ADHD Symptoms in Adult Females
The condition is often misdiagnosed in women, despite the fact that it is a problem that affects men and women equally as adults. This is likely due to gender stereotypes and the capacity of women to hide their symptoms.
Many healthcare professionals lack the expertise and experience to detect ADHD in women. Many females are not diagnosed correctly and don't receive the treatment they require.
1. Disorganization
Women and girls with ADHD can struggle with disorganization. high functioning adhd in women is difficult to manage. Your desk, for instance might be a mess of papers, 17 chapsticks, and tickets from the Kings of Leon show you attended in 2008. Although you may have purchased a few items to help you organize your workspace, your office or home is probably still chaotic and messy.
Inability to keep on top of your work can lead to missed deadlines and appointments. You might also be struggling with "time blindness," where you don't recall or know how long it takes to complete an assignment. This can cause you to be in a state of discontent and feeling as if you're not doing a good job in your work or in your personal life, particularly when it seems like other people don't value your efforts.
You may also have difficulty managing your emotions, which can cause you to react too quickly in stressful situations. Your fast-paced verbal communication could create misunderstandings and miscommunications with your loved ones and colleagues, and you could make statements that hurt the feelings of others without even knowing. Since impulsivity is a common trait for people with ADHD it is possible that you will find it difficult to resist saying things before thinking them through.
If you have ADHD It's likely some of your symptoms stem from gender stereotypes and ideas about how boys, men and women should behave. This can make it difficult to recognize and treat ADHD.
You may also benefit from a behavioral therapy to address the root causes of your disorder. While it could take a while to discover the appropriate coping strategies using these strategies, they can assist you in feeling more in control of your life and enhance relationships with your family, friends, and coworkers.
2. Impulsivity
People with ADHD often experience intense emotions, but their brains don't have a good way to filter or assess them. adhd in women treatment can get overwhelmed by one setback or struggle to discern the emotional state of other people. This makes them more susceptible to being distracted by small inconveniences such as the availability of a book or an unreliable friend.
high functioning adhd in women with ADHD conceal their symptoms and develop strategies to deal with their attention problems. They might be extremely meticulous or a perfectionist at school or at work, and have difficulty keeping on top of appointments, bills, or important dates. They may also have issues with verbal self-restraint and frequently interrupt others, talk too much, often, or ramble during conversations.
The hyperactive/impulsive subtype of ADHD tends to be more common in boys and men, but it's not unusual for women to have these symptoms too. The symptoms include a sudden desire to stop, start or alter activities; being unable to wait your turn in conversation; and having trouble reading social cues (like facial expressions or body language).
While gender stereotypes can influence on the development of ADHD in women, it's not always easy to identify these issues. The scales used to measure ADHD symptoms are still skewed towards male behavior and some healthcare professionals may misunderstand or underestimate the severity of a woman's symptoms.
Many women with ADHD also say that their symptoms get worse during times of hormonal changes, like menstrual cycle or pregnancy, or during perimenopausal (the period leading up to menopausal). This can lead to emotional symptoms such as frustration, irritability or depression. They might also experience an unrelenting feeling of discontent in their relationships or their lives. This could lead to substance abuse, low self-esteem and unhealthy coping strategies. This is why it's crucial for women to recognize that these symptoms aren't a reflection of their value or worth as a person. The good news is that with a well-planned treatment strategy these symptoms can be reduced or even eliminated.
3. Inattention
Although everyone has trouble paying attention and focusing at times with ADHD, these symptoms occur in such a way that they can interfere with your life. You might make mistakes at work or at school, or miss appointments, or spend a great deal of time procrastinating. You aren't comfortable waiting your turn in conversations and frequently interrupt others.
Attention deficit symptoms in adults could include the tendency to get involved in projects without thoroughly planning and analyzing them, which leads to inadequate or poor results. You could also get easily distracted and abandon projects that are not completed. This could be the vegetable garden that was planted but never watered, or an organization system you put together and then left on your nightstand to collect dust.
People with inattention ADHD also struggle with an ongoing sense of disorganization in their home and workplaces. It is possible that you have trouble finding important documents such as keys or bills, and lose things regularly. You may also forget to keep your track of time and become late for school, work or for meetings.
Women with hyperactive/impulsive ADHD are less likely to experience these inattentive symptoms, but they can still have problems with organization, time management and self-control. Women with these symptoms might make or do actions without thinking about the consequences including snoozing over other people or making strange sounds when they are on their own. They have difficulty sitting still and may fidget or pace in their seats. They might have issues keeping their job and could have frequent disagreements with coworkers and managers.
In some instances, the mood swings and emotional distress caused by ADHD can cause frustration in relationships and miscommunications. This is particularly true in relationships with partners as well as at work. People with ADHD are also more likely to suffer from other comorbidities, like depression, anxiety, or bipolar disorder.
Women and girls who suffer from ADHD can face a variety of challenges when seeking treatment and diagnosis, including gender bias and a tendency to conceal their symptoms or underestimate the severity of their symptoms. Famous women like Em Rusciano and Mia Freedman who have publicly discussed their struggles with ADHD have helped raise awareness. But, many young women and girls don't know they have it.
4. Anxiety
Although many people feel anxious or nervous from time to time, persistently outsize anxiety is the hallmark of an anxiety disorder. You may experience an uneasy feeling or fear, as well as an intense pulse, trouble being calm, and trouble thinking clearly. You might also have an increased fear of danger even in situations that aren't likely be dangerous for you. The most frequent forms of anxiety include general anxiety disorder, agoraphobia and phobias, separation anxiety and panic disorders.
Anxiety is more prevalent in women suffering from ADHD than men. It is more likely to be exacerbated during certain life events like menstruation or pregnancy, or perimenopausal. This can make it difficult for women to manage everyday tasks and social interaction, and can lead to feelings of self-esteem loss or discontent.
You are very sensitive to rejection and you have a difficult to accept criticism. You are prone to misinterpret feedback, or even anticipate rejection. You may be angry about small things that others don't see an issue with.
Mood swings are also one of the adult female adhd symptoms and you could discover that your mood is unpredictable or difficult to control. You could also be susceptible to self-injury that isn't suicidal such as scrubbing, burning or hitting yourself.
It's crucial to seek a diagnosis when you're experiencing any of the symptoms listed above. It will help you understand the challenges you're facing, and offer you strategies to improve the quality of your life. You can take an ADHD test online, or talk to your doctor to get an expert assessment. In certain instances, your doctor might prescribe medication to help alleviate your symptoms. In other instances, they might recommend a combination of lifestyle changes and cognitive behavior therapy. In either case it's crucial to change your lifestyle as quickly as possible. This can help you regain control of your life and feel more confident and competent.