ADHD Adult Female Symptoms
ADHD can affect people of all ages and genders, but it is more difficult for women to get diagnosed. That's because females often don't show the same hyperactivity and the same impulsivity as men, which means they can be overlooked or incorrectly diagnosed.
The first step to manage your symptoms is to receive an accurate diagnosis. Adults who suffer from ADHD are often treated with stimulant medications however, there are other alternatives.
1. Problems with Focusing
Women with ADHD can be distracted by a variety of things, but they have difficulties focusing on conversations and tasks, especially if they are suffering from sensory or emotional overload. ADHD symptoms in adult women can become worse during menstrual cycle.
Women with inattention ADHD also have trouble with their working memory, which makes it difficult to remember simple things like appointments or forthcoming events. They may forget where they left their car keys or the name of the lady who offered them a ride home from spinning class. They may also forget important dates and deadlines.
Procrastination, and the inability to follow through with plans are other signs of ADHD among adult females. They are more likely to get distracted by shiny objects or social networks which can make it difficult for them to finish their projects and assignments. This can result in feeling overwhelmed and underperforming at school or work.
Because of the way society views gender, a lot of women suffering from ADHD go undiagnosed. As a result, they feel ashamed and are misinformed about their struggles as "bad behaviors" or "character flaws." They also feel like they are an imposter. A diagnosis can be an "lightbulb" moment for them, since it gives them an external explanation for their issues and allows them to accept themselves better.
Untreated ADHD in girls and women can result in a myriad of negative effects, such as problems with academics, behavioral issues relationships and family issues and co-existing mental health issues. A proper diagnosis and treatment plan can improve the lives of people who suffer from ADHD at any point in their life. Treatment options include therapy and stimulant medications. *
2. Difficulty Finishing Projects
Women suffering from ADHD often struggle to complete tasks and tasks. They may lose important information, have difficulty shifting between tasks and responsibilities or have difficulty to meet deadlines. They may also be more likely to make mistakes, have trouble organizing their schedules and underestimate the amount of time it takes to complete tasks.
The emotional symptoms of ADHD in adults, such as mood swings and irritability, can be a major source of frustration for women who suffer from the condition. The symptoms can be made worse by hormone changes, including those that occur during menstrual cycles as well as during pregnancy and menopausal. Women who have not been diagnosed with ADHD can feel frustrated and disappointed by their performance at workplace or in their relationships.
Women with ADHD have trouble keeping up with daily tasks, such as grocery shopping and chores. They may overlook the need to empty the garbage or turn off the stove, and can easily get distracted. They can also struggle with monotonous tasks like folding laundry or washing dishes. Simple tasks that are boring or repetitive can become overwhelming which can lead to impulsive behaviours such as excessive talk or sharing. The impulsivity that is associated with ADHD can cause women to make impulsive choices and depend on unhealthy coping strategies such as alcohol or drugs.
If you're having difficulty finishing tasks, have memory problems, procrastinate chronically or are experiencing relationship issues, it is important to seek professional assistance for ADHD. A correct diagnosis can enhance the quality of your life and help you achieve success in both your professional and personal life. It will help you better manage your ADHD symptoms and devise strategies to manage them effectively. You can limit lapses of attention and focus by sticking to a set schedule by using a planner or reminder apps, making notes during meetings, and ensuring good sleep hygiene. Exercise can also improve focus as it increases brain neurotransmitter levels.
3. Difficulty remembering names
It is possible that a trouble remembering names might be associated with other ADHD symptoms, such as difficulty following directions or completing projects. The underlying issue behind the difficulties is a lack of ability to prioritize tasks and organize them that affects efficient information retrieval. This symptom tends to worsen during times of fatigue, stress or hormonal changes.
Forgetting names can feel even more frustrating when it's followed by a feeling of numbness about larger items, such as appointments and events or personal reminders. These lapses may be exacerbated by anxiety and depression, which are both common co-occurring conditions with ADHD among women.
ADHD is often not recognized 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. They are therefore under-diagnosed and are not being referred to a doctor for treatment and diagnosis.
In addition, there is a gender-based bias because ADHD is typically seen as a male condition and boys with hyperactivity being the ones most referred to clinics for evaluation and treatment. In addition to internalized stigma, women's symptoms are often different from men's. Many doctors do not diagnose or treat ADHD for females.
It's becoming more common for women to be diagnosed with ADHD in adulthood. A diagnosis can help improve your relationships, help you succeed at work and in school, and give you the assistance you require. Talk to an Salience Health provider if you're interested in getting 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 right for you.
4. Ailoofs that appear difficult to see
Women suffering from ADHD might exhibit subtle signs of inattention. They may forget to do chores at home, skip appointments, or have trouble taking notes. They might also have problems with impulsivity or difficulty understanding the boundaries of social interaction. This could lead to misinterpretation and misunderstandings in relationships with family and friends, and it can result in feelings of loneliness and disconnection.
Additionally, women with untreated ADHD often have difficulty meeting social expectations for them as women. This can cause feelings of inadequacy and ADHD symptoms as they struggle with the responsibility of taking care of children and household chores. Many women with untreated ADHD suffer from low self-esteem and resort to unhealthy strategies for coping such as binge eating and television marathons.
The challenges of ADHD in women can be caused by gender bias both in how women and girls are viewed and assessed by healthcare professionals. Some research suggests that girls and women tend to hide their ADHD symptoms or attempt to cover up for them, and may be less likely than males and females to be referred to a specialist for diagnosis and treatment.
Women with ADHD may also have trouble understanding their symptoms and could be confused with mood disorders or anxiety disorders. This can lead to a incorrect diagnosis and delayed treatment.
These changes can cause women to be more frustrated with her ADHD symptoms. They may also make it more likely to be misinterpreted or dismissed as moody or excessively emotional. These changes can make a woman more frustrated with her ADHD symptoms and increase the chance of being viewed as a naive, or dismissed as moody or too emotional.
5. Impulsivity
While the impulsivity of ADHD affects both men and boys differently, women suffer from it too. They may also have difficulty controlling their emotions, and may be susceptible to "foot in the mouth" moments. These behaviors that are impulsive can have a huge impact on your professional and personal life.
Prefrontal cortex is a part of the brain responsible for controlling thinking and making decisions. This area can prevent people from making poor decisions because it acts as a check. ADHD patients have a less-functional prefrontal cortex. This makes it harder to resist impulses and prevent themselves from engaging in reckless behavior. It can also lead to an inability to respect themselves. Women's impulsiveness is often manifested as an inability to maintain social boundaries and self-control during conversations (interrupting others, not finishing their sentences, or talking too often).
Women can also experience problems with control of impulses when hormones fluctuate. Estrogen fluctuates at different times during the menstrual period as well as during pregnancy, childbirth, and menopausal cycles. Oral contraception and hormone therapy used during perimenopause or menopause may further alter estrogen levels and other hormones which could affect women's ADHD.
ADHD symptoms in women and girls can differ from those seen in men and boys, which is why they are often not properly diagnosed. Due to this, many adults who have ADHD are unaware that they do. The good news is that the diagnosis and treatment of ADHD at any age can enhance the quality of life for the person. If you're not sure whether or not you suffer from ADHD consult your doctor and find out how they can help. Treatment options include medication, cognitive behavioral therapy, and couples counseling.