ADHD Adult Female Symptoms
ADHD can affect people of all ages and genders, but it can be harder for women to be diagnosed. That's because females often don't exhibit the same level of hyperactivity or the same impulsivity as men, which means they may be missed or misdiagnosed.
The first step in managing your symptoms is to obtain an accurate diagnosis. Adults with ADHD are often treated with stimulant medications however, there are other options.
1. Difficulty Focusing
While everyone gets distracted occasionally, women who suffer from ADHD struggle to keep their attention on conversations and tasks particularly when they're suffering from sensory or emotional overload. These problems can be made worse when menstrual cycles are in full swing.
Women who are inattentive ADHD also have trouble with their working memory, which makes it difficult to remember simple things like appointments or upcoming events. They often forget where they put their car keys or the name of the lady who gave them a ride home from spin class, or even important dates and deadlines.
Procrastination, and the inability to stick with plans are other signs of ADHD among females of adulthood. 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 feeling overwhelmed and a lack of performance at work or school.
Because of societal ideas about gender, many women suffering from ADHD go undiagnosed. In the end, they feel ashamed and are misinformed about their struggles as "bad habits" or "character flaws." They also often feel like they are an imposter. A diagnosis could be a lightbulb moment, giving them a clear external explanation for their issues and giving them the opportunity to accept themselves more fully.
Girls and women with untreated ADHD are susceptible to a wide variety of negative effects, including academic problems and behavioral issues, bad relationships with family members as well as co-occurring mental health conditions. A well-constructed diagnosis and treatment plan can improve the lives of people who suffer from ADHD at any point in their lives. Treatment options could include stimulant therapy and medication. *
2. Difficulty Finishing Projects
Women suffering from ADHD often have difficulty completing tasks and duties. They might forget important information, have difficulty switching between tasks and responsibilities or have difficulty 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 symptoms of ADHD in adults, such as irritability and mood swings, can be particularly frustrating for women who suffer from the condition. Hormonal changes can cause symptoms, such as those that occur in pregnancy, menopause, and during menstruation. Women who aren't diagnosed with ADHD can feel frustrated and dissatisfied with their performance at work or in their relationships.
Women with ADHD are unable to complete daily tasks like chores and grocery shopping challenging. They might have a difficult recalling to take out the trash or to switch off the stove, and they can be easily distracted by small things in their environment. They might also struggle with repetitive tasks, such as folding the dishes or washing the laundry. Boring or ADHD symptoms adult female can become unbearable, resulting in impulsive behaviors such as excessive talking or sharing. Women with ADHD might also make unruly choices and use unhealthy coping strategies, like alcohol or drugs.
If you are having difficulty completing tasks, memory issues or chronic procrastination, as well as relationships, you should consider a professional assessment for ADHD. Finding the right diagnosis can enhance your overall quality of life and set you up for success in your personal and professional lives. It can assist you in managing your ADHD symptoms, and help you develop strategies for dealing with the symptoms. You can reduce lapses in focus and attention by adhering to a plan using a planner, or a reminder apps, taking notes during meetings, and ensuring good sleep hygiene. Exercise can also help improve concentration because it boosts brain neurotransmitter levels.
3. Difficulty Remembering Names
The difficulty in remembering names may go hand-in-hand with other ADHD symptoms, such as difficulty in following directions and having trouble finishing projects. This is due to the difficulty of prioritizing and organizing tasks, which hinders information retrieval. This issue can worsen during periods of fatigue, stress, or hormonal changes, like before, during, and after menopause.
If a person is unable to remember names, it can be even more difficult if they forget important things like appointments or events, or personal reminders. These lapses may also be worsened by depression or anxiety that are often associated with ADHD in women.
Due to gender perceptions and internalized symptoms ADHD is often misdiagnosed by women. Inattentive ADHD symptoms are more subtle than hyperactive/impulsive symptoms, making them harder to detect and identify. Therefore, they are not diagnosed and under-referred to doctors to receive treatment and diagnosis.
Furthermore, there is a bias based on gender because ADHD is typically perceived as a problem for males, with hyperactive boys being the ones who are most recommended to clinics for evaluation and treatment. In addition to internalized stigma and the fact that women's symptoms tend to differ from those of men, many professionals fail to recognize or treat ADHD in women.
It's becoming more common for women to be diagnosed with ADHD in adulthood. A diagnosis can enhance your relationships, help you achieve your goals at work and school, and offer you the assistance you require. Speak to an Salience Health provider if you're interested in getting diagnosed. We can assess your symptoms using tools such as Creyos Cognitive Testing and Brainview Advanced and connect you to a therapist who is suitable for you.
4. Difficulty Appearing Aloof
Women suffering from ADHD are often prone to inattention and their problems may appear insignificant to other people. They may forget to do chores at home, miss appointments or have difficulty taking notes. They may also be struggling with impulsivity or difficulty understanding the boundaries of social interaction. This could lead to confusion and misinterpretation with friends and family and could cause feelings of loneliness and isolation.
Women who are not treated for ADHD might also have difficulty meeting the expectations of society for them as women. They may be struggling with the responsibility of caring for their 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 might resort to unhealthy coping mechanisms such as binge-eating and watching TV marathons.
The difficulties of ADHD in women can be caused by gender bias both in how girls and women are perceived and assessed by clinicians. Certain studies suggest that women and girls tend to hide or compensate for their ADHD symptoms, and can be less likely to receive treatment and diagnosis than boys and men.
Women with ADHD may also have trouble understanding their symptoms and could be confused with anxiety disorders or mood disorders. This could lead to a false diagnosis as well as delayed or incorrect treatment.
The symptoms of ADHD can vary with hormonal fluctuations. They may be especially evident during the ovulation cycle or menstrual cycle, pregnancy or menopausal. These changes can make a woman more frustrated with her ADHD symptoms and increase the likelihood of being viewed as a naive, or viewed as a moody or emotional.
5. Impulsivity
While the impulsivity of ADHD affects boys and men differently, women are affected similarly. They can also experience trouble controlling their emotions and may be prone to experiencing "foot-in-mouth" moments. These behavior patterns that are impulsive can have big impact on relationships and professional life.
The part of the brain that is responsible for decision-making and reasoning is called the prefrontal cortex. This brain area can help people avoid making a mistake by providing a nudge on their behavior. ADHD patients have a less-functional prefrontal cortex. This makes it harder to resist the urges and prevent themselves from doing something reckless. It can also result in an inability to respect themselves. For women, impulsiveness typically manifests itself as a problem with social boundaries and self-control in conversation (interrupting the conversation, not finishing other's sentences, and speaking too much).
Women can also have trouble controlling their impulses during the many hormonal changes throughout their lives. Estrogen is naturally fluctuates at various times during the menstrual cycle, and also during childbirth, pregnancy and menopausal. Oral contraception and hormone therapy used during menopausal or perimenopausal periods can affect estrogen levels and other hormones which can impact women's ADHD.
ADHD symptoms in women and girls can differ from those of males and boys. This is why they are often incorrectly diagnosed. This is why many adults with ADHD are unaware of the fact that they have it. The good news is that the diagnosis and treatment of ADHD at any age can improve the quality of life a person. Talk to your doctor if you're not sure whether you're suffering from ADHD. They will give you suggestions. Treatment options include medication, cognitive therapy, and couples counseling.