Symptoms of ADHD in Adults Women
Dr. Frank says that the symptoms of ADHD in women of adulthood are typically more difficult to identify than in men, because women develop coping mechanisms in order to disguise their symptoms. Fortunately, support for lifestyle and medication can help improve their functioning and 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
The signs of ADHD for women who are adults typically are characterized by difficulty in keeping track of time, missed appointments, misplacing items or being easily distracted. Women may also struggle with forgetfulness, procrastination and having difficulty working or studying in a noisy or crowded environment. Women are often struggling with interpersonal skills. They can interrupt others or make remarks that they regret later.
In contrast to men and boys, women with ADHD tend to be more adept in hiding their symptoms. They may come up with healthy strategies for coping that include relying on an agenda for the day and using phone reminders to remind them of important events. However, these strategies for coping can be unsustainable over the long haul and may not be sufficient to cope with the demands of life. In addition, their symptoms can also be exacerbated by comorbid disorders like anxiety and depression.
Many people with ADHD exhibit hyperactivity or impulsivity symptoms too. Adults may experience subtler symptoms that only affect certain aspects of their lives, such as social interactions or work. Those with a hyperactive/impulsive subtype of ADHD may experience frequent fidgeting, talkativeness or trouble sitting still during conversations. They might also have difficulty relaxing or finding a way of calming down, as well as struggling to form and maintain friendships.
People who suffer from mild to moderate ADHD may not have any significant problems at work or in their relationships, but they may have difficulty being organized and executing on commitments. They may face issues with schoolwork, finances or household chores, and often feel an overwhelming feeling by the demands of their lives. The severity of the symptoms can cause major disruptions in a person's day-to-day life. They may also experience difficulties maintaining relationships or holding a job.
2. Hyperactivity
Women with ADHD struggle with organizing their home, work and personal things. They can also lose track of important things like their keys, wallets glasses, eyeglasses, and cell phones. They are also prone to lose their temper and becoming easily distracted by extraneous thoughts and activities. Their trouble getting their tasks completed and following instructions can affect their schoolwork as well as their work performance and relationships.
Women cover up their symptoms by using their emotions to justify their actions. This makes it difficult to recognize and treat. For instance women may feel low self-esteem or anxiety as a reason for her inattention and forgetfulness. She might also blame relationship issues or somatic complaints such as nausea and headaches on the stress of life or hormone fluctuations (e.g. menopausal, perimenopausal or menopausal).
If left untreated, ADHD can lead to serious problems. Girls and women with ADHD may be more likely to engage in sexual adolescence because of their impulsivity, issues with interpersonal boundaries and lack of organization. They may be more likely to turn to drugs and alcohol to self-medicate. Inattention can lead to missed doctor's procedures and appointments. They could have unbalanced eating habits or having a high BMI. They might also be prone to unhealthy coping strategies, such as excessive shopping and nail-biting. Skin picking is another option.
The most effective method to determine ADHD is to conduct a thorough examination by an experienced mental health professional or health care professional. The professional will also ask the patient about their physical and mental health. They may also suggest tests for the body or a diagnostic interview. Many adults are shocked learn that they have been suffering from a mental illness for a long time.
3. Impulsivity
Women who suffer from ADHD have a difficult time controlling their impulses. This can cause other problems like self-injury and the use of alcohol or drugs. It can also lead to relationships problems as an impulsive or forgetful behavior can lead to misunderstandings and conflict with family members, coworkers, and friends.
Signs of impulsivity include the tendency to blurt things out, purchasing something on impulse, and jumping in before contemplating the consequences. It is important to keep in mind that acting impulsively doesn't necessarily mean it's a sign of bad character. In fact, certain people require more time than others to process their thoughts before acting. However, it's still a good idea to consult your doctor about this and to get checked for ADHD especially when you start to notice that these symptoms are becoming more severe.
Women suffering from ADHD often have difficulty managing their emotions. This can cause depression or other mental health problems. Depression symptoms can be difficult to spot in women since they may resemble other health problems, like chronic headaches and insomnia. Some women suffering from ADHD find it hard to seek help due to the fact that they believe their symptoms are a sign of low self-esteem or a flaw in their personality.
It's important to understand that gender and sexuality are two different concepts and that the physical characteristics that determine if you're either a woman, man or a nonbinary person do not affect your internal sense of identity. Many people with ADHD struggle to identify with their gender. This can lead them to feel shame and a sense of despair. The stress of untreated ADHD can make these feelings worse and could lead to losing support from friends or family members.
4. Distractions
As girls with ADHD become women, they may experience issues with adult obligations. This can cause problems at school or at work, and strained relationships with family and friends as well as romantic partners. Women with ADHD may also have trouble managing finances or a home, and may be at risk of neglecting health-related issues like regular health checkups and exercising. They may also be struggling with managing negative emotions, such as anxiety and depression.
Symptoms of ADHD in women who are adults can include misplacing things or forgetting appointments, getting easily distracted by noise or movement and having trouble interacting with others, or getting overwhelmed by tasks. They may also experience mood-related symptoms such as lower self-esteem or a lack of confidence in themselves.
It is crucial that women are aware of their symptoms and receive a diagnosis. It is also beneficial to speak with an expert in mental health about their struggles and create coping strategies for ADHD. Cognitive-behavioral therapies help, for instance, to change negative thinking patterns and increase the ability to cope. In addition being a part of a women's supportive group can provide valuable information regarding living with ADHD and strategies to cope with everyday life.
It is also important to note that women who suffer from ADHD can experience different symptoms than men, and these can vary during transitional periods such as puberty, pregnancy, childbirth, or hormone treatments during menopausal. This is due to hormone fluctuations, and also the fact that women have a bigger hippocampal area that plays a crucial role in the development of memory and learning. ADHD symptoms in adult men are also more adept in masked ADHD symptoms than men, which can make it harder to determine a correct diagnosis. Despite these obstacles, it is still possible to live an enjoyable life with ADHD.
5. Anxiety
It can be hard for women with ADHD to admit they have anxiety issues, but getting the correct diagnosis and treatment can make a huge difference in their lives. It can also assist women to gain a better understanding of their behavior and how it impacts others.
Anxiety is one of the most prominent symptoms for women suffering from ADHD. It can appear like this:
Distraction, such as daydreaming or appearing distracted. Making mistakes that are not made. Avoiding tasks that require concentration, or may be boring. Concentration problems at school or at work. Being late or forgetting things for meetings and appointments. Feeling overwhelmed in crowds, or under pressure at home or at work. Having difficulty relaxing or falling to sleep. Being easily disturbed or being a bit sensitive to criticism.
Women with ADHD can be more likely to develop a co-occurring disorder of mood, like depression, and they may be more difficult to establish friendships. They may also experience issues in their relationships with their spouses that can result in an increase in the amount of violence between partners as well as substance abuse.
Women and girls may be unable to obtain a precise ADHD diagnosis because their symptoms differ from the symptoms of men and boys. In order to accurately diagnose ADHD, health care providers need to be aware of the distinctions. This involves identifying specific characteristics that are more distinct, like a clear symptom-profile, difficulty with social interactions, a tendency for coping strategies to mask underachievement or performance problems, and also the coexistence between depression and anxiety. It is important to also consider the impact hormone levels of women have on her symptom presentations.