Symptoms of ADHD in Adults Women
The signs of ADHD in women of all ages are more difficult to spot than men due to the fact that women often develop strategies to cope with their symptoms, says Dr. Frank. Fortunately lifestyle changes and medications can improve their lives and function.
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. Attention!
ADHD symptoms for women can include having trouble in keeping track of time as well as a tendency to miss appointments, lose items, or getting easily distracted. ADHD symptoms in adult men may also experience procrastination, forgetfulness and difficulty working or studying in a noisy or busy environment. Women often struggle with their interpersonal skills. They may interrupt other people or make comments that they regret later.
Women who suffer from ADHD are better at hiding symptoms than boys and males. They might come up with healthy strategies for coping that include relying on an agenda for the day and using reminders on their phones to remind them of important occasions. However, these coping strategies may not be sustainable over the long term and do not suffice to manage the complexity of daily life. Additionally, their symptoms can also be exacerbated by co-existing disorders like anxiety and depression.
Many people with ADHD also show the symptoms of impulsivity and hyperactivity. Adults may experience milder symptoms that are only affecting specific areas of their lives, such as social interactions or at 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 relaxing or finding a way of calming down, as well as trouble making and maintaining friendships.
People who suffer from mild or moderate ADHD don't have major issues in their work or relationships, however they struggle to stay organized and have a hard to keep track of their commitments. They may have issues with finances, household chores or schoolwork and find themselves overwhelmed by the demands of their jobs. In severe cases, the condition can cause disruptions to a person's daily life. They may also experience difficulties maintaining relationships or holding their job.
2. Hyperactivity
Women suffering from ADHD frequently struggle to organize their home, work, and personal things. They may also lose track of things like keys, wallets glasses, eyeglasses, and cellphones. They also are prone to losing their temper and getting distracted by extraneous thoughts and activities. The difficulty they have in following instructions and completing tasks can affect their academic performance as well as their work performance and relationships.
Women often cover up their symptoms by using their emotions as a reason for their behavior, making it more difficult to diagnose and treated. For instance, she could blame her forgetfulness or inattention on low self-esteem and anxiety. She could also blame relationship issues or other complaints (such as headaches and nausea) on the stress of everyday life or hormonal changes (e.g. menopausal or perimenopausal).
If left untreated, ADHD can lead to serious issues. For instance, women and girls with ADHD may be at a higher risk of sexual activity in adolescence due to their impulsivity as well as issues with boundaries within the group and planning. Self-medicating using alcohol and other drugs is more frequent. Inattention could lead to missed doctor's appointments and procedures. They could have unbalanced eating habits or an elevated BMI. They may also use unhealthy strategies for coping such as shopping excessively and nail-biting. Skin picking is another option.
A thorough evaluation by a medical professional or mental health professional is the most effective way to diagnose ADHD. The specialist will also inquire with the patient about his or her emotional and physical well-being. They might also suggest some tests for the body or a diagnostic interview. Having a diagnosis could be a life-changing moment for many adults who realize they've had an illness of the mind throughout their lives.
3. Impulsivity
Women who suffer from ADHD tend to have more difficulty controlling their impulses than men, and this can contribute to problems like self-injury, alcohol or drug abuse, or other mental health issues. It can also lead to issues with relationships, since the inability to control or be impulsive can lead to miscommunications and conflict with family members, coworkers, and friends.
Impulsivity is characterized by the tendency to speak loud, buy something on impulse, and act without considering the consequences. It's important to keep in mind that acting in a rash manner isn't always an indication of bad character, and some people need more time than others to think through their thoughts before acting. It's still essential to talk to your doctor and be checked for ADHD if you notice that your symptoms are becoming more severe.
Women suffering from ADHD often have trouble controlling their emotions. This can cause depression or other mental health issues. Depression symptoms can be difficult to recognize in women because they may resemble other health issues like insomnia or a chronic headache. Women with ADHD are hesitant to seek help due think their symptoms are a result of low self-esteem.
It is crucial to realize that sex and gender are two different concepts and that the biological characteristics that determine whether you are either a woman, man or a nonbinary person do not alter your personal identity. Many people suffering from ADHD struggle to identify with their gender. This can lead them to feel ashamed and a sense of despair. These can be exacerbated by the stress of living with untreated ADHD, which may also result in a lack of personal or professional support.
4. Distractions
As girls with ADHD become women, they can have difficulties juggling adult responsibility. This could lead to issues at school or work and strained relationships with family and friends as well as romantic partners. Women who suffer from ADHD are also prone to having difficulty managing their finances and home. They may be at risk of neglecting health issues like regular checkups and exercises. They may also have difficulty managing negative emotions, such as depression and anxiety.
ADHD symptoms for women can include the inability to remember things, loosing things, getting easily distracted, having difficulties working with others, or feeling overwhelmed by the demands of work. ADHD symptoms in adult men may also be more likely to experience mood-related issues like low self-esteem, low self-confidence, or somatic complaints such as abdominal pain or headaches.
It is crucial for women to identify their symptoms of ADHD and seek a diagnosis. It's also beneficial to talk to an expert in mental health about their difficulties and develop strategies for coping with ADHD. For instance, cognitive-behavioral therapies can help change negative thinking patterns and enhance coping skills. Additionally being a part of a women's supportive group can provide valuable information regarding living with ADHD and strategies to cope with everyday life.
It is also important to note that women who suffer from ADHD may experience different symptoms than men, and these are different during transitional periods such as puberty and childbirth, pregnancy, or hormone treatments during menopause. This is due in part to hormone fluctuations, and also the fact that women have a larger hippocampal region that plays a crucial role in the development of memory and learning. Women also have the ability to mask their ADHD symptoms better than men. This can make it harder to obtain an accurate diagnosis. Despite these challenges it is still possible to lead an enjoyable life with ADHD.
5. Anxiety
It can be difficult for women with ADHD admitting they have anxiety issues, but obtaining the right diagnosis and treatment can make a an enormous difference in their lives. It can also help them better understand their behavior and how it impacts other people.
Anxiety is a common indicator of ADHD in adults women and it may look like:
Difficulty staying focused or distracted, or seeming to be distracted. Making careless mistakes. Avoiding tasks that require concentration, or may be boring. Concentration problems at school or at work. Forgetting things or being late for appointments and meetings. Feeling overwhelmed in crowds or when under stress at home or at work. Having trouble relaxing or falling asleep. Being easily disturbed or sensitive to rejection and criticism.
Women with ADHD are more likely to suffer from a mood disorder that is co-existing, such as depression. They might also find it difficult to establish friendships. They may also experience issues in their relationships with their spouses which could lead to an increase in violence between partners and drug abuse.
Women and girls may struggle to get a proper ADHD diagnosis because their symptoms are different from the symptoms of men and boys. Health care providers must be aware of these differences to arrive at a precise diagnosis. This involves identifying specific traits, such as the presence of a distinct manifesting symptom, difficulty in social interactions and a tendency to create coping strategies that mask the signs of underperformance and performance issues and the coexistence of anxiety and depression. It is also important to consider the impact that a woman's hormonal levels have on her symptom presentations.