ADHD Adult Female Symptoms
ADHD can affect people of all age groups and genders, however it is more difficult for women to be diagnosed. That's because females often don't exhibit the same levels of hyperactivity and impulsivity as men, so they can be overlooked or not diagnosed correctly.
Getting an accurate diagnosis is the first step towards managing your symptoms. Adults who suffer from ADHD are often treated with stimulant medication, but there are other options.
1. Problems with Focusing
Women with ADHD are often distracted by a myriad of things, but they're also having difficulties being focused on their conversations and tasks, especially if they are suffering from emotional or sensory overload. These difficulties can be made worse during menstrual periods.
Women with inattention ADHD also have problems with their working memory, making it hard to remember simple things like appointments or upcoming events. They may often forget where they kept their keys to their car or the name of the lady who took them to home from spin class or even important deadlines and dates.
Other symptoms of ADHD females in adulthood include procrastination, as well as difficulty following through on plans. They are more likely to get sidetracked by shiny objects or social media, making it difficult to finish their assignments and projects. This can lead to a sense of being overwhelmed and a lack of performance at school or work.
Many women suffering from ADHD are not diagnosed due to gender stereotypes. In turn, they feel shame and mistakenly label their issues as "bad behaviors" or "character issues". They may feel like an impostor. A diagnosis could be a "lightbulb" moment for them, as it gives them an external explanation of their challenges and allows them to accept themselves more fully.
Women and girls with untreated ADHD can suffer from a broad range of negative outcomes, including academic problems and behavioral issues, as well as relationships and family problems, and co-occurring mental health issues. But a proper diagnosis and treatment plan can drastically improve life for people with ADHD at all stages of their lives. Treatment options include stimulant therapy and medication. *
2. Difficulty Finishing Projects
Women suffering from ADHD often have difficulty completing tasks and responsibilities. They might forget important information, have trouble shifting between tasks and responsibilities, or find it hard to meet deadlines. They are also more likely to make careless errors, have difficulty organizing their schedules and managing their time and underestimate the time they need to finish tasks.
Women with ADHD can find the emotional symptoms of ADHD, such as mood swings or irritability, particularly frustrating. Hormonal changes can exacerbate symptoms, such as those that are experienced during menopausal cycles, pregnancy and during menstrual cycles. Women with undiagnosed ADHD can feel frustrated and depressed by their performance at work or in relationships.
Some women with ADHD struggle with managing everyday tasks such as grocery shopping and household chores. They may not remember to empty the garbage or turn off the stove, and be easily distracted. They may also struggle performing repetitive tasks, such as folding laundry or washing dishes. Boring or mundane tasks can become overwhelming which can lead to impulsive behaviours such as excessive talk or sharing. The impulsivity that is associated with ADHD can cause women to make impulsive choices and rely on unhealthy coping mechanisms such as alcohol or drugs.
If you have difficulty finishing tasks, have memory issues or chronic procrastination, as well as problems with relationships, it is time to seek a professional evaluation for ADHD. Finding the right diagnosis can enhance your overall quality of life and help you achieve success in both your professional and personal lives. It will help you better manage your ADHD symptoms and develop strategies to manage them effectively. You can limit lapses of focus and attention by adhering to a schedule, using a planner or reminder apps, taking notes during meetings, and ensuring good sleeping habits. Exercise can also help you concentration because it boosts brain neurotransmitter levels.
3. Trouble remembering names
It is possible that a trouble remembering names might be coupled with other ADHD symptoms, like difficulty following directions or completing projects. This is due to a lack of prioritizing and organizing tasks, which hinders information retrieval. This symptom also tends to get worse during times of stress, fatigue, or hormonal changes, like before, during, and after menopausal change.
If someone forgets their names and addresses, it can be more frustrating if they also forget important things like appointments, events or personal reminders. These lapses could also be caused by depression or anxiety which are frequently associated with ADHD in women.
Due to gender stereotypes and internalized symptoms, ADHD is often misdiagnosed in women. Inattentive ADHD symptoms are more subtle than hyperactive/impulsive symptoms, making them harder to detect and identify. In the end, they are often not identified and not referred for treatment and diagnosis.
Furthermore, there is a bias based on gender due to the fact that ADHD is generally seen as a male condition with hyperactive boys being the ones who are most recommended to clinics for assessment and treatment. In addition to internalized stigma, female symptoms are usually different from those of men. Many doctors do not diagnose or treat ADHD for females.
Fortunately, it's becoming increasingly common for women to receive an ADHD diagnosis in adulthood. A diagnosis can help improve your relationships, assist you to achieve your goals at work and school, and give you the support you need. If you're interested in getting a diagnosis, talk to an experienced Salience Health provider. We'll evaluate your symptoms using tools like 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 typically have inattention symptoms, and their struggles can seem subtle to other people. They may forget to do chores at home, fail to attend appointments or struggle to take notes. They might also struggle with impulsivity, or struggle to understand social boundaries. This could lead to confusion and misinterpretation of relationships with friends and family and can cause feelings of loneliness and isolation.
Women with untreated ADHD might also have difficulty meeting the expectations of society as women. This can lead to feelings of inadequacy and ADHD symptoms when they are faced with the burden of caring for children and household chores. Many women suffering from untreated ADHD suffer from low self-esteem and resort to unhealthy strategies for coping such as binge eating and TV marathons.
The difficulties of ADHD for women can be added to by gender bias in the way that women and girls are viewed as well as how clinicians assess them. Certain studies suggest that women and girls tend to conceal their ADHD symptoms or compensate for them, and they are less likely than men and boys to be referred to a specialist to a specialist for diagnosis and treatment.
Another challenge is that women suffering from ADHD may be unable to recognize their own symptoms. They may confuse them with depression or anxiety. This can lead to a false diagnosis as well as delayed or incorrect treatment.
The signs of ADHD can be influenced by hormonal fluctuations. They are most evident during the ovulation cycle and during menstrual cycles, pregnancy or menopausal. These changes can heighten women's anger over their ADHD symptoms, and could increase the chance of being misinterpreted or dismissed as moody or emotionally overly emotional.
5. Impulsivity
While the impulsivity of ADHD affects both men and boys differently, women are affected similarly. They also may have difficulty controlling their emotions and may be more prone to "foot-in-mouth" moments. These uncontrollable behaviors can have a huge impact on your professional and personal life.
Prefrontal cortex is the part of the brain that is responsible for controlling the process of reasoning and decision-making. This area is able to prevent people from making poor decisions because it acts as an alarm. ADHD sufferers have less functional prefrontal cortex. This can make it difficult to resist the urges and stop themselves from doing something reckless. It can also cause an absence of self-esteem. Women's impulsiveness can be seen as a lack of social boundaries and self-control during conversation (interrupting other people, not finishing their sentences, or talking too often).
Women can also have trouble controlling their impulses during the various hormonal fluctuations throughout their lives. Estrogen fluctuates at different times during the menstrual period and pregnancy, as well as childbirth and menopausal cycles. inattentive ADHD in adults symptoms of oral contraception and hormone therapy during perimenopausal and menopausal cycles can alter the levels of estrogen as well as other hormones that affect a woman's ADHD symptoms.
The way ADHD symptoms are expressed in girls and women can vary from those of males and females and is one of the reasons why they are often not diagnosed. This is why many adults who have ADHD are unaware that they suffer from it. The good news is that identifying and treating ADHD can improve a person's life regardless of age. If you're not sure whether or not you are suffering from ADHD discuss it with your doctor and see how they can assist. Treatment options include medication, cognitive behavior therapy, and couples counseling.