ADHD Adult Female Symptoms
ADHD can affect both men and women, but it's more difficult for women to be diagnosed. This is because women don't exhibit the same level of hyperactivity or the same impulsivity as men, which means they can be overlooked or misdiagnosed.
The first step to manage your symptoms is to get an accurate diagnosis. Stimulant medication is a common treatment for adults suffering from ADHD however, there are also other options.
1. Difficulty Focusing
While everyone gets distracted from time to time women with ADHD have trouble putting their attention on their work and conversations especially when they're dealing with sensory or emotional overload. These issues can become more severe during menstrual cycles.
Women who are inattentional ADHD suffer from problems with their working memory. This causes them to be unable to remember things that are simple like appointments or upcoming events. They may forget where they left their car keys or the name of the lady who gave them a ride home from spin class. They might forget important dates or deadlines.
Other signs of ADHD in adult females include procrastination and difficulty following through on plans. They are more likely to get sidetracked by shiny objects or social media, making it difficult to complete their projects and assignments. This can cause them to feel overwhelmed and underperforming in school or at work.
Due to the societal perceptions of gender, many women with ADHD aren't diagnosed. In turn, they feel guilt and mistakenly attribute their problems as "bad behaviors" or "character imperfections". They may feel like they're an imposter. A diagnosis can be a "lightbulb" moment for them, since it provides them with an external explanation of their challenges and allows them to accept themselves better.
Girls and women who suffer from untreated ADHD can suffer from a broad range of negative outcomes such as academic issues, behavioral issues, poor family and relationship problems as well as co-occurring mental health issues. A proper diagnosis and treatment plan will enhance the lives of those with ADHD at any stage in their life. Treatment options could include therapy and stimulant medications. *
2. Difficulty Finishing Projects
Women with ADHD struggle to complete tasks or duties. They may lose important information, have difficulty shifting between tasks and responsibilities, or find it hard to meet deadlines. They may also be more likely to make mistakes, have trouble organizing and managing their schedule, and underestimate how long they need to finish tasks.
The emotional manifestations of ADHD in adults, like irritability and mood swings, can be especially frustrating for women with the condition. Symptoms can be exacerbated by hormonal changes, such as those that occur during the menstrual cycle as well as during pregnancy and menopausal. Women with undiagnosed ADHD might feel angry and dissatisfied in their work performance and in their relationships.
Women with ADHD have a hard time with daily routines such as chores and grocery shopping extremely difficult. They might not remember to empty the garbage or shut off the stove, and can easily get distracted. They might also struggle doing repetitive tasks, like folding laundry or washing the dishes. Boring or mundane tasks can become overwhelming and lead to impulsive behavior such as excessive talk or sharing. The impulsivity that is associated with ADHD can also lead women to make impulsive decisions and use unhealthy coping methods like alcohol or drugs.
If you're having trouble finishing tasks, memory issues or chronic procrastination, as well as problems with relationships, it is time to take a look at a professional evaluation for ADHD. Getting a proper diagnosis can enhance your living quality and help you achieve success in both your professional and personal lives. It can help you manage your ADHD symptoms, and develop strategies to manage them. To avoid lapses of attention and focus you should stick to a regular schedule, use planners or reminder apps, take notes at meetings, and maintain good sleeping habits (avoid screens at least an hour prior to going to bed). Exercise can also help improve concentration because it boosts the neurotransmitter levels in your brain.
3. Difficulty remembering names
The difficulty in remembering names may be associated with other ADHD symptoms such as difficulty in following directions and having trouble finishing projects. This is due to an inability to organize and prioritize tasks, which hinders information retrieval. This condition tends to get worse when there is a period of stress, fatigue or hormonal changes.
Forgetting names can be more frustrating when it's followed by a sense of forgetfulness about larger items like appointments and events or personal reminders. These lapses can be exacerbated by anxiety or depression which are frequently 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. As a result, they are often not identified and not referred for diagnosis and treatment.
Furthermore, there is a bias based on gender due to the fact that ADHD is generally considered to be a male-specific condition and boys with hyperactivity being the ones who are the most recommended to clinics for assessment and treatment. In addition, due to internalized stigma, female symptoms are often different from men's. Many doctors fail to diagnose or treat ADHD for females.
It's becoming more common for women to receive an ADHD diagnosis in adulthood. A diagnosis can improve your relationships, set you up for success at work and school, and provide the support you require to succeed in your life. If symptoms of ADHD in adults quiz interested in getting a diagnosis, talk to an experienced Salience Health provider. We can evaluate your symptoms with tools like Creyos Cognitive Testing and Brainview Advanced and connect you with a therapist who's right for you.
4. Difficulty Appearing in Aloof
Women with ADHD can have subtle symptoms of inattention. They may skip appointments, neglect to complete chores around the house or have difficulty taking notes at work. They might also have problems with impulsivity or difficulty understanding the boundaries of social interaction. This could lead to confusion and misinterpretation with friends and family, and can also lead to feelings of loneliness and isolation.
Women who suffer from untreated ADHD may also have trouble being able to meet the expectations set by society regarding them as women. They may struggle with the responsibility of caring for their children and household chores, and this societal pressure can increase their ADHD symptoms and feelings of inadequacy. Many women suffering from untreated ADHD report low self-esteem, and they resort to unhealthy coping strategies like binge eating and marathons on TV.
The challenges of ADHD in women can be amplified by gender bias, both in the way girls and women are perceived and assessed by clinicians. Certain studies suggest that women and girls are more likely to conceal their ADHD symptoms or attempt to cover up for them, and they are less likely than boys and men to be referred for treatment and diagnosis.
Another challenge is that women with ADHD might have difficulty recognizing their own symptoms, and they may confuse them with depression or anxiety. This could lead to incorrect diagnosis and delayed treatment.
These changes can cause women to be more frustrated with her ADHD symptoms. They can also make it more likely that she will be viewed or dismissed as moody or emotional. These changes can make women more frustrated with her ADHD symptoms and increase the chances of being misunderstood or dismissed as a moody or emotional.
5. Impulsivity
The impulsivity of ADHD affects boys and men differently, women suffer from it as well. They may also have difficulty controlling their emotions and may be susceptible to "foot in mouth" moments. These impulsive behaviors can have a big impact on relationships and professional life.
The brain part that regulates the ability to make decisions and reason is known as the prefrontal cortex. This area can assist people avoid making poor decisions by providing a nudge on behavior. ADHD patients have a less-functional prefrontal cortex. This makes it harder to resist the urges and prevent themselves from doing something reckless. It can also result in a lack in self-respect. Women's impulsiveness can be seen as a lack of social boundaries and self-control during conversations (interrupting other people, not finishing their sentences, and talking too often).
Women also have issues with control of impulses when hormones are fluctuating. Estrogen is naturally fluctuates at various periods during the menstrual cycle, as well as during pregnancy, childbirth, and menopause. Contraceptives and hormone therapy that is used during perimenopause or menopause may further alter estrogen levels and other hormones which can affect the woman's ADHD.
ADHD symptoms in girls and women may differ from those of males and boys. This is why they are often not properly diagnosed. Because of this, many adults who have ADHD are unaware that they suffer from it. The positive side is that identifying and treating ADHD can make a difference in the quality of life for anyone at any age. Speak to your doctor if you're unsure whether you suffer from ADHD. They will give you guidance. Treatment options include medication, cognitive therapy, and couples counseling.