ADHD Adult Female Symptoms
ADHD can affect people of all ages and genders, but it is more difficult for women to get diagnosed. This is because women don't exhibit the same levels of hyperactivity and impulsivity as men, so they could be overlooked or incorrectly diagnosed.
A clear diagnosis is the first step in managing your symptoms. Stimulant medication is a common treatment for adults with ADHD however, there are also other options.
1. Trouble focusing
Women with ADHD are often distracted by a variety of things, but they also have a harder time focusing on conversations and tasks especially when they are experiencing emotional or sensory overload. These issues can become more severe during menstrual cycles.
Women who are inattentional ADHD have issues with their working memory. This makes it difficult to remember everyday things, such as dates or events coming up. They may forget where they left their keys in their car or the name of the lady who offered them a ride home after a spinning class. They might also forget important dates and deadlines.
Other symptoms of ADHD females in adulthood include procrastination and difficulty following through with plans. They are more likely to get sidetracked by shiny objects or social media, making it harder to complete their assignments and projects. This can result in feeling overwhelmed and underperforming at the classroom or at work.
Due to the societal perceptions of gender, many women suffering from ADHD are not diagnosed. As a result, they are embarrassed and mistakenly label their issues as "bad behaviors" or "character imperfections." They also frequently report feeling like an impostor. A diagnosis could be a lightbulb moment giving them a clear, external explanation for their challenges and allowing them to accept their own uniqueness.
Untreated ADHD for girls and women can cause a range of negative effects, including academic difficulties, behavioral problems as well as family and relationship issues, and coexisting mental health issues. However, a correct diagnosis and treatment plan can drastically improve life for people with ADHD at all stages of their lives. Treatment options include stimulant medication and therapy. *
2. Difficulty Finishing Projects
Women with ADHD often struggle to complete tasks and duties. They might forget important information, have trouble switching between tasks and responsibilities or have difficulty to meet deadlines. They may also be more likely to make mistakes, struggle with organizing their schedules and underestimate the time it takes to complete tasks.
The emotional symptoms of ADHD in adults, like mood swings and irritability, can be a major source of frustration for women who suffer from the condition. Hormonal changes can trigger symptoms, such as those that occur during menopausal, pregnancy and during menstrual cycle. Women who aren't diagnosed with ADHD might feel angry and unhappy in their work performance and in their relationships.
Women who suffer from ADHD find daily routines like chores and grocery shopping difficult. They might have a difficult finding the time to remember to empty the garbage or turn off the stove and they are easily distracted by little things around them. They might also struggle with repetitive tasks such as folding laundry or washing dishes. Boring or mundane tasks can become unbearable and lead to impulsive behavior like excessive conversation or oversharing. Women who suffer from ADHD might also make unruly choices and use unhealthy coping strategies, like alcohol or drugs.
If you're having difficulty finishing tasks, have memory problems, procrastinate chronically or are experiencing relationship issues, it is important to seek out professional help for ADHD. A proper diagnosis can improve the quality of your life and help you achieve success in your professional and personal life. It can assist you in managing your ADHD symptoms, and help you develop strategies for dealing with these. You can minimize lapses of attention and focus by sticking to a set schedule using a planner, or a reminder app, taking notes during meetings, and ensuring good sleep hygiene. Exercise can also help you focus because it increases the levels of brain neurotransmitters.
3. Trouble remembering names
The difficulty in remembering names may go hand-in-hand with other ADHD symptoms like difficulty following directions and trouble finishing projects. This is due to a lack to organize and prioritize tasks, which can hinder information retrieval. This issue can worsen during times of fatigue, stress, or hormonal changes, such as prior to, during, or after menopause.
If a person is unable to remember names, it can be even more difficult if they forget important information such as appointments, events or personal reminders. These forgetfulness lapses could be caused by depression and anxiety, which are common co-occurring conditions with ADHD among 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. As a result, they are not recognized and referred to for treatment and diagnosis.
Additionally, there is gender-based discrimination since the disorder is often be viewed as a disorder that is affecting boys. Boys with hyperactivity are the ones who are most frequently taken to clinics and assessed for treatment. Combined with internalized stigma and the fact that women's symptoms often look different than men's, many professionals fail to diagnose or treat ADHD in women.
Fortunately, it's becoming more common for women to receive an ADHD diagnosis in adulthood. A diagnosis can help improve your relationships, assist you to achieve your goals at work and school, and provide you with the assistance you require. If you are looking to get diagnosed, speak to an experienced Salience Health provider. We can assess your symptoms using tools such as Creyos Cognitive Testing and Brainview Advanced and connect you with a therapist who's the right fit for you.
4. Ailoofs that appear difficult to see
Women who suffer from ADHD can have subtle symptoms of inattention. They may skip appointments, neglect to complete chores around the house or have difficulty making notes at work. They may also be struggling with impulsivity or have difficulty understanding the boundaries of social interaction. This could cause them to misinterpret and misunderstandings with friends and family and could result in feelings of isolation and loneliness.
Women who are not treated for ADHD might also have difficulty fulfilling the expectations of society regarding them as women. This can cause feeling inadequate and ADHD symptoms as they struggle with the responsibility of taking care of children and household chores. Many women suffering from untreated ADHD report low self-esteem, and they resort to unhealthy coping strategies such as binge eating and marathons on TV.
The challenges of ADHD for women can be exacerbated by gender bias, both in how women and girls are perceived and evaluated by clinicians. There is evidence that suggests that women and girls tend to hide their ADHD symptoms or compensate for them, and are less likely than boys and men to be referred for treatment and diagnosis.
Another issue is that women with ADHD may be unable to recognize their own symptoms. They might confuse them with anxiety or mood disorders. This could lead to incorrect diagnosis and delayed treatment.
These changes can make women more frustrated with her ADHD symptoms. They can also increase the likelihood that she will be viewed or dismissed as moody or overly emotional. These changes can cause women to be more frustrated with her ADHD symptoms and increase the likelihood of being misunderstood, or viewed as moody or too emotional.
5. Impulsivity
Women also experience the impulsivity that is a sign of ADHD. They may also have difficulty managing their emotions, and are prone to "foot in the mouth" moments. These uncontrollable behaviors can have a significant impact on your personal and professional life.
Prefrontal cortex is a part of the brain that controls thinking and making decisions. This brain area can stop individuals from making poor choices since it serves as an alarm. People who suffer from ADHD have less functioning prefrontal cortex, which makes it difficult for them to resist their urges or avoid doing something dangerous or damaging. It can also lead to a lack in self-respect. In women, impulsiveness usually manifests as difficulty with social boundaries and conversational self-restraint (interrupting, finishing others' sentences, or talking too much).
Women can also have problems with impulse control when their hormones change. Estrogen fluctuates at different times during the menstrual cycle, pregnancy, childbirth and menopausal cycles. The use of oral contraception and hormone therapy during perimenopausal and menopausal cycles can alter the levels of estrogen as well as other hormones that impact a woman's ADHD symptoms.
ADHD symptoms in girls and women may differ from those of males and boys. This is why they are often misdiagnosed. Because of this , many adults with ADHD are unaware of the fact that they suffer from it. The good news is, the diagnosis and treatment of ADHD at any age can improve the quality of life of the person. If you're not sure whether or not you are suffering from ADHD discuss it with your doctor to see if they can help. Treatment options include medication as well as cognitive behavioral therapy and couples counseling.