Symptoms of ADHD in Adults Female
Many women with ADHD are not diagnosed until they reach adulthood. This is due to lingering stereotypes, referral biases, masking behaviors, comorbidities and hormonal fluctuations.
Symptoms of ADHD in adults female may be harder to detect than those in men and boys because women's symptoms are more likely to be inattentive rather than hyperactive/impulsive. This could lead to being underdiagnosed and delayed treatment.
1. Lack of Focus
Many people with ADHD have difficulty focusing or staying focused. This can lead to problems at work or school and can result in a lack of attention to homework or chores or missing important meetings. This can lead to emotional problems, such as mood swings or a decrease in self-esteem.
Inattentive-type ADHD symptoms are usually less obvious and therefore more difficult to recognize. You may appear to be not paying attention to what others are saying (you might be unable to focus or display a the "thousand-yard stare"). You might find it difficult to complete tasks requiring focus, such as writing a report or completing paperwork.
Regular exercise will increase your ability to concentrate and organization. Try taking a daily walk or taking part in fitness classes with other people and swimming or cycling. It's also an excellent idea to reduce caffeine consumption, as it may increase the side effects of certain ADHD medications.
2. Difficulty Making Decisions
Women suffering from ADHD struggle to make decisions or executing their actions. They might also have difficulty to remain calm and avoid the impulsive behavior which can lead to difficulties at work and in relationships.
The inattentive subtype of ADHD has nine symptoms that must last for at least six months to be diagnosed, while the hyperactive/impulsive and mixed subtypes each have their own set of symptoms. For example, some women with ADHD might experience trouble being still or paying attention to tasks that require complete attention. Additionally, they may be susceptible to losing things or forgetting important dates.
Since the symptoms of ADHD can be more subtle in women, they're often underdiagnosed or misdiagnosed. However, a diagnosis of adult ADHD can be a life-changing experience for women who finally receive the help they require. Therapists can offer advice and support to manage the condition. They might suggest a combination treatment like psychotherapy, medication, and lifestyle changes like establishing regular sleep routines and practicing good sleeping hygiene.
3. Time Management Problems
As girls with ADHD grow into adults, they might struggle to manage their lives and relationships with no assistance. Their symptoms often fly under the radar, particularly when they're mostly inattentive or a mix of both types.
They are unable to remember important events such as birthdays or meetings. They lose the track of their routines as well as schedules making it difficult to get up on time for school or work. They may even lose or forget their keys, wallets, or eyeglasses.
ADHD symptoms aren't always apparent. They can be made worse by stress, mental health issues, or physical illnesses. This is why it's important to talk to your doctor about any problems you're having. They may recommend therapy, such as cognitive behavioral therapy to help you reframe negative thoughts and behaviors and create better strategies for dealing with them. Verywell Health notes that gender is the internal self-perception of a person while sex is a biological fact.
4. It is difficult to stay organized
Inattention can lead to issues at work and at school, like difficulties with completing tasks and forgetfulness. Inattention can also cause you to lose things, miss important events and cause issues in your relationships.
Hyperactive/impulsive symptoms can include difficulty sitting still (fidgeting, tapping your foot, or talking excessively) and restlessness (being unable to enjoy quiet activities). Additionally, they may manifest as a failure for you to wait your turn in meetings or at work. Impulsivity can lead to rash decisions, taking risks or a tendency to interrupt.
Women can feel under pressure to be 'perfect' - balancing family and career and being punctual and organized, and a range of other expectations. This can cause women to feel stressed and anxious and can worsen ADHD symptoms, leading to them to not be recognized or treated. The symptoms may also get worse when menopausal. This can cause lower confidence and relationship issues.
5. Trouble Concentrating
Girls and women with ADHD may have difficulty being focused. This can cause issues at work or in school and may make it difficult to form relationships. It can be difficult to keep up with everyday chores like dressing or remembering to get medication and health checks.
Women who suffer from ADHD frequently develop strategies to cope to mask their symptoms, so that others don't notice that they struggle to stay on track or ignoring things. These coping strategies may include healthy habits, such as setting reminders on their smartphones or adhering to the same routine. These coping strategies can also include unhealthy behaviors such as excessive drinking or drug use.
Symptoms of ADHD are not always the same and it's crucial for people suffering from ADHD to talk about their concerns with a physician. According to the CDC there are three severity levels which are: mild (fewer than six symptoms) that cause minor difficulties in workplace or social settings), moderate and severe.
6. Multitasking is difficult
Women suffering from ADHD are often pressured to live up to societal expectations. This means taking care of children, maintaining relationships and running the household. It can be difficult to manage if ADHD symptoms make it hard for them to be organised, punctual and effective.
Forgetfulness and impulsivity may lead to frustrations and misunderstandings between partners, family members, and friends. They can also affect the way you study or work and lead to underachievement.
This can lead to low self-esteem and anxiety which can contribute to co-existing mental health conditions, such as depression. Additionally that, undiagnosed ADHD can affect relationships and cause a lack of fulfilment in the workplace as well as the home. Fortunately, the right help can aid. You can overcome these difficulties with strategies for coping like a daily routine or reminders. You can also inquire with your employer or school about accommodations that might make it easier for you to manage your symptoms. You can also connect with women who suffer from ADHD and learn to manage it by joining an online women's ADHD group.
7. Problems with Controlling Attention
The inability to pay close to the finer particulars is among the primary symptoms of ADHD. This manifests in a variety of ways, from failing to read the fine print on a contract to making a lot of blunders at school or at work.
Women with inattentive ADHD can have difficulty following the routine or keeping track of responsibilities. This can lead to problems like forgetting to pay their bills or not making appointments. They may also find it difficult to stay still or not interrupt others.
Additionally, women with inattentive ADHD may be more likely to suffer from depression or anxiety and have trouble maintaining healthy, satisfying relationships. They are also more likely to be sexually active at an earlier age and are susceptible to being pressured into unwanted or abusive sexual activity.
Women with hyperactive/impulsive ADHD are less likely to develop these symptoms, so it is harder for them to be diagnosed. Still, women can experience similar issues and should seek an assessment from a health healthcare professional.
8. Difficulty staying calm
The symptoms of ADHD can heighten feelings of anger and frustration. It's easy for those who don't have a clear understanding of the condition to misunderstand these feelings. It's crucial for women to recognize these signs and seek assistance before they become serious emotional problems.
If you are frequently forgetting appointments or are late for work meetings, it could lead to conflict with your co-workers or employer. This could also cause misunderstandings between friends and family. You could make mistakes and say things that hurt others' feelings even if you weren't intending to.
There are three subtypes of ADHD: inattentive, hyperactive/impulsive and mixed. You must exhibit at least six symptoms for at least six months to be diagnosed. Women are less likely to have the hyperactive/impulsive or mixed symptoms than men, but these can still occur in some cases. Women may also experience other symptoms as well as the inattention type.
9. Trouble Making Friends
Women suffering from ADHD might have difficulty to maintain and make new acquaintances. Their impulsive and forgetfulness can lead to miscommunications and conflict with friends and family members. They may also have trouble with emotional dysregulation, which makes it difficult to control their moods. This can make them feel secluded, misunderstood or anxious, and this can have a negative effect on their self-esteem.
People with ADHD can often miss social cues, such as eyes that roll and uncontrollable smiles. This can make them think that their friends don't want in having fun with them or that they ignore them.
inattentive ADHD in adults symptoms are also more likely to suffer from interpersonal issues due to depression, which can exacerbate ADHD symptoms. This can make it more difficult for others to recognize that they're struggling with the disorder, and can delay the diagnosis. However, ADHD symptom test for adults who suffer from ADHD find that once they are diagnosed their quality of life improves.