Symptoms of ADHD in Adults Women
Dr. Frank says that the symptoms of ADHD in adult women are typically more difficult to identify than in men, since women develop coping strategies to hide their symptoms. Fortunately, lifestyle changes and medication can improve their lives and function.
To be diagnosed with ADHD, you must have six symptoms from the inattentive or hyperactive/impulsive subtypes lasting more than six months. These symptoms include:
1. Inattention
ADHD symptoms for women can include having trouble in keeping track of time and appointments, snagging items, or becoming easily distracted. Women may also have difficulty with procrastination and forgetfulness and also working or studying in a setting which is noisy or bustling. Women often struggle with interpersonal skills. They may interrupt others or make remarks that they regret later.
Women who suffer from ADHD are more adept at masked symptoms than boys and males. They may come up with healthy strategies for coping, such as relying upon an agenda for the day and using reminders on their phones to remind them of important occasions. However, these strategies for coping can be unsustainable over the long term and are not enough to cope with the demands of life. Furthermore, their symptoms could be exacerbated by comorbid conditions like depression and anxiety.
Many people suffering from ADHD also exhibit an impulsivity and hyperactivity. Adults may experience more subtle symptoms that affect only certain areas of their life, such as social interactions or at work. Those with a hyperactive/impulsive subtype of ADHD may experience frequent fidgeting, talkativeness or trouble sitting still during conversations. They might also have difficulty relaxing or finding a way to slow down, and may also have trouble making and maintaining friendships.
People with mild or moderate ADHD do not experience major difficulties in their careers or relationships, but they struggle to stay well-organized and have a tough in executing their commitments. They may have problems with schoolwork, finances or household chores, and often feel a sense of being overwhelmed by their responsibilities. Those with severe symptoms are severely disrupted in their daily lives. They can have trouble finding work or maintaining relationships.
2. Hyperactivity
Women with ADHD frequently struggle to organize their home, work and personal things. They also tend to get lost in the details of important items like keys, wallets, eyeglasses, and cellphones. They are also susceptible to lose their temper and becoming easily distracted by their thoughts and activities. Their inability to follow instructions and complete their tasks can affect their academic performance, as well as their relationships.
Women often cover up their symptoms by using their emotions as an excuse for their behavior, which makes it difficult to be diagnosed and treated. For instance, she could blame her lack of attention or forgetfulness on low self-esteem and anxiety. She might also blame relationship issues or other complaints, such as nausea and headaches, on the stress of life or fluctuations in hormones (e.g. menopausal, perimenopausal or menopause).
Untreated ADHD can lead to serious problems. Girls and women with ADHD might be more likely to engage in sexual adolescence because of their impulsivity, issues with interpersonal boundaries and lack of planning. Self-medicating with alcohol and drugs may be more common. Inattention can cause missed doctor's procedures and appointments. They might have inconsistent and disordered eating patterns or a higher BMI, in addition to unhealthy coping behaviors, such as nail-biting, skin picking, compulsive shopping and a lot of exercise.
The best method of diagnosing ADHD is to conduct an exhaustive evaluation by a mental health professional or health care professional. The professional will also ask the patient about their emotional and physical well-being. They may also suggest tests in the lab or an interview. Being diagnosed can be a life-changing experience for many adults who discover they've had mental health issues throughout their lives.
3. Impulsivity
Women who suffer from ADHD tend to have more trouble controlling their impulses than men, and this may result in self-injury or alcohol or drug abuse, or other mental health issues. It can also cause problems in relationships, since forgetfulness and impulsive behavior can result in miscommunications or conflicts with family members, friends, and co-workers.
Impulsivity is characterized by an urge to speak loud, buy something on impulse, and act without thinking about the consequences. It is important to keep in mind that acting impulsively doesn't necessarily mean it's an indication of bad character. In fact, some people require more time than others to think about their thoughts before deciding to act. It's still essential to talk to your doctor and be checked for ADHD if you notice that the symptoms are getting worse.
It is also normal for women with ADHD to struggle with controlling their emotions, and this can cause depression, as well as other mental health issues. Symptoms of depression are difficult to spot in women, because they can look like other health problems like insomnia or a chronic headache. Women with ADHD are hesitant to seek help due believe their symptoms are a result of low self-esteem.
It is crucial to recognize that sex is a different concept than gender, and that your internal perception of your identity is not dependent on the biological characteristics that determine if you are a man, woman or non-binary. Many people with ADHD struggle to identify with their gender. This can cause people to feel embarrassed and a sense of despair. This can be made worse by the anxiety of living with untreated ADHD and can result in a lack of professional or personal support.
4. Distractions
As girls with ADHD develop into women, they could have difficulty handling adult tasks and interactions. This can cause problems at school or work and strained relationships with family and friends as well as romantic partners. Women with ADHD can also have difficulty managing their finances or at home. They may be prone to neglecting health issues such as regular checkups and exercising. They may also struggle to manage negative emotions like depression and anxiety.
ADHD symptoms for women may include the inability to remember things, loosing things, being easily distracted, having difficulties working with others, or feeling overwhelmed by work. They might also experience mood-related issues like lower self-esteem or a lack of confidence in themselves.
It's crucial for women to be aware of the signs of ADHD and get an assessment. It's also helpful to talk to an expert in mental health about their struggles and create strategies to cope with ADHD. Cognitive-behavioral therapies, for example, help to change negative thinking patterns and improve the ability to cope. Additionally being a part of a women's supportive group can provide valuable advice regarding living with ADHD and strategies to cope with everyday life.
It is important to recognize that women who suffer from ADHD may have different symptoms than men. They can experience changes during transitional times like puberty or pregnancy. They may change as a result of hormonal treatments during menopausal. This is partly due to hormone fluctuations and the fact that females have a larger hippocampal area, which plays a part in memory and learning. Women also have the ability to mask their ADHD symptoms better than men. This makes it more difficult to get a correct diagnosis. Despite these challenges, it is still possible to live a fulfilling life with ADHD.
5. Anxiety
It can be difficult for women with ADHD to admit they have anxiety issues, but getting the correct diagnosis and treatment could make a significant changes in their lives. It can also help women better understand their behavior, and how it impacts others.
Anxiety may be a significant sign of ADHD for women of all ages and it may look like:
It is difficult to stay focused or distracted, or seeming to be distracted. Making a few mistakes. Avoiding tasks that require concentration, or may be boring. Problems with concentration at school or at work. Not remembering things or being late for meetings and appointments. Feeling overwhelmed by crowds or feeling pressured at work or home. Finding it difficult to relax or fall to sleep. Being easily agitated or overly sensitive to rejection and criticism.
Women who suffer from ADHD can be more likely to develop a co-occurring disorder of mood, like depression, and may be less successful in establishing friendships. They may also experience difficulties in their relationships with their spouses that can result in an increase in the amount of violence between partners and drug abuse.
It can be difficult for girls and women to get a correct ADHD diagnosis because symptoms for girls and women differ from those seen in men and boys. In order to accurately diagnose ADHD, health professionals must be aware the distinctions. This includes identifying specific features, like a more distinct symptoms profile, difficulties with social interactions and a tendency to create coping strategies that mask inadequacies and performance issues, and the coexistence of anxiety and depression. It is also essential to consider the impact of a woman's hormone levels on her symptom presentation.