ADHD Symptoms in Adult Women
Women with undiagnosed ADHD might have difficulties at work or in relationships. It's important to recognize the symptoms and seek out treatment that works for you.
Symptoms of ADHD in adults are more likely to be the inattentive type than hyperactivity/impulsive. A correct diagnosis can improve your life by addressing your symptoms and focusing your attention on the things that matter.
1. Trouble paying attention
Women may struggle to pay attention to details, recollecting appointments and deadlines, or underestimating how long it takes to complete the task. They might also find it difficult to keep track of their responsibilities in relationships or work and are easily distracted and aren't able to keep commitments. They may also have a tendency to be impulsive, have difficulty controlling their emotions, and blurt out things before thinking them through.
It is crucial to recognize and treat symptoms of ADHD in women who are adults. The inability to focus can lead to problems with relationships and friendships. Women may find it difficult to make new acquaintances, or they may have difficulty in their relationships, with constant fights and missed opportunities for fun activities and being left out. Women may also struggle to manage the demands of work, home and childcare.
It's not easy for health professionals and therapists alike, to identify ADHD in a lot of people. This doesn't mean it's not real, or that the person has to work harder to stay focused. The diagnosis is based on how the symptoms affect everyday functioning across a variety of aspects of life.
Women are more likely to suffer from inattentive symptoms than those who are hyperactive or impulsive and this could be the reason why they go undiagnosed. Many women suffering from ADHD are also embarrassed of their symptoms, because they don't fit the stereotypes of ADHD. This can make it even more difficult to seek help or access treatment.
Certain women with ADHD are not diagnosed for a long period of time due to the fact that they are unable to hide their symptoms and cope. They are more likely to be suffering from comorbidities, such as anxiety or depression which may cover up the symptoms of ADHD. They are more likely to have hormonal fluctuations that could trigger symptoms that flare up or disappear. This is particularly the case during menstrual cycles or pregnancy, as well as perimenopausal.
2. Problems with Organization
Forgetfulness, disorganization, impulsivity and emotional dysregulation are common ADHD symptoms that women suffer from. These symptoms can make it difficult for women with ADHD to manage everyday tasks, keep up with their commitments, and maintain relationships. They may also have a low self-esteem and experience anxiety. Women who have not been diagnosed with ADHD might feel they're not meeting society's expectations. They may also experience anxiety and low self-esteem.
ADHD in women may manifest as procrastination, hyperfocus or forgetfulness. These problems can lead to women missing appointments, not paying their bills on time, and feeling overwhelmed. Hyperfocus can result in a loss in focus on other important tasks and a poor understanding of time. This can make it difficult to shift from one task to another. Procrastination can cause anxiety, stress, and a constant sense of being in a lag.
Communication issues both non-verbal and verbal are a typical manifestation of ADHD. This could include talking too much, interrupting others or saying inappropriate words. This could include the inability to be patient or having difficulty understanding the boundaries of social interaction. It is important to note that these behaviors do not necessarily indicate an absence of intelligence or capabilities.
Many women suffering from ADHD come up with strategies to hide their symptoms. This can have positive as well as negative consequences. Some of these strategies for coping could be healthy. For instance keeping a daily calendar or making reminders for important dates. Others could be harmful, such as using alcohol or drugs to mask symptoms or not paying attention to them at all. It is therefore important that women who suspect they have ADHD seek help from a professional.
Women with ADHD may benefit from treatment, lifestyle changes or therapy as well as other treatments. Some of these include cognitive therapy to address underlying negative beliefs and thoughts mindfulness and relaxation techniques as well as exercise and a balanced diet and adequate sleep. A health care provider may also recommend adjustments to make working or school simpler.
3. Disruptive Behaviors
Women with ADHD might experience emotional dysregulation. They become frustrated and discouraged if life's challenges can't be easily solved. It can be challenging to maintain relationships, whether with romantic partners, coworkers or even friends. For instance an impulsive or forgetful attitude can increase frustration or confusion in romantic relations and can cause feelings of loneliness or depression. A tendency to seek out thrills at the whim of your heart could be misinterpreted by others as an absence of interest or indifference.
This is one of the reasons ADHD symptoms for girls and women are often overlooked or not diagnosed. They may also have difficulty realizing that their problems are a result of the disorder due to stereotypes and social norms that define the behavior of women and men.
Women and girls with ADHD often camouflage their symptoms in order to avoid embarrassment. This may result in being less often referred for diagnosis than boys and men who have the same symptoms. Additionally there is a gender bias in the research that informs diagnostic criteria may contribute to this asymmetry. Hartung and Widiger discovered in an earlier study that girls and women with ADHD symptoms are more likely to be undiagnosed and not being recognized than boys and adults. This could be due to the fact that healthcare professionals are conditioned by their education to view hyperactive and hyperactive and impulsive ADHD as more prevalent for both genders. This can make them easier to detect and to refer for assessment.
For adults, ADHD symptoms can manifest as restlessness and difficulty relaxing. These are common symptoms of ADHD however, in the later years of adulthood they can have a significant impact on the quality of life and well-being. People who suffer from ADHD can feel restless and find it difficult to sit still, especially if they're anxious or stressed. They tend to fidget and are often very active. They often interrupt or finish other people's sentences, without realizing that they're being rude.
If you suspect you may have ADHD, your GP or registered psychologist may refer you to a psychiatrist to conduct an assessment. Alternatively, you can self-refer. This content was reviewed by Madeline Dykes (clinical psychologist) and members of the Thriving Madly network in Christchurch in October 2024. It was updated in November 2022.
4. Social Skills Problems
Women suffering from ADHD might have trouble managing their emotions or effectively communicating at work. This can create problems that interfere with personal relationships and professional goals. For example, they might struggle to understand and respond to feedback, which could cause frustration and even disappointment. They may also struggle to maintain healthy eating and sleeping habits, which can result in anxiety. In some instances women suffering from ADHD develop unhealthy coping strategies in order to deal with these problems. combined ADHD symptoms in adults may include substances abuse and eating disorders, as well as self-injury that is non-suicidal (NSSI), such as cutting or burning.
As adults, women with ADHD are more likely to seek treatment than men because they tend to cover up their symptoms. In order to make themselves acceptable to society and conform to expectations, they often develop coping mechanisms. This could make it more difficult for others to recognize their ADHD symptoms. These strategies for coping could be as simple as creating lists and setting reminders or more complicated methods, like developing a strategy to manage their emotions or implementing mindfulness strategies.
However, these strategies can backfire and cause symptoms to become worse. They can also make it difficult to achieve good sleep, which is essential to manage ADHD symptoms. In addition, women with ADHD often feel overwhelmed by life's demands and this can increase stress and further exacerbate their ADHD symptoms.
Although it's true that more boys are diagnosed with ADHD than girls, this gap is less as they grow older. This is because women often have a range of symptoms throughout the course of their lives. This could lead to different diagnoses.
The changes in hormone levels can also impact ADHD symptoms among women. If they have a higher estrogen level during pregnancy, for instance, their symptoms may improve. This is because estrogen levels can aid in the regulation of brain chemicals that affect attention. If their estrogen levels drop due to perimenopausal or aging, ADHD symptoms may worsen.
It is possible for adults suffering from ADHD to receive a precise diagnosis and get effective treatment. This includes cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and neurocognitive psychotherapy, which can aid people suffering from ADHD develop the essential skills needed to improve their daily functioning. They can also attend meetings of support groups for ADHD to share their experience with others on the same journey, and gain valuable insights from their colleagues.