ADHD Adult Female Symptoms
ADHD can affect females and males, but it's more difficult for women to be diagnosed. It's because women rarely exhibit the same levels of hyperactivity and the same impulsivity as men, which means they could be overlooked or not diagnosed correctly.
The first step in managing your symptoms is to receive an accurate diagnosis. Adults who suffer from ADHD are usually treated with stimulant medication, but there are other alternatives.
1. Difficulty Focusing
While everyone gets distracted from time to time, women who suffer from ADHD have difficulty putting their focus on their work and conversations, especially when they're dealing with sensory or emotional overload. These issues can become more difficult during menstrual cycles.
Women with inattentive ADHD also have problems with their working memory, which makes it difficult to remember simple things like appointments or upcoming events. They might forget where they left their car keys, the name of the woman who took them home from spin class or even important dates and deadlines.
Other symptoms of ADHD females in adulthood include procrastination and difficulty following through on plans. They are more likely to be distracted by shiny objects or social media which can make it difficult for them to finish their projects and assignments. This can lead to feeling overwhelmed and underperforming at school or at work.
Many women with ADHD aren't diagnosed because of gender stereotypes. In turn, they experience shame and mistakenly label their struggles as "bad behaviours" or "character defects". They often feel as if they are a fraud. A diagnosis could be a "lightbulb" moment for them, since it gives them an external explanation of their issues and allows them to accept themselves better.
Untreated ADHD for girls and women can have a variety of negative effects, such as behavioral issues, academic problems, relationship and family problems, and coexisting mental health issues. But a thorough diagnosis and treatment plan can drastically improve the quality of life for those suffering from this condition at any stage of life. Treatment options include stimulant medications and therapy. *
2. Difficulty Finishing Projects
Women with ADHD have difficulty completing tasks or responsibilities. They may be unable to remember important details, struggle with switching between tasks or responsibilities, and are unable to meet deadlines. They could also be more likely to make careless errors, have difficulty organizing their schedules and managing their time and underestimate the amount of time it takes them to complete tasks.
The emotional manifestations of ADHD in adults, such as mood swings and irritability, can be especially frustrating for women who suffer from the condition. The symptoms can be made worse by hormonal changes, such as those that occur during menstrual cycles as well as during pregnancy and menopausal. Women with undiagnosed ADHD might feel angry and dissatisfied with their performance at work and in their relationships.
Women with ADHD have a difficult time staying on top of everyday tasks such as grocery shopping and household chores. They may have a hard finding the time to remember to empty the garbage or turn off the stove, and they can be easily distracted by small objects around them. They might also struggle doing repetitive tasks, like folding laundry or washing the dishes. The monotonous or repetitive chores can become overwhelming which can lead to impulsive behavior such as excessive talking or sharing. Women with ADHD may also make unruly decisions and resort to unhealthy coping mechanisms such as alcohol or other drugs.
If you're having trouble finishing tasks, have memory issues that cause chronic procrastination or relationships, you should consider a professional assessment 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 help you manage your ADHD symptoms and create strategies to manage these. To minimize lapses in focus and attention, you can try to keep a consistent schedule and use an app for planning or reminders and take notes during meetings, and adhere to good sleep hygiene (avoid screens at least an hour prior to going to bed). Exercise can also help to improve focus by increasing the production of brain neurotransmitters.
3. It is difficult to remember names.
It is possible that a difficulty in remembering names could be accompanied by other ADHD symptoms, such as trouble following directions or finishing projects. This is due to an inability to organize and prioritize tasks, which can hinder information retrieval. This symptom tends to worsen when there are periods of fatigue, stress or hormonal changes.
Forgetting names can be more frustrating when it's followed by a sense of forgetfulness over bigger items, such as appointments and events or personal reminders. These lapses may also be exacerbated by anxiety or depression, which commonly co-occur with ADHD in women.
ADHD is often not recognized in women due to gender biases and internalized symptoms. Inattentive ADHD symptoms are more subtle than hyperactive/impulsive symptoms, making them harder to detect and identify. In the end, they are not recognized and referred to for diagnosis and treatment.
Additionally there is discrimination based on gender because the disorder tends to be viewed as a disorder that is affecting boys. Boys with hyperactivity are the ones most often referred to clinics and evaluated for treatment. Coupled with internalized stigmas and the fact that women's symptoms frequently appear different from men's as well, a lot of professionals fail to detect or treat ADHD in women.
Fortunately, it's becoming increasingly common for women to receive an ADHD diagnosis in adulthood. A diagnosis can help improve your relationships, assist you to succeed at work and in school, and provide you with the help you require. If you are seeking diagnosed, speak to an experienced Salience Health provider. We'll evaluate your symptoms using tools like Creyos cognitive testing and Brainview Advanced, and connect you with a therapist who's suitable for you.
4. Difficulty Appearing in Aloof
Women who suffer from ADHD typically have inattention symptoms and their problems may appear insignificant to others. They might miss appointments, fail to finish chores around the house, or have difficulty making notes at work. They might also have problems with impulsivity or difficulty understanding social boundaries. This can lead to confusion and misinterpretation of relationships with family and friends, and it can cause feelings of loneliness and disconnection.
Additionally, women with untreated ADHD often struggle to meet the expectations of society for them as women. They may be struggling with the burden of caring for children and household chores, and this social pressure can exacerbate their ADHD symptoms and feelings of inadequateness. If not treated, ADHD can cause low self-esteem among women. They may resort to unhealthy ways of coping such as binge-eating and watching marathons of TV.
The difficulties of ADHD for women can be exacerbated by gender bias, both in the way that women and girls are perceived and assessed by healthcare professionals. Certain studies suggest that girls and women tend to hide their ADHD symptoms or compensate for them, and are less likely than males and females to be referred for treatment and diagnosis.
Women with ADHD may also have difficulties recognizing their symptoms and may be confused with anxiety disorders or mood disorders. This can lead to a incorrect diagnosis and delayed treatment.
These changes can make women more frustrated with her ADHD symptoms. signs and symptoms of ADHD in adults could also increase the chance that she will be viewed or dismissed as moody or emotional. These changes can make a woman more annoyed with her ADHD symptoms and increase the likelihood of being viewed as a naive, or dismissed as moody or emotional.
5. Impulsivity
Women are also susceptible to the impulsivity that is associated with ADHD. They may also have difficulty managing their emotions, and be prone to "foot in the mouth" moments. These uncontrollable behaviors can have a huge impact on your personal and professional life.
Prefrontal cortex is a part of the brain that is responsible for controlling thinking and making decisions. This area can prevent people from making poor decisions since it serves as a safeguard. People with ADHD have a less functional prefrontal cortex, and this makes it difficult to resist the urges or avoid doing something reckless or hurtful. It can also lead to an inability to respect themselves. Women's impulsiveness often manifests as the lack of social boundaries and self-control in conversations (interrupting others, not finishing their sentences, and talking too much).
Women can also have problems with impulse control when their hormones are fluctuating. Estrogen fluctuates naturally at different times during the menstrual cycle, during pregnancy, childbirth and menopausal. Oral contraception and hormone therapy used during menopausal or perimenopausal periods can further alter estrogen levels and other hormones which could affect a woman's ADHD.
ADHD symptoms in girls and women may differ from those in males and boys. This is why they are often misdiagnosed. This is why many adults with ADHD are unaware 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 a person. If you are unsure whether or not you are suffering from ADHD consult your doctor and see how they can help. Treatment options include medications, cognitive behavioral therapy, and couples counseling.