Symptoms of ADHD in Adults Women
Dr. Frank says that the symptoms of ADHD in adult women are often harder to detect than men, as women develop coping mechanisms in order to disguise their symptoms. Fortunately, lifestyle modifications and medication can help them improve their functioning and enhance 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 involve trouble keeping the time, missing appointments, misplacing things or becoming easily distracted. Women may also experience the habit of procrastination, forgetfulness or working or studying in a noisy, crowded environment. They are often challenged with interpersonal skills, which can include interrupting others and blurting out remarks that later become regrettable.
Women who suffer from ADHD are better at hiding symptoms than boys and men. They may come up with healthy ways to cope that include relying on a daily schedule or setting up phone reminders for important events. However, these strategies for coping aren't sustainable in the long term and may not be sufficient to handle the demands of real life. In addition, their symptoms may be exacerbated by co-existing conditions such as anxiety and depression.
Many people who suffer from ADHD also exhibit an impulsivity and hyperactivity. Adults may experience subtler symptoms that affect only specific areas of their lives, such as social interactions or at work. Those with a hyperactive/impulsive subtype of ADHD may experience frequent fidgeting, talkativeness or trouble sitting still during conversations. They may also have trouble relaxing or finding a way to calm down, as well as trouble making and maintaining friendships.
People who suffer from 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 experience difficulties with finances, schoolwork or household chores and often experience feeling overwhelmed by the demands of their lives. Those who suffer from severe symptoms experience a lot of disruption in their daily lives. They might have difficulty keeping a job or maintaining relationships.
2. Hyperactivity
Women with ADHD have trouble organizing their home, work and personal items. They can also lose track of things like their keys, wallets, eyeglasses, and cellphones. They also are prone to lose their temper and becoming easily distracted by other thoughts and activities. Their trouble getting their tasks completed and following instructions also affects 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 identify and treat. For symptoms of add and ADHD in adults might experience low self-esteem or anxiety as the reason for her forgetfulness and inattention. It is also possible to blame relationship issues or other complaints (such as nausea and headaches) on the stress of daily life or hormonal changes (e.g. menopausal, perimenopausal).
If left untreated, ADHD can lead to serious problems. Girls and women with ADHD might be more likely to engage in sexual activity during adolescence due to their impulsivity difficulty with interpersonal boundaries, and lack of planning. Self-medicating with alcohol or drugs could be more prevalent. Inattention can lead to missed doctor's procedures and appointments. They may have disordered eating habits or having a high BMI. They could also be prone to unhealthy coping strategies, like shopping too much or nail-biting, as well as skin picking.
A thorough assessment by a health care professional or mental health professional is the most effective method to determine ADHD. The specialist will also inquire with the patient about his or her physical and emotional well-being. They might recommend lab tests or a diagnosis interview. Having a diagnosis can be a life-changing event for many adults who realize they've had an illness of the mind throughout their lives.
3. Impulsivity
Women with ADHD tend to have more difficulty controlling their impulses than males, and this could result in self-injury, alcohol or drug abuse, or other mental health issues. It can also lead to relationship problems, as the inability to control or be impulsive can cause confusion and conflicts with family, colleagues, and friends.
Symptoms of impulsivity include blurting things out, buying something on a whim and then rushing into it without contemplating the consequences. It's important to remember that acting impulsively doesn't necessarily mean it's an indication of bad character, and certain people require more time than others to think about their thoughts before acting. But, it's an excellent idea to talk to your doctor about this and be checked for ADHD particularly when you begin to notice that these symptoms are becoming more severe.
Women suffering from ADHD often have difficulty controlling their emotions. This can result in depression, or other mental health issues. Depression symptoms can be difficult to recognize in women as they can appear similar to other health issues, such as insomnia and chronic headaches. Some women suffering from ADHD are hesitant to seek help due to the fact that they believe their symptoms are indicative of self-esteem issues or a flaw in their personality.
It is important to recognize that gender and sex are two different concepts and that the biological characteristics that determine if you're a man, woman or a nonbinary individual don't affect your internal sense of identity. Many people suffering from ADHD struggle to identify with their gender. This can lead them to feel ashamed and despair. This can be made worse by the anxiety of living with untreated ADHD, which may also lead to a lack of professional or personal support.
4. Distractions
As girls with ADHD become women, they might be unable to handle adult obligations and interactions. This can cause problems at work or school and can cause tension in relationships with friends, family and romantic partners. Women with ADHD might also have issues managing finances or a home, and they may be at risk for neglecting health-related issues such as regular checkups and exercise. They may also struggle to cope with negative feelings like depression and anxiety.
ADHD symptoms for women can include the inability to remember things, loosing things, becoming easily distracted, having trouble working with others, or feeling overwhelmed by the demands of work. They may also experience mood-related symptoms such as lower self-esteem or a lack of confidence in themselves.
It's crucial for women to be aware of their symptoms of ADHD and seek an assessment. It is also beneficial to talk to a mental healthcare professional about your issues and create coping strategies for ADHD. Cognitive-behavioral therapy can aid, for instance, to alter negative thinking patterns and increase coping skills. Participating in a women's group could provide valuable information about living with ADHD, and coping techniques for everyday life.
It's important to note that women who suffer from ADHD can suffer from different symptoms than men. signs and symptoms of ADHD in adults can change during transitional times like puberty or pregnancy. They can also change during menopausal hormone treatments. This is due in part to hormone fluctuations, and also the fact that women have a greater hippocampal region which is a major factor in memory and education. Women can also mask their ADHD symptoms better than males. This makes it harder to obtain an accurate diagnosis. Despite these challenges, it is still possible to live a fulfilling life with ADHD.
5. Anxiety
While it can be challenging for women with ADHD to admit that they have anxiety issues, obtaining a diagnosis and finding the right treatment for them can make their lives much better. It can also assist women to better understand their behavior, and how it impacts others.
Anxiety is a major symptom in women with ADHD. It can look like this:
Difficulty staying focused or on task, daydreaming or seeming to be distracted. Making careless errors. Avoiding tasks that require concentration or can be boring. Concentration problems at school or at work. Forgetting or being late to meetings and appointments. Feeling overwhelmed by the number of people around you or under pressure at work or at home. Having difficulty relaxing or falling to sleep. Being easily upset or being a bit sensitive to criticism.
Women with ADHD can be more likely to develop co-occurring disorder of mood, like depression, and may be more difficult to establish friendships. They may also experience issues in their relationships with their spouses, which can lead to an increase in violence between partners as well as substance abuse.
It can be challenging for women and girls to obtain a precise ADHD diagnosis because symptoms for girls and women differ from those of men and boys. Health care professionals must be aware of these differences to provide a correct diagnosis. This involves identifying specific characteristics, such as an individualized symptoms profile, difficulties with social relationships, a tendency to develop strategies to deal with the signs of underperformance and performance issues, and the coexistence of depression and anxiety. It is important to also consider the impact hormone levels of women affect her symptoms.