ADHD Adult Female Symptoms
ADHD can affect females and males, but it is more difficult for women to be diagnosed. That's because females often don't show the same hyperactivity and impulsivity as men, so they could be overlooked or misdiagnosed.
Getting an accurate diagnosis is the first step to managing your symptoms. Stimulant medications are a popular treatment for adults with ADHD however there are also other options.
1. Problems with Focusing
Women with ADHD can be distracted by a variety of things, but they're also having difficulties focusing on conversations and tasks especially when they are experiencing emotional or sensory overload. These difficulties can be exacerbated when menstrual cycles are in full swing.
Women with inattention ADHD also have issues with their working memory, making it hard to remember simple things like appointments or future events. They may forget where they left their keys in their car or the name of the lady who offered them a ride home after a the spin class. They might forget important dates or deadlines.
Procrastination, as well as the inability to follow through with plans are also symptoms of ADHD among females of adulthood. They tend to be distracted by shiny objects or social networks which makes it difficult to complete their projects and assignments. This can cause them to feel overwhelmed and underperforming at school or at work.
Many women suffering from ADHD aren't diagnosed due to gender stereotypes. They feel guilt and mistakenly attribute their problems as "bad behaviours" or "character defects". They may feel like they're an imposter. A diagnosis can be a "lightbulb" moment for them, since it provides them with an external explanation for their struggles and allows them to accept themselves better.
Untreated ADHD in women and girls can result in a myriad of negative consequences, including academic difficulties, behavioral problems relationships and family issues as well as coexisting mental health conditions. A well-constructed diagnosis and treatment plan will improve the lives of people with ADHD at any stage in their lives. Treatment options include stimulant medication and therapy. *
2. Difficulty Finishing Projects
Women with ADHD often have trouble completing tasks and duties. They might forget important information, have trouble switching between tasks and responsibilities and find it difficult to meet deadlines. They might also be more prone to make erroneous mistakes or have difficulty organizing their time well and underestimate the amount of time it takes to complete their tasks.
The emotional manifestations of ADHD in adults, like mood swings and irritability can be a major source of frustration for women suffering from the condition. The symptoms can be exacerbated by hormonal changes, such as those that occur during the menstrual cycle, pregnancy and menopause. Women who have not been diagnosed with ADHD can feel frustrated and disappointed by their performance at work or in their relationships.
Some women with ADHD have a difficult time managing daily tasks like grocery shopping and chores. They might have a difficult recalling to take out the trash or to turn off the stove, and they can be easily distracted by little things around them. They might also struggle with monotonous tasks like washing dishes or folding laundry. The monotonous or repetitive chores can become exhausting which can lead to impulsive behavior like excessive talk or sharing. The impulsivity that is associated with ADHD can cause women to make unruly decisions and rely on unhealthy coping mechanisms such as alcohol or drugs.
If you're having trouble finishing tasks, memory problems, chronic procrastination and relationships, you should consider a professional assessment for ADHD. A proper diagnosis can improve the quality of your life and help you achieve success in your personal and professional life. It can help you better manage your ADHD symptoms and devise strategies to address them effectively. You can limit lapses of attention and focus by sticking to a schedule using a planner, or a reminder apps, taking notes during meetings, and ensuring good sleep hygiene. Exercise can also help to improve focus by increasing brain neurotransmitter production.
3. It is difficult to remember names
It is possible that difficulty in remembering names could be accompanied by other ADHD symptoms, like trouble following directions or finishing projects. The root cause of the difficulties is a lack of ability to organize and prioritize tasks, which impacts the efficiency of information retrieval. This condition can worsen during times of stress, fatigue, or hormonal changes, such as before, during, and after menopausal changes.
When a person forgets names, it can be even more frustrating if they also forget important information such as appointments, events or personal reminders. These lapses may also be worsened by depression or anxiety, which commonly co-occur 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. Therefore, they are not diagnosed and are not being referred to a doctor for treatment and diagnosis.
Furthermore, there is a bias based on gender due to the fact that ADHD is generally perceived as a problem for males, with hyperactive boys being the ones who are the most referred to clinics for evaluation and treatment. In addition to the internalized stigma, women's symptoms are often different from men's. Many professionals are unable to diagnose or treat ADHD in females.
Fortunately, it's becoming more common for women to receive an ADHD diagnosis in their adulthood. A diagnosis can help improve your relationships and set you up for success at work and school and provide the support you require to succeed in your life. If you're looking to get an assessment, speak with an experienced Salience Health provider. We can assess your symptoms using tools such as Creyos Cognitive Testing and Brainview Advanced and connect you to a therapist that is the right fit for you.
4. Ailoofs that appear difficult to see
Women suffering from ADHD are often prone to inattention and their issues may seem insignificant to other people. They might miss appointments, fail to finish chores around the home, or have trouble making notes at work. They might also struggle with impulsivity or have difficulty understanding social boundaries. This could cause to confusion and misinterpretation with family and friends and may cause feelings of loneliness and isolation.
In addition, women who suffer from untreated ADHD often struggle to meet societal expectations for them as women. This can cause feelings of inadequacy and ADHD symptoms as they struggle with the burden of caring for children and household chores. If not treated, ADHD can cause low self-esteem in women. They might resort to unhealthy coping mechanisms like binge eating and watching marathons of TV.
The difficulties of ADHD in women are caused by gender bias both in the way that girls and women are perceived and evaluated by clinicians. There is evidence that suggests that women and girls are more likely to hide their ADHD symptoms or to compensate for them, and are less likely than males and females to get referred for treatment and diagnosis.
Women with ADHD can also have difficulty 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 incorrect treatment.
Symptoms of ADHD can be influenced by hormonal fluctuations. They are most noticeable during the ovulation cycle or menstrual cycle, pregnancy or menopausal. These changes can intensify a woman's frustration with her ADHD symptoms, and can increase the likelihood of being misunderstood or dismissed as moody or overly emotional.
5. Impulsivity
Women also experience the impulsivity that is a symptom of ADHD. They may also have trouble controlling their emotions and could be prone to having "foot-in-mouth" moments. These behaviors that are impulsive can have a major impact on your personal and professional life.
Prefrontal cortex is the part of the brain that is responsible for controlling thinking and making decisions. ADHD symptoms in adult men is able to prevent individuals from making poor choices because it acts as a safeguard. ADHD sufferers have a weaker prefrontal cortex. This can make it harder to resist impulses and stop themselves from engaging in reckless behavior. It can also cause an absence of self-esteem. Women's impulsiveness often manifests as an inability to maintain social boundaries and self-restraint in conversations (interrupting others, finishing their sentences, and talking too much).
Women can also experience problems with impulse control when their hormones fluctuate. Estrogen fluctuates at different times throughout the menstrual cycle as well as during pregnancy, childbirth, and menopause. Oral contraception and hormone therapy during menopausal perimenopausal cycles can alter estrogen levels as well as other hormones, which can impact women's ADHD.
The method by which ADHD symptoms are expressed in women and girls can vary from those of boys and men, which is one of the reasons they are frequently not diagnosed. Many adults with ADHD are not aware of their health issues. The good news is, the diagnosis and treatment of ADHD at any age can improve the quality of life for an individual. If you are unsure whether or not you have ADHD consult your doctor and see how they can help. Treatment options include medication, cognitive behavior therapy, and couples counseling.