ADHD Adult Female Symptoms
ADHD can affect people of all age groups and genders, however it can be more difficult for women to be diagnosed. It's because women do not typically exhibit the same inattention or impulsivity as men do, which means they are often misdiagnosed or not recognized.
Making sure you have a clear diagnosis is the first step to managing your symptoms. Adults who suffer from ADHD are usually treated with stimulant medications, but there are other options.
1. Problems with Focusing
Women with ADHD are prone to being distracted by a myriad of things, but they're also having difficulties staying focused on tasks and conversations, especially if they are suffering from emotional or sensory overload. These issues can become more severe when menstrual cycles are in full swing.
Women with inattention ADHD suffer from problems with their working memory. This makes it difficult to remember simple things like dates or events coming up. They may forget where they left their keys in their car or the name of the lady who offered them a ride home from spin class. They might forget important dates or deadlines.
Other signs of ADHD females in adulthood include procrastination and difficulty in following through on plans. They tend to be distracted by shiny objects or social media, making it difficult to finish their projects and assignments. This can result in a sense of being overwhelmed and underperforming at work or school.
Because of the way society views gender, a lot of women suffering from ADHD aren't diagnosed. As a result, they struggle with shame and mistakenly label their issues as "bad habits" or "character flaws." They also often feel like an imposter. A diagnosis could be a "lightbulb" moment for them, because it provides them with an external explanation for their challenges and allows them to accept themselves better.
Untreated ADHD in girls and women can have a variety of negative effects, including problems with academics, behavioral issues as well as family and relationship issues as well as coexisting mental health issues. But a thorough diagnosis and treatment plan can dramatically improve life for people with this condition at every stage of life. Treatment options could include stimulant therapy and medication. *
2. Difficulty Finishing Projects
Women with ADHD often struggle to complete tasks and responsibilities. They may miss important details, have trouble switching between tasks or responsibilities and find it difficult to meet deadlines. They may also be more susceptible to make mistakes that aren't their fault or having difficulty organizing their time well, and overestimate how long it takes to complete their tasks.
Women suffering from ADHD may find the emotional symptoms of ADHD like irritability or mood swings, particularly difficult. Hormonal changes can trigger symptoms, including those that are experienced during menopausal cycles, pregnancy and during menstrual cycle. Women who have not been diagnosed with ADHD can be frustrated and dissatisfied with their performance at work or in relationships.
Some women with ADHD find daily routines like chores and grocery shopping extremely difficult. They may not remember to empty the garbage or shut off the stove, and be easily distracted. They may also have difficulty with routine tasks, such as washing dishes or folding laundry. Boring or mundane tasks can become unbearable which can lead to impulsive behaviours like excessive talking or oversharing. Women who suffer from ADHD can also make erratic choices and employ unhealthy coping strategies, like alcohol or drugs.
If you are having difficulty completing tasks, memory problems or chronic procrastination, as well as problems with relationships, it is time to take a look at a professional evaluation for ADHD. Finding the right diagnosis can improve the quality of life and set you up for success in both your professional and personal lives. It will help you better manage your ADHD symptoms and devise strategies to address them effectively. To minimize lapses in concentration and attention, you can try to stick to a regular schedule, use an app for planning or reminders to take notes during meetings, and maintain good sleep hygiene (avoid screens for an hour prior to going to bed). Exercise can also to improve focus by increasing the production of brain neurotransmitters.
3. It is difficult to remember names.
It is possible that a trouble remembering names might be associated with other ADHD symptoms, such as difficulties following directions or not finishing projects. This is due to a lack to organize and prioritize tasks, which can hinder information retrieval. This condition can get worse during times of fatigue, stress, or hormonal changes, like before, during, and after menopause.
The feeling of forgetting names can be more frustrating when it's accompanied by a sense of forgetfulness over bigger items like appointments and events, or personal reminders. These lapses can be caused by depression or anxiety, which commonly co-occur with ADHD in women.
ADHD is often misdiagnosed in women because of gender bias 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 condition that is affecting boys. ADHD symptoms adults are the ones who are frequently being referred to clinics and analyzed for treatment. Coupled with internalized stigmas and the fact that women's symptoms often differ from those of men and that many professionals are unable 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 provide you with the support you need. Contact an Salience Health provider if you're interested in getting diagnosed. We can evaluate your symptoms using tools such as Creyos Cognitive Testing and Brainview Advanced and connect you to a therapist that is suitable for you.
4. Difficulty Appearing in Aloof
Women who suffer from ADHD can have subtle symptoms of inattention. They might forget to complete chores at home, miss appointments, or have trouble taking notes. They may also have issues with impulsivity or have difficulty understanding social boundaries. This can result in misinterpretation and misunderstandings in relationships with family and friends, and it can lead to feelings of loneliness and isolation.
In addition, women with untreated ADHD often struggle to meet the expectations of society for them as women. They might struggle with the burden of caring for their children and household chores, and this societal pressure can intensify their ADHD symptoms and feelings of inadequateness. Many women suffering from untreated ADHD report low self-esteem and resort to unhealthy coping strategies such as binge eating or television marathons.
The difficulties of ADHD for women can be added to by gender bias in the way that women and girls are treated, and how clinicians evaluate their symptoms. There is evidence that suggests that women and girls tend to conceal their ADHD symptoms or compensate for them, and they might be less likely than males and females to be referred to a specialist for diagnosis and treatment.
Women suffering from ADHD may also have trouble recognizing their symptoms and may confuse them with mood disorders or anxiety disorders. This could lead to a false diagnosis as well as delay or ineffective treatment.
Symptoms of ADHD can vary with hormone fluctuations, and they may be especially evident during the ovulation period or menstrual cycle, pregnancy or menopausal. These changes can make women more frustrated with her ADHD symptoms and increase the chance of being misunderstood or viewed as moody or emotional.
5. Impulsivity
Women are also susceptible to the impulsivity that is a symptom of ADHD. They might also have trouble controlling their emotions, and be prone to "foot in mouth" moments. These uncontrollable behaviors can have a major impact on your personal and professional life.
The part of the brain that is responsible for the process of decision-making and reasoning is known as the prefrontal cortex. This area can assist people avoid making bad decisions by acting as a check on their behavior. People with ADHD have less functioning prefrontal cortex. This can make it difficult to resist the urges or avoid doing something dangerous or damaging. It can also cause an inability to respect themselves. Women's impulsiveness is often manifested as an inability to maintain social boundaries and self-restraint in conversations (interrupting others, not finishing their sentences, or talking too often).
Women can also have trouble with impulse control due to the different hormone fluctuations throughout their lives. Estrogen is naturally fluctuates at various periods during the menstrual cycle, and also during childbirth, pregnancy and menopausal. The use of oral contraception and hormone therapy during perimenopausal and menopausal changes the levels of estrogen as well as other hormones that impact a woman's ADHD symptoms.
The way ADHD symptoms are expressed in girls and women can vary from those of men and boys, which is one of the reasons why they are frequently not diagnosed. Many adults suffering from ADHD are not aware of their condition. The good news is that diagnosing and treating ADHD can improve a person's life at any age. If you are unsure whether or not you are suffering from ADHD, talk to your doctor and find out how they can assist. Treatment options include medication, cognitive behavioral therapy and couples counseling.