ADHD Adult Female Symptoms
ADHD can affect females and males, but it's more difficult for women to be diagnosed. It's because women rarely show the same hyperactivity and impulsivity as men, so they may be missed or misdiagnosed.
The first step in addressing your symptoms is to obtain an accurate diagnosis. Stimulant medication is a common treatment for adults with ADHD, but there are also other options.
1. Difficulty Focusing
Everyone gets distracted at times, women who suffer from ADHD have difficulty putting their attention on tasks and conversations, especially when they're experiencing emotional or sensory overload. severe ADHD symptoms adults can be made worse during menstrual cycles.
Women who are inattentional ADHD have issues with their working memory. This makes it difficult to remember things that are simple, such as dates or events coming up. They may often forget where they kept their car keys, the name of the lady who drove them home from spin class or even important dates and deadlines.
Other symptoms of ADHD in females of adulthood include procrastination and difficulty in following the steps of plans. They are more likely to be distracted by shiny objects or social media which makes it difficult to finish their projects and assignments. This can lead to feeling overwhelmed and a lack of performance at school or at work.
Because of the way society views gender, many women suffering from ADHD go undiagnosed. In turn, they feel shame and mistakenly classify their issues as "bad behaviours" or "character issues". They are often viewed like an impostor. A diagnosis can be an "lightbulb" moment for them, because it provides them with an external explanation of their issues and helps them accept themselves more fully.
Untreated ADHD in women and girls can have a variety of negative consequences, including behavioral issues, academic problems, relationship and family problems and co-existing mental health conditions. However, a correct diagnosis and treatment plan can dramatically enhance the lives of people suffering from this condition at any stage of life. Treatment options include stimulant therapy and medication. *
2. Difficulty Finishing Projects
Women suffering from ADHD often have difficulty completing tasks and duties. They may be unable to remember important details, struggle with switching between tasks or responsibilities and have difficulty attempting to meet deadlines. They could also be more likely to make mistakes, have trouble organizing their schedules and underestimate the amount of time it takes to complete tasks.
Women with ADHD are likely to experience emotional symptoms of ADHD, such as mood swings or irritability particularly difficult. Hormonal changes can exacerbate symptoms, including those that occur during menopausal, pregnancy and during menstrual cycle. Women with undiagnosed ADHD may feel angry and disappointed by their performance at work or in their relationships.
ADHD in adult men symptoms who suffer from ADHD are unable to complete daily tasks like chores and grocery shopping extremely challenging. They may overlook the need to empty the garbage or shut off the stove, and easily get distracted. They might also struggle with routine tasks, such as washing dishes or folding laundry. Simple chores or boring ones can become exhausting and cause impulsive behavior such as excessive talking or sharing. Women who suffer from ADHD may also make unruly choices and employ unhealthy coping strategies, like alcohol or drugs.
If you are having difficulty completing tasks, have memory issues, chronic procrastination and problems with relationships, it is time to consider a professional assessment for ADHD. A proper diagnosis can improve your quality of life and help you achieve success in both your personal and professional life. It will help you better manage your ADHD symptoms and devise strategies to address them effectively. To avoid lapses of focus and attention, you can try to stick to a regular schedule using an app for planning or reminders to take notes during meetings, and adhere to good sleep hygiene (avoid screens for an hour prior to bedtime). Exercise can also improve concentration because it boosts the levels of brain neurotransmitters.
3. Difficulty Remembering Names
The difficulty in remembering names may be associated with other ADHD symptoms like difficulty in following directions and having trouble finishing projects. This is due to a lack to organize and prioritize tasks, which can hinder information retrieval. This problem is more likely to occur when there are periods of stress, fatigue or hormonal changes.
Forgetting extreme ADHD symptoms adults can feel even more frustrating when it's followed by a feeling of numbness over larger things, such as appointments, events or personal reminders. These lapses may be caused by depression or anxiety, which commonly co-occur with ADHD in women.
Due to gender perceptions and internalized symptoms ADHD is often misdiagnosed among women. Inattentive ADHD symptoms are more subtle than hyperactive/impulsive symptoms, making them harder to detect and identify. They are, therefore, under-diagnosed and not referred to doctors to receive treatment and diagnosis.
In addition there is discrimination based on gender since the disorder is often be viewed as a condition that affects boys. Hyperactive boys are the ones who are frequently taken to clinics and assessed for treatment. In addition to internalized stigma and the fact that women's symptoms frequently differ from those of men as well, a lot of professionals fail to diagnose or treat ADHD in women.
It's becoming more common for women to receive an ADHD diagnosis in their adulthood. A diagnosis can improve relationships, set you up for success at school and at work and provide the support you need to excel in your life. If you are looking to get diagnosed, speak to an experienced Salience Health provider. We can assess your symptoms with tools like Creyos Cognitive Testing and Brainview Advanced and connect you with a therapist who's the right fit for you.
4. Ailoofs with difficulty
Women with ADHD may exhibit subtle signs of inattention. They may miss appointments, neglect to complete chores around the house or have trouble taking notes at work. They might also have problems with impulsivity and trouble understanding social boundaries. This could lead to confusion and misinterpretation between family and friends and may result in feelings of loneliness and isolation.
Women who are not treated for ADHD may also have trouble being able to meet the expectations set by society as women. This can lead to feelings of inadequacy and ADHD symptoms as they struggle with the responsibility of taking care of children and household chores. Many women suffering from untreated ADHD suffer from low self-esteem, and they resort to unhealthy strategies for coping such as binge eating or television marathons.
The challenges of ADHD in women are amplified by gender bias, both in how girls and women are perceived and assessed by healthcare professionals. Certain studies suggest that women and girls are more likely to hide their ADHD symptoms or to compensate for them, and are less likely than males and females to get referred for diagnosis and treatment.
Another challenge is that women with ADHD may have trouble recognizing their own symptoms, and they may confuse them with anxiety or mood disorders. This could lead to false diagnosis or delayed treatment.
The signs of ADHD can vary with hormonal fluctuations. They may be especially evident during the ovulation cycle or menstrual cycle, pregnancy, or menopause. These changes can heighten a woman's frustration with her ADHD symptoms, and they can increase the risk of being misunderstood or dismissed as moody or overly emotional.
5. Impulsivity
Women are also prone to impulsivity, which is a sign of ADHD. They may also struggle with controlling their emotions and are prone to "foot in mouth" moments. These impulsive behaviors can have a big impact on relationships and professional life.
The part of the brain that is responsible for the process of decision-making and reasoning is known as the prefrontal cortex. This area can prevent people from making poor decisions since it serves as a check. ADHD sufferers have less functional prefrontal cortex. This makes it more difficult to resist the urges and avoid engaging in reckless behavior. It can also cause an absence of self-esteem. For women, impulsiveness typically manifests itself as a problem with social boundaries and conversational self-restraint (interrupting conversations, completing others' sentences, and speaking too much).
Women can also have trouble with impulse control during the various hormonal fluctuations throughout their lives. Estrogen fluctuates in different intervals throughout the menstrual cycle as well as during pregnancy, childbirth, and menopause. Oral contraception and hormone therapy during perimenopause or menopause may affect estrogen levels and other hormones which can affect women's ADHD.
ADHD symptoms for girls and women can differ from those in males and boys. This is why they are often not properly diagnosed. Because of this, many adults with ADHD are unaware that they suffer from it. The good news is that identifying and treating ADHD can make a difference in the quality of life for anyone regardless of age. Speak to your doctor if there's a doubt if you have ADHD. They will give you suggestions. Treatment options include medications, cognitive behavioral therapy, and couples counseling.