ADHD Adult Female Symptoms
ADHD can affect people of all genders and ages, but it can be harder for women to get diagnosed. That's because females often don't exhibit the same level of hyperactivity or the same impulsivity as men, which means they may be missed or misdiagnosed.
The first step in managing your symptoms is to get an accurate diagnosis. Adults with ADHD are often treated with stimulant medication, however, there are other alternatives.
1. Difficulty Focusing
Although everyone is distracted at times, women with ADHD have trouble putting their focus on conversations and tasks particularly when they're dealing with emotional or sensory overload. These problems can be made worse when menstrual cycles are in full swing.
Women who are inattentive ADHD also have issues with their working memory, making it difficult to remember simple things like appointments or upcoming events. They might forget where they put their keys to their car, the name of the woman who gave them a ride home from spin class, or even important deadlines and dates.
Other symptoms of ADHD in females of adulthood include procrastination and difficulty following the steps of plans. They're more likely to get distracted by shiny objects or social media, making it difficult to complete their projects and assignments. 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 the end, they struggle with shame and are misinformed about their struggles as "bad habits" or "character imperfections." They also feel like they are an imposter. A diagnosis can be a lightbulb moment giving them a clear, external explanation for their issues and allowing them to accept themselves more fully.
Girls and women who suffer from untreated ADHD can experience a wide range of negative outcomes that can include academic issues and behavioral issues, bad family and relationship problems, and co-occurring mental health issues. But a proper diagnosis and treatment plan can drastically improve the quality of life for those suffering from this condition at any stage of life. Treatment options could include therapy and stimulant medications. *
2. Difficulty Finishing Projects
Women suffering from ADHD struggle to complete tasks or responsibilities. They might forget important information, have trouble shifting between tasks and responsibilities, or find it hard to meet deadlines. They could also be more susceptible to making careless mistakes or have difficulty managing their time effectively and underestimate the time it takes to finish their work.
Women suffering from ADHD are likely to experience emotional symptoms of ADHD like irritability or mood swings, especially frustrating. Hormonal changes can trigger symptoms, such as those that are experienced during menopausal cycles, pregnancy, and during menstruation. Women with undiagnosed ADHD can be frustrated and depressed by their performance at work or in relationships.
Women who suffer from ADHD are unable to complete daily tasks like chores and grocery shopping extremely challenging. They may overlook the need to empty the garbage or shut off the stove, and can be easily distracted. They can also struggle with monotonous tasks like folding laundry or washing dishes. Boring or mundane chores can become exhausting which can lead to impulsive behavior such as excessive talking or sharing. Women with ADHD can also make erratic decisions and resort to unhealthy strategies to cope, such as alcohol or other drugs.
If you're having trouble finishing tasks, have memory problems, procrastinate chronically, or face relationship challenges It is crucial to seek out professional help for ADHD. A proper diagnosis can improve the overall quality of life 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 minimize lapses of attention and focus by sticking to a set schedule, using a planner or reminder apps, making notes during meetings, and ensuring good sleep hygiene. Exercise can also help improve focus as it increases brain neurotransmitter levels.
3. Difficulty remembering names
It is possible that difficulty remembering names may be associated with other ADHD symptoms, such as trouble following directions or finishing projects. The underlying issue behind these difficulties is an inability to prioritize tasks and organize them which affects efficient information retrieval. This issue can worsen during times of fatigue, stress or hormonal changes, for instance before, during, and after menopause.
Forgetting names can be more frustrating when it's accompanied by a sense of forgetfulness over bigger items like appointments, events, or personal reminders. These lapses may be caused by depression or anxiety, which commonly co-occur with ADHD in women.
ADHD is often underdiagnosed in women due to 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, gender-based bias exists because ADHD is typically seen as a male condition with hyperactive boys being the ones most referred to clinics for assessment and treatment. In addition to internalized stigma, female symptoms differ from those of men. Many doctors are unable to diagnose or treat ADHD for females.
It's becoming more frequent for women to be diagnosed with ADHD in adulthood. A diagnosis can help improve your relationships, aid you to achieve your goals at work and school, and give you the help you require. Talk to a Salience Health provider if you're looking to be diagnosed. We can evaluate your symptoms using tools such as Creyos Cognitive Testing and Brainview Advanced and connect you to a therapist that is right for you.
4. Ailoofs that appear difficult to see
Women suffering from ADHD might exhibit subtle signs of inattention. They might miss appointments, neglect to complete chores around the home, or have difficulty taking notes at work. They might also be struggling with impulsivity and have difficulty understanding social boundaries. This could lead to confusion and misinterpretation between family and friends, and can also cause feelings of isolation and loneliness.
In addition, women with untreated ADHD often have difficulty meeting social expectations for them as women. This can lead to feeling inadequate and ADHD symptoms as they struggle with the burden of taking care of children and household chores. Many women with untreated ADHD have low self-esteem and resort to unhealthy coping strategies such as binge eating and TV marathons.
The difficulties of ADHD in women can be amplified by gender bias, both in the way women and girls are viewed and assessed by clinicians. ADHD and adults symptoms suggests that girls and women are more likely to cover up or disguise their ADHD symptoms, and could be less likely to be referred for treatment and diagnosis than boys and men.
Another issue is that women suffering from ADHD may have trouble recognizing their own symptoms. They might confuse them with depression or anxiety. This could lead to incorrect diagnosis and delayed treatment.
The symptoms of ADHD can be influenced by hormonal fluctuations. They may be especially noticeable during the ovulation cycle or menstrual cycle, pregnancy or menopausal. These changes can intensify the woman's frustration over her ADHD symptoms, and can increase the risk of being misinterpreted or dismissed as moody or overly emotional.
5. Impulsivity
Women are also susceptible to the impulsivity that is a sign of ADHD. They may also struggle with managing their emotions, and may be susceptible to "foot in the mouth" moments. These impulsive behaviors can have a big impact on relationships and professional life.
The brain part that is responsible for the ability to make decisions and reason is known as the prefrontal cortex. This area can assist people avoid making a mistake by acting as a check on their behavior. ADHD sufferers have less functional prefrontal cortex. This makes it difficult for them to resist urges and prevent themselves from engaging in reckless behavior. It can also lead to an inability to respect themselves. In women, impulsiveness usually manifests as difficulties with social boundaries and conversational self-restraint (interrupting, finishing others' sentences, and speaking too much).
symptoms of add and ADHD in adults may have issues with impulse control during the various hormonal fluctuations throughout their lives. Estrogen fluctuates in different intervals throughout the menstrual cycle and pregnancy, as well as childbirth and menopause. Contraceptives and hormone therapy during menopausal or perimenopausal periods can further alter estrogen levels as well as other hormones, which could affect the woman's ADHD.
The way ADHD symptoms manifest in women and girls can vary from those of men and boys this is one of the reasons why they are frequently not diagnosed. Many people with ADHD are unaware of their health issues. The good news is that diagnosing and treating ADHD can improve the quality of life of a person regardless of age. Talk to your doctor if you're unsure whether you're suffering from ADHD. They will give you guidance. Treatment options include medication and cognitive behavioral therapy and couples counseling.