ADHD Symptoms in Adult Females
The condition is often misdiagnosed among women, despite the fact that it is a problem that affects men and women equally as adults. This is likely due to gender stereotypes and the capability of women to mask their symptoms.
Many healthcare professionals don't have the knowledge or experience to identify ADHD in women. This means that many women are misdiagnosed prior to receiving the treatment they require.
1. Disorganization
Women and girls with ADHD can struggle with disorganization. This disorder can be difficult to manage. Your desk, for instance could be a jumble of papers, 17 chapsticks, and even a ticket to the Kings of Leon show you attended in 2008. Even though you may have spent money on products to help you manage your clutter, your office or home is likely still chaotic and messy.
Inability to stay on top of your tasks could result in missed deadlines and missed appointments. You might also struggle with "time blindness," where you don't know or remember the time it takes to complete an assignment. This can cause you to be unhappy and feeling that you're not doing a good job in your career or personal life, especially when it seems like other people don't value your efforts.
You might also have trouble managing your emotions, which could make you overreact in stressful situations. You may also say things without meaning to hurt someone's feelings. You might also have difficulty stopping yourself from speaking before thinking things through, as impulsivity can be common among people with ADHD.
If you suffer from ADHD, it's likely that some of your symptoms are rooted in gender stereotypes and cultural ideas about the ways men, boys and women should behave. This can make it difficult to diagnose and treat ADHD.
In addition to having a diagnosis it is possible that you will require a behavioral therapy program to tackle the root of your disorder. It might take time to find the best coping strategies, but implementing them will help you feel in control of your own life and improve your relationships with family, colleagues, and friends.
2. Impulsivity
People with ADHD are prone to intense emotions. However, their brains are not able to filter them or assess them. This means they can get overwhelmed by a single setback or struggle to assess the emotional state of others. This makes them more prone to be distracted by small inconveniences like a book out of stock or a shaky friend.
Many women with ADHD cover up their symptoms and devise strategies to cope with their attention problems. They could be highly organized or an obsessive at school or at work, and have trouble keeping track of appointments, bills, or important dates. They might struggle with self-talk control and talk excessively or interrupt others often.
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. The symptoms include a sudden urge to start, stop or change activities or activities; not being able to wait your turn in conversation; and difficulty in interpreting social cues (like facial expressions or body language).
While gender-based stereotypes may play a role in the development of ADHD but it's not always easy to tell if women are suffering from these problems. The scales used to measure ADHD symptoms are still skewed toward male behavior and some health experts may be misinformed or underestimate a woman's symptoms.
Many women with ADHD also note that their symptoms tend to become more severe during periods of hormonal changes, like during the menstrual cycle or pregnancy, or during perimenopausal (the period leading up to menopausal). This can exacerbate emotional symptoms and trigger a lot of feelings of frustration, irritability or depression. They may also have an ongoing feeling of dissatisfaction in their relationships or their lives. This may lead to the use of drugs, low self-esteem and unhealthy coping habits. It is crucial for women to understand that these symptoms do not show their worth or value as human beings. The good news is that with a proper treatment plan the symptoms can be alleviated or even eliminated.
3. Attention
While everyone struggles with paying attention and focusing at times, with ADHD, these symptoms occur often enough that they cause disruption with your daily routine. You could make a few mistakes at work or at school, miss appointments or spend a good amount of time delaying. You can't stand in line and interrupt other people in conversations.
Adults who aren't attentive can also jump into projects without thoroughly planning them and researching them. This results in a lack of results or even subpar ones. adhd in women test could also become easily distracted and leave projects unfinished. This could be the vegetable garden that was planted, but not watered, or a brand new organization system you put together and then put away on your nightstand to accumulate dust.
People who have inattention ADHD struggle with chronic disorganization at home and in the workplace. It is possible that you have trouble finding important documents, bills or keys and may lose things frequently. You may also lose track of the time and end up over time for meetings, work or school.
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. Women with these symptoms might perform actions or words without thinking about the consequences such as yelling at others or making a nonsensical sound when they are on their own. They may have trouble sitting still and may move around or get out of their seats. They might have issues keeping their job and could be in frequent conflict with colleagues and managers.
In certain cases, the mood swings and emotional turmoil caused by ADHD can lead to frustration and miscommunication in relationships. This is especially true in romantic relationships and at work. People who suffer from ADHD are also more likely to suffer from co-occurring conditions, like depression, anxiety, or bipolar disorder.
Women and girls who suffer from ADHD are often faced with a range of difficulties in seeking diagnosis and treatment, including gender bias and a tendency to hide their symptoms or minimize the severity of their symptoms. The rise of well-known women such as Mia Freedman and Em Rusciano who have shared their struggles with ADHD has increased awareness, but many young women and girls aren't aware of the condition.
4. Anxiety
Although most people experience anxiety or anxious from time to time, persistently outsize anxiety is the hallmark of an anxiety disorder. You might experience an incessant feeling of anxiety, fear, or anxiety, as well as rapid pulse, difficulty being calm, and trouble thinking clearly. You might also have an increased sense of danger even in situations that aren't likely to be dangerous for you. The most commonly encountered forms of anxiety include general anxiety disorder, agoraphobia and separation anxiety, phobias and panic disorders.
Anxiety is more common in women with ADHD than in men and it is more likely to become worse during certain periods of women's lives, such as around her menstrual cycle, pregnancy or perimenopause. This can make it harder to manage daily tasks and social interactions, and cause feelings of low self-esteem and general discontent with your life.
You're extremely sensitive to rejection and have a difficult to accept criticism. You are prone to misinterpret feedback, or even anticipate rejection. You might be annoyed by small things that other people don't find an issue with.
Mood swings can also be a sign of adult adhd in women. It is possible that you experience erratic emotions or are unable to manage them. You could also be susceptible to non-suicidal acts of self-injury such as burning, scrubbing, or hitting yourself.
If you're struggling with any of the above symptoms, it's crucial to receive a diagnosis. It will help you know your issues and offer you strategies for improving your living quality. You can take an ADHD test online or consult your physician for an expert assessment. In certain instances, a doctor may prescribe medication to help alleviate your symptoms. In other instances they may recommend the combination of lifestyle changes and cognitive behavior therapy. In any case, it's essential to change your lifestyle as quickly as possible. This will allow you to get back in control of your life and feel more productive, confident and capable.