Symptoms of ADHD in Adults Women
Dr. Frank says that the symptoms of ADHD in adult women are more difficult to spot than in men, since women develop coping mechanisms in order to hide their symptoms. Fortunately lifestyle changes and medication can improve their quality of life and function.
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. Attention
ADHD symptoms in women include difficulty keeping track of time, missing appointments, misplacing items or being easily distracted. Women can also be troubled by procrastination, forgetfulness and difficulty working or studying in a noisy or crowded environment. Women often struggle with interpersonal skills. They can interrupt others or make comments that they regret later.
Women with ADHD are better at masking symptoms than boys and males. They can come up with healthy strategies for coping, such as relying upon the daily schedule and using phone reminders to remind them of important occasions. However, these coping strategies may not be sustainable over the long haul and do not suffice to manage the complexity of life. Additionally, their symptoms may be complicated by comorbid disorders like anxiety and depression.
Many people with ADHD exhibit hyperactivity or impulsivity symptoms as well. Adults may experience more subtle symptoms that affect only certain areas of their life like social interactions or at work. Those with a hyperactive/impulsive subtype of ADHD may experience frequent fidgeting, talkativeness or trouble sitting still during conversations. They might also have difficulty relaxing or finding a way to calm down, as well as having trouble making and maintaining friendships.
People with mild or moderate ADHD do not experience major difficulties in their careers or relationships, however they have trouble staying organized and have a difficult to keep track of their commitments. They may have problems with finances, schoolwork, or household chores, and often feel an overwhelming feeling by the demands of their lives. Those with severe symptoms are significantly disrupted in their daily lives. They may have difficulty finding work or maintaining relationships.
2. Hyperactivity
Women suffering from ADHD frequently struggle to organize their home, work and personal belongings. They can also lose track of important things like their eyeglasses, wallets, keys and keys. They also are prone to lose their temper and becoming easily distracted by other thoughts and activities. severe ADHD symptoms adults to follow directions and complete tasks negatively impacts their schoolwork, work and relationships.
Women hide their symptoms by using their emotions to justify their behavior. This makes it difficult to recognize and treat. For instance, she could blame her lack of attention or forgetfulness on her low self-esteem and anxiety. She might also blame relationship problems or somatic complaints such as nausea and headaches on the stress of life or hormone fluctuations (e.g., perimenopause or menopause).
Untreated ADHD can lead to serious problems. Girls and women who suffer from ADHD may be more likely to engage in sexual activity during adolescence because of their impulsivity, difficulties with boundaries between people, and lack of planning. Self-medicating with alcohol and drugs may be more common. Inattention can lead to delays in appointments and procedures with doctors. They could have erratic and disordered eating habits or a higher BMI, as well as unhealthy coping behaviors like nail-biting skin picking, compulsive shopping and excessive exercise.
A thorough assessment by a health care provider or mental health professional is the most effective method to determine ADHD. In addition to looking at the patient's emotional and physical well-being, the doctor may seek feedback from family members and friends. They may also suggest tests in the lab or an interview. Being diagnosed can be a life-changing experience for many adults who discover they've had a mental health condition throughout their lives.
3. Impulsivity
Women who suffer from ADHD tend to have more difficulty controlling their impulses than men, and this may cause problems such as self-injury, alcohol or drug addiction, or other mental health issues. It can also lead to issues with relationships, since forgetfulness or impulsive behaviors can lead to misunderstandings and conflicts with family, colleagues, and friends.
Symptoms of impulsivity include the tendency to blurt things out, purchasing something on impulse and then rushing into it without considering the consequences. Remember that acting in an impulsive manner doesn't necessarily mean that you're a bad person. Certain people require more time to think before they act. It's still essential to talk with your doctor and get tested for ADHD If you notice that the symptoms are getting worse.
It's also common for women with ADHD to have difficulty controlling their emotions, which can result in depression, as well as other mental health issues. Depression symptoms can be hard to recognize in women as they may resemble other health issues, such as chronic headaches and insomnia. Some women with ADHD are reluctant to seek help because they believe that their symptoms are the result of low self-esteem.
It's important to realize that sex is a different concept than gender and that your internal sense if identity is not affected by the genetic characteristics that determine if you are a man, woman or nonbinary. However, many people with ADHD have trouble identifying with their gender and this can lead to feelings of desperation and shame. The anxiety of untreated ADHD can make these feelings worse and can lead to a loss of support from friends or family members.
4. Distractions
As girls with ADHD become women, they might be unable to handle adult responsibilities and interactions. This could lead to issues at school or at work, and tensions with family and friends as well as romantic partners. Women with ADHD might also have difficulty managing their finances or their home, and they may be at risk of ignoring health-related issues like regular checkups and exercises. They may also have difficulty to deal with negative emotions like anxiety and depression.
ADHD symptoms in women may include forgetting things, losing things, getting easily distracted, having difficulties working with others or feeling overwhelmed by tasks. They may also experience mood-related symptoms like low self-esteem or low self-confidence.
It is important that women are aware of their symptoms and receive a diagnosis. It's also beneficial to speak with an expert in mental health about their issues and devise strategies for coping with ADHD. For instance, cognitive-behavioral therapies can help change negative thinking patterns and improve coping skills. Additionally, joining a women's support group can provide valuable advice regarding living with ADHD and strategies for coping with everyday life.
It is important to recognize that women with ADHD may suffer from different symptoms than men. These symptoms can change during transitional times like puberty or pregnancy. They can change as a result of menopausal hormone treatments. This is due to hormonal fluctuations and the fact that females have a bigger hippocampus, which plays a role in memory and learning. Women may also hide their ADHD symptoms better than males. This can make it more difficult to get a correct diagnosis. It is possible to live a fulfilling and happy life with ADHD despite these obstacles.
5. Anxiety
It can be hard for women with ADHD to admit they have anxiety issues, but getting the right diagnosis and treatment can make significant changes in their lives. It can also help them better understand their behavior and how it impacts other people.
Anxiety may be a significant indicator of ADHD in adults women and it may look like:
Trouble staying focused or distracted, or seeming to be distracted. Making careless errors. Avoiding difficult or boring tasks. Finding it difficult to concentrate in the classroom or at work. Not remembering or being late for appointments and meetings. Feeling overwhelmed by crowds or feeling pressured at work or home. Finding it difficult to relax or fall asleep. Being easily upset or sensitive to criticism and rejection.
Women suffering from ADHD are more likely to suffer from an underlying mood disorder such as depression. They might also have difficulty to make friends. They could also experience issues with intimate relationships that lead to a higher incidence of violence between intimate partners and a higher percentage of alcohol abuse.
It can be difficult for girls and women to get a correct ADHD diagnosis due to the fact that symptoms for girls and women differ from those of boys and men. Health professionals must be aware of these differences to arrive at a precise diagnosis. This includes identifying specific characteristics, such as the presence of a distinct manifesting symptom, difficulty in social relationships and a tendency to develop strategies to deal with inadequacies and performance issues, and the coexistence of anxiety and depression. It is also important to take into consideration the effect of hormone levels in women on her symptom presentation.