ADHD Adult Female Symptoms
ADHD can affect both men and women, but it is more difficult for women to diagnose. That's because females often don't exhibit the same level of hyperactivity or impulsivity as men, so they may be missed or misdiagnosed.
The first step in addressing your symptoms is to receive an accurate diagnosis. Adults suffering from ADHD are often treated with stimulant medication, but there are other alternatives.
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 worse during menstrual cycle.
Women who are inattentional ADHD have problems with their working memory. This makes it difficult to remember simple things like appointments or upcoming events. They may often forget where they kept their keys to their car or the name of the lady who drove them to home from spin class or even important dates and deadlines.
Other signs of ADHD females in adulthood include procrastination and difficulty following through on plans. They're more likely to get distracted by shiny objects or social media, making it harder to complete their assignments and projects. This can result in feeling overwhelmed and underperforming in the classroom or at work.
Many women suffering from ADHD are not diagnosed because of gender stereotypes. In turn, they experience guilt and mistakenly attribute their problems as "bad behavior" or "character imperfections". They may feel like they're an imposter. A diagnosis could be an "lightbulb" moment for them, as it provides them with an external explanation for their struggles and helps them accept themselves more fully.
Untreated ADHD for girls and women can result in a myriad of negative effects, including behavioral issues, academic problems as well as family and relationship issues as well as coexisting mental health conditions. But a proper diagnosis and treatment plan can significantly improve the quality of life for those suffering from this condition at every stage of their lives. Treatment options could include stimulant therapy and medication. *
2. Difficulty Finishing Projects
Women suffering from ADHD often struggle to complete tasks and duties. They may forget important information, have difficulty switching between tasks and duties, or find it hard to meet deadlines. They are also more likely to make careless errors, have difficulty organizing their schedules and managing their time, and underestimate how long it takes them to complete tasks.
Women with ADHD may find the emotional symptoms of ADHD like mood swings or irritability, particularly difficult. Hormonal changes can cause symptoms, such as those that occur during menopausal, pregnancy, and during menstruation. Women who have not been diagnosed with ADHD may be frustrated and disappointed with their performance at work and in their relationships.
Women who suffer from ADHD have trouble keeping up with everyday tasks such as grocery shopping and chores. They may have a hard finding the time to remember to empty the trash or turn off the stove, and they can be easily distracted by little things around them. They may also struggle performing repetitive tasks, like folding the laundry or washing dishes. Boring or mundane tasks can become intolerable which can lead to impulsive behaviours like excessive conversation or oversharing. Women who suffer from ADHD might also make unruly choices and employ unhealthy coping mechanisms such as alcohol or other drugs.
If you're having trouble getting things done, have memory issues, have a tendency to procrastinate for a long time or have relationship problems, it is important to seek out professional help for ADHD. A proper diagnosis can enhance your living quality and help you achieve success in your professional and personal lives. It can help you better manage your ADHD symptoms and develop strategies to address them effectively. You can limit lapses of concentration and attention by adhering to a set schedule, using a planner or reminder app, taking notes during meetings, and maintaining good sleep hygiene. Exercise can also help to improve focus by increasing the production of brain neurotransmitters.
3. It is difficult to remember names
The difficulty in remembering names may go hand-in-hand with other ADHD symptoms like difficulties following directions and difficulty finishing projects. The root cause of these issues is a failure to prioritize tasks and organize them which affects the efficiency of information retrieval. This issue can worsen during times of fatigue, stress or hormonal changes, such as before, during, and after menopause.
Forgetting names can be more frustrating if it's accompanied by a feeling of forgetfulness over bigger items, such as appointments and events or personal reminders. These lapses could be exacerbated by anxiety or depression which are frequently associated 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. They are, therefore, under-diagnosed and are not being referred to a doctor for treatment and diagnosis.
In addition, there is gender-based discrimination because the disorder tends to be viewed as a condition that affects boys. Hyperactive boys are the ones who are frequently being referred to clinics and analyzed for treatment. In addition, due to internalized stigma, female symptoms are often different from men's. Many professionals fail to diagnose or treat ADHD for females.
Fortunately, it's becoming more common for women to receive an ADHD diagnosis in their adulthood. A diagnosis can help improve your relationships, help you succeed at work and in school, and provide you with the help you require. If you're seeking an assessment, speak with an experienced Salience Health provider. We can evaluate your symptoms with tools like Creyos Cognitive Testing and Brainview Advanced and connect you with a therapist who's suitable for you.
4. Difficulty Appearing Aloof
Women who suffer from ADHD typically have inattention symptoms and their issues may appear insignificant to others. They may miss appointments, forget to complete chores around the home, or have trouble making notes at work. They may also struggle with impulsivity or difficulty understanding social boundaries. This could cause to confusion and misinterpretation between family and friends and could result in feelings of loneliness and isolation.
In addition, women who suffer from untreated ADHD often have difficulty meeting societal expectations for them as women. They may struggle with the responsibility of caring for their children and household chores, and this social pressure can increase their ADHD symptoms and feelings of inadequateness. If left untreated, ADHD can cause lower self-esteem in women. They might resort to unhealthy coping mechanisms such as binge eating or watching marathons on TV.
The challenges of ADHD in women are amplified by gender bias, both in how women and girls are perceived and assessed by healthcare professionals. There is evidence that suggests that women and girls tend to hide their ADHD symptoms or attempt to cover up for them, and may be less likely than boys and men to get referred to a specialist for diagnosis and treatment.
Women with ADHD may also have difficulties understanding their symptoms and could be confused with anxiety disorders or mood disorders. This could lead to a false diagnosis and delay or ineffective treatment.
The symptoms of ADHD can vary with hormone changes, and they can be particularly evident during the ovulation cycle, pregnancy, menstruation or menopausal. These changes can intensify the woman's frustration over her ADHD symptoms, and they could increase the chance of being viewed as moody or emotional.
5. Impulsivity
Women are also susceptible to the impulsivity that is a sign of ADHD. ADHD in adult men symptoms may also struggle with managing their emotions, and be prone to "foot in the mouth" moments. These uncontrollable behaviors can have a significant impact on your personal and professional life.
The brain part that regulates decision-making and reasoning is called the prefrontal cortex. This brain area can help people avoid making a mistake by acting as a check on their behavior. ADHD patients have a less-functional prefrontal cortex. This makes it more difficult for them to resist urges and stop themselves from engaging in reckless behavior. It can also cause a lack of self-respect. Women's impulsiveness often manifests as a lack of social boundaries and self-control during conversations (interrupting others, not finishing their sentences, and talking too much).
Women can also have trouble with impulse control due to the different hormone fluctuations throughout their lives. Estrogen changes naturally at different times during the menstrual cycle, and also during pregnancy, childbirth and menopausal. Contraceptives and hormone therapy used during menopausal or perimenopausal periods can further alter estrogen levels and other hormones which could affect women's ADHD.
The way ADHD symptoms are expressed for women and girls may differ from the symptoms of men and boys and is one of the reasons why they are frequently not diagnosed. Many adults with ADHD are unaware of their condition. The good news is that the diagnosis and treatment of ADHD at any age can improve the quality of life of a person. Consult your doctor if you're not sure whether you suffer from ADHD. They will give you guidance. Treatment options include medication as well as cognitive behavioral therapy and couples counseling.