ADHD Symptoms in Adult Females
Although ADHD affects both genders equally throughout adulthood, it often goes undiagnosed in females. This is likely due to gender stereotyping and the capability females to hide their symptoms.
Many healthcare professionals lack the expertise and experience to recognize ADHD in women. Many women are not diagnosed correctly and don't receive the treatment they need.
1. Disorganization
Girls and women with ADHD often struggle with disorganization, which can be very difficult to manage. For example, your desk may be a mess of unruly papers, 17 chapsticks, and even a ticket to the Kings of Leon concert you attended in 2008. Even though you may have spent money on products to help you organize, your office or home is likely to remain messy and chaotic.
Inability to keep on top of your work can result in missed deadlines and appointments. In addition, you could be struggling with the concept of "time blindness," which means you aren't able to remember or comprehend how much time it takes to finish an assignment. This could leave you feeling unhappy and feeling that you're not doing an adequate job in your professional or personal life, particularly when you feel like others don't appreciate your efforts.
You may also have difficulty controlling your emotions, which may cause you to react too quickly in stressful situations. You may also make comments without intention of hurting people's feelings. Since impulsivity is a common trait for those with ADHD it is possible that you will have trouble stopping yourself from saying things before thinking them through.
If you suffer from ADHD it's likely that some of your symptoms stem from gender stereotypes and ideas regarding how boys, men and women should behave. This makes it difficult to identify and treat ADHD.
You could also benefit from a behavioral therapy to address the underlying causes of your disorder. It may take a while to discover the most effective strategies for dealing with stress, but implementing them will allow you to feel in control of your own life and improve your relationships with family, colleagues, and friends.
2. Impulsivity
People who suffer from ADHD often experience intense emotions, but their brains don't have a method to assess or filter them. They may be overwhelmed by a tiny incident, or have trouble assessing the emotional state of other people. This makes them more susceptible to being distracted by minor issues such as an out of stock book or a shaky friend.
Many women with ADHD mask their symptoms and come up with strategies to deal with their attention issues. They may be perfectionists or highly conscientious at work or in school, but have difficulty keeping track of important dates, deadlines, and appointments. They may also have issues with verbal self-restraint and frequently interrupt others, talk too much, often, or ramble during conversations.
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 a sudden desire to stop, start or alter the course of action and being unable to hold your turn in a conversation; and difficulty interpreting social cues (like facial expressions or body language).
While gender-based stereotypes may contribute to the development of ADHD but it's sometimes difficult to tell if a woman has these issues. The scales used to measure ADHD symptoms are still biased toward male behavior and some healthcare experts may be misinformed or underestimate the severity of a woman's symptoms.
Many women with ADHD report that their symptoms are more severe when hormonal changes occur like menstrual cycle, pregnancy, and perimenopause. This can exacerbate emotional symptoms and lead to frequent feelings of anger, frustration or depression. They might also experience a persistent feeling of dissatisfaction in their relationships or their lives. This can contribute to depression, substance abuse and unhealthy coping habits. It is important for women to realize that these symptoms do not show their worth or value as human beings. The positive side is that with a solid treatment program these symptoms can be improved or even eliminated.
3. Inattention
Although everyone has trouble paying attention and focusing at times, with ADHD the symptoms can occur so frequently that they interfere with your daily life. You could make a few mistakes at work or in school, or miss appointments or spend a good deal of time procrastinating. You have a difficult time waiting to be the first in a conversation and often interrupt other people.
Adults who are inattention may be accompanied by the tendency to get involved in projects without thoroughly planning and analyzing the subject, which results in inadequate or poor results. You could also become easily distracted and abandon projects that are not completed. This could be the vegetable garden that was planted but never watered, or a brand new organization system you put together and then put away on your nightstand for it to rot.
People with inattention ADHD struggle with chronic disorganization at home and at work. You might have difficulty finding important documents, keys or bills and frequently lose things. You may also lose the track of time and end up late for work, school or 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. Women with these symptoms might perform actions or words without thinking about the consequences including snoozing over others or making nonsensical sounds when they are alone. They might have difficulty sitting still, and fidget in their chair or move. They can have trouble maintaining a job and might be in frequent conflict with colleagues and managers.
In certain cases mood swings and emotional turmoil caused by ADHD can lead to frustration and miscommunication in relationships. This is particularly true in romantic relationships as well as at work. People with ADHD also are more likely being afflicted with comorbid conditions, such as depression, anxiety or bipolar disorder.
Women and girls with ADHD have a myriad of obstacles when seeking treatment and diagnosis which include gender discrimination and a tendency to conceal their symptoms or underestimate the severity of them. The rise of high-profile women like Mia Freedman and Em Rusciano who have publicly shared their struggles with ADHD has helped raise awareness, yet many girls and young women still don't know they have the condition.
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While most people feel anxious or nervous from time to the other, persistently high anxiety is a sign of an anxiety disorder. You may feel a constant sense of unease, fear, or anxiety, as well as a rapid pulse, difficulty staying calm, and difficulty thinking clearly. You might also feel an underlying sense of danger in situations that you are aware aren't dangerous. The most commonly encountered types of anxiety are general anxiety disorder, agoraphobia, phobias, separation anxiety and panic disorders.
Anxiety is more prevalent among women with ADHD compared to men. It tends worsen around certain life events, such as menstrual cycles or pregnancy, as well as perimenopausal. This makes it more difficult to handle everyday activities and social interactions and lead to feelings of self-doubt and general discontent with your life.
You're extremely sensitive to rejection and have a difficult time accepting criticism. adhd in young women are prone to interpret feedback incorrectly, or anticipate rejection. You may be angry about small things that other people don't find an issue with.
Mood swings may also be an indication of adhd in women. You may find that you experience erratic emotions or find it difficult to manage these. You could also be prone to self-injury that is not suicidal, such as scrubbing, burning, or hitting yourself.
If you're experiencing any of the above symptoms, it's essential to establish a clear diagnosis. It can help you understand the issues you're facing, and give you strategies to improve the quality of your life. You can take an ADHD test online, or talk to your doctor to get an assessment from a professional. In some cases doctors may prescribe medication to help alleviate your symptoms. In other cases, they might recommend the combination of lifestyle changes and cognitive behavioral therapy. In any case, it's important to change your lifestyle as quickly as possible. This will help you gain control over your life and make you feel more productive, confident and capable.