ADHD Symptoms in Adult Women
Women who have undiagnosed ADHD may have issues at workplace or in relationships. It's crucial to recognize the signs of ADHD and find an effective treatment for you.
Symptoms of ADHD in adults are more likely to be the inattentive type than hyperactivity/impulsive. Having a proper diagnosis can help you improve your life by managing your symptoms and focusing on the things that matter most.
1. Trouble paying attention
Women might have trouble paying attention to details, recollecting deadlines and appointments or underestimating the time it takes to complete an assignment. They may also be unable to keep track of their responsibilities in relationships or work and are easily distracted and fail follow through with promises. They may also have a tendency to be impulsive, have trouble controlling their emotions, and blurt out thoughts without thinking them through.
The inability to pay attention to the needs of ADHD symptoms in women of adulthood can lead to issues with relationships and friendships, which is why it's crucial to spot the signs and seek treatment. Women may find it difficult to establish new friendships or have difficulty in their relationships due to recurring arguments and missed opportunities for enjoyment, and being ignored. Women can also struggle to manage the demands of home, work and childcare.
Many people who suffer from ADHD do not meet the diagnostic criteria, and it may be hard for health care providers or therapists to detect the disorder. This doesn't mean that it's not real or that a person has to be more focused. The diagnosis is based on how the symptoms impact the daily activities in a variety of areas of life.
It's more common for women to exhibit inattention symptoms - as opposed to hyperactive or impulsive signs - which could explain why this population often goes undiagnosed. Additionally many women suffering from ADHD are afflicted with a sense of shame about their symptoms because they don't fit the stereotypes of someone with ADHD. This can make it more difficult for those who suffer from ADHD to seek help or seek treatment.
Certain women with ADHD are not diagnosed for a lengthy period of time, because they attempt to conceal their symptoms and deal with. Additionally, they are more likely to suffer from multiple comorbidities that may mask their ADHD symptoms, such as depression, anxiety, and digestive issues. They are more likely to have hormonal fluctuations that can cause their symptoms flare up or disappear. This is particularly true during menstruation or pregnancy, as well as perimenopausal.
2. Problems with Organization
Inattention, forgetfulness, disorganization and emotional dysregulation are typical ADHD symptoms that women suffer from. These symptoms can make it difficult for them to complete their daily tasks, keep up with their commitments and maintain relationships. They may also have low self-esteem or be anxious. Women who have not been diagnosed with ADHD may feel that they're not achieving society's expectations. They may also struggle with anxiety and low self-esteem.
In addition to a lack of organization and forgetfulness, ADHD in adult women can be manifested as hyperfocus or procrastination. These issues can result in women missing appointments, not paying bills on time, and feeling overwhelmed. Hyperfocus can lead to an inability to focus on other important activities and a lack of sense of time, which can make it difficult to switch from one activity to another. Procrastination can lead to a buildup of anxiety, stress, and the constant feeling of being left behind.
Communication issues that are nonverbal as well as verbal are a common symptom of ADHD. This can include excessive talking or interrupting others or using inappropriate words. This can include the inability to wait or a difficulty understanding the boundaries of social interaction. It is important to note that these issues don't always signal a lack of ability or intelligence.
Many women with ADHD develop strategies to mask their symptoms, which can have both positive and negative impacts. Some of these strategies for coping might be healthy. For example using a calendar for the day or setting reminders for important events. Others could be harmful, such as drinking alcohol or using drugs to mask symptoms or not paying attention to them at all. Therefore, it is essential that women who suspect that they have ADHD seek out professional help.
Women suffering from ADHD might benefit from medications, lifestyle changes or therapy as well as other treatments. Some of these include cognitive behavior therapy to address the root of negative beliefs and thoughts mindfulness techniques and relaxation and exercise as well as a balanced diet and a sufficient amount of sleep. A health care provider may also recommend accommodations to make working or school easier.
3. Disruptive Behaviors
Women suffering from ADHD may struggle with emotional dysregulation. They may become frustrated and discontent if life's challenges can't be easily solved. This makes it difficult to keep relationships with friends, romantic partners and colleagues. For instance, forgetfulness and impulsivity can heighten anxiety or confusion in romantic relationships and cause feelings of abandonment, loneliness, or depression. A tendency to seek out thrills at the whim of your heart could be taken to mean a lack of interest or apathy.
These are the reasons ADHD symptoms for girls and women are often overlooked or not diagnosed. It is possible that they are not able to recognize their problems due to ADHD due to stereotypes and social norms regarding gender and sexuality.
Women and girls with ADHD tend to conceal their symptoms in order to avoid embarrassment. This can lead to being less often referred for diagnosis than men and boys with the same symptoms. This disparity could be due to gender bias in the research that informs diagnostic criteria. Hartung and Widiger discovered in a recent study that girls and women who suffer from ADHD symptoms are more likely to go undiagnosed and under-diagnosed than men and adults. This could be due to the fact that clinicians are trained to view hyperactive and aggressive ADHD symptoms as more common among males and females which makes them more easily identified and referred for evaluation.
Adult ADHD symptoms can manifest themselves as irritability and difficulty in calming down. These are common ADHD symptoms, but they can have a major impact on the life of an adult. People suffering from ADHD may feel agitated and find it difficult to sit still, especially if they're anxious or stressed. They are also prone to fluttering around and can be extremely talkative, frequently interrupting or completing other people's sentences without thinking that they're causing offence.
If you think you might have ADHD and are concerned, you can be referred to a psychiatrist by your doctor or psychologist. Or, you can self-refer. This content was reviewed by Madeline Dykes (clinical psychologist) and members of the Thriving Madly network in Christchurch in October 2024, and updated in November 2022.
4. Social Problems Skills
Women with ADHD might have difficulty communicating effectively or to manage their emotions at work. This can lead to issues that can hinder personal relationships and professional goals. They may be unable to recognize and responding appropriately to feedback. This can lead to disappointment or anger. They might also have difficulty trying to maintain healthy eating and sleeping habits, which can increase feelings of anxiety. Many women with ADHD employ unhealthy methods of coping to cope with their issues. They may resort to substance abuse, eating disorder and non-suicidal harming of oneself (NSSI) which includes cutting, burning, or scratching.
As women grow older, those with ADHD may find it more difficult to seek treatment than men, as they are more likely to hide their symptoms. In an effort to make themselves acceptable to society and to meet the expectations of society, they often develop coping mechanisms. This could make it more difficult to be recognized by others as having ADHD symptoms. These coping mechanisms might be as simple as making lists and setting reminders or more complicated strategies, like learning to control their emotions or learning mindfulness strategies.
However, these coping methods could backfire and make symptoms worse. These strategies can make it hard to get the rest you need which is essential for managing ADHD symptoms. Additionally, extreme ADHD symptoms adults who suffer from ADHD often find themselves overwhelmed by their daily demands, which can add to stress and further exacerbate their ADHD symptoms.
It's true that boys are diagnosed more often with ADHD than girls. However the gap is narrowing as they age. This is because women often suffer from a variety of symptoms throughout the course of their lives. This can lead to different diagnoses.
The changes in hormone levels can also impact ADHD symptoms in women. For instance, if they have high levels of estrogen during pregnancy, their symptoms might improve. This is because estrogen levels that are higher help regulate the brain chemicals that affect attention. If ADHD in adult men symptoms decline due to perimenopausal or age, ADHD symptoms may worsen.
Fortunately, it's possible for people with ADHD to receive an accurate diagnosis and get effective treatment. This includes cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) and neurocognitive psychotherapy, which will assist people with ADHD build essential skills for improving their daily functioning. Additionally, they can also join support groups for ADHD to share their experiences with other people with similar experiences and gain valuable insights from their colleagues.