Symptoms of ADHD in Adult Women
While boys and men are diagnosed far more often with ADHD, women and girls can also have it. But stereotypes, prejudices regarding referrals, internalized symptoms, and comorbidities can make it difficult for them to be properly evaluated and treated.
Many women develop coping strategies to cover up their ADHD symptoms and meet societal expectations, but these can be unhealthy and unsustainable. Here are some of the adult women's most commonly reported ADHD symptoms.
1. Unfocused attention
Women suffering from ADHD are often overwhelmed by the daily tasks. They often struggle to keep track of multiple deadlines, emails, and meetings. They may also be more prone to forget important dates or events. They may also have difficulty staying focused 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 suffering from ADHD. They may feel that they reflect of their own performance or of themselves. Many adults with ADHD have low self-esteem and a negative image of their body. They may also be struggling with maintaining stable relationships and establishing efficient coping strategies. In some instances, they turn to unhealthy coping methods, such as excessive alcohol or drugs. This can make others less likely to acknowledge their problems and delay diagnosis.
Adults with ADHD are particularly sensitive to failure and criticism, which can cause them to internalize their issues and have difficulty seeking assistance. They might also be afflicted by problems with relationships and are unable to find work that is meaningful. They can also be more susceptible to anxiety, depression, and mood swings. In some instances these symptoms may result in the development of a mental health issue such as self-injury that is non-suicidal (NSSI) which may be manifested by burning, cutting, or scratching.
ADHD is more prevalent among both boys and men, but symptoms can persist and impact the entire life of. It's crucial for women to identify the symptoms and seek an assessment from a health care professional. A proper diagnosis can lead to better-managed symptoms and a better quality of life.
2. Disorganization
Women suffering from ADHD feel overwhelmed as if they are chaotic. They may fail to meet deadlines for work or struggle to keep track of chores at home or at work like paying bills and making appointments. They might have a chaotic home and finances, and may struggle to maintain stable relationships and an employment.
Inattentive-type ADHD symptoms can heighten frustration and miscommunications with partners, friends, and coworkers. These problems can lead to fractured or even strained relationships and feelings of isolation. Forgetfulness, difficulty in listening and the tendency to "zone out", or stop paying attention, can lead to misunderstandings with loved ones.
The signs of impulsivity, emotional dysregulation and mood swings are more common in women with ADHD than men and can be extremely disruptive to both personal and professional. Women who are not treated for ADHD may feel overwhelmed by the responsibilities and expectations of family, work as well as society. They might be more sensitive to harsh criticism or harsh judgment.
The good news is that there are options to manage the impact of these symptoms. For many adults, treatment options include lifestyle adjustments and the use of specialized organizational tools and prescription stimulant medications.
Women who suffer from ADHD typically have a harder time than men to disguise their ADHD symptoms, and as a result they are often not diagnosed until adulthood. They are more likely to suffer from comorbid disorders like anxiety and depression that can increase the effects of untreated ADHD. Women may also have trouble maintaining healthy relationships and a steady job and are susceptible to low self-esteem and chronic stress. *Sex refers to a person's hormones and chromosomes; gender refers the internal sense of oneself as a man woman, woman, nonbinary or other gender identity. Mental health conditions are usually diagnosed by both.
3. symptoms of add and ADHD in adults who suffer from ADHD are more likely to suffer from anxiety and depression. These feelings can be exacerbated when you're unable keep on top of your daily activities and appointments. This can lead to health issues like missed appointments, late payments and even debt. The emotional dysregulation, impulsivity and forgetfulness associated with ADHD can also cause relationship issues with colleagues, partners and even friends.
Many women develop coping strategies to mask their symptoms. This makes it difficult for others to recognize that they're having difficulty staying organized and focused. These strategies for coping could be healthy like setting up a daily schedule, or a phone reminder or even unhealthy, such as using alcohol or drugs to function or cope. These coping skills can create an environment of self-doubt and stress for women, making them feel they are not successful or productive, which could increase feelings of depression and anxiety.
Additionally, women with ADHD often feel a sense of not being accepted or meeting the expectations of society which can cause low self-esteem and frustration. They may also encounter challenges at work such as difficulty in establishing organizational skills and adhering to corporate guidelines or adhering to a routine 9-to-5 schedule. They may be struggling to manage their finances due to a lack of organization or impulsive spending. They may also struggle to keep up with assignments or homework.
ADHD is a chronic condition that requires lifelong support, particularly when it affects women and girls. Despite the prevalence of the disorder yet, it is often misunderstood, underdiagnosed, and not treated. Lingering stereotypes, referral bias internalized symptoms, comorbidities, and hormonal fluctuations all contribute to the unique symptom-based presentation of ADHD in females.
4. Impulsivity
Women who suffer from ADHD are often unable to control their emotions and impulses. They might become easily frustrated or overwhelmed, lose track of time or be late for events. ADHD hyperactivity symptoms in adults might also have trouble understanding body language and recognizing social signals. This can lead to problems at work or in relationships. For instance, they could get into arguments easily or spend too much time with hobbies and interests that aren't important to them. They might also have difficulty maintaining friendships or making new connections due to their struggle to follow through on promises and commitments.
Women are more adept at building coping mechanisms that help them mask their ADHD symptoms, so it's difficult for them to be diagnosed than men. They could, for example develop routines to help them stay organized or utilize apps to remind them of their appointments. They might alter their behavior to comply with social expectations and norms. They could even conceal their symptoms by taking drugs or alcohol to cope, which can cause serious health problems in the long run.
Many people suffering from ADHD get over their symptoms, but some don't. About 60% of women who have ADHD in childhood continue to suffer from the condition until they reach adulthood, compared to 30% of males.
If you are unable to achieve relief with lifestyle changes or medication, professional treatment can be beneficial. There are a variety of options, such as life coaching, career coaching, and counseling together with stimulants and medications. Exercise is a great way to boost your mood and increasing your energy. It releases neurotransmitters that increase motivation and focus. It can also ease anxiety and stress.
5. Reactivity to emotional stimuli
Girls and women with ADHD often have trouble with emotional reactivity. They may struggle with controlling their emotions and how they express them. This can cause frustration for both themselves and others. For instance, a woman with ADHD may become angry when her spouse critiques her, but she might not be able to calm down and discuss the issue in a more rational way. She might also be unable to "pause her reaction" by identifying body cues like a flushed face or a short breath which indicate she is either overstimulated or overwhelmed.
This difficulty regulating their emotions can lead to more frustration and miscommunications in relationships, and can make those with ADHD more prone to anxiety and depression. It can also cause problems in social interactions, since it can be difficult to read the mood of others and pick up on social cues.
In some cases, people who suffer from ADHD might appear emotionally distant and uninterested in their family or loved ones, even if they genuinely care about them. In other situations, they may withdraw from situations that trigger them to avoid feeling emotions that are intense.
The nature of women's symptoms could make it easy for clinicians to overlook the effects of ADHD. Many of them camouflage their ADHD symptoms, and when they do show up they are more likely to be interpreted as anxiety or mood-related, which can lead to misdiagnosis. It can be helpful to speak with an expert in mental health who has experience working with girls and women with ADHD in the event that you're experiencing these symptoms. They can confirm your experiences, teach you strategies such as self-awareness and pacing, as well as provide you with psychoeducation for your family members to help you identify and respond to future ADHD symptoms.