ADHD Adult Female Symptoms
ADHD can affect people of all ages and genders, but it is more difficult for women to be diagnosed. It's because women do not typically exhibit the same hyperactivity or impulsivity that men do, which means they can be missed or misdiagnosed.
A clear diagnosis is the first step to managing your symptoms. Adults suffering from ADHD are often treated with stimulant medication, but there are other alternatives.
1. Trouble focusing
Women with ADHD can be distracted by a myriad of things, but they're also having a harder time being focused on their conversations and tasks, especially if they are experiencing emotional or sensory overload. These difficulties can be made worse during menstrual cycle.
Women with inattentive ADHD also have problems with their working memory, making it hard to remember simple things like appointments or upcoming events. They may often forget where they kept their car keys, the name of the woman who drove them to home from spin class or even important dates and deadlines.
Other symptoms of ADHD in females of adulthood include procrastination, as well as difficulty following the steps of plans. They're more likely to get sidetracked by shiny objects or social media, which makes it difficult to finish their assignments and projects. This can cause a sense of being overwhelmed and underperforming at school or work.
Many women with ADHD are not diagnosed because of gender stereotypes. They feel shame and mistakenly label their problems as "bad behaviors" or "character imperfections". They are often viewed like an impostor. A diagnosis could be a "lightbulb" moment for them, because it gives them an external explanation of their struggles and allows them to accept themselves more fully.
Girls and women with untreated ADHD can suffer from a broad variety of negative effects, including academic problems and behavioral issues, bad relationships and family problems, and co-occurring mental health problems. But a thorough diagnosis and treatment plan can significantly improve the quality of life for those suffering from ADHD at all stages of life. Treatment options include stimulant medications and therapy. *
2. Difficulty Finishing Projects
Women suffering from ADHD often have trouble completing tasks and duties. They may forget important information, have trouble shifting between tasks and responsibilities and find it difficult to meet deadlines. They may also be more likely to make careless mistakes, have trouble organizing their schedules and underestimate the time they need to finish tasks.
The emotional symptoms of ADHD in adults, such as mood swings and irritability can be a major source of frustration for women suffering from the condition. The symptoms can be made worse by hormonal changes, such as those that occur during menstrual cycles as well as during pregnancy and menopausal. Women who have not been diagnosed with ADHD may feel angry and disappointed by their performance at work or in relationships.
Some women who suffer from ADHD are unable to complete daily tasks like chores and grocery shopping extremely difficult. They may have a hard recalling to take out the trash or turn off the stove, and they can be easily distracted by the smallest objects around them. They might also struggle with routine tasks, such as folding laundry or washing dishes. Boring or mundane tasks can become overwhelming, leading to impulsive behaviors such as excessive talk or sharing. Women who suffer from ADHD can also make erratic decisions and resort to unhealthy strategies to cope, such as alcohol or drugs.
If you are having difficulty completing tasks, memory issues or chronic procrastination, as well as problems with relationships, it is time to consider a professional assessment for ADHD. A correct diagnosis can enhance your quality of life and help you achieve success in your personal and professional life. It can help you manage your ADHD symptoms and devise strategies to deal with them effectively. To minimize lapses in concentration and attention you should stick to a regular schedule and use planners or reminder apps 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 help improve concentration because it boosts brain neurotransmitter levels.
3. Difficulty remembering names
It is possible that a trouble remembering names might be associated with other ADHD symptoms, like trouble following directions or finishing projects. This is due to the difficulty of prioritizing and organizing tasks, which hinders information retrieval. This condition can worsen during times of fatigue, stress or hormonal changes, such as prior to, during, or after menopause.
The feeling of forgetting names can be more frustrating if it's accompanied by a feeling of numbness about larger items like appointments or events or personal reminders. These lapses may be worsened by depression or anxiety, which commonly co-occur with ADHD in women.
Due to gender biases and internalized symptoms, ADHD is often misdiagnosed among women. Inattentive ADHD symptoms are more subtle than hyperactive/impulsive symptoms, making them harder to detect and identify. In the end, they are under-identified and under-referred for treatment and diagnosis.
In addition, there is a gender-based bias because the disorder is largely seen as a male condition and boys with hyperactivity being the ones who are the most referred to clinics for assessment and treatment. In addition to internalized stigma, female symptoms are often different from men's. Many professionals fail to diagnose or treat ADHD in females.
It's becoming more commonplace for women to be diagnosed with ADHD in adulthood. A diagnosis can improve your relationships, set you up for success at school and at work and provide the support you need to thrive in your life. If you're seeking diagnosed, speak to an experienced Salience Health provider. We can evaluate your symptoms using tools like Creyos Cognitive Testing and Brainview Advanced and connect you to a therapist that is the right fit for you.
4. Ailoofs that appear difficult to see
Women with ADHD typically have inattention symptoms, and their struggles can seem subtle to other people. They might forget to complete chores at home, fail to attend appointments or struggle to take notes. They might also struggle with impulsivity, or struggle to understand social boundaries. This can result in confusion and misinterpretation of relationships with friends and family, and it can result in feelings of loneliness and isolation.
Women with untreated ADHD might also have difficulty being able to meet the expectations set by society for them as women. This can cause a feeling of inadequacy and ADHD symptoms when they are faced with the burden of caring for children and household chores. Many women with untreated ADHD have low self-esteem and turn to unhealthy coping strategies like binge eating and marathons on TV.
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 to compensate for them, and they may be less likely than men and boys to get referred to a specialist for diagnosis and treatment.
Women suffering from ADHD can also have difficulty understanding their symptoms and could confuse them with mood disorders or anxiety disorders. This can lead to a false diagnoses and improper or delayed treatment.
The signs of ADHD can vary with hormone changes, and they are most evident during the ovulation period, pregnancy, menstruation or menopausal. These changes can cause women to be more annoyed with her ADHD symptoms and increase the chances of being misunderstood or viewed as a moody or emotional.
5. Impulsivity
The impulsivity of ADHD affects boys and men differently, women experience it similarly. They may also struggle with managing their emotions, and may be susceptible to "foot in the mouth" moments. These behaviors that are impulsive can have a significant impact on your personal and professional life.
Prefrontal cortex is the part of the brain responsible for controlling reasoning and decision-making. This brain area can help people avoid making bad decisions by providing a nudge on their behavior. The people who suffer from ADHD have a less functional 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 lead to an inability to respect themselves. In women, impulsiveness usually manifests as difficulty with social boundaries and self-control in conversation (interrupting, finishing others' sentences, or talking too much).
ADHD symptoms in adults males may also struggle with impulse control during the various hormonal fluctuations throughout their lives. Estrogen fluctuates in different intervals throughout the menstrual period, pregnancy, childbirth and menopausal cycle. Oral contraception and hormone therapy during menopausal or perimenopausal periods can affect estrogen levels and other hormones which can affect women's ADHD.
ADHD symptoms for girls and women can differ from those in males and boys. This is why they are often incorrectly diagnosed. Many people with ADHD are not aware of their health issues. The good news is, diagnosing and treating ADHD at any age can improve the quality of life the person. If you're unsure if or not you suffer from ADHD discuss it with your doctor to see if they can assist. Treatment options include medications, cognitive behavioral therapy, and couples counseling.