ADHD Symptoms in Adult Women
Women who have undiagnosed ADHD may have issues at work or in their relationships. It's important to identify the signs and seek out treatment that works for you.
Symptoms of ADHD in adults are more likely to be the inattentive type than hyperactivity/impulsive. Having a proper diagnosis can aid in improving your life by managing your symptoms and focusing on the things that matter most.
1. Difficulty paying attention
Women may struggle with their inability to pay attention to the smallest details and remember deadlines, appointments and appointments or underestimate the amount of time it takes to complete their tasks. They may also be unable to keep track of their responsibilities in relationships or work They can easily get distracted and aren't able to keep commitments. They might also struggle with an impulsive nature, trouble managing their emotions and a tendency to blurt out things without thinking it through first.
The difficulty in paying attention to the needs of ADHD symptoms in adult women can cause problems with friendships and relationships that's why it's crucial to spot the signs and seek treatment. Women may have difficulty to make new friends, or they may have difficulty in their current relationships due to constant fights, missed opportunities for fun activities and being left out. They can also face difficulties balancing the demands of work, home and childcare.
It's not easy for health care providers and therapists alike to diagnose ADHD in a lot of people. But that doesn't mean that it's not true or that the person needs to work harder to stay on task. Diagnoses are based on the symptoms and how they affect daily functioning in multiple areas.
It is more common for women to experience inattention and not hyperactive or impulsive symptoms - which could explain why this population often goes undiagnosed. In addition many women who suffer from ADHD suffer from a sense shame about their symptoms because they don't fit the stereotypes of someone with ADHD. This can make it more difficult to reach out for assistance or seek treatment.
In some instances women with ADHD remain undiagnosed for a long period of time because they're trying to cope and hide their symptoms. They are also more likely to suffer from disorders that are comorbid, like depression or anxiety which may conceal the symptoms of ADHD. They are also more likely to have hormonal fluctuations that could cause their symptoms to flare up or fade away, for instance during menstrual cycle as well as during pregnancy and perimenopausal.
2. Problems with Organization
Women who suffer from ADHD often experience forgetfulness as well as emotional dysregulation, disorganization and forgetfulness. These symptoms can make them difficult to manage daily tasks, meet their obligations or maintain relationships. They might also suffer from low self-esteem or anxiety. Women with undiagnosed ADHD often feel like they are failing to meet social expectations and have a harder time keeping up with their peers in terms of academic achievement or job performance. They also have a harder time maintaining social interactions.
ADHD in women may manifest as procrastination, hyperfocus, or forgetfulness. These issues can result in women not attending appointments, not paying their bills on time and feeling overwhelmed. Hyperfocus can cause an inability to focus on other important activities and a poor sense of time, which could make it difficult to switch from one activity to another. Procrastination can also cause stress, anxiety, and a constant sense of being lagging behind.
Another common symptom of ADHD is difficulty with verbal and nonverbal communication. This could include a lot of talking, interrupting other people, or using inappropriate words. This could include the inability to be patient or having difficulty understanding social boundaries. It is important to note that these behaviors don't necessarily indicate a lack in ability or intelligence.
Many women suffering from ADHD develop strategies to mask their symptoms. This can have both positive and negative consequences. Some of these strategies for coping could be healthy. For instance, using a daily calendar or setting reminders for important events. Others could be harmful for example, using alcohol or drugs to conceal symptoms or not paying attention to them at all. This is why it is essential for women who suspect they have ADHD to seek assistance from an expert in mental health.
Women with ADHD might benefit from taking medication, lifestyle modifications or therapy as well as other treatments. They can avail cognitive behavioral therapy, which addresses underlying negative thoughts and beliefs, mindfulness and relaxation, exercise, a healthy diet, and adequate rest. A health professional might also suggest accommodations to make working or school simpler.
3. Disruptive Behaviors
Women who suffer from ADHD are often afflicted by emotional dysregulation. In the end, they can become discontent and frustrated when their problems aren't resolved. This can make it difficult for them to maintain relationships with loved ones, friends and colleagues. For instance the tendency to forget or be impulsive can cause confusion or frustration in relationships with loved ones and can cause feelings such as loneliness or depression. A tendency to seek out thrills on a whim may be mistaken by others as a lack of interest or indifference.
These are the reasons ADHD symptoms for girls and women are often missed or underdiagnosed. It is possible that they fail to recognize their struggles due to ADHD due to stereotypes and social norms regarding gender and sexuality.
Girls and women who suffer from ADHD can disguise their symptoms to avoid embarrassment. This may result in being referred to less frequently for diagnosis than men and boys with the same symptoms. In addition, gender bias in the research that determines diagnostic criteria could be a factor in this discrepancy. Hartung and Widiger discovered in a recent study that women and girls with ADHD symptoms are more likely to go undiagnosed and not being recognized than boys and adults. This could be due to the fact that doctors are taught to see hyperactive and hyperactive and ADHD symptoms as more typical of males and females and can make them more easily identified and referred for evaluation.
For adults, ADHD symptoms can manifest as restlessness and difficulty settling. These are common ADHD symptoms however they can have a major impact on the lives of adults. People with ADHD may feel agitated and have difficulty sitting still, particularly if they are feeling anxious or stressed. They also tend to fluttering around and can be very talkative, often interrupting or finishing sentences of others without thinking that they're being rude.
If you suspect you might have ADHD, you can be directed to an ophthalmologist by your physician or psychologist. Alternatively, you can self-refer. This content was reviewed by Madeline Dykes (clinical psychologist) as well as members of the Thriving Madly network in Christchurch in October 2024. The content was updated in November 2022.
4. Social Problems Skills
Women with ADHD might have difficulty communicating effectively or manage their emotions at work. This can lead to issues in personal relationships as well as with professional goals. For instance, they may struggle to understand and respond to feedback, which can lead to frustration and disappointment. They may also have trouble maintaining healthy eating and sleeping habits, which could lead to feelings of anxiety. Women with ADHD utilize unhealthy strategies for coping to deal with their issues. They may resort to eating disorders, addiction to substances, and non-suicidal harming of oneself (NSSI) which includes cutting, burning, or scratching.
Women with ADHD might have a harder time receive treatment as adults than males, because they often hide their symptoms. ADHD and adults symptoms create strategies for coping to conform to the expectations of society, which can make their ADHD symptoms more difficult for others to detect. These strategies for coping may be as simple as setting reminders and making lists, or they may be more complicated, like being able to manage their emotions or developing mindful strategies.
However, these coping methods can backfire and make symptoms worse. They can also hinder good sleep, which is crucial to manage ADHD symptoms. Women suffering from ADHD are also prone to feeling overwhelmed by the demands of their daily life, which can lead to an increase in ADHD symptoms.
It's true that boys are more frequently diagnosed with ADHD than girls. However the gap gets smaller as they grow older. This is because it's common for women to experience a range of symptoms throughout their lives, which can lead to the diagnosis at various instances.
Changes in hormone levels could also impact ADHD symptoms among women. If they have a higher estrogen level during pregnancy, for instance, their symptoms may improve. This is because higher levels of estrogen can aid in the regulation of brain chemicals that affect attention. If their estrogen levels decline due to perimenopausal or aging, ADHD symptoms may worsen.
Fortunately, it's possible for adults suffering from ADHD to receive an accurate diagnosis and get effective treatment. This includes cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and neurocognitive psychology, as well as other therapies that can help people with ADHD improve their everyday functioning. In addition, they can join support groups for ADHD to share their experiences with others on the same journey and gain valuable insight from their colleagues.