ADHD Symptoms in Adult Women
Women who aren't diagnosed with ADHD may face challenges at work or in their relationships. It is crucial to recognize the signs of ADHD and find the right treatment for you.
Symptoms of ADHD in adults are more likely to be the inattentive type than hyperactivity/impulsive. A proper diagnosis can improve your life, by addressing your symptoms and paying attention to the things that matter.
1. Difficulty paying attention
Women may have difficulty paying attention to the details, remembering deadlines and appointments or underestimating the time it takes to complete the task. They might also find it difficult to keep track of their responsibilities in their relationships or at work and are easily distracted and fail follow through with commitments. They may also have a tendency to be impulsive, have difficulty controlling their emotions, and may blurt out ideas without taking the time to think them through.
The difficulty in paying attention that is experienced by ADHD symptoms in women of adulthood can lead to issues with relationships and friendships, which is why it's important to recognize the signs and seek treatment. Women may have difficulty to establish new friendships or have difficulty in their relationships due to frequent arguments and missed opportunities for fun, and a lack of attention. They can also have a harder time balancing the demands of work, home and childcare.
Many people who have ADHD do not meet the diagnostic criteria, and it can be difficult for health care providers or therapists to identify the disorder. However, that doesn't mean it's not real or that the person doesn't need to try harder to remain on track. Rather, a diagnosis is based on the extent to which the symptoms affect daily functioning across multiple areas of life.
It's more common for females to exhibit inattention symptoms - as opposed to hyperactive or impulsive signs - and that could help explain why this population often goes undiagnosed. Additionally many women who suffer from ADHD feel a sense of guilt about their condition because they don't fit into the stereotypes of someone with ADHD. adult male ADHD symptoms can make it even more difficult to reach out for assistance or get treatment.
In some cases, women with ADHD remain undiagnosed for a long time because they're trying to cope and hide their symptoms. They are more likely to be suffering from disorders that are comorbid, like anxiety or depression, which can mask the symptoms of ADHD. They are more likely to experience hormonal fluctuations that can cause their symptoms to flare up or disappear. This is especially the case during menstrual cycles or pregnancy, as well as perimenopausal.
2. Problems with Organization
Disorganization, forgetfulness, impulsivity, and emotional dysregulation are common ADHD symptoms for women. These symptoms can cause them to be incapable of completing everyday tasks, fulfill their obligations, or maintain relationships. They might also suffer from low self-esteem and suffer from anxiety. Women with undiagnosed ADHD may feel that they're not achieving society's expectations. They might also be afflicted by anxiety and low self-esteem.
In addition to forgetfulness and disorganization, ADHD in adult women can manifest as procrastination or hyperfocus. These issues can result in women missing appointments, not paying bills on time and feeling overwhelmed. Hyperfocus can cause a lack of attention to other important activities and a lack of sense of time, which could make it difficult to switch from one activity to another. Procrastination can also cause anxiety, stress, and a constant sense of being in a lag.
Communication problems, both verbal and nonverbal are a typical manifestation of ADHD. This could include talking too much, interrupting others, or saying inappropriate things. It could also be an inability to wait his or her turn or difficulty recognizing the boundaries of social interaction. It is important to note that these behavior patterns are not necessarily indicative of a lack of intelligence or capabilities.
Many women with ADHD come up with strategies to hide their symptoms. This can have positive and negative consequences. Some of these strategies for coping may be healthy, like having a daily schedule or establishing reminders for events. Some of these strategies may be healthy, such as making reminders for events or using alcohol and drugs to mask symptoms. Therefore, it is essential that women who suspect that they be suffering from ADHD seek help from a professional.
Women suffering from ADHD might benefit from treatment, lifestyle changes or therapy as well as other treatment options. Some of these include cognitive therapy to address underlying negative thoughts and beliefs mindfulness and relaxation techniques as well as exercise and a balanced diet and adequate sleep. A health care provider may also recommend accommodations to make school or work simpler.
3. Disruptive Behaviors
Women with ADHD can struggle with emotional dysregulation. This is why they are often frustrated and discouraged when their problems aren't solved. It can be difficult to maintain relationships, whether with romantic partners, coworkers, or friends. For instance, forgetfulness and impulses can cause anxiety or confusion in relationships with loved ones and can cause feelings of loneliness, abandonment, or depression. A tendency to look for thrills at the whim of your heart could be mistaken by others as a lack of interest or apathy.
This is why ADHD symptoms are frequently missed or misdiagnosed in women and girls. They might be unable to understanding that their issues are related to the disorder due to stereotypes and social norms regarding the behavior of women and men.
Girls and women who suffer from ADHD may camouflage symptoms to avoid embarrassment. This may result in them being diagnosed less frequently than boys and men with the same symptoms. In addition, gender bias in the research that determines diagnostic criteria could contribute to this disparity. In a recent study, Hartung and Widiger discovered that girls and women are more likely to be misdiagnosed and undiagnosed than men and boys with the same ADHD symptoms. This could be due to the fact that healthcare professionals are conditioned by their education to view hyperactive and aggressive ADHD as being more common for both genders. This makes them easier to recognize and to refer for assessment.
Adult ADHD symptoms can manifest themselves as restlessness and difficulty calming down. These are common symptoms of ADHD however, as we age they can have a significant impact on the quality of life and well-being. People suffering from ADHD may be irritable or find it difficult to sit still. This is particularly when they're feeling anxious or stressed. They are also susceptible to fidget and tend to be overly talkative, often interrupting or completing sentences of others without thinking they're causing offence.
If you think you may be suffering from ADHD and are concerned, you can be referred to a psychiatrist by your GP or psychologist. You can also self-refer. This information was reviewed in October 2024 and updated in November 2022 by Madeline Dykes, clinical psychologist, and members of the Thriving Madly peer support network in Christchurch.
4. Social Skills Problems
Women suffering from ADHD might have trouble managing their emotions or effectively communicating at work. This can create problems that interfere with personal relationships and professional goals. For example, they might struggle to understand and respond to feedback, which can cause frustration and even disappointment. They may also struggle to maintain healthy eating and sleeping habits, which could increase feelings of anxiety. Some women with ADHD utilize unhealthy strategies for coping to deal with their issues. This can include alcohol abuse or eating disorders, or non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI), such as cutting or burning.
As they age, women with ADHD may find it more difficult to seek treatment than men because they are more likely to hide their symptoms. They frequently come up with strategies to cope in order to fit in and meet societal expectations, which can make their ADHD symptoms more difficult for others to detect. These strategies for coping could be as simple and straightforward as setting reminders and making lists, or they can be more complicated, like finding ways to control their emotions or implementing mindful strategies.
However, these coping methods can backfire and cause symptoms to become worse. They can also make it difficult to achieve adequate sleep, which is crucial for managing ADHD symptoms. Women who suffer from ADHD can also feel overwhelmed by the demands of daily life, which can cause ADHD symptoms.
Although it's true that more boys are diagnosed with ADHD than girls, the gap shrinks when they reach the age of adulthood. It's because it's common for women to experience a variety of symptoms throughout their lives, which can lead to a diagnosis at different instances.
Changing hormone levels can also influence ADHD symptoms in women. For example in the event that they have an elevated estrogen level during pregnancy, their symptoms could improve. Higher levels of estrogen help regulate brain chemicals that affect the ability to focus. If their estrogen levels decrease due to perimenopausal or aging, ADHD symptoms may worsen.
Adults with ADHD are able to receive a precise diagnosis, and they can access effective treatment. These include cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and neurocognitive psychology, and other treatments that can help people with ADHD improve their daily functioning. They are also able to attend meetings of support groups for ADHD to share their experience with other people on the same journey, and gain valuable insights from their peers.