ADHD Symptoms in Adult Women
Women with ADHD suffer from significant issues with their health, relationships and their work. Recognizing their symptoms and accessing treatment is the first step towards getting the help they need.
ADHD symptoms in women can vary with hormonal fluctuations, such as menstrual cycle and menopausal symptoms. These fluctuations exacerbate emotional symptoms, such as anger and mood swings.
Inattention and lack of Focus
Finding it difficult to stay focused is a typical symptom of adhd for women of all ages. However, it is important to recognize that lack of concentration could be a sign of other problems like stress or health issues. It could also be an effect of certain medications. A doctor can help find the appropriate balance between treatment and medication to manage ADHD symptoms.
Women suffering from ADHD may have a hard to keep their focus due to their hormonal fluctuation. The natural drop of progesterone, estrogen, and testosterone that occurs before each period can exacerbate ADHD symptoms. Women may struggle to remember appointments, paying bills, or completing tasks on time during this time. Some women struggle to concentrate at school or work and are easily distracted by their surroundings or conversations. Some have trouble with their organizational abilities and are susceptible to losing or misplacing items. Some people may have a difficult decision-making process and often change topics during conversations or become emotional over small things.
Despite being more prevalent in boys and men, ADHD goes undiagnosed for many women. This is because females often have a harder time admitting they suffer from ADHD than their male counterparts. Women also may have a tendency to mask their symptoms with over-use of alcohol and other drugs. This can make it difficult for others to discern that there is a problem, and can delay the diagnosis.
While a lack of focus is the most well-known characteristic of ADHD but other signs of the disorder include impulsivity and trouble with organization. People with ADHD typically have trouble staying focused and paying careful attention to small details. This is particularly true in noisy or busy environments. They may also have issues following instructions, being punctual and sleeping enough.
These signs can cause difficulties in relationships and affect performance at work or school. They can also increase the chances of having an unwanted pregnancy or engaging risky sexual behavior. Women with ADHD may also struggle with rejection sensitivity and be more prone to depression, anxiety and mood swings.
It is difficult to follow through on tasks
Women who suffer from ADHD frequently struggle to follow through with the tasks they start, and they may frequently get behind at work or school. They can also forget to keep appointments, miss deadlines, and struggle to stay organized. They are unable to sit still, especially when in noisy or crowded settings. They are often characterized by a "thousand yard stare." Sometimes, they are described as not able to concentrate during conversations, or focusing off into the wrong track.
Researchers believe that, despite the fact that ADHD symptoms aren't gender-specific females and girls are not diagnosed. It could be that they are better in hiding their symptoms, making them harder to detect. This could be due to stereotypes or gender biases that cause women and girls with ADHD to hide symptoms or attribute them to mood or anxiety. Additionally women and girls who suffer from the subtype of inattentional ADHD may have difficulty to receive a diagnosis or treatment by a doctor.
Women with ADHD are more likely to experience inattentive symptoms, which include difficulties in focusing or keeping on top of important information; difficulties staying focused in conversations; a tendency to lose things like remote controls or keys; difficulty finishing projects in the workplace or at school and the tendency to forget deadlines or appointments. Other signs of inattention ADHD include being restless or impulsive and having trouble keeping track of the classes or at work and a inclination not to take risks like driving too fast or not paying attention to home safety rules.
As adults, women with ADHD are more prone to having difficulty controlling their emotions. They are more likely than others to be unable to relax and are at a greater risk of depression, low self-esteem, and chronic stress. These emotional problems can affect relationships and work performance. Women with ADHD are more likely to be sexually active earlier than their peers. They could also be at greater risk of having unwanted pregnancy or being forced into unwelcome sexual activity.
Some people find that medications and lifestyle changes are the best way to control ADHD symptoms. Others might benefit from working with a coach or undergoing counseling. Coaching, for instance, can teach them behavioral strategies to aid in managing time and organization. They also can assist in finding jobs or managing the workplace. Therapists can also offer therapy for any anxiety or depression symptoms that are related to ADHD.
Making new friends can be a challenge.
Women who suffer from ADHD are more prone to establish new friendships and to build stable relationships than women without the disorder. This is mostly due to sensitivity to rejection. Rejection sensitivity is a powerful emotional reaction to social rejection whether it is real or perceived. Women with ADHD are also more likely to have a harder time understanding social signals and could be unable to discern the emotions of others, which can cause them to become more sensitive and easily annoyed or frustrated.
The symptoms of ADHD in adults can vary depending on factors like hormonal changes. Women with ADHD may find that their symptoms are less severe during menstrual cycle or pregnancy. Some women might be aware that their symptoms become more severe during certain periods of the calendar year, like hot flashes and menopausal periods.
In addition, the inattentive subtype of ADHD is more common in women than in men, and women are less likely to have hyperactive/impulsive or mixed symptoms. This can lead either to an undiagnosed condition or a misdiagnosis. Women who have high-functioning ADHD can disguise their symptoms by putting in extra effort at work or school and can make it more difficult for others to see that they're struggling.
ADHD can cause issues in relationships with family members as well as romantic partners. Some of the symptoms include difficulty listening to other people, inability to follow instructions, and a tendency to forget. Women with ADHD are more likely to engage in risky behaviours such as early sex or unprotected sexual activities and also suffer from more sexually transmitted infections. This is because women with ADHD might use sexual activity to gain attention and acceptance that they need to feel valued.
Exercise can help regulate mood, reduce impulsivity and reduce anxiety. A healthy diet that includes whole grains and vegetables can also help to improve ADHD symptoms. Meditation can help you relax your mind and your body, eliminate distracting thought patterns, and help control impulsive behaviors. You can also find it helpful to discuss your experiences with an experienced counselor who will assist you in understanding the relationship between your ADHD and your coping strategies.
Trouble managing emotions
Women who suffer from ADHD can have a harder to manage their emotions than men. When they experience frustration or sadness they can react impulsively and with more energy than others. This can affect their relationships. Women who suffer from ADHD typically have trouble reading body language and picking up social cues. For instance, they might interrupt their friends during conversations, arrive late to events, or miss the mood of others and then react angrily.
There are ways to improve your emotional management skills. You can start by recognizing when you are starting to feel overwhelmed. If you feel stressed, try implementing a pausing behavior like breathing deeply or counting the time before deciding to act. This will help slow down the onset of your reaction and allow you to confront the issue with a clear head.
Another strategy is to focus on positive self-talk and refocus on your strengths. You can also do relaxing activities that aid in controlling your emotions, such as mindfulness, yoga, and meditation. Exercise is another great method to control your emotions. adhd symptoms in women test releases neurotransmitters, which improve concentration and focus. It can also reduce stress and anxiety.
Although women who suffer from ADHD are more likely to have an diagnosis than men, they usually aren't diagnosed due to social expectations and stereotypes regarding gender and behavior. They may also hide their symptoms to fit in and have the best life possible which makes it difficult for others to notice that they suffer from ADHD.
If you're experiencing ADHD symptoms, get help and support. There are a myriad of ways to improve your quality of life. If you still don't get the help you need, you should consider talking to your employer or your school about accommodations. Based on the accommodations available in your particular area, they may be legally required or provided upon request. We use the term "women" here to include the women who are born female and those with an established female gender identity, while using the term "men" to refer to men/people assigned male at birth. This avoids confusion and is consistent with the research.