Symptoms of ADHD in Adults Women
Symptoms of ADHD in women who are adults can be harder to recognize than men due to the fact that women tend to develop strategies to cope with their symptoms, according to Dr. Frank. Fortunately, lifestyle support and medication can help improve their functioning and enhance their quality of life.
To be diagnosed with ADHD, you must have six symptoms from the inattentive or hyperactive/impulsive subtypes lasting more than six months. These symptoms include:
1. Inattention
The symptoms of ADHD for women who are adults typically include difficulty keeping the track of time, missing appointments, misplacing items or becoming easily distracted. Women may also experience forgetfulness, procrastination and having difficulty working or studying in a noisy or busy environment. Women are often struggling with interpersonal skills. They can interrupt others or make comments that they regret later.
As opposed to males and boys, women with ADHD tend to be better at masking their symptoms. They might develop healthy coping strategies like using a daily schedule or making phone calls to remind them of important events. However, these strategies can be unsustainable over the long run and do not suffice to manage the complexity of daily life. Additionally, their symptoms may be complicated by comorbid disorders like anxiety and depression.
Many people with ADHD display impulsivity or hyperactivity symptoms too. In adults, these symptoms are less obvious and could only affect certain areas of their lives like social or work interactions. Those with a hyperactive/impulsive subtype of ADHD may experience frequent fidgeting, talkativeness or trouble sitting still during conversations. signs and symptoms of ADHD in adults might also have a hard time relaxing or finding a way of calming down, as well as having trouble making and maintaining friendships.
People with mild or moderate ADHD do not have significant difficulties in their careers or relationships, however they have trouble staying organized and have a difficult to keep track of their commitments. They may face issues with finances, schoolwork or household chores and often experience an overwhelming feeling by the responsibilities they have to fulfill. People with severe symptoms are significantly disrupted in their daily lives and can have trouble keeping a job or maintaining relationships.
2. Hyperactivity
Women suffering from ADHD have trouble organizing their work, home and personal items. They may also lose track of important things like keys, wallets eyeglasses, cell phones. They are also prone to losing their temper and getting distracted by their thoughts and activities. Their trouble adhering to instructions and completing tasks can affect their schoolwork, work performance, and relationships.
Women often cover up their symptoms by using their emotions as a reason for their behavior, which makes it harder to get diagnosed and treated. For example women may feel low self-esteem or anxiety as a reason for her inattention and forgetfulness. It is also possible to blame relationship issues or somatic complaints, such as nausea and headaches, on the stress of life or hormone fluctuations (e.g., perimenopause or menopausal).
Untreated ADHD can lead to serious problems. Girls and women who suffer from ADHD are more likely to engage in adolescent sex due to their impulsivity issues with interpersonal boundaries and lack of organization. Self-medicating using alcohol and other drugs is more frequent. Inattention can lead to delay in doctor's appointments and procedures. They could have unbalanced eating habits or an elevated BMI. They may also engage in unhealthy ways of coping, such as excessive shopping or nail-biting, as well as skin picking.
A thorough evaluation by a health care provider or mental health professional is the best way to diagnose ADHD. In addition to looking at the patient's physical and mental well-being, the professional may solicit feedback from close family members and friends. They might suggest lab tests or a diagnosis interview. A diagnosis can be a life-changing experience for many adults who realize they've had mental health issues all along.
3. Impulsivity
Women who suffer from ADHD tend to have more difficulty controlling their impulses than men, and this may result in self-injury, alcohol or substance abuse, and other mental health issues. It can also cause difficulties in relationships as inattention and impulsive behavior could lead to misunderstandings or conflict with family members, friends and co-workers.
The signs of impulsivity are the tendency to blurt things out, purchasing something on a whim, and jumping in before thinking about the consequences. Be aware that acting impulsively doesn't necessarily mean that you're an unfit person. Certain people require more time to think before acting. It's still important to speak to your doctor and get checked for ADHD when you notice the symptoms are becoming more severe.
Women with ADHD frequently have trouble controlling their emotions. This can lead to depression and other mental health issues. Depression symptoms can be difficult to recognize in women as they can be similar to other health issues, such as insomnia and chronic headaches. Some women suffering from ADHD have a difficult time deciding whether to seek help due to the fact that they believe that their symptoms are a sign of self-esteem issues or a personality flaw.
It is important to recognize that gender and sex are two different concepts and that the biological traits that determine whether you're a man, woman or a nonbinary individual don't affect your internal sense of identity. Many people with ADHD struggle to identify with their assigned gender. This can cause them to feel shame and despair. These can be exacerbated by the anxiety of living with untreated ADHD, which may also cause a lack of support from a professional or personal perspective.
4. Distractions
As girls with ADHD become women, they may have difficulties juggling adult responsibilities. This can lead to problems at work or school, as well as strained relationships with family members, friends and romantic partners. Women who suffer from ADHD might also have difficulty managing their finances or their home, and may be at risk for neglecting health-related issues such as regular checkups and exercises. They may also struggle to deal with negative emotions like anxiety and depression.
ADHD symptoms for women can include the inability to remember things, loosing things, getting easily distracted, having difficulties working with others, or feeling overwhelmed by work. They are also more likely to suffer from mood-related issues like low self-esteem, low self confidence, or physical complaints like abdominal pain or headaches.
It's important for women to identify their symptoms of ADHD and receive a diagnosis. It is also helpful to speak to an expert in mental health about your concerns and to develop coping mechanisms for ADHD. For instance, cognitive-behavioral therapy can help to change negative thinking patterns and improve coping strategies. Participating in a women's group could also provide valuable information on living with ADHD, and coping techniques for everyday life.
It's also worth noting that women with ADHD have different symptoms than males, and they are different during transitional periods such as puberty and childbirth, pregnancy, or hormone treatments during menopause. This is due in part to hormonal fluctuations, as well as the fact that women have a greater hippocampal region that plays a crucial role in the development of memory and learning. Women are also more adept at masking their ADHD symptoms than men, which makes it more difficult to establish a diagnosis. Despite these obstacles, it is still possible to live a fulfilling life with ADHD.
5. Anxiety
It can be hard for women with ADHD to admit they have anxiety issues, however, getting the correct diagnosis and treatment can make significant changes in their lives. It can also assist women to better understand their behavior, and how it affects other people.
Anxiety can be a major symptom of ADHD for women of all ages and can manifest as:
Distractions, such as being distracted or appearing distracted. Making a few mistakes. Avoiding tasks that require concentration or could be boring. Having trouble focusing in the classroom or at work. Being late or forgetting meetings and appointments. Feeling overwhelmed by the crowds or under pressure at work or home. Not able to relax or go to sleep. Being easily agitated or overly sensitive to criticism and rejection.
Women suffering from ADHD are more likely to have an underlying mood disorder like depression. They might also have difficulty to establish friendships. They may also experience issues in their relationships with their spouses that can result in an increase in the amount of violence between partners and substance abuse.
It can be challenging for girls and women to obtain a precise ADHD diagnosis because symptoms in women and girls differ from those of men and boys. Health care professionals must be aware of these differences in order to provide a correct diagnosis. This means identifying certain features, like the presence of a distinct manifesting symptom, difficulty in social relationships and a tendency to develop strategies to deal with the signs of underperformance and performance issues, and the coexistence of depression and anxiety. It is also essential to think about the impact of a woman's hormone levels on the symptom profile she displays.