ADHD Adult Female Symptoms
ADHD can affect both females and males, but it's more difficult for women to be diagnosed. It's because women don't often exhibit the same inattention or impulsivity as men do, so they can be missed or misdiagnosed.
The first step to manage your symptoms is to get an accurate diagnosis. Adults who suffer from ADHD are often treated with stimulant medication, however, there are other alternatives.
1. Problems with Focusing
Women with ADHD are often distracted by a variety of things, but they also have a harder time focusing on conversations and tasks particularly when they are suffering from sensory or emotional overload. These problems can be made worse when menstrual cycles are in full swing.
Women with inattentive ADHD suffer from problems with their working memory. This makes it difficult to remember simple things, such as the dates of appointments or events that are coming up. They may forget where they left their keys in their car or the name of the lady who gave them a lift home from the spin class. They might also forget important dates and deadlines.
Other symptoms of ADHD in females of adulthood include procrastination and difficulty in following through on plans. They are more likely to get sidetracked by shiny objects or social media, which makes it difficult to complete their projects and assignments. This can cause them to feel overwhelmed and underperforming at school or at work.
Due to the societal perceptions of gender, many women suffering from ADHD are not diagnosed. They feel shame and mistakenly label their struggles as "bad behaviors" or "character defects". They may feel like they're an imposter. A diagnosis could be a "lightbulb" moment for them, because it provides them with an external explanation of their challenges and allows them to accept themselves better.
Women and girls with untreated ADHD can experience a wide variety of negative effects such as academic issues, behavioral issues, poor relationships with family members as well as co-occurring mental health conditions. But a thorough diagnosis and treatment plan can dramatically improve life for people with ADHD at all stages of their lives. Treatment options could include stimulant medication and therapy. *
2. Difficulty Finishing Projects
Women suffering from ADHD often struggle to complete tasks and duties. They may miss important details, struggle with switching between tasks or responsibilities, and are unable to meet deadlines. They could also be more prone to making careless mistakes or having difficulty organizing and managing their time efficiently and underestimate the time it takes to complete tasks.
The emotional symptoms of ADHD in adults, such as mood swings and irritability, can be a major source of frustration for women who suffer from the condition. Symptoms can be exacerbated by hormonal changes, including those that occur during the menstrual cycle or during pregnancy, as well as menopausal. Women with undiagnosed ADHD may feel frustrated and unhappy in their work performance and in their relationships.
Women with ADHD are unable to complete daily tasks like chores and grocery shopping challenging. They might overlook the need to empty the garbage or turn off the stove, and can be easily distracted. They may also have difficulty with routine tasks, such as washing dishes or folding laundry. Boring or mundane chores can become overwhelming which can lead to impulsive behavior such as excessive talking or sharing. Women who suffer from ADHD may also make unruly decisions and resort to unhealthy coping mechanisms such as alcohol or other drugs.
If you're having trouble getting things done, have memory issues, have a tendency to procrastinate for a long time or have relationship problems it is essential to seek professional help for ADHD. A correct diagnosis can enhance your quality of life and assist you in achieving success in your professional and personal life. It can assist you in managing your ADHD symptoms, and help you develop strategies to manage the symptoms. To prevent lapses in attention and focus you should stick to a regular schedule using planners or reminder apps to take notes during meetings, and adhere to good sleeping habits (avoid screens for an hour prior to the time you go to bed). Exercise can also improve focus because it increases the neurotransmitter levels in your brain.
3. Difficulty remembering names
It is possible that a difficulty in remembering names could be associated with other ADHD symptoms, such as difficulties following directions or not finishing projects. The root cause of these difficulties is an inability to prioritize and organize tasks which affects efficient information retrieval. This issue can worsen during times of stress, fatigue, or hormonal changes, for instance prior to, during, or after menopause.
The feeling of forgetting names can be more frustrating when it's accompanied by a feeling of forgetfulness about larger items like appointments or events or personal reminders. These lapses can be exacerbated by anxiety and depression, which are frequent co-occurring disorders that are associated with ADHD for women.
Due to gender biases and internalized symptoms, ADHD is often misdiagnosed among women. Inattentive ADHD symptoms are more subtle than hyperactive/impulsive symptoms, making them harder to detect and identify. This means that they are not recognized and referred to for treatment and diagnosis.
Furthermore, there is a bias based on gender because the disorder is largely perceived as a problem for males and boys with hyperactivity being the ones who are the most admitted to clinics for assessment and treatment. In addition to the internalized stigma, female symptoms differ from those of men. Many professionals are unable to diagnose or treat ADHD in females.
It's becoming more frequent for women to be diagnosed with ADHD as they reach adulthood. A diagnosis can improve your relationships, set you up for success at school and at work and provide the support you require to succeed in your daily life. If you are interested in getting a diagnosis, talk to an experienced Salience Health provider. We'll evaluate your symptoms with tools like Creyos cognitive testing and Brainview Advanced, and connect you with a therapist that's right for you.
4. Difficulty Appearing Aloof
Women who suffer from ADHD might exhibit subtle signs of inattention. They may miss appointments, neglect to complete chores around the house, or have trouble making notes at work. They may also be struggling with impulsivity or have difficulty understanding social boundaries. This can result in misinterpretation and misunderstandings in relationships with family and friends and can cause feelings of loneliness and feeling isolated.
Additionally, women with untreated ADHD often struggle to meet societal expectations for them as women. They may struggle with the responsibility of caring for their children and household chores, and this societal pressure can intensify their ADHD symptoms and feelings of inadequacy. If not treated, ADHD can lead to low self-esteem in women. They may resort to unhealthy coping mechanisms such as binge-eating and watching marathons on TV.
The difficulties of ADHD in women are amplified by gender bias, both in the way women and girls are perceived and evaluated by clinicians. Certain studies suggest that women and girls tend to conceal their ADHD symptoms or compensate for them, and might be less likely than boys and men to get referred to a specialist for diagnosis and treatment.
Women suffering from ADHD may also have difficulties recognizing their symptoms and may confuse them with anxiety disorders or mood disorders. This could lead to false diagnoses and improper or delayed treatment.
The signs of ADHD can be influenced by hormone fluctuations, and they can be particularly noticeable during the ovulation cycle or menstrual cycle, pregnancy or menopausal. These changes can intensify a woman's frustration with her ADHD symptoms, and they could increase the chance of being misinterpreted or dismissed as moody or emotionally overly emotional.
5. Impulsivity
Although the impulsivity associated with ADHD affects men and boys differently, women experience it similarly. ADHD adult symptoms might also have trouble managing their emotions, and be prone to "foot in the 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 responsible for controlling the process of reasoning and decision-making. This brain area can stop people from making bad decisions because it acts as a safeguard. The people with ADHD have a less functional prefrontal cortex, and this makes it difficult to resist the urges or stop themselves from doing something reckless or hurtful. It can also cause an inability to respect themselves. In ADHD symptoms in adulthood , impulsiveness often manifests itself as a problem with social boundaries and conversational self-restraint (interrupting the conversation, not finishing other's sentences, and speaking too much).
Women also have issues with impulse control when their hormones change. Estrogen fluctuates in different intervals throughout the menstrual cycle and pregnancy, as well as childbirth and menopausal cycle. The use of oral contraception and hormone therapy during perimenopausal and menopause can further alter the levels of estrogen and other hormones that impact a woman's ADHD symptoms.
ADHD symptoms in women and girls can differ from those of males and boys. This is why they are often misdiagnosed. Many people with ADHD are unaware of their condition. The good news is that diagnosing and treating ADHD can make a difference in the quality of life for anyone regardless of age. If you're unsure if or not you suffer from ADHD consult your doctor and see how they can assist. Treatment options include medication, cognitive behavioral therapy, and couples counseling.