ADHD Adult Female Symptoms
ADHD can affect both men and women, but it's more difficult for women to be diagnosed. It's because women don't often exhibit the same high levels of impulsivity or hyperactivity that men do, which means they can be missed or misdiagnosed.
The first step in managing your symptoms is to obtain an accurate diagnosis. Stimulant medication is a common treatment for adults with ADHD, but there are also other options.
1. Trouble focusing
Women suffering from ADHD can be distracted by a myriad of things, but they also have a harder time staying focused on tasks and conversations especially when they are experiencing emotional or sensory overload. These problems can be made worse when menstrual cycles are in full swing.
Women who are inattentive ADHD also have trouble with their working memory, which makes it hard to remember simple things like appointments or future events. They might forget where they left their keys in their car or the name of the lady who offered them a ride home from spinning class. They may forget important dates or deadlines.
Other signs of ADHD females in adulthood include procrastination and difficulty following through with plans. They are more likely to get distracted by shiny objects or social media, making it difficult to complete their projects and assignments. This can result in feeling overwhelmed and underperforming in the classroom or at work.
Because of societal ideas about gender, a lot of women suffering from ADHD are not diagnosed. They feel shame and mistakenly label their problems as "bad behaviors" or "character imperfections". They often feel like an impostor. A diagnosis could be a lightbulb moment giving them a clear, external explanation for their issues and giving them the opportunity to accept themselves more fully.
Untreated ADHD for girls and women can have a variety of negative consequences, including behavioral issues, academic problems relationships and family issues as well as coexisting mental health issues. However, a correct diagnosis and treatment plan can drastically improve the quality of life for those suffering from this condition at every stage of their lives. Treatment options include therapy and stimulant medications. *
2. Difficulty Finishing Projects
Women suffering from ADHD struggle to complete tasks or obligations. They may forget important details, have difficulty switching between tasks or responsibilities and have difficulty attempting to meet deadlines. They may also be more likely to make errors, have difficulty organizing and managing their schedule, and underestimate how long they need to finish tasks.
Women with ADHD are likely to experience emotional symptoms of ADHD, such as irritability or mood swings, particularly frustrating. Symptoms can be exacerbated by hormonal changes, including those that occur during menstrual cycles or during pregnancy, as well as menopausal. Women who aren't diagnosed with ADHD may feel angry and depressed by their performance at workplace or in their relationships.
Women who suffer from ADHD are unable to complete daily tasks like chores and grocery shopping challenging. They might have a difficult time remembering to take out the trash or turn off the stove and they are easily distracted by little things in their environment. They may also struggle performing repetitive tasks, such as folding the dishes or washing the laundry. Simple tasks that are boring or repetitive can become intolerable, leading to impulsive behaviors like excessive talking or oversharing. The impulsivity associated with ADHD can cause women to make impulsive decisions and rely on unhealthy coping mechanisms like alcohol or drugs.
If you're having difficulty finishing tasks, have memory issues, have a tendency to procrastinate for a long time, or face relationship challenges It is crucial to seek out professional help for ADHD. Finding the right diagnosis can improve your living quality and help you achieve success in both your professional and personal lives. It can help you manage your ADHD symptoms, and help you develop strategies to manage the symptoms. You can reduce lapses in focus and attention by adhering to a set schedule by using a planner or reminder apps, making notes during meetings, and maintaining good sleep hygiene. Exercise also helps improve focus by increasing brain neurotransmitter production.
3. Difficulty remembering names
It is possible that a trouble remembering names might be accompanied by other ADHD symptoms, like trouble following directions or finishing projects. The underlying issue behind these difficulties is an inability to prioritize tasks and organize them that affects the efficiency of information retrieval. This symptom also tends to worsen during periods of stress, fatigue, or hormonal changes, such as prior to, during, or after menopause.
The feeling of forgetting names can be more frustrating if it's accompanied by a feeling of forgetfulness over larger things, such as appointments, events, or personal reminders. These lapses may also be exacerbated by anxiety or depression that are often associated with ADHD in women.
ADHD is often underdiagnosed in women due to gender bias and internalized symptoms. Inattentive ADHD symptoms are more subtle than hyperactive/impulsive symptoms, making them harder to detect and identify. They are, therefore, under-diagnosed and under-referred to doctors to receive treatment and diagnosis.
In addition, there is a gender-based bias because ADHD is typically seen as a male condition, with hyperactive boys being the ones who are most referred to clinics for evaluation and treatment. In addition to internalized stigma, women's symptoms are usually different from those of men. Many doctors fail to diagnose or treat ADHD for females.
Fortunately, it's becoming more common for women to receive an ADHD diagnosis in adulthood. A diagnosis can help improve your relationships and set you up for success at school and work and offer the help you need to excel in your daily life. If you are looking to get an assessment, speak with an experienced Salience Health provider. We can evaluate your symptoms using tools such as Creyos Cognitive Testing and Brainview Advanced and connect you with a therapist who's suitable for you.
4. Difficulty Appearing Aloof
Women who suffer from ADHD typically have inattention symptoms and their problems can seem subtle to others. They may miss appointments, forget to complete chores around the house or have difficulty making notes at work. They might also struggle with impulsivity or difficulty understanding the boundaries of social interaction. This can lead them to misinterpret and misunderstandings with family and friends and could result in feelings of isolation and loneliness.
In addition, women who suffer from untreated ADHD often struggle to meet societal expectations for them as women. This can cause feeling inadequate and ADHD symptoms as they struggle with the burden of caring for children and household chores. Many women with untreated ADHD report low self-esteem and resort to unhealthy coping strategies such as binge eating or television marathons.
The challenges of ADHD for women can be exacerbated by gender bias, both in how girls and women are perceived and assessed by healthcare professionals. There is evidence that suggests that girls and women are more likely to cover up or disguise their ADHD symptoms, and can be less likely to receive treatment and diagnosis than boys and men.
Another issue is that women suffering from ADHD might have difficulty recognizing their own symptoms, and they might confuse them with depression or anxiety. This could lead to incorrect diagnosis and delayed treatment.
The symptoms of ADHD are influenced by hormone changes, and they are most noticeable during the ovulation cycle and during menstrual cycles, pregnancy, or menopause. These changes can make women more unhappy with her ADHD symptoms and increase the chances of being viewed as a naive, or dismissed as moody or emotional.
5. Impulsivity
Women are also prone to impulsivity, which is a symptom of ADHD. They may also have trouble managing their emotions and can be prone to having "foot-in-mouth" moments. These actions that are impulsive can have a huge impact on relationships as well as professional life.
Prefrontal cortex is a part of the brain that controls the process of reasoning and decision-making. ADHD hyperactivity symptoms in adults is able to prevent people from making bad decisions because it acts as an alarm. People who suffer from ADHD have less functioning prefrontal cortex, which makes it difficult for them to resist their urges or prevent themselves from doing something dangerous or damaging. It can also cause an absence of self-esteem. Women's impulsiveness often manifests as an inability to maintain social boundaries and self-control in conversations (interrupting others, finishing their sentences, and talking too often).
Women can also have problems with impulse control when their hormones fluctuate. Estrogen fluctuates naturally at different periods during the menstrual cycle, as well as during childbirth, pregnancy and menopausal. The use of oral contraception and hormone therapy during perimenopause and menopause can further alter the levels of estrogen as well as other hormones that affect the woman's ADHD symptoms.
The way ADHD symptoms manifest for women and girls may differ from that of men and boys, which is one of the reasons they are often underdiagnosed. Many people with ADHD are unaware of their health issues. The good news is that identifying and treating ADHD can make a difference in the quality of life for anyone at any age. If you're not sure whether or not you suffer from ADHD consult your doctor to see if they can assist. Treatment options include medication, cognitive behavioral therapy, and couples counseling.