ADHD Adult Female Symptoms
ADHD can affect people of all age groups and genders, however it can be harder for women to be diagnosed. It's because women don't often exhibit the same inattention or impulsivity as men do, and therefore may be misdiagnosed or missed.
A clear diagnosis is the first step in managing your symptoms. Adults with ADHD are usually treated with stimulant medications however, there are other options.
1. Trouble focusing
Women suffering from ADHD are prone to being distracted by a myriad of things, but they also have difficulties focusing on conversations and tasks particularly when they are experiencing sensory or emotional overload. These problems can be made worse when menstrual cycles are in full swing.
Women with inattention ADHD also have issues with their working memory, making it hard to remember simple things like appointments or upcoming events. They might 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 may forget important dates or deadlines.
Procrastination, and the inability to follow through with plans are other signs of ADHD among adult females. They are more likely to be distracted by shiny objects or social media, making it difficult to complete their projects and assignments. This can lead to feeling overwhelmed and underperforming at school or at work.
Because of societal ideas about gender, many women with ADHD go undiagnosed. In turn, they experience shame and mistakenly classify their issues as "bad behaviors" or "character defects". ADHD symptoms in adults females feel as if they are a fraud. A diagnosis could be a "lightbulb" moment for them, as it gives them an external explanation of their struggles and helps them accept themselves more fully.
Girls and women with untreated ADHD can experience a wide range of negative consequences that can include academic issues and behavioral issues, bad relationships with family members and co-occurring mental health issues. A proper diagnosis and treatment plan can enhance the lives of those with ADHD at any stage in their lives. Treatment options include stimulant medications and therapy. *
2. Difficulty Finishing Projects
Women suffering from ADHD often have trouble completing tasks and duties. They might forget important details, have difficulty switching between tasks or responsibilities, and find it difficult to meet deadlines. They could also be more susceptible to make mistakes that aren't their fault or have difficulty organizing and managing their time efficiently and underestimate the time it takes to complete their tasks.
The emotional manifestations of ADHD in adults, such as irritability and mood swings, can be particularly frustrating for women suffering from the condition. Hormonal changes can exacerbate symptoms, which can are experienced during menopausal cycles, pregnancy, and during menstruation. Women who have not been diagnosed with ADHD can be frustrated and depressed by their performance at work or in relationships.
Some women who suffer from ADHD have trouble managing everyday tasks such as grocery shopping and household chores. They might have a difficult time remembering to take out the trash or to turn off the stove and they are easily distracted by the smallest objects around them. They may also have difficulty doing repetitive tasks, like folding dishes or washing the laundry. The monotonous or repetitive chores can become exhausting, resulting in impulsive behaviors like excessive talking or sharing. Women with ADHD might also make unruly choices and use unhealthy coping mechanisms such as alcohol or other drugs.
If you're having difficulty finishing tasks, have memory issues, are constantly procrastinating, or face relationship challenges, it is important to seek professional help for ADHD. A proper diagnosis can improve the quality of your life and help you achieve success in both your personal and professional life. It can assist you in managing your ADHD symptoms, and help you develop strategies to manage them. To avoid lapses of attention and focus it is recommended to keep a consistent schedule and use planners or reminder apps, take notes at meetings, and practice good sleep hygiene (avoid screens an hour before going to bed). Exercise can also help improve focus as it increases the neurotransmitter levels in your brain.
3. It is difficult to remember names
The difficulty in remembering names may be associated with other ADHD symptoms, such as difficulty following directions and trouble finishing projects. This is due to the difficulty of prioritizing and organizing tasks, which affects efficient information retrieval. This symptom also tends to get worse during times of stress, fatigue, or hormonal changes, for instance before, during, and after menopause.
If a person is unable to remember names or names, it can be more difficult if they forget important information such as appointments or events, or personal reminders. These forgetfulness lapses could be caused by depression and anxiety, which are both common co-occurring conditions 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. They are therefore under-diagnosed and not referred to doctors to receive treatment and diagnosis.
Additionally, there is gender-based discrimination because the disorder tends to be seen as a condition that affects boys. Boys with hyperactivity are the ones who are frequently taken to clinics and assessed for treatment. Combined with internalized stigma and the fact that women's symptoms often differ from those of men as well, a lot of professionals fail to detect or treat ADHD in women.
Fortunately, it's becoming more common for women to receive an ADHD diagnosis in adulthood. A diagnosis can help improve relationships and prepare you for success at school and at work and offer the help you require to succeed in your daily life. Speak to an Salience Health provider if you're looking to be diagnosed. We'll be able to assess your symptoms with tools like Creyos cognitive testing and Brainview Advanced, and connect you with a therapist who's the right fit for you.
4. Difficulty Appearing Aloof
Women suffering from ADHD can have subtle symptoms of inattention. They may not remember to do chores at home, fail to attend appointments or have difficulty taking notes. They might also be struggling with impulsivity and trouble understanding the boundaries of social interaction. This could cause to confusion and misinterpretation with friends and family and could result in feelings of loneliness and isolation.
Additionally, women with untreated ADHD often struggle to meet societal expectations 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. If left untreated, ADHD can cause low self-esteem among women. They might resort to unhealthy ways of coping such as binge eating or watching marathons of TV.
The difficulties of ADHD for women can be amplified by gender bias, both in how women and girls are viewed and assessed by healthcare professionals. Certain studies suggest that girls and women tend to hide or compensate for their ADHD symptoms, and could be less likely to receive treatment and diagnosis than boys and men.
Women with ADHD may also have difficulties in recognizing their symptoms. They may be confused with anxiety disorders 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 make it more likely that she will be viewed or dismissed as moody or excessively emotional. These changes can increase women's anger over their ADHD symptoms, and could increase the chance of being misinterpreted or dismissed as moody or emotionally overly emotional.
5. Impulsivity
Women are also prone to impulsivity, which is associated with ADHD. They may also have difficulty managing their emotions, and may be susceptible to "foot in the mouth" moments. These actions that are impulsive can have a huge impact on relationships as well as professional life.
Prefrontal cortex is the part of the brain that controls reasoning and decision-making. This brain area can help people avoid making a mistake by acting as a check on their behavior. ADHD sufferers have a weaker prefrontal cortex. This can make it difficult for them to resist urges and stop themselves from engaging in reckless behavior. It can also lead to an absence of self-esteem. In women, impulsiveness often manifests as difficulties with social boundaries and self-control (interrupting the conversation, not finishing other's sentences, and talking excessively).
Women can also experience problems with impulse control when their hormones change. Estrogen changes naturally at different times during the menstrual cycle, and also during pregnancy, childbirth, and menopause. Oral contraception and hormone therapy that is used during menopausal perimenopausal cycles can alter estrogen levels and other hormones which can impact a woman's ADHD.
The manner in which ADHD symptoms manifest for women and girls may vary from those of boys and men, which is one of the reasons they are often underdiagnosed. Because of this, many adults who have ADHD are unaware of the fact that they suffer from it. The good news is that diagnosing and treating ADHD can help improve the quality of life for anyone regardless of age. If you are unsure whether or not you suffer from ADHD consult your doctor to see if they can assist. Treatment options include medication, cognitive behavior therapy, and couples counseling.