brain neurotransmitter production.
3. Trouble remembering names
Trouble remembering names can be associated with other ADHD symptoms like difficulty in following directions and having trouble finishing projects. The root cause of these difficulties is an inability to prioritize and organize tasks which affects efficient information retrieval. This condition can get worse during times of stress, fatigue, or hormonal changes, for instance prior to, during, or after menopause.
If a person is unable to remember names and addresses, it can be more difficult if they forget important things like appointments, events or personal reminders. These lapses could be exacerbated by anxiety or depression, which commonly co-occur with ADHD in women.
ADHD is often misdiagnosed in women because of gender bias and internalized symptoms. 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 diagnosis and treatment.
Additionally, there is gender-based discrimination because the disorder tends to be seen as a condition that affects boys. Boys with hyperactivity are the ones most often being referred to clinics and analyzed for treatment. In addition to the internalized stigma, female symptoms differ from those of men. Many doctors do not diagnose or treat ADHD for females.
It's becoming more commonplace for women to be diagnosed with ADHD in their adulthood. A diagnosis can enhance your relationships, aid you to succeed at work and in school, and give you the support you need. Speak to an Salience Health provider if you're interested in getting diagnosed. We can evaluate your symptoms using tools such as Creyos Cognitive Testing and Brainview Advanced and connect you to a therapist that is the right fit for you.
4. Ailoofs that appear difficult to see
Women with ADHD can have subtle symptoms of inattention. They may miss appointments, forget to complete chores around the house or have trouble taking notes at work. They might also be struggling with impulsivity and trouble understanding the boundaries of social interaction. This could cause them to misinterpret and misunderstandings between family and friends, and can also lead to feelings of isolation and loneliness.
Women who are not treated for ADHD may also have trouble meeting the expectations of society as women. They may struggle with the burden of caring for their children and household chores, and this societal pressure can intensify their ADHD symptoms and feelings of inadequacy. Many women with untreated ADHD suffer from low self-esteem, and they resort to unhealthy coping strategies such as binge eating and marathons on TV.
The difficulties of ADHD for women can be amplified by gender bias, both in the way that women and girls are viewed and assessed by clinicians. Some research suggests that women and girls tend to hide or compensate for their ADHD symptoms, and may be less likely to receive treatment and diagnosis than men and boys.
Another challenge is that women with ADHD may be unable to recognize their own symptoms. They might confuse them with anxiety or mood disorders. This can contribute to a false diagnosis and delay or ineffective treatment.
These changes can increase a woman's frustration with her ADHD symptoms. They could also increase the likelihood that she will be viewed or dismissed as moody or excessively emotional. These changes can intensify women's anger over their ADHD symptoms, and they could increase the chance of being misunderstood or dismissed as moody or overly emotional.
5. Impulsivity
Women are also susceptible to the impulsivity that is associated with ADHD. They also may have difficulty controlling their emotions and may be prone to experiencing "foot-in-mouth" moments. These behaviors that are impulsive can have a significant impact on your professional and personal life.
The brain part that regulates the process of decision-making and reasoning is known as the prefrontal cortex. This area can help people avoid making poor decisions by acting as a check on behavior. ADHD sufferers have a weaker prefrontal cortex. This makes it harder to resist impulses and avoid engaging in reckless behavior. It can also lead to a lack of self-respect. Women's impulsiveness is often manifested as an inability to maintain social boundaries and self-control during conversation (interrupting others, not finishing their sentences, or talking too much).
Women also have issues with impulse control when their hormones fluctuate. Estrogen fluctuates at different times throughout the menstrual cycle, pregnancy, childbirth and menopausal cycle. Contraceptives and hormone therapy that is used during perimenopause or menopause may further alter estrogen levels and other hormones which could affect women's ADHD.
The way ADHD symptoms are expressed in women and girls can vary from those of boys and men this is one of the reasons they are frequently not diagnosed. This is why many people who suffer from ADHD are unaware of the fact that they do. The good news is that the diagnosis and treatment of ADHD at any age can enhance the quality of life of the person. If you are unsure whether or not you have ADHD discuss it with your doctor and see how they can assist. Treatment options include medication, cognitive behavior therapy, and couples counseling.