ADHD Adult
female adhd symptoms Symptoms
ADHD can affect people of all age groups and genders, however it can be harder for women to get diagnosed. That's because females often don't show the same hyperactivity and indecisiveness as men, and so they may be missed or incorrectly diagnosed.
Getting an accurate diagnosis is the first step in managing your symptoms. Adults who suffer from ADHD are often treated with stimulant medication, but there are other alternatives.
1. Difficulty Focusing
Although everyone is distracted occasionally women who suffer from ADHD have trouble putting their attention on conversations and tasks, especially when they're experiencing emotional or sensory overload. These issues can become more severe when menstrual cycles are in full swing.
Women with inattentive ADHD have issues 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 put their car keys or the name of the lady who offered them a ride home from spin class. They might also forget important dates and deadlines.
Other symptoms of ADHD in adult females include procrastination, as well as difficulty following through with plans. They are more likely to get distracted by shiny objects or social media, which makes it harder to complete their projects and assignments. This can cause them to feel overwhelmed and underperforming at school or at work.
Many women with ADHD aren't diagnosed because of gender stereotypes. In turn, they feel guilt and mistakenly attribute their problems as "bad behaviors" or "character issues". They may feel like they're an imposter. A diagnosis could be a "lightbulb" moment for them, as it provides them with an external explanation for their issues and helps them accept themselves better.
Girls and women with untreated ADHD can suffer from a broad range of negative consequences, including academic problems, behavioral issues, poor relationships and family problems as well as co-occurring mental health issues. A proper diagnosis and treatment plan can improve the lives of people with ADHD at any stage in their lives. Treatment options include stimulant drugs and therapy. *
2. Difficulty Finishing Projects
Women suffering from ADHD often have trouble completing tasks and responsibilities. They might be unable to remember important details, have difficulty switching between tasks or responsibilities, and find it difficult to meet deadlines. They may also be more prone to making careless mistakes or having difficulty organizing their time efficiently, and overestimate how long it takes to complete their tasks.
The emotional symptoms of ADHD in adults, such as irritability and mood swings, can be a major source of frustration for women suffering from the condition. The symptoms can be made worse by hormonal changes, including those that occur during menstrual cycles or during pregnancy, as well as menopausal. Women who aren't diagnosed with ADHD may be frustrated and dissatisfied with their performance at work and in their relationships.
Women who suffer from ADHD have a hard time with daily routines such as chores and grocery shopping extremely difficult. They may have a hard finding the time to remember to empty the trash or to turn off the stove, and they are easily distracted by little things in their environment. They might also struggle with repetitive tasks such as washing dishes or folding laundry. The monotonous or repetitive chores can become overwhelming, resulting in impulsive behaviors like excessive talk or sharing. Women with ADHD can also make erratic choices and employ unhealthy coping mechanisms such as alcohol or other drugs.
If you're having difficulty finishing tasks, have memory issues, are constantly procrastinating or are experiencing relationship issues, it is important to seek professional assistance for ADHD. A proper diagnosis can improve the quality of your life and help you achieve success in both your professional and personal life. It can assist you in managing your ADHD symptoms, and develop strategies to deal with them. You can limit lapses of attention and focus by sticking to a schedule using a planner, or a reminder app, taking notes during meetings, and ensuring good sleeping habits. Exercise can also improve concentration because it boosts brain neurotransmitter levels.
3. Difficulty Remembering Names
It is possible that difficulty in remembering names could be coupled with other ADHD symptoms, like difficulty following directions or completing projects. The root cause of the difficulties is a lack of ability to organize and prioritize tasks which affects efficient information retrieval. This condition can worsen during times of stress, fatigue, or hormonal changes, like prior to, during, or after menopausal change.
If someone forgets their names and addresses, it can be more annoying if they forget important information such as appointments or events, or personal reminders. These lapses could also be exacerbated by anxiety or depression that are often associated with ADHD in women.
Due to gender perceptions and internalized symptoms ADHD is often misdiagnosed by women.
Inattentive ADHD symptoms are more subtle than hyperactive/impulsive symptoms, making them harder to detect and identify. This means that they are under-identified and under-referred for diagnosis and treatment.
In addition, there is gender-based discrimination because the disorder tends to be viewed as a disorder that affects boys. Hyperactive boys are the ones who are frequently referred to clinics and evaluated for treatment. Coupled with internalized stigmas and the fact that women's symptoms often appear different from men's as well, a lot of professionals fail to diagnose or treat ADHD in women.
Fortunately, it's becoming more common for women to receive an ADHD diagnosis in their adulthood. A diagnosis can help improve your relationships, set you up for success at work and school, and provide the support you need to thrive in your life. If you are seeking an assessment, speak with an experienced Salience Health provider. We can evaluate your symptoms using tools such as Creyos cognitive testing and Brainview Advanced, and connect you with a therapist the right fit for you.
4. Ailoofs that appear difficult to see
Women with
adhd symptoms treatment often have inattentive symptoms and their issues can seem subtle to other people. They may forget to do chores at home, miss appointments, or have trouble taking notes. They might also have problems with impulsivity or difficulty understanding social boundaries. This could cause to misinterpretations and confusions with family and friends and could lead to feelings of loneliness and isolation.
Women with untreated ADHD may also have trouble fulfilling the expectations of society for them as women. This can cause feeling inadequate and ADHD symptoms when they are faced with the burden of caring for children and household chores. Many women with untreated ADHD suffer from low self-esteem, and they resort to unhealthy strategies for coping such as binge eating and TV marathons.
The challenges of ADHD for women are added to by gender bias in the way that women and girls are treated as well as how clinicians assess them. There is evidence that suggests that girls and women tend to hide their ADHD symptoms or attempt to cover up for them, and may be less likely than men and boys to get referred for treatment and diagnosis.
Women with
adhd adult male symptoms may also have difficulties understanding their symptoms and could confuse them with anxiety disorders or mood disorders. This can contribute to a false diagnosis as well as delayed or improper treatment.
Symptoms of ADHD can vary with hormone changes, and they can be particularly evident during the ovulation cycle or menstrual cycle, pregnancy or menopausal. These changes can increase a woman's frustration with her ADHD symptoms, and they can increase the likelihood of being viewed as moody or overly emotional.
5. Impulsivity
Although the impulsivity associated with ADHD affects boys and men differently, women suffer from it too. They may also struggle with managing their emotions, and be prone to "foot in the mouth" moments. These uncontrollable behaviors can have a huge impact on your personal and professional life.
The part of the brain that regulates the ability to make decisions and reason is known as the prefrontal cortex. This area can help people avoid making poor decisions by serving as a check on their behavior. Those with ADHD have less functioning prefrontal cortex, which can make it difficult to resist the urges or stop themselves from doing something reckless or hurtful. It can also cause an inability to respect themselves. Women's impulsiveness is often manifested as an inability to maintain social boundaries and self-control in conversation (interrupting others, not finishing their sentences, and talking too much).
Women may also struggle with impulse control due to the various hormonal fluctuations throughout their lives. Estrogen fluctuates naturally at different times during the menstrual cycle, as well as during pregnancy, childbirth and menopausal. The use of oral contraception and hormone therapy during perimenopause and menopause can further alter the levels of estrogen and other hormones that affect the woman's ADHD symptoms.
ADHD symptoms for girls and women can differ from those in men and boys, which is why they are often incorrectly diagnosed. Because of this, many people who suffer from ADHD are unaware that they suffer from it. The good news is, the diagnosis and treatment of ADHD at any age can enhance the quality of life the person. If you're unsure if or not you have ADHD discuss it with your doctor to see if they can assist. Treatment options include medication, cognitive therapy, and couples counseling.