ADHD Adult Female Symptoms
ADHD can affect people of all ages and genders, but it can be harder for women to be diagnosed. It's because women do not typically exhibit the same inattention or impulsivity as men do, and therefore are often misdiagnosed or not recognized.
The first step in addressing your symptoms is to obtain an accurate diagnosis. Stimulant medications are a popular treatment for adults with ADHD however, there are also other options.
1. Problems with Focusing
Women with ADHD are prone to being distracted by a variety of things, but they're also having difficulty being focused on their conversations and tasks particularly when they are suffering from emotional or sensory overload. These difficulties can be made worse during menstrual periods.
Women who are inattentional ADHD have problems with their working memory. This makes it difficult to remember simple things, such as the dates of appointments or events that are coming up. They may forget where they left their car keys or the name of the lady who offered them a lift home from the spin class. They may forget important dates or deadlines.
Other symptoms of ADHD in adult females include procrastination and difficulty following through with plans. They're more likely to get distracted by shiny objects or social media, making it harder to complete their projects and assignments. This can cause a sense of being overwhelmed and a lack of performance at work or school.
Because of the way society views gender, many women with ADHD are not diagnosed. In turn, they experience shame and mistakenly label their issues as "bad behaviors" or "character issues". They are often viewed like an impostor. A diagnosis could be a lightbulb moment giving them a clear external explanation for their challenges and giving them the opportunity to accept their own uniqueness.
Untreated ADHD in girls and women can result in a myriad of negative effects, such as problems with academics, behavioral issues, relationship and family problems and co-existing mental health conditions. A correct diagnosis and treatment plan can make a difference to the lives of people who suffer from ADHD at any time in their lives. Treatment options may include therapy and stimulant medications. *
2. Difficulty Finishing Projects
Women suffering from ADHD often struggle to complete tasks and duties. They might forget important details, struggle with switching between tasks or responsibilities, and find it difficult to meet deadlines. They might also be more prone to making careless mistakes or have difficulty managing their time effectively, and overestimate how long it takes to complete tasks.
Women suffering from ADHD can find the emotional symptoms of ADHD such as mood swings or irritability particularly frustrating. Hormonal changes can exacerbate symptoms, including those that occur in pregnancy, menopause and during menstrual cycle. Women who have not been diagnosed with ADHD may be frustrated and disappointed with their performance at work and in their relationships.
Some women who suffer from ADHD have a hard time with daily routines such as chores and grocery shopping difficult. They may not remember to empty the garbage or shut off the stove, and be easily distracted. ADHD in adult men symptoms may also have difficulty doing routine tasks like folding the laundry or washing dishes. Simple chores or boring ones can become overwhelming which can lead to impulsive behavior like excessive talk or sharing. Women who suffer from ADHD may also make unruly choices and use unhealthy coping mechanisms such as alcohol or drugs.
If you are having difficulty working through tasks, suffer from memory issues, have a tendency to procrastinate for a long time, or face relationship challenges, it is important to seek professional help for ADHD. Getting a proper diagnosis can enhance your overall quality of life and set you up for success in your personal and professional lives. It can help you better manage your ADHD symptoms and develop strategies to manage them effectively. You can reduce lapses in concentration and attention by adhering to a schedule using a planner, or a reminder apps, making notes during meetings, and maintaining good sleeping habits. Exercise can also help you focus as it increases the neurotransmitter levels in your brain.
3. Difficulty remembering names
It is possible that difficulty in remembering names could be associated with other ADHD symptoms, like difficulty following directions or completing projects. This is due to an inability to organize and prioritize tasks, which hinders information retrieval. This condition tends to get worse when there are periods of fatigue, stress or hormonal changes.
Forgetting names can be more frustrating when it's followed by a sense of forgetfulness over larger things, such as appointments, events or personal reminders. These lapses can be caused by depression or anxiety that are often associated with ADHD in women.
Due to gender stereotypes 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. They are, therefore, under-diagnosed and are not being referred to a doctor to receive treatment and diagnosis.
Furthermore, there is a bias based on gender because ADHD is typically seen as a male condition with hyperactive boys being the ones most admitted to clinics for evaluation and treatment. In addition to the internalized stigma, the symptoms of women differ from those of men. Many doctors are unable to diagnose or treat ADHD for females.
It's becoming more common for women to be diagnosed with ADHD as they reach adulthood. A diagnosis can improve your relationships, help you succeed at work and in school, and provide you with the support you need. Speak to an Salience Health provider if you're interested in being diagnosed. We can evaluate your symptoms with tools like Creyos cognitive testing and Brainview Advanced, and connect you with a therapist suitable for you.
4. Difficulty Appearing Aloof
Women suffering from ADHD may exhibit subtle signs of inattention. They may not remember to do chores at home, miss appointments or have difficulty taking notes. They might also have problems with impulsivity or difficulty understanding the boundaries of social interaction. This could lead them to misinterpret and misunderstandings with family and friends and could lead to feelings of loneliness and isolation.
In addition, women with untreated ADHD frequently have difficulty meeting the expectations of society for them as women. They may be struggling with the burden of caring for their children and household chores, and this social pressure can exacerbate their ADHD symptoms and feelings of inadequateness. If not treated, ADHD can cause low self-esteem among women. They might resort to unhealthy methods of coping, such as binge-eating and watching TV marathons.
The difficulties of ADHD for women could be amplified by gender discrimination in the way girls and women are viewed as well as how clinicians assess their symptoms. There is evidence that suggests that girls and women tend to hide their ADHD symptoms or attempt to cover up for them, and they may be less likely than men and boys to be referred to a specialist for diagnosis and treatment.
Another challenge is that women with ADHD might have difficulty recognizing their own symptoms, and they might confuse them with mood disorders or anxiety. This can contribute to a false diagnosis as well as delayed or incorrect treatment.
These changes can cause women to be more frustrated with her ADHD symptoms. They may also increase the likelihood that she will be viewed or dismissed as moody or excessively emotional. These changes can make women more unhappy with her ADHD symptoms and increase the chances of being misunderstood, or dismissed as a moody or emotional.
5. Impulsivity
The impulsivity of ADHD affects men and boys differently, women experience it as well. They may also have trouble controlling their emotions and may be more prone to "foot-in-mouth" moments. These impulsive behaviors can have a big impact on relationships and professional life.
The part of the brain that controls decision-making and reasoning is called the prefrontal cortex. This area can assist people avoid making a mistake by providing a nudge on behavior. Those with ADHD have a less functional prefrontal cortex, and this can make it difficult for them to resist urges or stop themselves from doing something dangerous or damaging. It can also lead to an inability to respect themselves. Women's impulsiveness can be seen as a lack of social boundaries and self-control in conversation (interrupting others, finishing their sentences, and talking too much).
Women also have issues with impulse control when their hormones fluctuate. Estrogen is naturally fluctuates at various periods during the menstrual cycle, as well as during pregnancy, childbirth and menopausal. Oral contraception and hormone therapy during perimenopause or menopause may further alter estrogen levels and other hormones which can impact women's ADHD.
ADHD symptoms for girls and women can differ from those in men and boys, which is why they are often incorrectly diagnosed. Many people with ADHD are unaware of their condition. extreme ADHD symptoms adults is that identifying and treating ADHD can improve a person's life at any age. If you're unsure if or not you are suffering from ADHD consult your doctor and see how they can help. Treatment options include medications as well as cognitive behavioral therapy and couples counseling.