ADHD Adult Female Symptoms
ADHD can affect people of all age groups and genders, however it can be more difficult for women to get diagnosed. It's because women do not typically show the same high levels of impulsivity or hyperactivity that men do, which means they can be missed or misdiagnosed.
A clear diagnosis is the first step to managing your symptoms. Adults with ADHD are often treated with stimulant medications however, there are other options.
1. Problems with Focusing
Women suffering from ADHD are prone to being distracted by a variety of things, but they're also having a harder time staying focused on tasks and conversations especially when they are suffering from emotional or sensory overload. These issues can become more severe when menstrual cycles are in full swing.
Women who are inattentive ADHD also have problems with their working memory, making it difficult to remember basic things like appointments or forthcoming events. They might forget where they left their car keys or the name of the lady who offered them a lift home from spin class. They might forget important dates or deadlines.
Procrastination and the inability to stick with plans are also signs of ADHD in females who are adults. They are more likely to be distracted by shiny objects or social media which can make it difficult for them to finish their projects and assignments. This can cause feeling overwhelmed and underperforming at school or work.
Because of the way society views gender, many women with ADHD aren't diagnosed. As a result, they feel ashamed and mislabel their struggles as "bad behaviors" or "character flaws." They also often feel like they are an imposter. A diagnosis can be a lightbulb moment giving them a clear, external explanation for their challenges and giving them the opportunity to accept their own uniqueness.
Untreated ADHD in girls and women can cause a range of negative consequences, including problems with academics, behavioral issues as well as family and relationship issues as well as coexisting mental health issues. A proper diagnosis and treatment plan can enhance the lives of those who suffer from ADHD at any point in their life. Treatment options include stimulant drugs and therapy. *
2. Difficulty Finishing Projects
Women suffering from ADHD often have difficulty completing tasks and duties. They may forget important information, have difficulty shifting between tasks and responsibilities and find it difficult to meet deadlines. They might also be more susceptible to make mistakes that aren't their fault, have trouble organizing and managing their time effectively and underestimate the amount of time it takes to complete tasks.
Women suffering from ADHD may find the emotional symptoms of ADHD such as mood swings or irritability especially frustrating. Symptoms can be exacerbated by hormone changes, including those that occur during the menstrual cycle, pregnancy and menopause. Women with undiagnosed ADHD may feel frustrated and dissatisfied with their performance at work and in their relationships.
Some women who suffer from ADHD have trouble managing daily tasks, such as grocery shopping and chores. They might not remember to empty the garbage or turn off the stove, and can be easily distracted. They might also struggle with repetitive tasks such as washing dishes or folding laundry. Boring or mundane tasks can become overwhelming, leading to impulsive behaviors like excessive talking or oversharing. Women who suffer from ADHD can also make erratic decisions and resort to unhealthy coping strategies, like alcohol or other drugs.
If you're having difficulty working through tasks, suffer from memory issues, are constantly procrastinating or have relationship problems, it is important to seek professional help for ADHD. A proper diagnosis can improve your overall quality of life and help you achieve success in both your professional and personal lives. It can aid you in managing your ADHD symptoms, and develop strategies to manage these. To minimize lapses in focus and attention, you can try to adhere to a regular schedule, use an app for planning or reminders, take notes at meetings, and practice good sleep hygiene (avoid screens at least an hour prior to the time you go to bed). Exercise can also help improve focus because it increases the levels of brain neurotransmitters.
3. ADHD and adults symptoms remembering names
Trouble remembering names can go hand-in-hand with other ADHD symptoms such as difficulty in following directions and having trouble finishing projects. The root cause of these issues is a failure to prioritize tasks and organize them which affects efficient information retrieval. This issue can worsen during periods of stress, fatigue, or hormonal changes, like before, during, and after menopause.
If a person is unable to remember names, it can be even more annoying if they forget important information such as appointments and events or personal reminders. These forgetfulness lapses could be caused by depression and anxiety which are both common co-occurring conditions that are associated with ADHD in women.
ADHD is often underdiagnosed in women due to gender biases and internalized symptoms. Inattentive ADHD symptoms are more subtle than hyperactive/impulsive symptoms, making them harder to detect and identify. They are, therefore, under-diagnosed and under-referred to doctors to receive treatment and diagnosis.
Furthermore, there is a bias based on gender because ADHD is typically considered to be a male-specific condition with hyperactive boys being the ones who are most referred to clinics for assessment and treatment. Combined with internalized stigma and the fact that women's symptoms tend to look different than men's and that many professionals are unable to detect or treat ADHD in women.
Fortunately, it's becoming increasingly common for women to receive an ADHD diagnosis in adulthood. A diagnosis can enhance your relationships, help you achieve success at work and in school, and provide you with the support you need. If you are interested in getting diagnosed, speak to an experienced Salience Health provider. We can evaluate your symptoms with tools like Creyos Cognitive Testing and Brainview Advanced and connect you with a therapist who's right for you.
4. The difficulty appears in the roof
Women who suffer from ADHD can have subtle symptoms of inattention. They may skip appointments, forget to complete chores around the house, or have difficulty taking notes at work. They might also struggle with impulsivity or have difficulty understanding the boundaries of social interaction. This could lead to misinterpretation and misunderstandings in relationships with family and friends, and it can result in feelings of loneliness and isolation.
In addition, women with untreated ADHD frequently have difficulty meeting societal expectations for them as women. They may be struggling with the burden of caring for children and household chores, and this societal pressure can increase their ADHD symptoms and feelings of inadequacy. If not treated, ADHD can lead to low self-esteem in women. They may turn to unhealthy coping mechanisms such as binge eating or watching marathons on TV.
The challenges of ADHD for women are added to by gender biases in how women and girls are viewed and how doctors evaluate their symptoms. There is evidence that suggests that girls and women are more likely to conceal or minimize their ADHD symptoms, and can be less likely to receive treatment and diagnosis than boys and men.
Another challenge is that women with ADHD might have difficulty recognizing their own symptoms. They might confuse them with depression or anxiety. This could lead to incorrect diagnosis and delayed treatment.
The signs of ADHD can vary with hormone changes, and they may be especially noticeable during the ovulation cycle and during menstrual cycles, pregnancy, or menopause. These changes can increase women's anger over their ADHD symptoms, and can increase the risk of being misinterpreted or dismissed as moody or emotionally overly emotional.
5. Impulsivity
While the impulsivity of ADHD affects both men and boys differently, women suffer from it as well. They might also have trouble controlling their emotions, and be prone to "foot in the mouth" moments. These actions that are impulsive can have a big impact on relationships and professional life.
Prefrontal cortex is the part of the brain that is responsible for controlling reasoning and decision-making. This brain area can stop people from making bad decisions because it acts as an alarm. ADHD sufferers have less functional prefrontal cortex. This can make it difficult to resist impulses and avoid doing something reckless. It can also result in an inability to respect themselves. Women's impulsiveness is often manifested as an inability to maintain social boundaries and self-control in conversations (interrupting other people, not finishing their sentences, or talking too much).
Women can also have problems with control of impulses when hormones change. Estrogen changes naturally at different times during the menstrual cycle, during pregnancy, childbirth and menopausal. Contraceptives and hormone therapy that is used during menopausal or perimenopausal periods can further alter estrogen levels as well as other hormones, which could affect the woman's ADHD.
The manner in which ADHD symptoms are expressed in women and girls can differ from that of boys and men this is one of the reasons why they are frequently not diagnosed. Many adults suffering from ADHD are not aware of their health issues. The good news is, diagnosing and treating ADHD at any age can enhance the quality of life an individual. If you're unsure if or not you are suffering from ADHD consult your doctor and find out how they can assist. Treatment options include medication, cognitive behavior therapy and couples counseling.