Symptoms of ADHD in Adult Women
While men and boys are diagnosed far more often with ADHD however, girls and women are also susceptible to it. But stereotypes, prejudices regarding referrals, internalized symptoms, and comorbidities can make it difficult for them to be properly evaluated and treated.
Many women come up with strategies to mask their ADHD symptoms and to meet social expectations, but these can be unhealthy and unsustainable. Here are a few of the most common symptoms of ADHD in women who are adults.
1. Unfocused attention
Women suffering from ADHD are often overwhelmed by the daily tasks. It is often difficult to keep the track of deadlines, emails, and meetings. They may also be more prone to forget important appointments or events. They may also find it difficult to concentrate in noisy or crowded environments. This could result in missed opportunities and a lower level of productivity.
These issues can cause frustration for many adults with ADHD. They might feel that they reflect of themselves or their performance. Many people with ADHD experience low self-esteem and a negative perception of their body. They may also have difficulty keeping relationships stable and developing effective coping mechanisms. In some cases they resort to unhealthy strategies for coping, such as excessive drinking or drugs. This can make it difficult for others to understand that they're struggling, and can delay the diagnosis.
Adults suffering from ADHD might be more sensitive to criticism or failure. what is ADHD symptoms in adults can cause them to internalize the issue and make it difficult to seek assistance. In the end, they may experience relationship difficulties and have difficulty finding work that is meaningful. They could also be more susceptible to depression, anxiety and mood swings. In some instances the symptoms may result in a mental illness, such as non-suicidal harming oneself (NSSI) which could be exhibited through cutting, burning or scratching.
While it's more common for boys and men to be diagnosed with ADHD the symptoms can last throughout adulthood and affect many aspects of life. Women should recognize the signs and seek an evaluation from a healthcare professional. A proper diagnosis can result in more manageable symptoms and a better quality of life.
2. Disorganization
Women with ADHD are often overwhelmed, as if their lives are in chaos. inattentive ADHD in adults symptoms may fail to meet deadlines for work or struggle to keep track of the tasks at home or at work like paying bills and scheduling appointments. They may have a disorganized home and finances, and may struggle to maintain a stable relationship and work.
Inattentive-type ADHD symptoms can lead to more anger and miscommunications with partners, friends, and coworkers. These issues can result in broken or stressed connections and feelings of loneliness. Inattention, forgetfulness and a tendency to "zone out" in conversations could contribute to misunderstandings and arguments with loved ones.
Signs of emotional dysregulation, impulsivity, and mood swings are more frequent among women suffering from ADHD than men and can be extremely disruptive to both your personal and professional life. Women with untreated ADHD may feel overwhelmed by the responsibilities and expectations of family, work and the society, and are more prone to criticism or harsh judgement.
The good news is that there are solutions to manage the impact of these symptoms. For many adults, treatment options include lifestyle modifications and the use of specially designed organizational tools, as well as prescription stimulant medications.
Women with ADHD typically have a harder time than men to disguise their ADHD symptoms and, as a consequence, may go undiagnosed until they reach adulthood. They are more likely to suffer from co-occurring disorders, like anxiety and depression, which can compound the effects of untreated ADHD. Women may also struggle to maintain stable relationships and jobs and suffer from low self-esteem and chronic stress. *Sex refers to a person's hormones and chromosomes. Gender refers to the internal perception of self-identity as a man, woman, nonbinary or other gender identity. Mental health problems are often diagnoses by both.
3. Anxiety
Women suffering from ADHD are more likely to suffer from anxiety and depression. These emotions may be exacerbated due to the inability of keeping track of daily tasks and appointments and can result in health issues like missed health check-ups, missed payments, and even debt. The emotional dysregulation, impulsivity and forgetfulness of ADHD can also create relationship issues with coworkers, partners and family members.
Many women develop coping mechanisms to hide their problems that can make it harder for others to recognize that they have trouble staying focused and organized. These strategies of coping could be healthy, such as creating a daily schedule or establishing phone reminders or they may be unhealthy depending on alcohol or drugs to help them function or cope with their issues. These coping skills can create an environment of self-doubt and anxiety for women, which makes them feel they are not successful or productive, which could increase feelings of anxiety and depression.
Additionally, women with ADHD often feel a sense of not fitting in or meeting the expectations of society, which can lead to low self-esteem and a sense of frustration. They might also experience difficulties at work such as difficulty with organizational skills and adhering to corporate guidelines or sticking to a regular 9-to-5 schedule. They may be struggling to manage their finances due to a lack of organization or excessive spending. They may also struggle to keep up with assignments or homework.
ADHD can be a chronic condition that requires ongoing support, particularly when it affects women and girls. Despite its prevalence, the disorder is still undiagnosed and misunderstood. It is also not treated. The unique symptoms of ADHD in women are a result of stereotypes, referral biases, internalized symptomatology, comorbidities and hormonal fluctuation.
4. Impulsivity
Women suffering from ADHD might have difficulty controlling their emotions or impulses. They could be easily frustrated or overly excited, and they might lose track of time or be late for an event. They may also have difficulty reading body language and picking up social signals. This can lead to problems at work or in relationships. They could be susceptible to arguing or spend too much time with interests and hobbies that are not important to them. They may also have difficulty maintaining friendships or making connections because they are unable to keep their promises and commitments.
Women are generally better at building coping mechanisms that help them mask their ADHD symptoms, which is why it's more difficult for them to be diagnosed than men. For instance, they may create routines to help remain organized or rely on apps to remind them of their appointments. They might also change their behavior to conform with the norms and expectations of society. They may also try to hide their symptoms with drugs or alcohol. This could lead to negative health effects over time.
Some people suffering from ADHD are not able to overcome the symptoms. Around 60% of women with ADHD in their childhood will have it until they reach adulthood. This compares to 30% of males.
For those who don't get relief from lifestyle changes or medication, professional treatment can be helpful. There are a myriad of options available, including career coaching, life coaching, and counseling, along with medications like stimulants. Exercise can also be a great way to improve your mood and boost your energy levels. It releases neurotransmitters, which increase the motivation and focus. It can also help reduce anxiety and stress.
5. Emotional reactivity
Women and girls with ADHD are often affected by emotional reactivity. They may have a difficult time to regulate their emotions and express them appropriately, which can cause frustration with themselves and others. For instance, a person with ADHD might become enraged when a friend critiques her, but she might not be able to settle down and discuss the issue in a more sensible manner. It is also possible that she struggles to "pause her reaction" by recognizing body signals like a flushed face or shortness in breath which indicate she is either overstimulated or overwhelmed.
This issue with regulating their emotions can cause more stress and miscommunications in relationships, and can make those with ADHD more prone to depression or anxiety. It can also cause issues in social interactions, since it can be difficult to read the mood of others and pick up on social cues.
In some cases, ADHD people may appear in a way that they are emotionally detached and not interested in their loved ones or friends even though they are concerned about them. In other situations they might withdraw from triggering situations to avoid experiencing emotions that are intense.
Gender bias is a frequent feature of medical professionals and the effects of ADHD on women are often omitted because of the nature of their symptoms. Many women conceal their ADHD symptoms, and when they do show up, they are more likely to be misdiagnosed as anxiety or mood disorders. If symptoms of inattentive ADHD in adults experiencing these symptoms, it may be beneficial to talk to a mental health professional experienced in working with girls and women with ADHD. They can validate your experience, teach you strategies like self-awareness and pacing, and also provide you with psychoeducation for your family to help you identify and respond to the upcoming ADHD symptoms.