Symptoms of ADHD in Adults Women
Dr. Frank says that the symptoms of ADHD in women of adulthood are typically more difficult to identify than in men, since women have coping mechanisms to disguise their symptoms. Fortunately, lifestyle changes and medication can improve their lives and performance.
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 symptoms of ADHD in women of all ages typically are characterized by difficulty in keeping the time, missing appointments, misplacing objects or becoming easily distracted. Women can also be troubled by the habit of procrastination, forgetfulness or working or studying in a noisy or busy environment. inattentive ADHD in adults symptoms are often struggling with interpersonal skills. They may interrupt others or make comments that they regret later.
Women with ADHD are better at masking symptoms than boys and males. They may develop healthy coping strategies that include relying on an agenda for the day and using reminders on their phones to remind them of important events. However, these strategies for coping may not be sustainable over the long term and may not be sufficient to handle the demands of real life. Additionally, their symptoms can also be exacerbated by comorbid disorders like anxiety and depression.
Many people who suffer from ADHD also exhibit an impulsivity and hyperactivity. Adults may experience milder symptoms that are only affecting certain aspects of their lives like social interactions or work. 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 calm down. They may also struggle to make and keep friendships.
People who suffer from mild to moderate ADHD might not experience major issues at work or in their relationships, however they may have difficulty keeping track of their time and following through on commitments. They may face issues with finances, schoolwork or household chores and often experience an overwhelming feeling by the responsibilities they have to fulfill. Those who suffer from severe symptoms are severely disrupted in their day-to-day lives and can have trouble keeping a job or maintaining relationships.
2. Hyperactivity
Women with ADHD struggle with organizing their home, work and personal belongings. They can also get lost in the details of important items like keys, wallets, eyeglasses, and cell phones. They are also easily distracted and lose their temper. Their inability to follow instructions and complete their tasks can affect their work, schoolwork and relationships.
Women often cover up their symptoms by using their emotions as a reason for their behavior, which makes it difficult to be diagnosed and treated. For instance women might experience low self-esteem or anxiety as the reason for her inattention and forgetfulness. She could also blame relationship issues or somatic complaints (such as nausea and headaches) on the stress of life or hormonal changes (e.g. perimenopause, menopause).
Untreated ADHD can lead to serious issues. Girls and women with ADHD might be more likely to engage in sexual adolescence due to their impulsivity, difficulty with interpersonal boundaries and lack of planning. Self-medicating using alcohol and other drugs is more frequent. Inattention could result in delays in appointments and procedures with doctors. They could have irregular and unbalanced eating habits or a higher BMI, and unhealthy coping strategies, such as nail-biting, skin picking, compulsive shopping, and excessive exercise.
The most effective method to determine ADHD is through an extensive examination by a mental health professional or health care provider. In addition to looking at the patient's physical and emotional well-being, the doctor may seek feedback from family members and friends. They might also suggest some lab tests or a diagnostic interview. Many adults are surprised to find out that they've been suffering from a mental illness for years.
3. Impulsivity
Women suffering 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 relationship problems, as the inability to control or be impulsive can lead to misunderstandings and conflicts with family, colleagues, and friends.
The signs of impulsivity are scribbling things out, buying something on a whim and then jumping into the purchase without thinking about the consequences. It's important to keep in mind that acting impulsively doesn't necessarily mean it's a sign of a bad character, and certain people require more time than others to think about their thoughts before they act. But, it's recommended to consult your doctor about this and to get tested for ADHD, especially as you start to notice that the symptoms are becoming more severe.
Women with 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 may resemble other health issues, such as insomnia and chronic headaches. what is adult ADHD symptoms with ADHD are reluctant to seek help due to the fact that they think their symptoms are the result of low self-esteem.
It's important to understand that gender and sexuality are two different concepts and that the biological traits that determine whether you're a man, woman or a nonbinary individual don't influence your personal identity. However, many people suffering from ADHD struggle to identify with their assigned gender, and this can trigger feelings of desperation and shame. The stress of not being treated for ADHD can exacerbate these feelings, and may also lead to a loss of support from friends or family members.
4. Distractions
As girls with ADHD become women, they may experience issues with adult responsibility. This can cause problems at school or work and tensions with family and friends as well as romantic partners. Women with ADHD might also have difficulty managing their finances or home, and could be at risk for neglecting health-related concerns like regular checkups and exercises. They may also have trouble coping with negative emotions like depression and anxiety.
ADHD symptoms for women may include forgetting things, losing things, being easily distracted, having difficulties working with others, or feeling overwhelmed by work. They may also be more likely to experience mood-related symptoms such as low self-esteem, low self-confidence or physical complaints such as headaches or abdominal pain.
It is crucial to recognize the signs and get a diagnosis. It is also helpful to talk to an expert in mental health about your difficulties and develop coping mechanisms for ADHD. Cognitive-behavioral therapies aid, for instance, to alter negative thinking patterns and increase the ability to cope. Participating in a women's group could provide valuable information about living with ADHD, and coping techniques for everyday life.
It's important to note that women who suffer from ADHD may suffer from different symptoms than men. These can change during transitional times such as puberty or pregnancy. They may also change during menopausal hormone treatments. This is due to hormone fluctuations and the fact that females have a greater hippocampal area, which plays a role in memory and learning. Women may also hide their ADHD symptoms better than men. This makes it difficult to receive an accurate diagnosis. Despite these obstacles it is still possible to lead an enjoyable life with ADHD.
5. Anxiety
Although it can be difficult for women suffering from ADHD to admit they have anxiety issues, obtaining an assessment and finding the appropriate treatment can make their lives much better. It can also help them gain a better understanding of their behavior and how it affects other people.
Anxiety can be a major symptom of ADHD in women who are adults and it can look like:
It is difficult to stay focused or on task, daydreaming or seeming to be distracted. Making a few mistakes. Avoiding tasks that require concentration or could be boring. Trouble focusing at work or at school. Being late or forgetting appointments and meetings. Feeling overwhelmed by the crowds or feeling pressured at home or work. Having trouble relaxing or falling asleep. Being easily disturbed or being too sensitive to criticism.
Women with ADHD may be more likely to develop co-occurring mood disorder, such as depression, and they may be less successful in establishing friendships. 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.
Girls and women may be unable to obtain a precise ADHD diagnosis because their symptoms differ from the men and boys. To be able to identify accurately ADHD, health professionals need to be aware of the differences. This involves identifying specific traits, such as an individualized manifesting symptom, difficulty in social interactions and a tendency to create strategies to deal with underachievement and performance problems, and the coexistence of depression and anxiety. It is also important to take into consideration the effect of hormone levels in women on her symptom manifestation.