ADHD Adult Female Symptoms
ADHD can affect both women and men, however it is more difficult for women to diagnose. That's because females often don't exhibit the same level of hyperactivity or indecisiveness as men, and so they may be missed or not diagnosed correctly.
A clear diagnosis is the first step to managing your symptoms. Adults suffering from ADHD are usually treated with stimulant medications however, there are other alternatives.
1. Difficulty Focusing
While everyone gets distracted from time to time, women who suffer from ADHD have trouble putting their focus on their work and conversations especially when they're dealing with sensory or emotional overload. These issues can become worse during menstrual periods.
Women with inattention ADHD also have trouble with their working memory, making it difficult to remember basic things like appointments or forthcoming events. They often forget where they put their car keys or the name of the lady who took them home from spin class or even important deadlines and dates.
Procrastination and the inability to keep up with plans are other signs of ADHD among adult females. They are more likely to be distracted 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 in school or at work.
Due to the societal perceptions of gender, many women suffering from ADHD go undiagnosed. They feel guilt and mistakenly attribute their struggles as "bad behaviors" or "character issues". They often feel like they're an imposter. A diagnosis could be a "lightbulb" moment for them, because it gives them an external explanation for their issues and helps them accept themselves more fully.
Girls and women with untreated ADHD are susceptible to a wide range of negative outcomes, including academic problems, behavioral issues, poor relationships and family problems and co-occurring mental health issues. A correct diagnosis and treatment plan will improve the lives of people with ADHD at any stage in their lives. Treatment options include stimulant medications and therapy. *
2. Difficulty Finishing Projects
Women suffering from ADHD often struggle to complete tasks and responsibilities. They may forget important information, have difficulty switching between tasks and responsibilities, or find it hard to meet deadlines. They could also be more likely to make errors, have difficulty organizing their schedules and managing their time and underestimate the time it takes them to complete tasks.
The emotional manifestations of ADHD in adults, like irritability and mood swings, can be especially frustrating for women who suffer from the condition. Hormonal changes can cause symptoms, including those that occur during menopausal, pregnancy, and during menstruation. Women who have not been diagnosed with ADHD can be frustrated and disappointed by their performance at work or in their relationships.
Women with ADHD have a difficult time keeping up with daily tasks, such as grocery shopping and household chores. They may have a hard finding the time to remember to empty the trash or switch off the stove, and they are easily distracted by the smallest things around them. They might also struggle with routine tasks, such as folding laundry or washing dishes. The monotonous or boring tasks can become overwhelming, leading to impulsive behaviors such as excessive talk or sharing. Women who suffer from ADHD may also make unruly decisions and resort to unhealthy strategies to cope, such as alcohol or other drugs.
If you have difficulty finishing tasks, memory issues or chronic procrastination, as well as relationships, you should take a look at a professional evaluation for ADHD. A proper diagnosis can improve the living quality and set you up for success in your personal and professional lives. It can help you manage your ADHD symptoms and develop strategies to manage them effectively. To avoid lapses of attention and focus, you can try to adhere to a regular schedule and use a planner or reminder apps to take notes during meetings, and maintain good sleep hygiene (avoid screens for an hour prior to going to bed). Exercise can also help you focus because it increases the neurotransmitter levels in your brain.
3. Trouble remembering names
The difficulty in remembering names may be a sign of other ADHD symptoms such as difficulty in following directions and having trouble finishing projects. The underlying issue behind the difficulties is a lack of ability to organize and prioritize tasks which affects the efficiency of information retrieval. This condition can get worse during times of fatigue, stress, or hormonal changes, for instance prior to, during, or after menopausal change.
The feeling of forgetting names can be more frustrating when it's accompanied by a sense of forgetfulness about larger items like appointments or events, or personal reminders. These lapses can be worsened by depression or anxiety, which commonly co-occur with ADHD in women.
Due to gender perceptions 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. Therefore, they are not diagnosed and are not being referred to a doctor for treatment and diagnosis.
Additionally, there is gender-based discrimination because the disorder tends to be seen as a condition that affects boys. Boys who are hyperactive are the ones who are most frequently referred to clinics and evaluated for treatment. In addition to the internalized stigma, the symptoms of women are usually different from those of men. Many doctors are unable to diagnose or treat ADHD in females.
Fortunately, it's becoming more common for women to receive an ADHD diagnosis in adulthood. A diagnosis can help improve your relationships, assist you to achieve success at work and in school, and give you the assistance you require. If you're looking to get diagnosed, speak 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 to a therapist who is the right fit for you.
4. Difficulty Appearing in Aloof
Women suffering from ADHD can have subtle symptoms of inattention. They may forget to do chores at home, skip appointments or have difficulty taking notes. They might also struggle with impulsivity, or struggle to understand the boundaries of social interaction. This could lead to misinterpretation and misunderstandings in relationships with friends and family and can cause feelings of loneliness and isolation.
In addition, women with untreated ADHD often struggle to meet social expectations for them as women. This can lead to a feeling of inadequacy and ADHD symptoms when they are faced with the responsibility of caring for children and household chores. Many women suffering from untreated ADHD have low self-esteem and turn to unhealthy strategies for coping such as binge eating and marathons on TV.
The difficulties of ADHD for women can be caused by gender bias both in how women and girls are perceived and assessed by healthcare professionals. There is evidence that suggests that girls and women are more likely to cover up or disguise their ADHD symptoms, and could be less likely to receive treatment and diagnosis than men and boys.
Women suffering from ADHD can also have difficulty in recognizing their symptoms. what is adult ADHD symptoms may be confused with anxiety disorders or mood disorders. This can lead to a incorrect diagnosis and delayed treatment.
The symptoms of ADHD can be influenced by hormone changes, and they may be especially evident during the ovulation period, pregnancy, menstruation, or menopause. These changes can heighten women's anger over their ADHD symptoms, and they can increase the likelihood of being misunderstood or dismissed as moody or emotional.
5. Impulsivity
Women are also susceptible to the impulsivity that is a symptom of ADHD. They may also struggle with managing their emotions, and are prone to "foot in the mouth" moments. These behavior patterns that are impulsive can have big impact on relationships and professional life.
The brain part that regulates the process of decision-making and reasoning is known as the prefrontal cortex. This area can prevent people from making poor decisions since it serves as an alarm. ADHD patients have a less-functional prefrontal cortex. This makes it more difficult to resist the urges and stop themselves from doing something reckless. It can also result in an absence of self-esteem. In women, impulsiveness often manifests as difficulties with social boundaries and self-control (interrupting, finishing others' sentences, and talking excessively).
Women also have issues with control of impulses when hormones are fluctuating. Estrogen fluctuates at different times throughout the menstrual cycle and pregnancy, as well as childbirth and menopausal cycle. Contraceptives and hormone therapy during perimenopause or menopause may alter estrogen levels and other hormones which could affect women's ADHD.
ADHD symptoms in girls and women may differ from those in males and boys, which is why they are often not properly diagnosed. Many adults suffering from ADHD are unaware of their condition. The good news is that identifying and treating ADHD can help improve a person's life at any age. Speak to your doctor if there's a doubt if you have ADHD. They will give you guidance. Treatment options include medication as well as cognitive behavioral therapy and couples counseling.