The Ultimate Guide To Adult Female ADHD Symptoms
ADHD Symptoms in Adult Females
The condition is often misdiagnosed among 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 mask their symptoms.
Many healthcare professionals aren't equipped and experience to recognize ADHD in women. Many women are misdiagnosed and do not receive the treatment they require.
1. Disorganization
Women and girls who suffer from ADHD frequently struggle with disorganization, which can be a challenge to manage. Your desk, for example, may be a mess of papers, 17 different chapsticks, and tickets from the Kings of Leon show you attended in 2008. Even if you've spent money on products to help you manage your clutter, your home or office is probably still messy and messy.
Inability to keep the track of your tasks can cause you to miss deadlines and appointments. In addition, you might struggle with a concept called "time blindness," which means you cannot remember or comprehend how much time it takes to finish the task. This could make you feel frustrated and feel like you're not doing a good enough job in your career, or even your personal life.
You might also have trouble controlling your emotions, which can cause you to overreact in stressful situations. You might also say things without intention of hurting people's feelings. You may also have trouble stopping yourself from speaking before you think things through, since impulsivity can be common among people suffering from ADHD.
If you suffer from ADHD it's possible that a portion of your symptoms stem from gender stereotypes or beliefs about how women, men and boys should behave. adhd in older women makes it difficult to identify and treat ADHD.
You could also benefit from behavioral treatment to address the root causes of your disorder. It may take a while to determine the most effective strategies for dealing with stress, but implementing them can help you feel in control of your life and improve your relationships with family, coworkers, and friends.
2. Impulsivity
People with ADHD are prone to intense emotions. However their brains aren't capable of filtering them or assess them. This means they can get overwhelmed by one setback or struggle to discern the mood of other people. It also makes it easier for them to be distracted by small issues like a book that's out of stock or a friend who's running late to the spin class.
Many women suffering from ADHD conceal their symptoms and develop strategies to deal with their attention issues. They may be perfectionists or extremely meticulous at work or in school, but have difficulty keeping the track of important dates, bills, and appointments. They may also struggle with verbal self control and speak too much or interrupt others frequently.
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. These symptoms include an abrupt urge to start, stop or change activities and being unable to hold for your turn during a conversation and difficulty in interpreting social cues (like facial expressions or body language).
While gender-based stereotypes may influence the development of ADHD however, it's not always easy to tell if a woman has these issues. The scales used to measure ADHD symptoms are still biased towards male behavior and some health experts may be misinformed or underestimate the severity of a woman's symptoms.
Many women suffering from ADHD also note that their symptoms tend to become more severe during periods of hormonal changes, like during the menstrual cycle or pregnancy, or during perimenopausal (the period leading up to menopausal). This can trigger emotional symptoms such as frustration, irritability or depression. They may also experience a persistent feeling of unsatisfaction with their lives or relationships. This could lead to depression, substance abuse, and unhealthy coping behaviors. It is important for women to realize that these signs do not show their worth or value as human beings. The positive side is that with a solid treatment plan, these symptoms can be reduced or even eliminated.
3. Attention
Although everyone has trouble paying attention and focusing at times, with ADHD the symptoms are experienced in such a way that they can interfere with your life. You might make mistakes at work or in school, or miss appointments or spend a good amount of time putting off tasks. You aren't comfortable waiting your turn in conversations and frequently interrupt other people.
Adults who are inattention may include a tendency to jump into projects without properly planning and researching them, which leads to incomplete or subpar results. You may also get distracted easily and have a tendency to abandon projects that are not finished -- from the vegetable garden that got planted, but never watered, to the new system of organization which was erected and left to rot on your nightstand.
People who have inattention ADHD struggle with chronic disorganization at home and in the workplace. You may have difficulty finding important documents keys, bills or even keys and lose things frequently. You might also keep losing track of the time and end up late for meetings, work or school.
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. People who suffer from these conditions may perform actions or words without considering the consequences. For example they might talk over others or make a lot of nonsensical noises when alone. They may have trouble sitting still and may be prone to fumbling around or pacing in their seats. They might have trouble keeping their job and may have frequent disputes with their coworkers and manager.
In some instances mood swings and emotional stress caused by ADHD can lead to frustration and misunderstandings in relationships. This is especially true in relationships with partners as well as at work. People with ADHD also are more likely having comorbid conditions such as bipolar disorder, depression or anxiety disorder.
Women and girls with ADHD are often faced with a range of challenges when seeking treatment and diagnosis which include gender discrimination and a tendency to conceal their symptoms or underestimate the severity of their symptoms. High-profile women such as Em Rusciano and Mia Freedman who have publicly discussed their struggles with ADHD have helped raise awareness. However, a lot of girls and young woman still don't know they have it.
4. Anxiety
While most people feel anxious or nervous from time to the other, persistently high anxiety is a sign of an anxiety disorder. You might feel an uncontrollable feeling of anxiety or anxiety, a fast heartbeat, difficulty staying calm and having trouble thinking clearly. There is also an underlying sense of danger in situations you know are not dangerous. The most commonly encountered types of anxiety are general anxiety disorder, agoraphobia, phobias, separation anxiety and panic disorders.
Anxiety is more prevalent among women with ADHD compared to men. It tends worsen around certain life events, such as menstrual cycles or pregnancy, or perimenopausal. This can make it difficult to handle everyday tasks and social interaction and can trigger feelings such as low self-esteem or discontent.
You're very sensitive to rejection and have a hard time accepting criticism. You easily misinterpret feedback or even anticipate rejection and you may get angry over minor things that others do not see as an issue with.
Mood swings are another of the adult female adhd symptoms, and you might discover that your mood is unpredictable or difficult to manage. You may also be prone self-injury that is not suicidal, such as scrubbing, burning, or hitting yourself.
If you're struggling with any of the above symptoms, it's crucial to receive a diagnosis. It can help you understand some of the challenges you're facing and provide you strategies to improve your quality of life. You can take an online ADHD test, or go to your doctor for a professional evaluation. In certain cases a doctor might prescribe medication to help alleviate your symptoms. In some instances, your doctor may recommend a combination between lifestyle changes and cognitive behavior therapy. In any case, it's important to change your lifestyle as quickly as possible. This will allow you to get back in control of your life and make you feel more confident, productive and capable.