ADHD Symptoms in Adult Females
While ADHD affects men and women equally in adulthood, the condition typically is not recognized in females. This is likely due to gender stereotypes and the ability of women to conceal their symptoms.
Many healthcare professionals aren't equipped and experience to recognize ADHD in women. This means that many females are misdiagnosed before receiving the proper treatment they require.
1. Disorganization
Women and girls with ADHD frequently struggle with disorganization, which can be very difficult to manage. Your desk, for example could be a jumble of papers, 17 different chapsticks, and even a ticket to the Kings of Leon show you attended in 2008. As you spend money on products that claim to aid in your organization, your home and office are likely to remain chaotic and messy.
Inability to keep track of your tasks may lead to missed deadlines and appointments. Additionally, you may be struggling with the concept of "time blindness," which means you cannot remember or comprehend how much time it takes to complete an assignment. This can cause you to feel frustrated and believe that you're not doing a good enough job in your profession or in your personal life.
You might also have trouble managing your emotions, which can cause you to react too quickly in stressful situations. Your rapid verbal communication may create misunderstandings and miscommunications with your loved ones and coworkers, and you may make comments that hurt feelings of others without even knowing. You might also have difficulty stopping yourself from speaking before thinking things through, since impulsivity can be common among people with ADHD.
If you suffer from ADHD it is possible that some of your symptoms stem from gender stereotypes or beliefs about how men, women and boys should behave. This makes it difficult to diagnose and treat ADHD.
You may also benefit from behavioral treatment to address the root cause of your disorder. It may take a while to discover the most effective coping strategies, but implementing them will allow you to feel in control of your life and improve your relationships with family members, coworkers, and friends.
2. Impulsivity
People with ADHD are prone to intense emotions. However their brains aren't able to filter them or analyze them. They may be overwhelmed by a tiny setback, or have difficulty in assessing the mood of other people. It can also make it easier for them to get distracted by minor inconveniences like books that are out of stock or an acquaintance who's late for the spin class.
add in women test with ADHD conceal their symptoms and come up with strategies to cope with their attention problems. They may be perfectionists or extremely attentive at school or work but struggle to keep on top of important dates, deadlines and appointments. They might also struggle with verbal self control and talk excessively or interrupt others often.
The hyperactive/impulsive subtype of ADHD tends to be more common in boys and men, but it's not unusual for women to have these symptoms too. The symptoms include a sudden urge to start, stop or change activities and being unable to hold for your turn during a conversation and difficulty interpreting social cues (like facial expressions or body language).
Although gender-based stereotypes can play a role in the development of ADHD but it's sometimes difficult to recognize when women are suffering from these problems. Rating scales that are used to determine ADHD symptoms are still biased towards male behavior, and some healthcare experts may be misinformed or underestimate a woman's symptoms.
Many women who suffer from ADHD also report that their symptoms become more severe during periods of hormonal changes, such as during menstrual cycles, pregnancy, or perimenopause (the run-up to menopause). This can trigger emotions such as anger, irritability or depression. They may also feel an ongoing feeling of discontent with their lives or relationships. This could lead to depression, substance abuse, and unhealthy coping behaviors. It's important that women understand that these symptoms do not indicate their worth or importance as human beings. If you follow a proper treatment strategy, you can lessen or even eliminate these signs.
3. Inattention
While everyone struggles with paying attention and focusing at times with ADHD the symptoms can occur so frequently that they interfere with your life. You could make a few mistakes at work or in school, miss appointments or spend a good amount of time delaying. You aren't comfortable waiting your turn in conversations and frequently interrupt other people.
Adults who are inattention may also include a tendency to jump into projects without fully planning and analyzing the subject, which results in inadequate or poor results. You may also get distracted easily and have a tendency to leave projects unfinishedfrom the garden that got planted but never watered to the new organizational system which was erected and left to gather dust on your nightstand.
People who have inattention ADHD also struggle with a constant sense of disorganization at home and at work. You may have difficulty finding important documents such as keys or bills, and frequently lose things. You may also lose the track of time and end up running over time for meetings, work or school.
Women with hyperactive/impulsive ADHD are less likely to experience these inattentive symptoms, but they can still have problems with organization, time management and self-control. People with these signs may perform actions or words without considering the impact including snoozing over others or making a nonsensical sound when they are on their own. They may have trouble sitting still and can fidget or pace in their seats. They might have issues keeping their job and could have frequent disagreements with coworkers and managers.
In some instances, the mood swings and emotional turmoil caused by ADHD can cause frustration and miscommunication in relationships. This is especially the case in relationships with partners as well as at work. People who suffer from ADHD are also more likely to have comorbid conditions, such as depression, anxiety, or bipolar disorder.
Women and girls who suffer from ADHD are often faced with a range of difficulties in seeking treatment and diagnosis that include gender bias and a tendency to cover up their symptoms or minimize the severity of their symptoms. The rise of well-known women such as Mia Freedman and Em Rusciano who have spoken out about their own struggles with ADHD has raised awareness, however many girls and young women still don't know they have the disorder.
4. Anxiety
Although many people feel anxious or nervous from time moment, a constant and overwhelming anxiety is a sign of an anxiety disorder. You might experience an incessant feeling of anxiety or fear as well as an intense pulse, trouble maintaining calm, and having trouble thinking clearly. You might also have a heightened sense of danger, even in situations that aren't likely to be dangerous to you. The most common types of anxiety include general anxiety disorder, phobias and agoraphobia and panic disorders, separation anxiety and selective Mutism.
Anxiety is more prevalent among women suffering from ADHD compared to men. It can be worsened by certain life events, like menstrual cycle, pregnancy, or perimenopause. This can make it harder to handle everyday activities and social interactions and can cause feelings of self-doubt and general discontent with your life.
You're highly sensitive to rejection and have a hard to accept criticism. You easily misinterpret feedback or even anticipate rejection and you can get angry over minor things that others don't find to be a problem.
Mood swings can also be a symptom of adult adhd in women. It is possible that you have unpredictable emotions or find it difficult to manage these. You might also be prone to self-injury that is not suicidal like scratching, burning or hitting yourself.
If you're experiencing any of the above symptoms, it's essential to get a proper diagnosis. It can help you identify your issues and give you strategies for improving your quality of living. You can take an online ADHD test, or go to your doctor for a professional assessment. In add in women test might prescribe medication to alleviate your symptoms. In other cases they might suggest a combination of lifestyle changes and cognitive behavior therapy. In any case, it's essential to change your lifestyle as quickly as you can. This will allow you to gain control over your life and make you feel more confident, productive and competent.