ADHD Symptoms in Adult Females
The condition is often misdiagnosed among women, despite the fact that it affects both men and woman equally as adults. This is probably due to gender stereotyping and the ability of females to mask their symptoms.
Many healthcare professionals lack the expertise and experience to detect ADHD in women. In the end, many females are misdiagnosed before receiving the treatment they need.
1. Disorganization
Girls and women with ADHD are often plagued by disorganization, which can be a challenge to manage. Your desk, for instance, may be a mess of papers, 17 chapsticks, and even a ticket to the Kings of Leon show you attended in 2008. Even though you may have purchased a few items to help you manage your clutter, your office or home is probably still chaotic and messy.
Inability to keep on top of your work can cause you to miss deadlines and appointments. Additionally, you may be struggling with a concept known as "time blindness," which means you cannot remember or comprehend the time required to finish the task. This can make you feel frustrated and believe that you're not doing a good enough job in your career or in your personal life.
You might also have trouble controlling your emotions. This could cause you to react too quickly when confronted by stressful situations. Your high-speed verbal communication can cause confusion and miscommunications with your loved ones as well as your coworkers. You might say things that hurt others' feelings without meaning to. Since impulsivity is a common trait for those with ADHD, you might have trouble stopping yourself from saying things before considering them.
If you suffer from ADHD, it's likely that some of your symptoms are rooted in gender stereotypes and cultural ideas about how boys, men and women should behave. adhd in young women could make it difficult to recognize and treat your ADHD.
You may also benefit from a treatment for behavioral issues to address the underlying causes of your disorder. It could take some time to determine the most effective strategies to cope, but using them will help you feel in control of your own life and improve your relationships with family, colleagues, and friends.
2. Impulsivity
People with ADHD are prone to intense emotions. However, their brains are not able to filter them or evaluate them. This means they can get overwhelmed by a single setback or struggle to discern the mood of others. This also makes them more susceptible to being distracted by small inconveniences like the availability of a book or an unreliable friend.
Many women suffering from ADHD conceal their symptoms and come up with strategies to deal with their attention issues. They could be perfectionists or highly conscientious at school or work but struggle to keep track of important dates, deadlines, and appointments. They might also struggle with verbal self-restraint and frequently interrupt others, talk too much, often, or dump information 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. These symptoms include the sudden desire to start, stop, or change activities. They also include being unable wait for your turn in a conversation or having difficulty reading social signals.
Although gender-based stereotypes can influence the development of ADHD however, it's not always easy to recognize when women suffer from these issues. Rating scales used to identify 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 report that their symptoms worsen during times of hormonal change, such as during menstruation, pregnancy, and perimenopause. This can cause emotional issues and lead to frequent feelings of frustration, irritability, or depression. They might also experience an ongoing feeling of dissatisfaction in their lives or relationships. This could lead to depression, substance abuse, and unhealthy coping behaviors. This is why it's important for women to understand that these signs aren't a reflection of their value or worth as individuals. With a good treatment plan, you can improve or even eliminate these symptoms.
3. Inattention
Everyone has difficulty paying attention and focusing at times, with ADHD the symptoms are experienced in such a way that they can interfere with your daily life. You might make mistakes at school or work or forget appointments or you may spend many hours putting off work. You can't stand in line and interrupt others in conversations.
Adults who are not attentive may be prone to get caught up in projects before fully planning them and researching them. This can lead to poor results or even subpar ones. You could also get easily distracted and leave projects unfinished. This could include an unwatered vegetable garden planted but not watered, or a brand new organizational system that you assembled and then put away on your nightstand to accumulate dust.
People with inattention ADHD are also plagued by an ongoing sense of disorganization in their home and workplaces. You may have difficulty finding important documents, keys or bills and frequently lose things. You might also keep losing your track of time and end up being over time 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 make decisions or conduct actions without considering the impact. For example, they might talk over other people or make unintentional noises when they are alone. They might be unable to sit still and adjusting their chair or move. They might have issues keeping their job and could be in frequent conflict with colleagues and managers.
In some instances, the mood swings or emotional distress caused by ADHD can lead to frustration in relationships and misunderstandings. This is especially true in romantic relationships and at work. People with ADHD are also more likely to have co-occurring conditions, like depression, anxiety or bipolar disorder.
Girls and women who suffer from ADHD are likely to face many challenges when seeking treatment. These include gender discrimination, a tendency to hide symptoms or minimize their severity, and gender bias. High-profile women such as Em Rusciano and Mia Freedman who have spoken out about their struggles with ADHD have helped to raise awareness. But, many young women and girls don't know they have it.
4. Anxiety
An anxiety disorder is defined by persistently excessive anxiety. While everyone feels anxious or nervous occasionally Anxiety disorders are defined by persistently high levels of anxiety. You might experience an uncontrollable feeling of anxiety or anxiety, a fast heartbeat, trouble keeping calm and having trouble thinking clearly. There is also an underlying sense of danger in situations that you are aware aren't risky. The most common forms of anxiety include general anxiety disorder, agoraphobia and separation anxiety, as well as panic disorders.
Anxiety is more common in women suffering from ADHD than men. It can be worsened by certain life events, like menstrual cycle or pregnancy, or perimenopausal. This can make it harder to manage everyday activities and social interactions and can cause feelings of self-doubt and general dissatisfaction with your life.
You are very sensitive to rejection, and you have a difficult time accepting criticism. You can easily interpret feedback incorrectly, or anticipate rejection. You might be annoyed by small things that other people do not see as an issue with.
Mood swings are a part of the symptoms of adhd for women in adulthood and you could find that your emotions are unpredictable or difficult to manage. You could also be susceptible to self-injury that isn't suicidal such as burning, scrubbing, or hitting yourself.
It's crucial to seek out a diagnosis if you are experiencing any of the symptoms listed above. It can help you know your issues and offer you strategies for improving your living quality. You can take an online ADHD test, or visit your doctor for a thorough evaluation. In certain instances a doctor might prescribe medication to help alleviate your symptoms. In some instances your doctor might suggest a combination between lifestyle changes and cognitive behavior therapy. In either situation, it's crucial to start making some positive changes in your life as soon as you can. This will help you gain control of your life and make you feel more confident and capable.