ADHD Adult Female Symptoms
ADHD can affect people of all genders and ages, but it can be harder for women to be diagnosed. That's because females often don't show the same hyperactivity and impulsivity as men, so they could be overlooked or incorrectly diagnosed.
The first step in managing your symptoms is to get an accurate diagnosis. Adults suffering from ADHD are usually treated with stimulant medications however, there are other options.
1. Trouble focusing
Women suffering from ADHD are prone to being distracted by a myriad of things, but they have difficulties being focused on their conversations and tasks particularly when they are experiencing sensory or emotional overload. These issues can become more severe during menstrual cycles.
Women with inattention ADHD also have trouble with their working memory, which makes it difficult to remember basic things like appointments or upcoming events. They may forget where they left their keys in their car or the name of the lady who gave them a ride home from spin class. They may forget important dates or deadlines.
Other signs of ADHD females in adulthood include procrastination, as well as difficulty following through with plans. They are more likely to be distracted by shiny objects or social networks which can make it difficult for them to finish their projects and assignments. This can cause a sense of being overwhelmed and underperforming at school or work.
Because of the way society views gender, many women with ADHD aren't diagnosed. In turn, they feel shame and mistakenly label their struggles as "bad behavior" or "character imperfections". They may feel like they're an imposter. A diagnosis can be a lightbulb moment, giving them a clear, external explanation for their issues and helping them accept their own uniqueness.
Women and girls with untreated ADHD can suffer from a broad range of negative consequences that can include academic issues and behavioral issues, bad family and relationship problems as well as co-occurring mental health problems. But a thorough diagnosis and treatment plan can drastically enhance the lives of people suffering from ADHD at all stages of life. Treatment options include stimulant drugs and therapy. *
2. Difficulty Finishing Projects
Women suffering from ADHD have difficulty completing tasks or duties. They may lose important information, have trouble shifting between tasks and responsibilities, or find it hard to meet deadlines. They may also be more prone to make mistakes that aren't their fault, have trouble organizing and managing their time efficiently and underestimate the amount of time it takes to finish their work.
The emotional manifestations of ADHD in adults, such as irritability and mood swings, can be a major source of frustration for women who suffer from the condition. Hormonal changes can exacerbate symptoms, which can occur during menopausal, pregnancy and during menstrual cycle. Women who have not been diagnosed with ADHD may be frustrated and unhappy with their performance at work and in their relationships.
Women who suffer from ADHD have trouble staying on top of daily tasks like grocery shopping and chores. They may have a hard finding the time to remember to empty the garbage or turn off the stove, and they are easily distracted by little objects around them. They may also have difficulty doing routine tasks like folding dishes or washing the laundry. The monotonous or repetitive chores can become unbearable and cause impulsive behavior like excessive talk or sharing. Women with ADHD may also make unruly decisions and resort to unhealthy coping strategies, like alcohol or other drugs.
If you are having difficulty completing tasks, memory issues or chronic procrastination, as well as relationships, you should take a look at a professional evaluation for ADHD. A proper diagnosis can improve your quality of life and assist you in achieving success in both your personal and professional life. It can help you better manage your ADHD symptoms and devise strategies to manage them effectively. You can limit lapses of attention and focus by sticking to a set schedule, using a planner or reminder apps, making notes during meetings, and maintaining good sleeping habits. Exercise can also help improve concentration because it boosts brain neurotransmitter levels.
3. Difficulty remembering names
Difficulty remembering names can be associated with other ADHD symptoms like difficulty in following directions and having trouble finishing projects. The root cause of these issues is a failure to prioritize and organize tasks which affects efficient information retrieval. This symptom also tends to worsen during times of fatigue, stress or hormonal changes, such as prior to, during, or after menopausal changes.
When a person forgets names and addresses, it can be more difficult if they forget important information such as appointments or events, or personal reminders. These forgetfulness lapses could be caused by anxiety and depression, which are common co-occurring conditions with ADHD among women.
ADHD is often not recognized in women due to gender biases and internalized symptoms. Inattentive ADHD symptoms are more subtle than hyperactive/impulsive symptoms, making them harder to detect and identify. As a result, they are under-identified and under-referred for diagnosis and treatment.
In addition there is discrimination based on gender due to the fact that ADHD tends to be seen as a condition that affects boys. Hyperactive boys are the ones who are most frequently taken to clinics and assessed for treatment. In addition, due to internalized stigma, female symptoms are usually different from those of men. Many doctors do not diagnose or treat ADHD for females.
It's becoming more common for women to be diagnosed with ADHD in their adulthood. A diagnosis can help improve relationships, set you up for success at school and at work and offer the help you need to excel in your life. Contact an Salience Health provider if you're looking to be diagnosed. We will be able to assess your symptoms using tools such as Creyos Cognitive Testing and Brainview Advanced and connect you to a therapist who is right for you.
4. Difficulty Appearing Aloof
Women who suffer from ADHD are often prone to inattention and their issues can seem subtle to others. They may miss appointments, fail to finish chores around the home, or have trouble making notes at work. They may also struggle with impulsivity and have difficulty understanding the boundaries of social interaction. This can lead to confusion and misinterpretation of relationships with friends and family, and it can result in feelings of loneliness and feeling isolated.
Women with untreated ADHD might also have difficulty meeting the expectations of society regarding them as women. This can result in feeling inadequate and ADHD symptoms as they struggle with the responsibility of taking care of children and household chores. Untreated ADHD can lead to low self-esteem in women. They may turn to unhealthy ways of coping such as binge-eating and watching TV marathons.
The difficulties of ADHD for women could be compounded by gender biases in how women and girls are treated, and how clinicians evaluate their symptoms. Certain studies suggest that girls and women tend to hide their ADHD symptoms or attempt to cover up for them, and are less likely than boys and men to be referred to a specialist for treatment and diagnosis.
Another challenge is that women with ADHD may be unable to recognize their own symptoms. They might confuse them with depression or anxiety. This could lead to a false diagnosis and delayed or incorrect treatment.
These changes can make women more frustrated with her ADHD symptoms. They may also make it more likely to be misinterpreted or dismissed as moody or excessively emotional. These changes can intensify a woman's frustration with her ADHD symptoms, and they can increase the likelihood of being viewed as moody or emotional.
5. Impulsivity
While the impulsivity of ADHD affects boys and men differently, women experience it too. They may also struggle with controlling their emotions, and be prone to "foot in mouth" moments. These behavior patterns that are impulsive can have significant impact on relationships and professional life.
Prefrontal cortex is the region of the brain that is responsible for controlling thinking and making decisions. This brain area can help people avoid making bad decisions by providing a nudge on behavior. Those with ADHD have a less functional prefrontal cortex, and this makes it difficult for them to resist their urges or avoid engaging in reckless or harmful behavior. It can also cause a lack of self-respect. For women, impulsiveness typically manifests as difficulties with social boundaries and conversational self-restraint (interrupting conversations, completing others' sentences, and talking excessively).
Women also have issues with control of impulses when hormones fluctuate. Estrogen fluctuates at different times throughout the menstrual cycle as well as during pregnancy, childbirth, and menopause. ADHD in adults women symptoms of oral contraception and hormone therapy during perimenopausal and menopausal cycles can alter the levels of estrogen as well as other hormones that impact the woman's ADHD symptoms.
ADHD symptoms in girls and women may differ from those in males and boys, which is why they are often misdiagnosed. ADHD in adults symptoms women suffering from ADHD are unaware of their condition. The good news is that diagnosing and treating ADHD can help improve the quality of life for anyone at any age. If you're unsure if or not you are suffering from ADHD, talk to your doctor and find out how they can help. Treatment options include medication, cognitive therapy and couples counseling.