ADHD Adult Female Symptoms
ADHD can affect both women and men, however it's more difficult for women to be diagnosed. It's because women don't often exhibit the same levels of high levels of impulsivity or hyperactivity that men do, which means they are often misdiagnosed or not recognized.
The first step to manage your symptoms is to receive an accurate diagnosis. Adults who suffer from ADHD are often treated with stimulant medications, but there are other alternatives.
1. Trouble focusing
Women suffering from 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 experiencing sensory or emotional overload. These problems can become worse during menstrual periods.
Women with inattentive ADHD have problems with their working memory. This causes them to be unable to remember things that are simple like appointments or upcoming events. They might forget where they put their car keys or the name of the lady who drove them home from spin class, or even important dates and deadlines.
Other signs of ADHD in females of adulthood include procrastination, as well as difficulty following through on plans. They are more likely to get distracted by shiny objects or social media, making it difficult to complete their work and assignments. This can lead to a sense of being overwhelmed and underperforming at school or work.
Due to the societal perceptions of gender, many women suffering from ADHD are not diagnosed. This means that they struggle with shame and mistakenly label their issues as "bad behaviors" or "character imperfections." They also often report feeling like an impostor. A diagnosis can be a "lightbulb" moment for them, since it provides them with an external explanation for their challenges and allows them to accept themselves better.
Untreated ADHD in girls and women can result in a myriad of negative effects, including problems with academics, behavioral issues, relationship and family problems as well as coexisting mental health conditions. However, a correct diagnosis and treatment plan can dramatically 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 have trouble completing tasks and duties. They can be unable to remember important details, struggle with switching between tasks or responsibilities, and have difficulty attempting to meet deadlines. They may also be more prone to making careless mistakes, have trouble managing their time well, and overestimate how long it takes to finish their work.
Women with ADHD may find the emotional symptoms of ADHD, such as mood swings or irritability particularly difficult. Hormonal changes can exacerbate symptoms, such as those that are experienced during menopausal cycles, pregnancy and during menstrual cycles. Women who aren't diagnosed with ADHD might feel angry and disappointed about their performance at work and in their relationships.
Some women who suffer from ADHD struggle with 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 switch off the stove, and they can be easily distracted by little objects around them. They may also have difficulty performing repetitive tasks, like folding the laundry or washing dishes. The monotonous or boring tasks can become intolerable and lead to impulsive behavior like excessive talking or oversharing. The impulsivity associated with ADHD can also lead women to make impulsive decisions and use unhealthy coping methods like alcohol or drugs.
If you're having trouble working through tasks, suffer from memory issues, are constantly procrastinating or have relationship problems, it is important to seek professional help for ADHD. Finding the right diagnosis can improve the overall quality of life and help you achieve success in your personal and professional lives. It will help you better manage your ADHD symptoms and develop strategies to manage them effectively. You can minimize lapses of focus and attention by adhering to a plan by using a planner or reminder apps, taking notes during meetings, and practicing good sleep hygiene. Exercise can also help you focus as it increases the levels of brain neurotransmitters.
3. Difficulty Remembering Names
Trouble remembering names can go hand-in-hand with other ADHD symptoms like difficulty following directions and trouble finishing projects. This is due to the difficulty to organize and prioritize tasks, which hinders information retrieval. This symptom tends to worsen during times of stress, fatigue or hormonal changes.
Forgetting names can feel even more frustrating when it's accompanied by a sense of forgetfulness over bigger items, such as appointments, events or personal reminders. These lapses may be exacerbated 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 in women. Inattentive ADHD symptoms are more subtle than hyperactive/impulsive symptoms, making them harder to detect and identify. In the end, they are often not identified and not referred for treatment and diagnosis.
Additionally, there is gender-based discrimination since the disorder is often be viewed as a disorder that is affecting boys. Hyperactive boys are the ones most often being referred to clinics and analyzed for treatment. In addition to the internalized stigma, female symptoms are often different from men's. Many doctors fail to diagnose or treat ADHD for females.
Fortunately, it's becoming increasingly common for women to receive an ADHD diagnosis in their adulthood. A diagnosis can help improve your relationships, assist you to achieve your goals at work and school, and provide you with the support you need. If you are looking to get a diagnosis, talk to an experienced Salience Health provider. We will be able to assess your symptoms using tools like Creyos Cognitive Testing and Brainview Advanced and connect you with a therapist who's right for you.
4. Difficulty Appearing in Aloof
Women who suffer from ADHD can have subtle symptoms of inattention. They may skip appointments, fail to finish chores around the house, or have trouble making notes at work. They may also be struggling with impulsivity or difficulty understanding the boundaries of social interaction. This can result in confusion and misinterpretation of relationships with friends and family and can result in feelings of loneliness and feeling isolated.
In addition, women with untreated ADHD often have difficulty meeting societal expectations for them as women. This can lead to feelings of inadequacy and ADHD symptoms as they struggle with the burden of taking care of children and household chores. Many women with untreated ADHD have low self-esteem and turn to unhealthy strategies for coping such as binge eating and TV marathons.
The challenges of ADHD for women can be amplified by gender bias, both in the way women and girls are perceived and assessed by healthcare professionals. Certain studies suggest that girls and women tend to conceal their ADHD symptoms or to compensate for them, and they might be less likely than boys and men to be referred for treatment and diagnosis.
Another issue is that women suffering from ADHD might have difficulty recognizing their own symptoms. They might confuse them with anxiety or mood disorders. This can lead to a false diagnosis as well as delay or ineffective treatment.
These changes can increase a woman's frustration with her ADHD symptoms. They can also increase the likelihood to be misinterpreted or dismissed as moody or emotional. These changes can cause women to be more unhappy with her ADHD symptoms and increase the likelihood of being misunderstood, or dismissed as moody or too emotional.
5. Impulsivity
Women are also prone to impulsivity, which is a sign of ADHD. They may also have difficulty managing their emotions, and be prone to "foot in mouth" moments. These behavior patterns that are impulsive can have significant impact on relationships and professional life.
Prefrontal cortex is the 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. The people who suffer from ADHD have less functioning prefrontal cortex, and this can make it difficult for them to resist urges or prevent themselves from engaging in reckless or harmful behavior. It can also lead to an inability to respect themselves. For women, impulsiveness typically manifests as difficulty with social boundaries and self-control in conversation (interrupting the conversation, not finishing other's sentences, or talking too much).
adult ADHD symptoms quiz may have issues controlling their impulses during the various hormonal fluctuations throughout their lives. Estrogen fluctuates naturally at different periods during the menstrual cycle, and also during pregnancy, childbirth and menopausal. 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 affect the woman's ADHD symptoms.
ADHD symptoms for girls and women can differ from those in men and boys, which is why they are often misdiagnosed. Many adults suffering from ADHD are not aware of their health issues. The good news is that diagnosing and treating ADHD can improve the quality of life for anyone regardless of age. If you're unsure if or not you suffer from ADHD, talk to your doctor to see if they can assist. Treatment options include medications and cognitive behavioral therapy and couples counseling.