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 have coping mechanisms to mask their symptoms. Fortunately lifestyle changes and medications can improve their lives and function.
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
ADHD symptoms in women can include having trouble keeping track of the time and appointments, snagging items, or getting easily distracted. Women can also struggle with procrastination or forgetfulness and working or studying in an environment that is noisy or busy. Women often struggle with interpersonal skills. They may interrupt others or make remarks that they regret later.
Women who suffer from ADHD are better at masking symptoms than boys and males. They might develop healthy coping strategies, such as having a regular schedule or setting up phone reminders for important events. However, these strategies can be unsustainable over the long run and do not suffice to cope with the demands of daily life. Additionally, their symptoms can also be complicated by comorbid disorders like anxiety and depression.
Many people suffering from ADHD display impulsivity or hyperactivity symptoms too. For adults, these signs are less obvious and could only impact some aspects of their lives, such as social or work interactions. Those with a hyperactive/impulsive subtype of ADHD may experience frequent fidgeting, talkativeness or trouble sitting still during conversations. They might also have trouble relaxing or finding a way to slow down, and may also have trouble making and maintaining friendships.
People who suffer from mild or moderate ADHD do not have significant issues in their work or relationships, however they struggle to stay organized and have a hard in executing their commitments. They may face 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 keeping a job or maintaining relationships.
2. Hyperactivity
Women suffering from ADHD have trouble organizing their home, work and personal items. They can also get lost in the details of important items like keys, wallets, eyeglasses, and cell phones. They are also prone to losing their tempers and being easily distracted by extraneous thoughts and activities. Their inability to follow instructions and complete tasks affects their schoolwork, work and relationships.
Women mask their symptoms with their emotions in order to justify their actions. This makes it difficult to diagnose and treat. For example women may feel low self-esteem or anxiety as the reason for her forgetfulness and inattention. She could also blame relationship issues or other complaints (such as nausea and headaches) on the stress of everyday life or hormonal fluctuations (e.g. menopausal, perimenopausal).
When untreated, ADHD can lead to serious problems. Women and girls with ADHD are more likely to engage in adolescent sex due to their impulsivity difficulties with boundaries between people and lack of organization. Self-medicating using alcohol and other drugs may be more common. Inattention can cause delay in doctor's appointments and procedures. They might have erratic and disordered eating habits or a higher BMI, and unhealthy coping behaviors like nail-biting skin picking, obsessive shopping, and excessive exercise.
ADHD symptoms in adults females of diagnosing ADHD is to conduct an extensive assessment by an experienced mental health professional or health care provider. In addition to looking at the patient's physical and emotional well-being, the doctor may seek feedback from close family members and friends. They might also suggest some tests for the body or a diagnostic interview. Being diagnosed can be a life-changing event for many adults who realize they've been struggling with mental health issues throughout their lives.
3. Impulsivity
Women with ADHD tend to have more trouble controlling their impulses than men, and this may contribute to problems like self-injury, alcohol or drug abuse, and other mental health issues. It can also cause relationships problems as forgetfulness or impulsive behaviors can lead to misunderstandings and conflict with family members, coworkers, and friends.
The signs of impulsivity are blurting things out, buying something on a whim and then rushing into it without contemplating the consequences. It is important to keep in mind that acting in a rash manner isn't always a sign of a bad character, and certain people require more time than others to think through their thoughts before acting. However, it's recommended to talk to your doctor about this and be checked for ADHD particularly when you observe that your symptoms are getting more severe.
It's also common for women with ADHD to have trouble controlling their emotions, which can lead to depression, as well as other mental health issues. Symptoms of depression are difficult to spot in women since they can resemble other health issues such as insomnia or a persistent headache. Some women with ADHD find it hard to seek help since they believe their symptoms are a sign of self-esteem issues or a flaw in their personality.
It is important to understand that sex is a distinct concept than gender and that your internal sense of identity isn't affected by the genetic characteristics that determine whether you are a man, woman, or nonbinary. However, many people suffering from ADHD have difficulty identifying with their gender and this can trigger feelings of shame and desperation. This can be made worse by the stress of living with untreated ADHD which can result in an absence of professional or personal support.
4. Distractions
As girls with ADHD become women, they may have difficulties handling adult obligations. This could cause issues at work or in school and can cause tension in relationships with friends, family, and romantic partners. Women who suffer from ADHD may also have trouble managing their finances or home. They could be at risk of ignoring health issues, such as regular checkups and exercising. They may also have difficulty managing negative emotions, such as depression and anxiety.
ADHD symptoms for women can include forgetting things, losing things, getting easily distracted, having difficulties working with others or feeling overwhelmed by work. They are also more likely to experience mood-related symptoms like poor self-esteem, low self-confidence or physical complaints like headaches or abdominal pain.
It is important that women are aware of their symptoms and receive an assessment. It is also helpful to speak to a mental healthcare professional about your concerns and to create coping strategies for ADHD. For example, cognitive-behavioral therapy can help change negative thinking patterns and enhance coping skills. Additionally being a part of a women's supportive group can give valuable information about living with ADHD and coping strategies for everyday life.
It is important to remember that women with ADHD may have different symptoms than men. These can change in transitional periods like puberty or pregnancy. They can also change during hormonal treatments during menopausal. This is partly due hormonal fluctuations and the fact that females have a larger hippocampus, which plays a part in memory and learning. Women may also hide their ADHD symptoms better than males. This can make it harder to obtain a correct diagnosis. Despite these obstacles, it is still possible to lead a full and fulfilling life with ADHD.
5. Anxiety
It can be difficult for women with ADHD to admit they have anxiety issues, but getting the right diagnosis and treatment could make a significant changes in their lives. It can also help them understand their behavior and how it affects other people.
Anxiety is a major symptom in women with ADHD. It can be as follows:
Distraction, like daydreaming or appearing to be distracted. Making careless mistakes. Avoiding tasks that require concentration or can be boring. Trouble focusing at work or at school. Forgetting or being late to meetings and appointments. Feeling overwhelmed in crowds, or under stress at home or at work. Finding it difficult to relax or fall asleep. Being easily agitated, or being overly sensitive to criticism.
Women who suffer from ADHD may be more likely to develop co-occurring mood disorder, such as depression, and they could be more difficult to establish friendships. They could also experience issues with intimate relationships that cause a higher risk of intimate partner violence and a higher percentage of substance abuse.
Girls and women can be unable to obtain a precise ADHD diagnosis because their symptoms are different from those of boys and men. In order to accurately diagnose ADHD, health professionals need to be aware of the differences. This involves identifying specific characteristics, such a more distinct symptoms-profile, difficulties with social interactions and a tendency to use ways to cope with underachievement or performance problems, and also the coexistence between anxiety and depression. It is also essential to think about the impact of hormone levels in women on the symptom profile she displays.