ADHD Adult Female Symptoms
ADHD can affect men and women, but it's more difficult for women to be diagnosed. This is because women don't exhibit the same level of hyperactivity or indecisiveness as men, and so they can be overlooked or misdiagnosed.
Making sure you have a clear diagnosis is the first step towards managing your symptoms. Adults who suffer from ADHD are often treated with stimulant medications, however, there are other alternatives.
1. Trouble focusing
Women with ADHD are often distracted by a variety of things, but they're also having a harder time staying focused on tasks and conversations particularly when they are experiencing emotional or sensory overload. These issues can become worse during menstrual periods.
Women with inattentive ADHD have problems with their working memory. This makes it difficult to remember things that are simple like appointments or upcoming events. They might forget where they kept their keys to their car, the name of the lady who took them home from spin class, or even important deadlines and dates.
Other symptoms of ADHD in adult females include procrastination and difficulty following through with plans. They tend to be distracted by shiny objects or social networks which can make it difficult for them to complete their projects and assignments. This can cause them to feel overwhelmed and underperforming in the classroom or at work.
Many women suffering from ADHD are not diagnosed because of gender stereotypes. This means that they feel ashamed and mistakenly label their issues as "bad behaviors" or "character flaws." They also frequently report feeling like an impostor. A diagnosis can be a moment of clarity, giving them a clear external explanation for their challenges and allowing them to accept themselves more fully.
Untreated ADHD for girls and women can have a variety of negative effects, including academic difficulties, behavioral problems, relationship and family problems as well as coexisting mental health conditions. A well-constructed diagnosis and treatment plan can improve the lives of people who suffer from ADHD at any point in their life. Treatment options may include stimulant therapy and medication. *
2. Difficulty Finishing Projects
Women with ADHD are unable to complete tasks or duties. They might forget important information, have trouble switching between tasks and duties, or find it hard to meet deadlines. They could also be more likely to make careless errors, have difficulty organizing their schedules and underestimate the amount of time it takes them to complete tasks.
Women with ADHD can find the emotional symptoms of ADHD, such as irritability or mood swings, particularly frustrating. Hormonal changes can trigger symptoms, including those that occur during menopausal, pregnancy, and during menstruation. Women who aren't diagnosed with ADHD may be frustrated and dissatisfied about their performance at work and in their relationships.
Some women who suffer from ADHD struggle with managing everyday tasks such as grocery shopping and chores. They may have a hard recalling to take out the trash or to turn off the stove and they can be easily distracted by small things around them. They might also struggle with monotonous tasks like folding laundry or washing dishes. Simple chores or boring ones can become exhausting, resulting in impulsive behaviors such as excessive talking or sharing. Women with ADHD might also make unruly decisions and resort to unhealthy coping mechanisms such as alcohol or other drugs.
If you're having trouble working through tasks, suffer from memory issues, have a tendency to procrastinate for a long time or are experiencing relationship issues, it is important to seek professional help for ADHD. A proper diagnosis can improve the quality of your life and help you achieve success in your professional and personal life. It can aid you in managing your ADHD symptoms, and develop strategies to manage the symptoms. To prevent lapses in concentration and attention, you can try to stick to a regular schedule and use an app for planning or reminders to take notes during meetings, and adhere to good sleep hygiene (avoid screens an hour before the time you go to bed). Exercise can also increase focus by boosting the production of brain neurotransmitters.
3. Trouble remembering names
Trouble remembering names can go hand-in-hand with other ADHD symptoms like difficulty in following directions and having trouble finishing projects. The root cause of these difficulties is an inability to organize and prioritize tasks, which impacts efficient information retrieval. This problem is more likely to occur when there are periods of fatigue, stress or hormonal changes.
If someone forgets their names and addresses, it can be more frustrating if they also forget important things like appointments or events, or personal reminders. These lapses can be exacerbated by depression and anxiety, which are common co-occurring conditions that are associated with ADHD among women.
ADHD is often underdiagnosed in women due to gender bias and internalized symptoms. Inattentive ADHD symptoms are more subtle than hyperactive/impulsive symptoms, making them harder to detect and identify. Therefore, they are not diagnosed and under-referred to doctors for treatment and diagnosis.
In addition, there is gender-based discrimination since the disorder is often be viewed as a condition that is affecting boys. Boys who are hyperactive are the ones who are most frequently being referred to clinics and analyzed for treatment. In addition to the internalized stigma, female symptoms are usually different from those of men. Many doctors do not diagnose or treat ADHD for females.
Fortunately, it's becoming more common for women to receive an ADHD diagnosis in adulthood. A diagnosis can enhance your relationships, help you achieve success at work and in school, and give you the support you need. Talk to a Salience Health provider if you're interested in getting diagnosed. We can assess your symptoms using tools like Creyos Cognitive Testing and Brainview Advanced and connect you with a therapist who's right for you.
4. Difficulty Appearing Aloof
Women suffering from ADHD can have subtle symptoms of inattention. They may miss appointments, fail to finish chores around the house, or have difficulty making notes at work. They might also be struggling with impulsivity and trouble understanding social boundaries. This could cause them to misinterpret and misunderstandings with family and friends and may cause feelings of loneliness and isolation.
Women who are not treated for ADHD may also have trouble fulfilling the expectations of society as women. They may struggle with the responsibility of caring for their children and household chores, and this social pressure can exacerbate their ADHD symptoms and feelings of inadequateness. If left untreated, ADHD can cause low self-esteem among women. They might resort to unhealthy coping mechanisms like binge eating and watching TV marathons.
The difficulties of ADHD in women can be exacerbated by gender bias, both in how girls and women are perceived and assessed by healthcare professionals. Some research suggests that women and girls tend to hide their ADHD symptoms or compensate for them, and they might be less likely than boys and men to get referred for treatment and diagnosis.
Another challenge is that women suffering from ADHD may be unable to recognize their own symptoms, and they may confuse them with mood disorders or anxiety. This can lead to a false diagnoses and improper or delayed treatment.
The signs of ADHD can vary with hormonal fluctuations. They may be especially evident during the ovulation period or menstrual cycle, pregnancy, or menopause. These changes can intensify the woman's frustration over her ADHD symptoms, and they can increase the likelihood of being viewed as moody or emotionally overly emotional.
5. ADHD symptoms adult female experience the impulsivity that is a symptom of ADHD. They might also have trouble controlling their emotions and be prone to "foot in mouth" moments. These actions that are impulsive can have a significant impact on relationships and professional life.
Prefrontal cortex is a part of the brain that is responsible for controlling the process of reasoning and decision-making. This brain area can stop people from making poor decisions because it acts as a safeguard. The people who suffer from ADHD have less functioning prefrontal cortex. This can make it difficult for them to resist their urges or stop themselves from doing something dangerous or damaging. It can also result in a lack of self-respect. Women's impulsiveness often manifests as the lack of social boundaries and self-control during conversation (interrupting others, finishing their sentences, or talking too much).
Women can also have trouble controlling their impulses during the many hormonal changes throughout their lives. Estrogen changes naturally at different times throughout the menstrual cycle, as well as during pregnancy, childbirth, and menopause. The use of oral contraception and hormone therapy during perimenopause and menopausal changes the levels of estrogen and other hormones that impact women's ADHD symptoms.
ADHD symptoms for girls and women can differ from those seen in males and boys, which is why they are often not properly diagnosed. Many adults suffering from ADHD are unaware of their condition. The good news is, the diagnosis and treatment of ADHD at any age can improve the quality of life of the person. Speak to your doctor if you're not sure whether you suffer from ADHD. They'll be able to give you suggestions. Treatment options include medications and cognitive behavioral therapy and couples counseling.