Symptoms of ADHD in Adults Women
The signs of ADHD in women who are adults can be harder to recognize than men due to the fact that women tend to develop strategies to cope with their symptoms, according to Dr. Frank. Fortunately, support for lifestyle and medication can help them improve their functioning and enhance 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. Inattention
The signs of ADHD in women of all ages typically involve trouble keeping the time, missing appointments, misplacing objects or being easily distracted. Women can also struggle with procrastination or forgetfulness and working or studying in a setting that is noisy or busy. They are often challenged with interpersonal skills, including interrupting other people and making statements they later regret.
Women with ADHD are more adept at masked symptoms than boys and males. They can develop healthy coping strategies, such as having a regular schedule or making phone calls to remind them of important occasions. However, these strategies can be unsustainable over the long run and do not suffice to manage the complexity of daily life. Additionally, their symptoms may be exacerbated by co-occurring disorders like anxiety and depression.
Many people suffering from ADHD exhibit hyperactivity or impulsivity symptoms too. For adults, these signs are less obvious and could only affect certain areas of their lives like social or work-related 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 maintain friendships.
People with moderate to mild ADHD may not have any significant problems at work or in their relationships, however they struggle with keeping track of their time and following through on commitments. They may face issues with household chores, finances or schoolwork, and feel overwhelmed by their responsibilities. 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 often have trouble organizing their home, work and personal things. They may also lose track of important things like their keys, wallets eyeglasses, cell phones. They are also prone to losing their temper and getting distracted by their thoughts and activities. Their inability to follow instructions and complete their tasks can affect their work, schoolwork and relationships.
Women often mask their symptoms by using their emotions as a reason for their behavior, making it difficult to be diagnosed and treated. For example, she might blame her inattention or forgetfulness on anxiety and low self-esteem. It is also possible to blame relationship issues or other complaints, such as nausea and headaches, on the stress of life or hormone fluctuations (e.g. menopausal, perimenopausal or menopause).
If not treated, ADHD can lead to serious issues. For instance, girls and women who suffer from ADHD may be at a higher risk of adolescent sexual activity due to their impulsivity and difficulties with boundaries between people and planning. They may be more likely to use drugs and alcohol to self-medicate. Inattention can cause delay in doctor's appointments and procedures. They could have unbalanced eating habits or an elevated BMI. They might also engage in unhealthy coping strategies, such as excessive shopping or nail-biting, as well as skin picking.
A thorough assessment by a health care professional or mental health professional is the best method of diagnosing ADHD. In addition, to examine the patient's physical and mental well-being, the professional may solicit feedback from family members and friends. They might suggest diagnostic tests or an interview. A diagnosis can be a life-changing experience for those who discover they've had mental health issues for years.
3. Impulsivity
Women who suffer from ADHD tend to have more difficulty controlling their impulses than males, and this could cause problems such as self-injury, alcohol or drug abuse, and other mental health issues. It can also cause difficulties in relationships, since forgetfulness and impulsive behavior can lead to misunderstandings or conflicts with family members, friends and co-workers.
The signs of impulsivity are the tendency to blurt things out, purchasing something on impulse and then rushing into it without thinking about the consequences. It is important to keep in mind that acting in a rash manner isn't always a sign of bad character, and some people require more time than others to think through their thoughts before deciding to act. However, it's still a good idea to consult your doctor about this and get checked for ADHD, especially as you begin to observe that your symptoms are becoming more severe.
Women who suffer from ADHD frequently have trouble controlling their emotions. This can cause depression, or other mental health issues. Depression symptoms can be difficult to recognize in women as they can be similar to other health problems, like insomnia and chronic headaches. Some women suffering from ADHD are hesitant to seek help due to the fact that they believe that their symptoms are indicative of self-esteem issues or a personality flaw.
It is crucial to recognize that sex is an entirely different concept from gender, and that your internal sense if identity is not affected by the genetic characteristics that determine whether you are a man, woman or a non-binary. However, many people with ADHD have difficulty identifying with their assigned gender, and this can lead to feelings of desperation and shame. These feelings can be further exacerbated by the anxiety of living with untreated ADHD and can cause an absence of personal or professional support.
4. Distractions
As girls with ADHD develop into women, they may be unable to handle adult tasks and interactions. This can cause problems at work or school and tensions with family friends, as well as romantic partners. Women with ADHD can also have difficulty managing their finances and home. They could also be at risk of ignoring health issues like regular checkups and exercises. They may also have difficulty to deal with negative emotions like depression and anxiety.
Signs of ADHD in adults women may include misplacing items or forgetting appointments, being easily distracted by movement or noise, having difficulty working with others, or being overwhelmed by the demands of tasks. They might also experience mood-related symptoms like low self-esteem or low self-confidence.
It is crucial to recognize the signs and get an assessment. It is also beneficial to talk to an expert in mental health about their difficulties and develop strategies to cope with ADHD. For example, cognitive-behavioral therapy can help change negative thought patterns and enhance coping skills. In addition, joining a women's support group can provide valuable information about living with ADHD and strategies for coping with daily life.
It is also important to note that women with ADHD have different symptoms than men, and these are different during transitional periods like puberty and childbirth, pregnancy, or hormone treatments during menopause. This is due to hormone fluctuations and the fact that females have a larger hippocampus, which plays an important part in memory and learning. Women are also more adept in hiding their ADHD symptoms than men, which could make it difficult to get a proper diagnosis. It is possible to lead an enjoyable and joyful life with ADHD despite these difficulties.
5. Anxiety
It can be difficult for women with ADHD admitting they have anxiety issues, but obtaining the correct diagnosis and treatment could make a significant changes in their lives. It can also help them better understand their behavior and how it affects other people.
Anxiety is a significant symptom for women suffering from ADHD. It may be as follows:
Distractions, such as being distracted or appearing distracted. Making careless mistakes. Avoiding tasks that require concentration, or may be boring. Problems with concentration at school or at work. Being late or forgetting things for meetings and appointments. Feeling overwhelmed by the crowds or under pressure at home or work. Having trouble relaxing or falling asleep. Being easily agitated, or being overly sensitive to criticism.
Women with ADHD can be more likely to develop a co-occurring disorder of mood, like depression, and may be more difficult to establish friendships. They might also have issues in their intimate relationships, which can lead to an increased rate of violence between partners and substance abuse.
It can be challenging for girls and women to get a correct ADHD diagnosis as symptoms for girls and women differ from those of men and boys. Health care providers must be aware of these differences in order to arrive at a precise diagnosis. This means identifying certain traits, such a more distinct symptoms-profile, difficulties with social relationships, a tendency for coping strategies to mask the signs of performance issues or underachievement and the coexistence between anxiety and depression. It is important to also be aware of the effect hormone levels affect her symptoms.