ADHD Symptoms in Adult Females
The condition is often misdiagnosed by 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 ability of women to hide their symptoms.
Many healthcare professionals lack the experience or knowledge to identify ADHD among women. In the end, many women are misdiagnosed and not receiving the proper treatment they require.
1. Disorganization
Girls and women with ADHD are often plagued by disordered thinking, which can be a challenge to manage. Your desk, for example, may be a mess of papers, 17 chapsticks and a ticket from the Kings of Leon show you attended in 2008. As you spend money on products that claim to aid in your organization, your home and office are likely to remain messy and chaotic.
Inability to keep track of your tasks may lead to missed deadlines and appointments. You might also be struggling with "time blindness," where you don't know or remember how long it takes to complete the task. This could leave you feeling frustrated and feeling like you're not doing an adequate job in your professional or personal life, particularly if it feels like others don't appreciate your efforts.
You might also have trouble controlling your emotions. This could cause you to react too quickly when faced with stressful situations. You may also make comments without meaning to hurt the feelings of someone else. You may also have trouble stopping yourself from speaking before you have thought things through, since the tendency to be impulsive is common among people suffering from ADHD.
If you have ADHD, it's likely that some of your symptoms are rooted in gender stereotypes and ideas about the ways boys, men and women should behave. This makes it difficult to recognize and treat ADHD.
In addition to being diagnosed it is possible that you will require a behavioral therapy program to deal with the root cause of your disorder. It might take time to find the best strategies to cope, but using them can help you feel in control of your life and improve your relationships with family members, colleagues, and friends.
2. Impulsivity
People who suffer from ADHD have intense emotions. However their brains aren't capable of filtering them or assess them. This means they may be overwhelmed by a single setback or struggle to assess the mood of others. It can also make it easier for them to be distracted by small issues like books that are out of stock or a friend who's running late to spin class.
Many women suffering from ADHD compensate for their attention problems by hiding symptoms and developing coping strategies. They could be highly organized or a perfectionist at school or work and struggle to keep the track of appointments or bills, as well as important dates. They might struggle with self-talk 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 a sudden urge to start, stop or alter activities or activities; not being able to wait your turn in conversation; and difficulty interpreting social cues (like facial expressions or body language).
While gender-based stereotypes can influence the development of ADHD, it's often difficult to determine if women suffer from these issues. The scales of rating used to identify ADHD symptoms are still biased towards male behavior. Some healthcare professionals may misunderstand the woman's ADHD symptoms.
Many women with ADHD report that their symptoms are more severe when hormonal changes occur like menstrual cycle or pregnancy, as well as perimenopausal. This can cause emotional issues and cause frequent feelings of frustration, irritability, or depression. They may also experience an unrelenting feeling of discontent in their relationships or lives. This can contribute to the use of drugs, low self-esteem, and unhealthy coping behaviors. This is why it's important for women to recognize that these symptoms are not an indication of their worth or worth as an individual. The good news is that, with a solid treatment strategy the symptoms can be improved or even eliminated.
3. Attention
While everyone struggles with paying attention and focusing at times with ADHD the symptoms can occur in such a way that they can interfere with your life. You could make a few blunders at work or school or forget appointments or you may spend long hours delaying. You have a hard time waiting to be the first in a conversation and are often interrupted by others.
Attention deficit symptoms in adults could be accompanied by a tendency to jump into projects without thoroughly planning and researching the subject, which results in incomplete or subpar results. You could also become easily distracted and leave projects unfinished. This could be a vegetable garden that was planted but not watered, or a new organizational system that you assembled and then put away on your nightstand to collect dust.
People with inattention ADHD are also plagued by a constant feeling of disorganization, both in their workplaces and at home. You may have difficulty finding important documents such as keys or bills, and frequently lose things. You may also lose track of the time and end up running 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. Women with these symptoms can perform actions or words without considering the consequences. For instance, they might talk over others or make nonsensical noises in solitude. They have difficulty sitting still and can move around or get out of their seats. They may have difficulty maintaining a job and might have frequent disagreements with coworkers and managers.
In certain instances, mood swings or emotional distress caused by ADHD may lead to frustration in relationships and misunderstandings. This is especially the case in romantic relationships and at work. People with ADHD also are more likely being afflicted with comorbid conditions, such as depression, anxiety or bipolar disorder.
Women and girls with ADHD may face many difficulties when seeking treatment. These include gender discrimination as well as a tendency to cover up symptoms or undervalue their severity, as well as gender bias. The rise of famous women such as Mia Freedman and Em Rusciano who have shared their struggles with ADHD has increased awareness, however many girls and young women aren't aware of the condition.
4. Anxiety
An anxiety disorder is characterized by constant anxiety. While everyone feels anxious or nervous from time to time anxiety disorders are defined by a constant high level of anxiety. adult adhd symptoms women might experience an incessant feeling of anxiety, fear, or anxiety, as well as an intense pulse, trouble maintaining calm, and having trouble thinking clearly. You might also have an increased fear of danger even in situations that aren't likely be risky for you. The most commonly encountered kinds of anxiety are general anxiety disorder, phobias, agoraphobia as well as panic disorders, separation anxiety and selective mutism.
Anxiety is more common in women suffering from ADHD than men, and it tends to worsen at certain times in a woman's life, such as around the time of her menstrual period, pregnancy or perimenopause. This can make it harder to manage everyday tasks and social interactions, and lead to feelings of low self-esteem and general dissatisfaction with your life.
You are extremely sensitive to rejection and you have a tough acceptance of criticism. You are prone to misinterpret feedback, or even anticipating rejection and you can be angry about minor things that others do not see as to be a problem.
Mood swings are also a sign of adult adhd in women. You may find that you are prone to having unpredictable emotions or find it difficult to control these. You could also be susceptible to self-injury that isn't suicidal like striking, burning or scratching yourself.
If you're struggling with any of the above symptoms, it's essential to receive a diagnosis. It can help you know your issues and offer you strategies to improve your living quality. You can take an online ADHD test, or visit your doctor for a thorough assessment. In certain instances, a doctor may prescribe medication to help alleviate your symptoms. In other instances they might suggest a combination of lifestyle changes and cognitive behavioral therapy. In any case, it's important to make positive changes as soon as possible. This will help you gain control of your life, and feel more confident and competent.