ADHD Symptoms in Adult Women
Women who aren't diagnosed with ADHD may have issues at work or in relationships. It is important to identify the signs and find treatment that works for you.
Symptoms of ADHD in adults are more likely to be the inattentive type than hyperactivity/impulsive. Having a proper diagnosis can help you improve your life by addressing your symptoms and focusing on what matters most.
1. Difficulty paying attention
Women can be troubled by their inability to pay attention to specifics, remember appointments and deadlines or underestimate the time it will take to complete tasks. They might also find it difficult to keep track of their responsibilities in their relationships or at work They can easily get distracted and fail follow through with promises. They may also be afflicted by impulsivity, trouble managing their emotions and an inclination to talk about things without thinking them through first.
The inability to pay attention that is experienced by ADHD symptoms in women who are older can lead to problems with relationships and friendships and relationships. That's why it's important to recognize the signs and seek treatment. Women might find it harder to make new friends, or might struggle in their relationships, with recurring fights and missed opportunities for fun activities and being left out. Women may also struggle to manage the demands of work, home and childcare.
Many people who suffer from ADHD do not meet the diagnostic criteria, and it could be hard for health care providers or therapists to recognize the condition. This doesn't mean it's not real or that the person needs to be more focused. Diagnoses are based upon the symptoms and the way they affect daily functioning in multiple areas.
Women are more likely to suffer from inattentional symptoms than those who are hyperactive or impulsive which is why they go undiagnosed. Additionally many women suffering from ADHD suffer from a sense being embarrassed about their issues because they don't fit into the stereotypes of a person with ADHD. This makes it harder for those with ADHD to seek help or seek treatment.
In some cases women with ADHD are not diagnosed for a long period of time because they're trying to manage and hide their symptoms. Additionally, they are more likely to suffer from comorbidities that can conceal their ADHD symptoms, like depression, anxiety and digestive issues. They are more likely to have hormonal fluctuations that can cause their symptoms to flare up or disappear. This is particularly true during menstruation, pregnancy, and perimenopause.
2. Problems with Organization
Women who suffer from ADHD frequently experience a lack of memory and disorganization, as well as emotional dysregulation. These symptoms can make them unable to keep up with daily tasks, meet obligations, or maintain relationships. They may also have low self-esteem or anxiety. Women who have not been diagnosed with ADHD might feel like they're not meeting society's expectations. They might also be afflicted by anxiety and low self-esteem.
In addition to forgetfulness and disorganization, ADHD in adult women can manifest as procrastination or hyperfocus. These problems can lead to women missing appointments, not paying bills on time and feeling overwhelmed. Hyperfocus can lead to a loss in concentration on other important tasks and a poor understanding of time. This can make it difficult to shift from one task to another. Procrastination may also lead to stress, anxiety and a constant feeling of being lagging behind.
Another symptom that is often associated with ADHD is difficulty with verbal and nonverbal communication. This could include a lot of talking, interrupting other people, or using inappropriate words. This can include an inability for her to be patient or having difficulty understanding the boundaries of social interaction. It is important to keep in mind that these signs are not necessarily indicative of the absence of intelligence or capabilities.
Many women suffering from ADHD develop strategies to mask their symptoms. These strategies can have both positive and negative impacts. Some of these strategies can be healthy, like having a daily schedule or setting reminders for certain events. Some of these coping strategies could be healthy, like making reminders for events or using alcohol and other drugs to disguise symptoms. Therefore, it is essential for women who suspect they have ADHD to seek out help from an expert in mental health.
Women with ADHD may benefit from medications, lifestyle changes, therapy and a myriad of other treatment options. They can avail cognitive behavioral therapy, which addresses the underlying negative thoughts and beliefs such as mindfulness and relaxation, exercise, a healthy diet, and adequate rest. A medical professional may also recommend adjustments that can help make work or school more manageable.
3. Disruptive Behaviors
Women who suffer from ADHD can struggle with emotional dysregulation. This is why they often become frustrated and discouraged when the challenges of life aren't solved. It can be challenging to keep relationships going, whether with romantic partners, colleagues or family members. For example, forgetfulness and impulses can cause anxiety or confusion in relationships with loved ones and cause feelings of abandonment, loneliness or depression. A tendency to seek thrills at the whim of your heart could be mistaken by others as a lack of interest or indifference.
This is one of the reasons ADHD symptoms in women and girls are often not recognized or diagnosed. They might also have a hard time recognizing that their struggles are a result of the disorder due to social norms and stereotypes about the behavior of women and men.
Girls and women who suffer from ADHD may camouflage symptoms to avoid embarrassment. This may lead to them being referred for diagnosis less frequently than men and boys with similar symptoms. Additionally there is a gender bias in the research that informs the diagnostic criteria could be a factor in this disparity. In a recent study Hartung and Widiger found that girls and women are more likely to be misdiagnosed and undiagnosed than boys and men with similar ADHD symptoms. what is ADHD symptoms in adults could be due to the fact that clinicians are conditioned by their education to view hyperactive and hyperactive and impulsive ADHD as being more common in boys and men. This can make them easier to detect and to refer for assessment.
Adults, ADHD symptoms can manifest as restlessness and difficulty settling. These are common signs of ADHD, but in adulthood they can have a significant impact on one's life and well-being. People suffering from ADHD can feel restless and have difficulty sitting still, especially when they're feeling anxious or stressed. They also tend to fidget, and are often overly talking. They often interrupt or complete sentences of others, without realizing that they're causing offence.
If you think you have ADHD, your doctor or a registered psychologist can refer you to a psychiatrist to conduct an assessment. Or, you can self-refer. This content was reviewed in October 2024 and updated in November 2022 by Madeline Dykes, clinical psychologist and a member of the Thriving Madly peer support network in Christchurch.
4. Social Skills Problems
Women suffering from ADHD may have trouble communicating effectively or to manage their emotions at work. This can lead to issues in relationships with family and friends as well as in achieving professional goals. They may be unable to recognize and responding in a timely manner to feedback. This can lead to disappointment or anger. Additionally, they might struggle to maintain healthy eating and sleeping habits, which could lead to feelings of anxiety. Women with ADHD employ unhealthy methods of coping to cope with their issues. They may resort to eating disorders, substance abuse and non-suicidal harming oneself (NSSI) which includes cutting, burning or scratching.
Women who suffer from ADHD may be more hesitant to get help as adults than men because they often hide their symptoms. To make themselves acceptable to society and to meet expectations, they usually create coping mechanisms. This can make it harder for others recognize their ADHD symptoms. These coping strategies could be as simple as making lists and establishing reminders, or more complex strategies, like learning to control their emotions or developing mindfulness techniques.
However, these strategies could backfire and make symptoms worse. These strategies for coping can make it hard to get a good night's sleep, which is crucial for managing ADHD symptoms. Women with ADHD are also prone to feeling overwhelmed by the demands of daily life, which can lead to an increase in ADHD symptoms.
It's true that boys are diagnosed more often with ADHD than girls. However the gap is narrowing as they grow older. This is because women often have a range of symptoms throughout the course of their lives. This could lead to different diagnoses.
Changing hormone levels can also affect ADHD symptoms in women. If they have higher levels of estrogen during pregnancy, for instance the symptoms could improve. This is because higher levels of estrogen can aid in regulating brain chemicals that affect attention. However, if they begin to have low estrogen levels due to perimenopausal or age-related decline, their ADHD symptoms may become worse.
Adults suffering from ADHD can receive an accurate diagnosis, and they can access effective treatment. These include cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), neurocognitive psychology, and other therapies that can help people with ADHD improve their everyday functioning. Additionally, they can also attend support groups for ADHD to discuss their experiences with other people on the same journey and gain valuable insights from their peers.