ADHD Symptoms in Adult Women
Women who have undiagnosed ADHD might face difficulties at workplace or in relationships. It's important to recognize the signs and find treatment that works for you.
Symptoms of ADHD in adults are more likely to be the inattentive type than hyperactivity/impulsive. Having a proper diagnosis can help you improve your life by managing your symptoms and focusing on the things that matter most.
1. Difficulty Paying Attention
Women may struggle with their inability to pay attention to the smallest details or remember deadlines and appointments or underestimate the time it will take to complete tasks. They may also have difficulty keeping track of their responsibilities at work or in relationships, get distracted easily, and fail to keep their word on their promises. They may also be impulsive, have trouble controlling their emotions, and may blurt out thoughts without thinking them through.
It is crucial to recognize and treat symptoms of ADHD in adult women. Inability to focus can lead to problems with relationships and friendships. Women might find it harder to make new friends, or they might struggle in their relationships, with recurring fights, missed opportunities for fun and being ignored. Women may also struggle to manage the demands of home, work and childcare.
Many people who have ADHD do not meet the diagnostic criteria, and it can be hard for health care providers or therapists to recognize the disorder. But that doesn't mean that it's not true or that the person has to work harder to stay on task. Rather, a diagnosis is based on the extent to which the symptoms interfere with the daily activities in a variety of areas of life.
It is more common for women to experience inattention - as opposed to hyperactive or impulsive symptoms - and that could help explain why this group of people often go undiagnosed. Additionally, many women with ADHD are afflicted with a sense of being embarrassed about their issues because they don't conform to the stereotypes of someone with ADHD. This makes it harder for people who suffer from ADHD to seek assistance or seek treatment.
Women who suffer from ADHD are not diagnosed for a long period of time due to the fact that they attempt to conceal their symptoms and deal with. They are also more likely to suffer from other comorbidities, including depression or anxiety that can mask the symptoms of ADHD. They are more likely to experience hormonal fluctuations that could cause their symptoms to flare up or disappear. This is particularly relevant during menstrual cycle as well as pregnancy and perimenopausal.
2. Organizational Issues
Women suffering from ADHD often experience forgetfulness and disorganization, as well as emotional dysregulation. this hyperlink can cause them to be unable to keep up with everyday tasks, fulfill their obligations, or maintain relationships. They may also have low self-esteem or anxiety. Women with undiagnosed ADHD often feel like they're not meeting societal expectations and have a hard time keeping up with their peers in terms of academic success, job performance, and social relationships.
ADHD in women can manifest as hyperfocus, procrastination or forgetfulness. These issues can lead to women missing appointments, not paying their bills on time, and feeling overwhelmed. Hyperfocus can result in an inability to focus on other activities that are crucial and a lack of sense of time, which can make it difficult to switch from one activity to another. Procrastination can cause stress, anxiety and a constant feeling of being lagging behind.
Another symptom that is often associated with ADHD is trouble with nonverbal and verbal communication. This could mean excessive talk and interrupting other people or saying inappropriate words. This can include the inability to wait or a difficulty understanding social boundaries. It is important to keep in mind that these issues don't always indicate a lack in ability or intelligence.
Many women suffering from ADHD develop strategies to hide their symptoms. This can have positive as well as negative consequences. Some of these coping strategies could be healthy. For instance keeping a daily calendar or making reminders for important dates. Others could be harmful, such as drinking alcohol or using drugs to conceal symptoms or completely ignoring them. As a result, it is crucial for women who suspect ADHD to seek help from a mental health professional.
Women suffering from ADHD can benefit from medication treatment, lifestyle modifications, therapy and a myriad of other treatment options. Some of these include cognitive behavioral therapy to address underlying negative beliefs and thoughts, mindfulness and relaxation techniques and exercise, a balanced diet, and adequate sleep. A health professional may also recommend adjustments to make school or work easier.
3. Disruptive Behaviors
Women suffering from ADHD are often afflicted by emotional dysregulation. They may become frustrated and discontent when life's difficulties aren't easily overcome. This can make it difficult to maintain relationships with loved ones, friends as well as coworkers. For instance, forgetfulness and impulses can cause the frustration or confusion in romantic relationships and can cause feelings of loneliness, abandonment or depression. In addition the desire to find an instant thrill could be misinterpreted as a lack of interest or apathy by others.
This is why ADHD symptoms are often missed or under-diagnosed in women and girls. They might be unable to understanding that their issues are a result of the disorder due to stereotypes and social norms regarding gender roles and behavior.
Women and girls who suffer from ADHD often conceal their symptoms to avoid embarrassment. This can lead to being less often referred for diagnosis than boys and men with the same symptoms. This could be due to gender bias in research that informs the diagnostic criteria. In a recent study, Hartung and Widiger discovered that girls and women are more likely to be misdiagnosed and undiagnosed than men and boys with the same ADHD symptoms. This could be due to the fact that healthcare professionals are trained to think of hyperactive and aggressive ADHD as more prevalent for both genders. This can make them easier to identify and refer for assessment.
Adult ADHD symptoms can manifest themselves as anxiety and a struggle to settle down. These are common symptoms of ADHD, but in adulthood, they can have a profound impact on the quality of life and well-being. People with ADHD may be irritable or find it hard to sit still. This is particularly the case when they're anxious or stressed. They tend to fidget and are often very talking. They often interrupt or finish sentences of other people and do not realize they're causing offence.
If you suspect you may have ADHD, your GP or registered psychologist can refer you to psychiatrists for an assessment. Alternatively, click here. can self-refer. This content was reviewed in October 2024 and updated in November 2022 by Madeline Dykes, clinical psychologist and a member of the Thriving Madly peer support network in Christchurch.
4. Social Skills Problems
Women with ADHD may have trouble communicating effectively or manage their emotions in the workplace. This can result in issues with personal relationships as well as with professional goals. For example, they might be unable to recognize and respond to feedback, which could lead to frustration and disappointment. Also, they may struggle to maintain healthy eating and sleep routines, which can cause anxiety. In some instances women with ADHD develop unhealthy coping strategies to cope with these issues. They may include substances abuse, eating disorders, or non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI) like cutting or burning.
As women grow older, those with ADHD are more likely to seek treatment than men because they tend to cover up their symptoms. In an effort to fit in with society and meet expectations, they usually create coping mechanisms. This can make it harder for others to recognize their ADHD symptoms. These coping strategies could be as simple as creating lists and setting reminders or more complicated strategies, like learning to control their emotions or learning mindfulness techniques.
These coping mechanisms could but backfire and cause worse symptoms. These coping methods can also make it difficult to get a good night's sleep, which is crucial for managing ADHD symptoms. Additionally, women with ADHD often feel overwhelmed by life's demands and demands, which can cause stress and exacerbate ADHD symptoms.
It's true that boys are diagnosed more often with ADHD than girls. However the gap gets smaller as they get older. It's because it's common for women to experience a variety of symptoms throughout their lives, which may lead to the diagnosis at various dates.
The changes in hormone levels can also impact ADHD symptoms among women. For instance, if they have an elevated estrogen level during pregnancy, their symptoms might improve. Higher levels of estrogen regulate brain chemicals that influence attention. However, if they begin to have low estrogen levels due to perimenopausal changes or age the ADHD symptoms might get worse.
Adults with ADHD are able to receive a precise diagnosis, and they can receive effective treatment. These include cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), neurocognitive psychology, as well as other treatments that can help people with ADHD improve their daily functioning. In addition, they can also attend support groups for ADHD to discuss their experiences with others on the same journey and gain valuable insights from their colleagues.