Symptoms of ADHD in Adults Women
The signs of ADHD in adults women can be harder to recognize than in men, as women tend to have coping mechanisms that mask their symptoms, says Dr. Frank. Fortunately, support for lifestyle and medication can help them improve their functioning and improve their quality of life.
To be diagnosed with ADHD, you must have six symptoms from the inattentive or hyperactive/impulsive subtypes lasting more than six months. These symptoms include:
1. Attention
Symptoms of ADHD for women who are adults typically involve trouble keeping the track of time, missing appointments, misplacing items or being easily distracted. Women may also have difficulty with forgetfulness and procrastination, as well as working or studying in an environment that is noisy or crowded. Women are often struggling with interpersonal skills. They can interrupt others or make remarks that they regret later.
Women who suffer from ADHD are more adept at masked symptoms than boys and men. They can come up with healthy strategies for coping that include relying on the daily schedule and using reminders on their phones to remind them of important occasions. However, these strategies can be unsustainable over the long run and are not enough to manage the complexity of real life. Additionally, their symptoms may be complicated by comorbid disorders like anxiety and depression.
Many people who suffer from ADHD also exhibit an impulsivity and hyperactivity. For adults, these signs are more subtle and may only affect certain areas of their lives, such as social or work interactions. Those with a hyperactive/impulsive subtype of ADHD may experience frequent fidgeting, talkativeness or trouble sitting still during conversations. They might also have difficulty to relax or settle down. They may also have difficulty to form and keep friendships.
People who suffer from moderate to mild ADHD may not have any significant problems at work or in their relationships, but they may have difficulty being organized and executing on commitments. They may face issues with schoolwork, finances or household chores, and often feel feeling overwhelmed by the demands of their lives. People with severe symptoms are severely disrupted in their daily lives and might have difficulty keeping a job or maintaining relationships.
2. Hyperactivity
Women with ADHD have trouble organizing their work, home and personal belongings. They can also lose track of important things such as their wallets, keys eyeglasses, cell phones. They are also prone to lose their tempers and being easily distracted by extraneous thoughts and activities. Inability to follow directions and complete tasks affects their work, schoolwork and relationships.
Women often mask their symptoms by using their emotions as a reason for their behavior, which makes it more difficult to diagnose and treated. For instance, she may blame her forgetfulness or inattention on anxiety and low self-esteem. She might also blame relationship issues or somatic complaints--like headaches and nausea--on the stress of life or fluctuations in hormones (e.g. menopausal, perimenopausal or menopause).
Untreated ADHD can lead to serious issues. For instance, women and girls with ADHD might be at higher likelihood of engaging in sexual activities as adolescents due to their impulsivity as well as difficulty with interpersonal boundaries and planning. Self-medicating using alcohol and other drugs is more frequent. Inattention could result in missed doctor's procedures and appointments. They may also have disordered eating habits or having a high BMI. They might also use unhealthy ways of coping, like shopping too much, nail-biting and skin picking.
The most effective method to determine ADHD is to conduct an exhaustive evaluation by a mental health professional or health care provider. ADHD symptoms adult female will also ask the patient about their emotional and physical well-being. They may suggest diagnostic tests or an interview. Many adults are shocked to find out that they've suffered from a mental illness for many years.
3. Impulsivity
Women who suffer from ADHD have a harder time controlling their impulses. This can lead to other problems such as self-injury or alcohol or drug abuse. It can also lead to issues with relationships, since the inability to control or be impulsive can cause confusion and conflict with family members, friends, and coworkers.
Symptoms of impulsivity include blurting things out, buying something at the spur of the moment and then jumping into the purchase without contemplating the consequences. Remember that acting impulsively doesn't necessarily mean that you're an unfit person. Some people need more time to think before acting. However, it's still an excellent idea to speak with your doctor about this and to get checked for ADHD especially when you notice that these symptoms are getting more severe.
Women who suffer from ADHD often have difficulty managing their emotions. This can lead to depression or other mental health problems. Symptoms of depression are difficult to spot for women since they can resemble other health issues, such as headaches or insomnia. Women with ADHD are hesitant to seek help due to the fact that they believe that their symptoms are a sign of low self-esteem or a personality flaw.
It's important to understand that sex and gender are two different concepts and that the biological traits that determine whether you are either a woman, man or a nonbinary person do not affect your internal sense of identity. However, many people with ADHD have trouble identifying with their assigned gender, and this can trigger feelings of guilt and despair. These feelings can be further exacerbated by the stress of living with untreated ADHD which can lead to a lack of professional or personal support.
4. Distractions
As girls with ADHD develop into women, they might be unable to handle adult tasks and interactions. This can lead to problems at work or school and can cause tension in relationships with family, friends and romantic partners. Women with ADHD may also have trouble managing their finances or home. They may be prone to neglecting health issues such as regular checkups and exercise. They may also struggle to deal with negative emotions like anxiety and depression.
ADHD symptoms for women include being unable to remember things, losing things, being easily distracted, having difficulties working with others or feeling overwhelmed by tasks. There are also mood-related symptoms like lower self-esteem or a lack of confidence in themselves.
It is crucial that women are aware of their symptoms and receive a diagnosis. It's also helpful to talk to an expert in mental health about their struggles and create coping strategies for ADHD. For example, cognitive-behavioral therapy can help change negative thought patterns and improve coping strategies. Additionally the joining of a women's support group can provide valuable advice regarding living with ADHD and coping strategies for daily life.
It's also worth noting that women with ADHD have different symptoms than men, and symptoms may differ during transitional times such as puberty and childbirth, pregnancy, or hormone treatments during menopausal. This is due in part to hormonal fluctuations, as well as the fact that women have a larger hippocampal region which plays a key role in the development of memory and learning. Women may also hide their ADHD symptoms better than males. This can make it more difficult to get a correct diagnosis. It is possible to lead an enjoyable and fulfilling life with ADHD despite these challenges.
5. Anxiety
Although it can be a challenge for women suffering from ADHD to admit that they have anxiety issues, obtaining a diagnosis and finding the right treatment can make their lives much better. It will also help them know their behavior and how it impacts other people.
Anxiety can be a major indicator of ADHD for women of all ages and it can look like:
Trouble staying focused or distracted, or seeming to be distracted. Making mistakes that aren't made. Avoiding difficult or boring tasks. Trouble focusing at school or work. Forgetting or being late to meetings and appointments. Feeling overwhelmed by crowds or under stress at home or at work. Finding it difficult to relax or fall asleep. Being easily agitated or being a bit sensitive to criticism.
Women suffering from ADHD are more likely to have a mood disorder that is co-existing, like depression. They might also have difficulty to make friends. They might also have issues in their relationships with family members, which can lead to an increase in the amount of violence between partners and drug abuse.
It can be challenging for women and girls to receive a proper ADHD diagnosis as symptoms in women and girls differ from those in males and boys. Health care providers must be aware of these differences to arrive at a precise diagnosis. This involves identifying specific characteristics, such as the presence of a distinct symptoms profile, difficulties with social interactions and a tendency to develop strategies to deal with underachievement and performance problems, and the coexistence of depression and anxiety. It is also essential to consider the impact of hormone levels in women on the symptom profile she displays.