Symptoms of ADHD in Adults Women
Dr. Frank says that the symptoms of ADHD in adult women are often harder to detect than in men, since women develop coping strategies to disguise their symptoms. Fortunately, lifestyle support and medication can help them improve their functioning and enhance their quality of life.
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 keeping track of the time and appointments, snagging items, or becoming easily distracted. Women may also have difficulty with procrastination or forgetfulness, as well as working or studying in an environment that is noisy or busy. They are often challenged with interpersonal skills, which can include interrupting others and blurting out remarks that later become regrettable.
In contrast to men and boys who suffer from ADHD tend to be more adept at masking their symptoms. They might develop healthy coping strategies, such as relying upon 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 haul and may not be sufficient to cope with the demands of life. Furthermore, their symptoms could be exacerbated by co-occurring disorders like depression and anxiety.
Many people suffering from ADHD exhibit hyperactivity or impulsivity symptoms too. In adults, these symptoms are less obvious and could only affect certain areas of their lives like work or social interactions. Those with a hyperactive/impulsive subtype of ADHD may experience frequent fidgeting, talkativeness or trouble sitting still during conversations. They might also have difficulty to relax or calm down. They may also have difficulty to form and maintain friendships.
People who suffer from mild to moderate ADHD may not have significant problems at work or in their relationships, but they struggle with being organized and executing on commitments. They may face issues with schoolwork, finances or household chores. They often experience a sense of being overwhelmed by the responsibilities they have to fulfill. Those with severe symptoms experience a lot of disruption in their daily lives and may have difficulty finding work or maintaining relationships.
2. Hyperactivity
Women suffering from ADHD have a hard time organizing their home, work and personal things. They may also lose track of important things such as their wallets, keys, eyeglasses, and cellphones. They are also prone to losing their temper and getting distracted by their thoughts and activities. Their inability to follow instructions and complete tasks negatively impacts their academic performance, as well as their relationships.
Women often mask their symptoms by using their emotions as a reason for their behavior, making it more difficult to diagnose and treated. For example, she might blame her inattention or forgetfulness on her low self-esteem and anxiety. She might also blame relationship problems or somatic complaints--like headaches and nausea--on the stress of life or fluctuations in hormones (e.g. menopausal, perimenopausal or menopause).
Untreated ADHD can cause serious problems. Girls and women who suffer from ADHD may be more likely to engage in adolescent sex due to their impulsivity, difficulties with boundaries between people and lack of planning. Self-medicating with alcohol and drugs may be more common. Inattention could result in missed doctor's procedures and appointments. combined ADHD symptoms in adults could have unbalanced eating habits or having a high BMI. They could also use unhealthy coping strategies, 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 best way to diagnose ADHD. The specialist will also inquire with the patient about his or her physical and mental health. They might also suggest some tests for the body or a diagnostic interview. A diagnosis could be a life-changing moment for many adults who discover they've been struggling with mental health issues all along.
3. Impulsivity
Women with ADHD have a difficult time controlling their impulses. This could lead to other issues like self-injury and alcohol or drug abuse. It can also cause difficulties in relationships, as forgetfulness and impulsive behavior can result in miscommunications or conflict with family, friends, and co-workers.
It is characterized by an urge to speak loud, buy something in a hurry, and make a decision without considering the consequences. Remember that acting impulsively doesn't always mean you're an unfit person. Some people need more time to think before they act. However, it's an excellent idea to talk to your doctor about this and be checked for ADHD especially when you begin to notice that these symptoms are getting more severe.
It's also common for women with ADHD to have difficulty managing their emotions, which can lead to depression, as well as other mental health issues. Depression symptoms can be difficult to recognize in women as they can be similar to other health issues, such as insomnia and chronic headaches. Women with ADHD have a difficult time deciding whether to ask for help because they believe their symptoms are a sign of low self-esteem or a flaw in their personality.
It is crucial to realize that gender and sex are two different concepts and that the biological traits that determine if you're either a woman, man, or nonbinary person don't influence your personal identity. Many people with ADHD struggle to identify with their assigned gender. This can cause them to feel ashamed and desperation. This can be made worse by the anxiety of living with untreated ADHD which can lead to an absence of support from a professional or personal perspective.
4. Distractions
As girls with ADHD become women, they may struggle with adult obligations and interactions. This could lead to issues at school or at work, and strained relationships with family and friends as well as romantic partners. Women who suffer from ADHD may also have trouble managing their finances or home, and may be at risk of neglecting health-related concerns like regular checkups and exercises. They may also be struggling with coping with negative emotions like anxiety and depression.
Signs of ADHD in adults women can include misplacing things or forgetting appointments, getting easily distracted by noise or movement, having difficulty working with others, or becoming overwhelmed by tasks. They are also more likely to suffer from mood-related symptoms like poor self-esteem, low self-confidence, or physical complaints such as headaches or abdominal pain.
It's important for women to identify their symptoms of ADHD and get an assessment. It is also helpful to talk to a mental health professional about your concerns and to develop coping mechanisms for ADHD. Cognitive-behavioral therapies help, for instance, to alter negative thinking patterns and improve the ability to cope. Additionally, joining a women's support group can provide valuable information regarding living with ADHD and coping strategies for everyday life.
It's important to note that women with ADHD may experience different symptoms from men. They can experience changes during transitional times like puberty or pregnancy. They may also change during hormone treatments during the menopause. This is partly due to hormonal fluctuations and the fact that females have a greater hippocampus, which plays an important role in memory and learning. Women also have the ability to mask their ADHD symptoms better than males. This makes it more difficult to get an accurate diagnosis. Despite these challenges, it is still possible to live a fulfilling life with ADHD.
5. Anxiety
While it can be challenging for women suffering from ADHD to admit that they have trouble with anxiety, getting an diagnosis and locating the right treatment can make their lives so much better. It can also help women better understand their behavior, and how it affects other people.
Anxiety is a significant symptom in women suffering from ADHD. It may look like this:
It is difficult to stay focused or on task, daydreaming or appearing to be distracted. Making careless errors. Avoiding tedious or difficult tasks. Having trouble focusing in the classroom or at work. Not remembering or being late for meetings and appointments. Feeling overwhelmed by crowds or under pressure at home or at work. Not able to relax or go to sleep. Being easily agitated or being too sensitive to criticism.
Women who suffer from ADHD are more likely to develop co-occurring mood disorder, such as depression, and they could have a harder time establishing friendships. They might also have issues in their intimate relationships, which can lead to an increased rate of violence between partners and substance abuse.
It can be difficult for women and girls to get a correct ADHD diagnosis due to the fact that symptoms for girls and women differ from those of boys and men. Health professionals must be aware of these differences to provide a correct diagnosis. This involves identifying specific characteristics that are more distinct, like a clear symptom-profile, difficulty in social relationships, a tendency for strategies to disguise underachievement or performance problems, and also the coexistence between anxiety and depression. It is also essential to think about the impact of a woman's hormone levels on her symptom presentation.