ADHD Adult Female Symptoms
ADHD can affect people of all age groups and genders, however it is more difficult for women to get diagnosed. It's because women rarely exhibit the same level of hyperactivity or impulsivity as men, so they could be overlooked or misdiagnosed.
Getting an accurate diagnosis is the first step to managing your symptoms. Stimulant medication is a common treatment for adults with ADHD, but there are other options.
1. Problems with Focusing
Although everyone is distracted from time to time women with ADHD struggle to keep their focus on their work and conversations, especially when they're suffering from emotional or sensory overload. These issues can become more severe when menstrual cycles are in full swing.
Women with inattention ADHD also have problems with their working memory, which makes it difficult to remember simple things like appointments or upcoming events. They may often forget where they put their keys to their car, the name of the woman who gave them a ride to home from spin class or even important deadlines and dates.
Procrastination, as well as the inability to follow through with plans are also signs of ADHD among females of adulthood. They are more likely to get distracted by shiny objects or social media which can make it difficult for them to complete their work and assignments. This can lead to feeling overwhelmed and underperforming at school or at work.
Due to the societal perceptions of gender, a lot of women suffering from ADHD go undiagnosed. In the end, they feel ashamed and are misinformed about their struggles as "bad behaviors" or "character imperfections." They also frequently feel like an imposter. adult ADHD symptoms men can be a "lightbulb" moment for them, since it provides them with an external explanation for their challenges and allows them to accept themselves better.
Women and girls with untreated ADHD can experience a wide variety of negative effects that can include academic issues and behavioral issues, bad relationships and family problems, and co-occurring mental health issues. A correct diagnosis and treatment plan will enhance the lives of those with ADHD at any stage in their lives. Treatment options may include stimulant medication and therapy. *
2. Difficulty Finishing Projects
Women suffering from ADHD often have trouble completing tasks and duties. They may lose important information, have difficulty switching between tasks and duties or have difficulty to meet deadlines. They could also be more prone to make erroneous mistakes or having difficulty organizing and managing their time well and underestimate the amount of time it takes to complete tasks.
Women with ADHD can find the emotional symptoms of ADHD like irritability or mood swings, especially frustrating. Hormonal changes can cause symptoms, such as those that occur in pregnancy, menopause and during menstrual cycle. Women who aren't diagnosed with ADHD might feel angry and unhappy with their performance at work and in their relationships.
Some women with ADHD have a hard time with daily routines such as chores and grocery shopping difficult. They may overlook the need to empty the garbage or shut off the stove, and easily get distracted. They might also struggle with repetitive tasks, such as folding the laundry or washing the dishes. The monotonous or repetitive chores can become exhausting which can lead to impulsive behavior like excessive talking or sharing. The impulsivity of ADHD can also cause women to make unruly decisions and rely on unhealthy coping mechanisms like alcohol or drugs.
If you have difficulty finishing tasks, have memory issues that cause chronic procrastination or relationships, you should seek a professional evaluation for ADHD. Getting a proper diagnosis can enhance your living quality and set you up for success in your personal and professional lives. It will help you better manage your ADHD symptoms and devise strategies to manage them effectively. You can minimize lapses of attention and focus by sticking to a set schedule, using a planner or reminder apps, taking notes during meetings, and ensuring good sleep hygiene. Exercise also helps improve focus by increasing the production of brain neurotransmitters.
3. Difficulty Remembering Names
It is possible that trouble remembering names might be associated with other ADHD symptoms, like trouble following directions or finishing projects. This is due to an inability of organizing and prioritizing tasks, which can hinder information retrieval. This symptom also tends to worsen during times of stress, fatigue, or hormonal changes, like before, during, and after menopausal change.
If a person is unable to remember names, it can be even more frustrating if they also forget important things like appointments and events or personal reminders. These lapses can also be worsened by depression or anxiety, which commonly co-occur with ADHD in women.
Due to gender stereotypes and internalized symptoms, ADHD is often misdiagnosed by women. Inattentive ADHD symptoms are more subtle than hyperactive/impulsive symptoms, making them harder to detect and identify. They are therefore under-diagnosed and are not being referred to a doctor to receive treatment and diagnosis.
In addition, there is a gender-based bias due to the fact that ADHD is generally seen as a male condition, with hyperactive boys being the ones who are most referred to clinics for assessment and treatment. In addition to internalized stigma and the fact that women's symptoms tend to appear different from men's as well, a lot of professionals fail to detect or treat ADHD in women.
It's becoming more common for women to be diagnosed with ADHD in adulthood. A diagnosis can improve your relationships, aid you to achieve your goals at work and school, and offer you the assistance you require. If you're interested in getting a diagnosis, talk to an experienced Salience Health provider. We will be able to assess your symptoms using tools like Creyos Cognitive Testing and Brainview Advanced and connect you to a therapist who is right for you.
4. Ailoofs with difficulty
Women suffering from ADHD can have subtle symptoms of inattention. They might forget to complete chores at home, fail to attend appointments or have difficulty taking notes. They might also be struggling with impulsivity and have difficulty understanding the boundaries of social interaction. This could cause to confusion and misinterpretation between family and friends and could cause feelings of isolation and loneliness.
Women who suffer from untreated ADHD might also have difficulty meeting the expectations of society regarding them as women. This can cause feeling inadequate and ADHD symptoms as they struggle with the burden of taking care of children and household chores. Many women with untreated ADHD have low self-esteem and turn to unhealthy strategies for coping like binge eating and TV marathons.
The difficulties of ADHD for women could be amplified by gender discrimination in the way women and girls are viewed, and how clinicians evaluate their symptoms. There is evidence that suggests that women and girls tend to hide their ADHD symptoms or attempt to cover up for them, and they might be less likely than men and boys to get referred for treatment and diagnosis.
Women with ADHD can also have difficulty understanding their symptoms and could confuse them with mood disorders or anxiety disorders. This could lead to a false diagnosis and delayed or incorrect treatment.
These changes can make women more frustrated with her ADHD symptoms. They can also make it more likely that she will be misunderstood or dismissed as moody or emotional. These changes can heighten women's anger over their ADHD symptoms, and can increase the likelihood of being viewed as moody or overly emotional.
5. Impulsivity
Women are also susceptible to the impulsivity that is a sign of ADHD. They might also have trouble controlling their emotions and are prone to "foot in the mouth" moments. These behaviors that are impulsive can have a huge impact on your professional and personal life.
Prefrontal cortex is the part of the brain that is responsible for controlling reasoning and decision-making. This area can assist people avoid making a mistake by providing a nudge on behavior. Those with ADHD have less functioning prefrontal cortex. This can make it difficult for them to resist their urges or prevent themselves from engaging in reckless or harmful behavior. It can also lead to a lack of self-respect. For women, impulsiveness typically manifests as difficulty with social boundaries and self-control (interrupting the conversation, not finishing other's sentences, or talking too much).
Women also may have issues controlling their impulses during the various hormonal fluctuations throughout their lives. Estrogen fluctuates at different times during the menstrual cycle, pregnancy, childbirth and menopausal cycle. Oral contraception and hormone therapy during menopausal perimenopausal cycles can further alter estrogen levels as well as other hormones, which can impact a woman's ADHD.
ADHD symptoms in women and girls can differ from those seen in males and boys. This is why they are often misdiagnosed. Many people with ADHD are not aware of their condition. The good news is that the diagnosis and treatment of ADHD at any age can improve the quality of life a person. Consult your doctor if you're not sure if you have ADHD. They'll be able to give you advice. Treatment options include medication as well as cognitive behavioral therapy and couples counseling.