Symptoms of ADHD in Adults Women
Dr. Frank says that the symptoms of ADHD in women of adulthood are more difficult to spot than in men, because women develop coping strategies to disguise their symptoms. Fortunately, support for lifestyle and medication can help improve their functioning and improve 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
The signs of ADHD for women who are adults typically are characterized by difficulty in keeping the track of time, missing appointments, misplacing items or being easily distracted. Women may also struggle with the habit of procrastination, forgetfulness or working or studying in a noisy or busy environment. Women often struggle with their interpersonal skills. They may interrupt other people or make remarks that they regret later.
Women with ADHD are better at masking symptoms than men and boys. They might come up with healthy strategies for coping like relying on an agenda for the day and using reminders on their phones to remind them of important events. These strategies of coping might not last long and are insufficient to handle the demands of everyday life. In addition, their symptoms could be complicated by comorbid disorders such as anxiety and depression.
Many people suffering from ADHD also show the symptoms of impulsivity and hyperactivity. For adults, these signs are more subtle and only affect a few aspects 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. adult ADHD symptoms may also find it difficult to relax or calm down. They may also have difficulty to form and keep friendships.
People with mild to moderate ADHD might not experience significant problems at work or in their relationships, but they may have difficulty keeping track of their time and following through on commitments. They may have issues with finances, household chores or schoolwork and feel overwhelmed by their responsibilities. Those with severe symptoms are severely disrupted in their daily lives and might have difficulty finding work or maintaining relationships.
2. Hyperactivity
Women with ADHD frequently struggle to organize their home, work and personal belongings. They can also lose track of important items like keys, wallets and eyeglasses. They are also susceptible to losing their tempers and being easily distracted by other thoughts and activities. Inability to follow directions and complete their tasks can affect their academic performance, as well as their relationships.
Women hide their symptoms by through their emotions to justify their behavior. This makes it difficult to identify and treat. For instance, she could blame her inattention or forgetfulness on anxiety and low self-esteem. She could also blame relationship issues or somatic complaints (such as nausea and headaches) on the stress of daily life or hormonal fluctuations (e.g. perimenopause, menopause).
Untreated ADHD can lead to serious issues. Girls and women who suffer from ADHD might be more likely to engage in sexual activity during adolescence due to their impulsivity, difficulty with interpersonal boundaries and lack of planning. They are more likely to turn to drugs and alcohol to self-medicate. Inattention could result in delays in appointments and procedures with doctors. They could have erratic and disordered eating habits or a higher BMI, as well as unhealthy coping habits like nail-biting skin picking, compulsive shopping and a lot of exercise.
The best way to diagnose ADHD is to conduct a thorough assessment by an experienced mental health professional or health care provider. In addition to looking at the patient's emotional and physical well-being, the professional may solicit feedback from close family members and friends. They might also suggest tests in the lab or an interview. Many adults are shocked find out that they've suffered from a mental illness for years.
3. Impulsivity
Women with ADHD have a difficult time controlling their impulses. This can lead to other problems like self-injury and drinking or using drugs. It can also cause problems in relationships, since inattention and impulsive behavior could cause confusion or conflicts with family members, friends and co-workers.
Impulsivity is characterized by the tendency to speak loud, purchase something on impulse, or act without considering the consequences. It's important to keep in mind that acting impulsively doesn't necessarily mean it's an indication of bad character, and some people need more time than others to process their thoughts before deciding to act. It's still essential to talk with your doctor and get checked for ADHD if you notice that your symptoms are becoming more severe.
Women suffering from ADHD often have trouble managing their emotions. This can lead to depression and other mental health issues. Depression symptoms can be difficult to spot in women since they can be similar to other health problems, like chronic headaches and insomnia. Some women with ADHD are reluctant to seek help due believe that their symptoms are a result of low self-esteem.
It is important to recognize that gender and sexuality are two different concepts and that the biological traits that determine if you're male, female or a nonbinary person do not alter your personal identity. However, many people with ADHD have trouble identifying with their gender, which can cause feelings of guilt and despair. The stress of untreated ADHD can make these feelings worse and could cause losing support from family or colleagues.
4. Distractions
As girls with ADHD become women, they may have issues with adult responsibility. This can cause problems at school or 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. They could be prone to neglecting health issues like regular checkups and exercises. They may also be struggling to cope with negative feelings like anxiety and depression.
Signs of ADHD in adults women could include misplacing objects or forgetting appointments, getting easily distracted by noise or movement and having trouble interacting with others, or getting overwhelmed by tasks. They might also experience mood-related symptoms like lower self-esteem or a lack of confidence in themselves.
It's crucial for women to identify the signs of ADHD and seek an assessment. It is also beneficial to speak with an expert in mental health about their struggles and create coping strategies for ADHD. Cognitive-behavioral therapy can aid, for instance, to change negative thinking patterns and enhance coping skills. Participating in a women's group could provide valuable information about living with ADHD and coping strategies for everyday life.
It is also important to note that women with ADHD may experience different symptoms than males, and they are different during transitional periods like puberty or pregnancy, childbirth or hormone treatments during menopause. This is partly due to hormonal fluctuations and the fact that females have a greater hippocampal area, which plays a role in memory and learning. Women may also hide their ADHD symptoms better than males. This can make it more difficult to get a correct diagnosis. It is possible to lead an enjoyable and joyful life with ADHD despite these obstacles.
5. Anxiety
It can be hard for women with ADHD to admit they have anxiety issues, but getting the right diagnosis and treatment can make an enormous difference in their lives. It will also help them understand their behavior and how it affects others.
Anxiety is a major symptom in women suffering from ADHD. It could look like this:
Distraction, such as being distracted or appearing distracted. Making careless errors. Avoiding tasks that require concentration or could be boring. Focusing problems at school or at work. Being late or forgetting things for appointments and meetings. Feeling overwhelmed by crowds or feeling pressured at home or work. Finding it difficult to relax or fall asleep. Being easily upset or sensitive to rejection and criticism.
Women who suffer from ADHD may be more likely to develop a coexisting mood disorder such as depression, and they could have a harder time establishing friendships. They might also have issues in their relationships with family members which could lead to an increased rate of violence between partners and drug abuse.
It can be difficult for girls and women to get a correct ADHD diagnosis because symptoms for girls and women differ from those in boys and men. To accurately diagnose ADHD, health care providers must be aware of the differences. This involves identifying specific characteristics, such as the presence of a distinct manifesting symptom, difficulty in social relationships and a tendency to create strategies to deal with underachievement and performance problems and the coexistence of depression and anxiety. It is also essential to take into consideration the effect of hormone levels in women on the symptom profile she displays.