Symptoms of ADHD in Adults Female
Many women with ADHD are not diagnosed until they reach the age of adulthood. This is due to lingering stereotypes, referral biases and masking behaviors as well as comorbidities and hormonal changes.
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 result in undiagnosed symptoms and delayed treatment.
1. Lack of Focus
Many people suffering from ADHD struggle to focus or stay focused. This can cause problems at work or school like forgetting chores or homework, or avoiding important meetings. This can cause emotional issues, like mood changes or a loss of self-esteem.
Inattentive-type ADHD symptoms are usually less obvious, making them more difficult to diagnose. You may appear to not pay to what others are saying (you might zone-out or have a "thousand-yard stare"). It can be difficult to finish tasks that require focus, such as writing a report or filling out paperwork.
Regular exercise can improve your ability to focus and remain organized. Try taking a walk every day, taking part in an exercise class with a group or even cycling or swimming. Limiting caffeine may help reduce the negative effects that certain ADHD medications can cause.
2. Making decisions can be difficult
Women who suffer from ADHD have difficulty making decisions or executing their actions. They might be unable to maintain a calm disposition and avoid impulsive behavior, which can cause them issues at work or 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 instance, some women with ADHD may have trouble staying still or paying attention to tasks that require full attention, and they might be prone to losing things or forgetting important dates.
Because the symptoms of ADHD can be less obvious in women, they are often underdiagnosed or misdiagnosed. The diagnosis of adult ADHD is a major life-changing event for women who receive the assistance they need. Therapists can offer advice and help to manage the disorder. They may suggest a combination therapy such as medication, psychotherapy, and lifestyle changes like establishing a routine sleep schedule and ensuring that you have a healthy sleeping routine.
3. Time Management Problems
Girls who suffer from ADHD might have difficulty to manage their relationships and lives as they age. Their symptoms are often a bit under the radar, particularly if they're primarily inattentive or an amalgam of both.
They forget important events, like meetings or birthdays. They also forget their routines and schedules making it more difficult to get out the door on time for school or work. They could even lose or forget their keys, wallets or glasses.
ADHD symptoms are not always apparent. They can be made worse due to stress or mental health issues or physical illness. It's crucial to discuss any issues you may be experiencing with your doctor. They may suggest cognitive behavioral therapy in order to help you overcome your negative thoughts and behaviors and develop healthier coping mechanisms. Verywell Health notes that sex refers to biology, and gender refers to a person's inner sense of self, regardless of whether they're gender male or female from birth, are intersex or don't belong to the gender binary.
4. Difficulty Staying Organized
Inattention can cause problems at work or in school, including difficulties with completing tasks and forgetfulness. Inattention can also cause you to lose items or miss important events. It can also 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 be characterized by an inability for you to wait your turn in conversations or at work. Impulsivity can result in hasty decisions, taking risks, or a tendency to interrupt others.
Women can feel under pressure to perform flawlessly to balance work and family and being punctual and organized and meeting a variety of other expectations. This can lead to anxiety and stress that could exacerbate symptoms of ADHD, causing them to go undiagnosed, or neglected. In addition, symptoms may become worse during menopause. This can result in lower confidence and relationship issues.
5. It is difficult to concentrate
Women and girls with ADHD may have difficulty concentration. This can cause problems at school or work, and even create difficulties in forming relationships. It can be difficult to keep up with everyday tasks like getting dressed or remembering to take medications and health checkups.
Women suffering from ADHD often develop coping strategies to hide their symptoms so that others don't notice that they have trouble staying on track or ignoring things. These coping strategies can include healthy habits like creating reminders on their phones or sticking to a schedule. These coping strategies can also include unhealthy behaviors such as excessive alcohol or substance use.
The severity of ADHD symptoms can differ, and it is important that those suffering from ADHD discuss their concerns with their doctor. According to the CDC There are three levels of severity that are mild (fewer than six symptoms that cause minimal impairment in work or social environments), moderate and severe.
6. Multitasking is difficult
Women suffering from ADHD are often under pressure to live up to society's expectations. This means caring for children, maintaining a healthy relationship and managing the household. It can be difficult to manage if ADHD symptoms make it hard to be organized efficient, punctual and reliable.
Inattention and forgetfulness can result in misunderstandings and frustrations between partners, family members and friends. They can also interfere in the way you study or work and result in underachieving.
This can lead to anxiety and low self-esteem, which can cause coexisting conditions like depression. In addition, undiagnosed ADHD can impact relationships and result in a lack of fulfilment in both the workplace and at home. Fortunately, the right help can be helpful. You can employ strategies to cope, such as a daily schedule or reminders, to help overcome these difficulties. You can also ask your school or employer about accommodations that might help you to manage your symptoms. You can also network with women who suffer from ADHD and learn to manage it by joining a women's ADHD group.
7. Problems with Managing Attention
Inability to pay attention attention to specifics is one of the primary symptoms of ADHD. It can manifest in various ways, from not understanding the fine text on a contract, to making a lot of blunders at school or at work.
Women with inattention ADHD can have difficulty following a routine, or keeping track of responsibilities. This can lead to issues such as not paying their bills or missing appointments. They also find it difficult to remain at a distance or refrain from interrupting others.
Women with inattention ADHD are more likely to experience depression or anxiety and may have difficulty maintaining healthy, happy relationships. They are also more likely to engage in sexual activity at an earlier age and be at risk of being pushed to engage in sexually abusive or unwanted behavior.
Women with hyperactive/impulsive ADHD are less likely to develop these symptoms, so it is harder for them to be diagnosed. adult ADHD symptoms may also experience similar issues and should be assessed by a medical professional.
8. It is difficult to remain calm
ADHD symptoms can trigger feelings of frustration and rage. People who are unaware of the condition might not be able to comprehend the emotions. It is crucial for women to be aware of these symptoms and seek help before they escalate into severe emotional issues.
If you are frequently forgetting appointments or are late for work meetings, it can cause conflicts with your colleagues or your employer. It could also cause miscommunications with family members and friends members. You could make mistakes and make comments that hurt other people's feelings even if you weren't intending to.
There are three subtypes of ADHD: inattentive, hyperactive/impulsive and mixed. You must have at least six symptoms for at least six month 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. In addition to the inattentive type, women can also experience a combination of the other symptoms.
9. Difficulty Making Friends
Women suffering from ADHD might find it difficult to keep their relationships and make new acquaintances. Their impulsive and forgetfulness can lead to misunderstandings and conflicts with friends and family members. People with emotional dysregulation may also struggle to regulate their moods. This can cause them to feel anxious, devalued or not understood. It can affect negatively on their self-esteem.
People who suffer from ADHD often miss social cues like rolled eyes and grunts that are stifled. This can cause them to believe that their friends don't want in having fun with them or that they ignore them.
Women can also have issues with interpersonal issues because they are more likely to experience depression, which can exacerbate their ADHD symptoms. This can make it more difficult for others to see that they're struggling with the disorder, and it can delay a diagnosis. Many people suffering from ADHD report that their quality of life improves after they're diagnosed.