Symptoms of ADHD in Adults Women
Symptoms of ADHD in adults women are more difficult to spot than in men because women tend to develop strategies to cope with their symptoms, says Dr. Frank. Fortunately, support for lifestyle and medication can assist them to improve their functioning and enhance their quality of life.
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. Attention
The symptoms of ADHD in adults women often involve trouble keeping the track of time, missing appointments, misplacing objects or being easily distracted. Women can also be troubled by the habit of procrastination, forgetfulness or working or studying in a noisy or crowded environment. They are often challenged with interpersonal skills, which can include interrupting others and uttering statements that they later regret.
Unlike boys and men who suffer from ADHD tend to be more adept in masked symptoms. They can come up with healthy strategies for coping, such as relying upon the daily schedule and using reminders on their phones to remind them of important events. However, these strategies may not be sustainable over the long term and may not be sufficient to handle the demands of daily life. Additionally, their symptoms can also be exacerbated by co-existing conditions like depression and anxiety.
Many people suffering from ADHD also show the symptoms of impulsivity and hyperactivity. Adults may experience milder symptoms that only affect certain aspects of their lives like social interactions or work. Those with a hyperactive/impulsive subtype of ADHD may experience frequent fidgeting, talkativeness or trouble sitting still during conversations. They might also have a hard time relaxing or finding a way of calming down, as well as having struggling to form and maintain friendships.
People with moderate to mild ADHD may not have any significant problems at work or in their relationships, however they may have difficulty being organized and executing on commitments. They may experience problems with finances, household chores or schoolwork, and feel overwhelmed by their responsibilities. Those who suffer from severe symptoms are severely disrupted in their daily lives. They might have difficulty keeping a job or maintaining relationships.
2. Hyperactivity
Women suffering from ADHD have trouble organizing their work, home and personal belongings. They also tend to lose track of important things such as their glasses, wallets, and keys. They are also prone to lose their tempers and being easily distracted by other thoughts and activities. Their trouble getting their tasks completed and following instructions can affect their schoolwork as well as their work performance. relationships.
Women cover up their symptoms by with their emotions in order to justify their behavior. This makes it difficult to identify and treat. For instance, she may blame her lack of attention or forgetfulness on anxiety and low self-esteem. She could also blame relationship problems or somatic complaints--like headaches and nausea--on the stress of life or fluctuations in hormones (e.g. menopausal symptoms, perimenopausal symptoms or menopausal).
If not treated, ADHD can lead to serious problems. For instance, girls and women with ADHD might be at higher risk of sexual activity in adolescence due to their impulsivity and difficulty with interpersonal boundaries and planning. They may be more likely to turn to alcohol or drugs to help themselves. Inattention could lead to missed doctor's appointments and procedures. They may have inconsistent and disordered eating habits or a higher BMI, in addition to unhealthy coping behaviors like nail-biting skin picking, obsessive shopping and a lot of exercise.
A thorough evaluation by a health care professional or mental health professional is the most effective way to diagnose ADHD. In addition to examining the patient's physical and emotional well-being, the professional may ask for feedback from family members and friends. They may also suggest tests in the lab or an interview. Many adults are shocked to learn that they have suffered from a mental illness for a long time.
3. Impulsivity
Women who suffer from ADHD have a harder time controlling their impulses. This could lead to other issues like self-injury, drinking or using drugs. This can cause issues in relationships, since inattention and impulsive behavior could cause confusion or conflict with family, friends, and co-workers.
It is characterized by the tendency to speak loud, buy something on impulse, and act without considering the consequences. It's important to remember that acting impulsively doesn't necessarily mean it's a sign of a bad character, and certain people require more time than others to think through their thoughts before they act. However, it's recommended to talk to your doctor about this and to get checked for ADHD, especially as you begin to notice that these symptoms are getting worse.
Women suffering from ADHD frequently have trouble managing their emotions. This can lead to depression or other mental health problems. Depression symptoms are difficult to spot for women because they can look like other health problems like headaches or insomnia. Women with ADHD have a difficult time deciding whether to seek help since they believe their symptoms are a sign of low self-esteem or a flaw in their personality.
It's important to realize that sex is a distinct concept from gender and that your internal sense of identity isn't affected by the genetic characteristics that determine whether you are a woman, man or a nonbinary. However, many people with ADHD have difficulty identifying with their gender, which can cause feelings of desperation and shame. The stress of untreated ADHD can exacerbate these feelings and could lead to losing support from family or friends.
4. Distractions
As girls with ADHD become women, they may experience difficulties juggling adult obligations. This can lead to problems at school or work and conflicting relationships with family friends, as well as romantic partners. Women with ADHD might also have difficulty managing finances or a home, and they may be at risk of neglecting health-related issues such as regular checkups and exercise. They may also have difficulty to manage negative emotions like anxiety and depression.
Symptoms of ADHD in women of all ages could include misplacing objects or forgetting appointments, getting easily distracted by movement or noise, having difficulty working with others, or getting overwhelmed by work. They are also more likely to suffer from mood-related symptoms like poor self-esteem, low self confidence, or physical complaints such as abdominal pain or headaches.
It is essential that women recognize their symptoms and get a diagnosis. It is also helpful to speak with an expert in mental health about your issues and develop strategies to cope with ADHD. Cognitive-behavioral therapy can, for example, help to alter negative thinking patterns and enhance coping skills. A women's club can provide valuable information about living with ADHD, and coping techniques for everyday life.
It is also important to note that women with ADHD can experience different symptoms than men, and these are different during transitional periods like puberty or pregnancy, childbirth or hormonal treatments during menopausal. This is partly due to hormone fluctuations and the fact that females have a bigger hippocampus, which plays a part in memory and learning. Women may also hide their ADHD symptoms better than males. This can make it more difficult to get a correct diagnosis. It is possible to live an enjoyable and joyful life with ADHD despite these challenges.
5. Anxiety
It can be hard for women with ADHD to admit that they suffer from anxiety issues, however, getting the right diagnosis and treatment can make significant changes in their lives. It can also help them better understand their behavior, and how it impacts others.
Anxiety may be a significant sign of ADHD in adults women and can manifest as:
Difficulty staying focused or not being on task, focusing on the task at hand, or seeming to be distracted. Making a few mistakes. Avoiding tedious or difficult tasks. Concentration problems at school or at work. Being late or forgetting things for appointments and meetings. Feeling overwhelmed by crowds or under pressure at work or home. Finding it difficult to relax or fall asleep. Being easily agitated or being a bit sensitive to criticism.
Women who suffer from ADHD are more likely to suffer from an underlying mood disorder such as depression. They might also have difficulty to establish friendships. They might also have issues with intimate relationships that result in a higher rate of violence from intimate partners and a higher rate of substance abuse.
Girls and women may struggle to get a proper ADHD diagnosis because their symptoms are different from the symptoms of men and boys. To be able to identify accurately ADHD, health care providers need to be aware of the distinctions. This involves identifying specific characteristics that are more distinct, like a clear symptom-profile, difficulty with social relationships and a tendency to employ strategies to disguise issues with performance or underachievement, as well as the coexistence between depression and anxiety. ADHD symptoms in adult women is important to also consider the impact hormone levels of women influence her symptoms.