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 probably due to gender stereotypes and the ability females to hide their symptoms.
Many healthcare professionals aren't equipped and experience to identify ADHD in women. This means that many women are misdiagnosed and not receiving the treatment they need.
1. Disorganization
Women and girls who suffer from ADHD are often plagued by disorganization, which can be a challenge to manage. Your desk, for example, may be a mess of papers, 17 chapsticks, and tickets from the Kings of Leon show you attended in 2008. As you spend money on products that claim to keep you organized your office and home probably still feel messy and chaotic.
Inability to keep on top of your work can 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 a task. This could make you feel frustrated and believe that you're not doing a great enough job in your profession, or even your personal life.
You may also be having trouble controlling your emotions, which can cause you to react too quickly in stressful situations. You may also make comments without meaning to hurt someone's feelings. You may also have trouble stopping yourself from speaking before you have thought things through, since it is common for people with ADHD.
If add symptoms in women have ADHD, it's likely that some of your symptoms stem from gender stereotypes and ideas regarding how men, boys and women should behave. This could make it difficult for you to recognize and treat your ADHD.
You could also benefit from a treatment for behavioral issues to address the root cause of your disorder. And although it may take some time to find the appropriate coping strategies, implementing these strategies can help you feel more in control of your life as well as improve relationships with your family and friends as well as coworkers.
2. Impulsivity
People who suffer from ADHD are prone to intense emotions. However their brains aren't able to filter them or analyze them. They may be overwhelmed by a small event, or have difficulty being able to assess the emotional state of other people. This also makes them more prone to being distracted by minor issues such as an out of stock book or an unreliable friend.
Many women suffering from ADHD conceal their symptoms and develop strategies to deal with their attention problems. They may be perfectionists or highly conscientious at work or in school however, they have trouble keeping the track of important dates, deadlines, and appointments. They might also struggle with verbal self control and talk excessively 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 an abrupt desire to start, stop, or change activities. They can also be characterized by not being able to wait for your turn in a conversation and having difficulty reading social cues.
While gender-based stereotypes may play a role in the development of ADHD however, it's sometimes difficult to recognize when a woman has these issues. The scales for rating used to identify ADHD symptoms are still geared towards male behavior. Some healthcare professionals might misunderstand a woman's ADHD symptoms.
Many women with ADHD say that their symptoms worsen when hormonal changes occur, such as during menstruation or pregnancy, as well as perimenopausal. This can intensify emotional symptoms and cause frequent feelings of frustration, irritability or depression. They may also have an ongoing feeling of dissatisfaction in their relationships or lives. This could lead to the use of drugs, low self-esteem and unhealthy coping strategies. This is why it's important for women to understand that these symptoms aren't an indication of their worth or worth as a person. If you follow a proper treatment strategy, you can lessen or even eliminate these signs.
3. Attention
Everyone has difficulty paying attention and focusing at times with ADHD the symptoms are experienced often enough that they cause disruption with your daily life. You may make careless errors at work or in school, miss appointments or spend a good amount of time delaying. You're not able to wait your turn and interrupt others in conversations.
Adults who are inattentive can also get caught up in projects before fully planning them and researching them. This results in a lack of results or subpar ones. You may also get distracted easily and tend to leave projects unfinished -- from the vegetable garden that got planted, but never watered, to the new system of organization that got assembled and then left to gather dust on your nightstand.
People who have inattention ADHD also struggle with a constant sense of disorganization, both in their workplaces and at home. It is possible that you have trouble finding important documents keys, bills or keys and also lose items frequently. You could be unable to keep track of time and be late for work, school or even meetings.
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. People with these signs may say or do things without considering the impact including snoozing over others or making a nonsensical sound when they are alone. They may have trouble sitting still and might fidget or pace in their seats. They may have difficulty maintaining their job and may have frequent conflicts with their coworkers and manager.
In certain instances, mood swings or emotional distress caused by ADHD can lead to frustration in relationships and misunderstandings. This is especially the case in relationships with partners as well as at work. People with ADHD are also more likely to have co-occurring conditions, like depression, anxiety or bipolar disorder.
Women and girls who suffer from ADHD can face a variety of obstacles when seeking treatment and diagnosis which include gender discrimination and a tendency to conceal their symptoms or minimize the severity of them. Women with a high profile, such as Em Rusciano and Mia Freedman who have spoken out about their struggles with ADHD have contributed to raising awareness. But, many girls and young woman still don't know they have it.
4. Anxiety
An anxiety disorder is defined by constant anxiety. While everyone is anxious or nervous at times anxiety disorders are defined by a constant high level of anxiety. You might experience an uneasy feeling, fear, or anxiety, as well as an intense pulse, trouble being calm, and trouble thinking clearly. You might also have a heightened sense of danger, even in situations that aren't likely to be risky for you. The most commonly encountered forms of anxiety are general anxiety disorder, phobias, agoraphobia and separation anxiety, panic disorders and selective mutism.
Anxiety is more prevalent in women suffering from ADHD than in men, and it is more likely to become worse during certain periods of the woman's life, such as around the time of her menstrual cycle, pregnancy or perimenopause. This can make it difficult to manage everyday tasks and social interaction and may lead to feelings of low self-esteem or unsatisfaction.
You are extremely sensitive to rejection and you have a tough time accepting criticism. You can easily misinterpret feedback, or even anticipate rejection. You might get angry about small things that others don't see an issue with.
Mood swings are also a sign of adult adhd in women. You may find that you experience erratic emotions or are unable to manage them. You could also be prone to non-suicidal acts of self-injury such as scrubbing, burning or hitting yourself.
If you're struggling with any of the above symptoms, it's crucial to receive a diagnosis. It can help you identify your issues and give you strategies to improve your living quality. You can take an ADHD test online or consult your doctor to get an assessment from a professional. In certain instances, a doctor may prescribe medication to help alleviate your symptoms. In some cases, your doctor may recommend the combination of lifestyle changes and cognitive behavior therapy. In any case, it's important to change your lifestyle as quickly as you can. This will allow you to get back in control of your life and feel more confident, productive and competent.