ADHD Symptoms in Adult Women
Women who aren't diagnosed with ADHD might have difficulties at workplace or in relationships. It is essential to recognize the symptoms of ADHD and seek a treatment that works for you.
Symptoms of ADHD in adults are more likely to be the inattentive type than hyperactivity/impulsive. A correct diagnosis can improve your life, by addressing your symptoms and paying attention to what is important.
1. Difficulty paying attention
Women may be struggling with their inability to pay attention to specifics, remember appointments and deadlines or underestimate how long it will take to complete a task. They might also have difficulties managing their time at workplace or in relationships, become distracted easily, and fail to follow through on their promises. They might also be impulsive, have difficulty controlling their emotions, and blurt out thoughts without thinking them through.
The difficulty of paying attention to the needs of ADHD symptoms in women who are older can lead to problems with relationships and friendships that's why it's important to recognize the signs and seek treatment. Women might find it harder to make new acquaintances, or they may have difficulty in their relationships, with constant fights and missed opportunities for fun activities and being ignored. They may also find it difficult balancing the demands of home, work and childcare.
Many people who have ADHD do not meet the diagnostic criteria, and it could be hard for health care providers or therapists to identify the disorder. It doesn't mean that it's not real or that the person has to work harder to stay focused. A diagnosis is based on the extent to which the symptoms affect the daily activities in a variety of areas of life.
Women are more likely to suffer from inattentive symptoms as opposed to hyperactive or impulsive ones, which could explain why they're not diagnosed. In addition, many women with ADHD are afflicted with a sense of shame about their symptoms because they don't conform to the stereotypes of a person with ADHD. This can make it more difficult to reach out for assistance or seek treatment.
Women who suffer from ADHD are not diagnosed for a long period of time, because they are unable to hide their symptoms and cope. They are also more likely to suffer from disorders that are comorbid, like anxiety or depression that can conceal the symptoms of ADHD. They are more likely to have hormonal fluctuations, which can cause their symptoms to flare up or disappear. This is particularly the case during menstrual cycles or pregnancy, as well as perimenopausal.
2. Organizational Issues
Disorganization, forgetfulness, impulsivity and emotional dysregulation are common ADHD symptoms that women suffer from. These signs can cause them to be difficult to manage daily tasks, meet obligations or maintain relationships. They may also have low self-esteem or experience anxiety. Women with undiagnosed ADHD might feel they're not meeting society's expectations. They might also be afflicted by anxiety and low self-esteem.
In addition to disorganization and forgetfulness, ADHD in adult women can be manifested as hyperfocus or procrastination. These issues can result in women not attending appointments, not paying bills on time and feeling overwhelmed. Hyperfocus can lead to a loss in focus on other important tasks as well as a misunderstood understanding of time. This can make it difficult to switch from one task to another. Procrastination can lead to a buildup of stress, anxiety, and an unending feeling of being left behind.
Another symptom that is often associated with ADHD is difficulty communicating verbally and nonverbally. This can include excessive talking, interrupting other people, or uttering inappropriate phrases. This could include an inability for her to be patient or having difficulty understanding the boundaries of social interaction. It is important to note that these behaviors do not necessarily indicate a lack of intelligence or capabilities.
Many women suffering from ADHD develop strategies to disguise their symptoms. ADHD symptoms in women adults can have both positive and negative consequences. Some of these coping mechanisms might be healthy. For example using a calendar for the day or setting reminders for important events. Some of these coping strategies may be healthy, for instance, setting reminders for events or using alcohol and drugs to mask symptoms. As a result, it is important for women who suspect ADHD to seek assistance from an expert in mental health.
Women with ADHD might benefit from taking treatment, lifestyle changes, therapy, or other treatments. Some of these include cognitive therapy to deal with negative beliefs and thoughts, mindfulness and relaxation techniques and exercise, a balanced diet, and adequate sleep. A doctor may also recommend adjustments to help make school or work easier to manage.
3. Disruptive Behaviors
Women who suffer from ADHD might struggle with emotional dysregulation. They can become frustrated and depressed when their problems aren't easily overcome. It can be difficult to maintain relationships, whether with romantic partners, coworkers, or friends. For example an impulsive or forgetful attitude can increase frustration or confusion in romantic relationships and can cause feelings of depression or loneliness. Additionally the desire to find thrills on the spur of the moment can be misinterpreted as disinterest or indifference by other people.
This is one of the reasons ADHD symptoms for girls and women are often not recognized or diagnosed. It is possible that they are not able to recognize their problems in relation to ADHD because of stereotypes and social norms about men and women's behavior.
Girls and women with ADHD can disguise their symptoms to avoid embarrassment. This may result in being referred to a specialist less frequently than boys and men who have similar symptoms. This discrepancy may also be due to gender bias in the research that informs diagnosis criteria. Hartung and Widiger discovered in an earlier study that women and girls who suffer from ADHD symptoms tend to be more likely to go undiagnosed and under-diagnosed than men and adults. This could be because clinicians are conditioned to see hyperactive and impulsive ADHD symptoms as more common to boys and men and can make them easier to identify and referred for assessment.
For adults, ADHD symptoms can manifest as restlessness and difficulty settling. These are common ADHD symptoms however they can affect the lives of adults. People suffering from ADHD are often anxious and have difficulty sitting still, especially when they are feeling anxious or stressed. They also tend to fidget, and are often overly active. They often interrupt or complete sentences of other people and do not realize they're causing offence.
If you think you might have ADHD and are concerned, you can be recommended to a psychiatrist by your GP or psychologist. You can also self-refer. This information was reviewed in the month of October 2024 and revised in November 2022 by Madeline Dykes, clinical psychologist and members of the Thriving Madly peer support network in Christchurch.
4. Social Skills Problems
Women suffering from ADHD may have difficulty managing their emotions or communicating effectively at work. This can lead to issues in personal relationships as well as with professional goals. For instance, they could struggle to understand and respond to feedback, which could cause frustration and even disappointment. They also may struggle to keep a healthy diet and sleep habits, which can increase feelings of anxiety. Some women with ADHD utilize unhealthy strategies for coping to cope with their issues. This can include alcohol abuse and eating disorders, as well as self-injury that is not suicide-related (NSSI) which includes cutting, burning, or scratching.
As they age, women with ADHD may find it more difficult to seek treatment than men due to the fact that they are more likely to hide their symptoms. In an effort to make themselves acceptable to society and to meet the expectations of society, they often develop coping strategies. This could make it more difficult for others to recognize their ADHD symptoms. These strategies for coping could be as simple as creating lists and establishing reminders, or more complicated methods, like managing their emotions or implementing mindfulness techniques.
However, these coping methods can backfire and make symptoms worse. They can also make it difficult to get adequate sleep, which is crucial for managing ADHD symptoms. Women suffering from ADHD may also feel overwhelmed by the demands of everyday life, which can exacerbate ADHD symptoms.
While it's true that a greater number of boys are diagnosed with ADHD than girls, this gap is less when they become adults. It's because it's common for women to experience a variety of symptoms throughout their lives, and this can result in being diagnosed at different instances.
The changes in hormone levels can also impact ADHD symptoms among women. If they have a higher estrogen level during pregnancy, for example, their symptoms may improve. This is because estrogen levels can aid in the regulation of brain chemicals that affect attention. If their estrogen levels decline due to perimenopause or aging, ADHD symptoms may worsen.
It is possible for adults with ADHD to receive an accurate diagnosis and access effective treatment. These include cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) and neurocognitive psychology, and many other treatments that can help those with ADHD improve their daily functioning. They can also attend support group meetings for ADHD to share their experiences with others who are on the same journey and gain valuable insight from their peers.