ADHD Symptoms in Adult Females
The condition is often misdiagnosed by women, even though it affects men and women equally as adults. This is likely due to gender stereotypes and the capability of women to hide their symptoms.
Many healthcare professionals lack the experience or knowledge to recognize ADHD among women. Many females are not diagnosed correctly and don't receive the treatment they require.
1. Disorganization
Women and girls who suffer from ADHD often struggle with disorganization, a condition that can be a challenge to manage. For example your desk might be a mess of unruly papers, 17 chapsticks, and even a ticket stub from the Kings of Leon concert you went to in 2008. And while simply click the following webpage spend money on products that promise to keep you organized, your home and office may still be chaotic and messy.
Inability to keep track of your responsibilities can result in missed appointments and forgotten deadlines. You may also experience "time blindness," where you don't know or remember the time it takes to finish the task. This can make you feel frustrated and feel like you're not doing a great enough job in your career, or even your personal life.
You might also have trouble regulating your emotions, which could make you overreact in stressful situations. Your rapid verbal communication may create misunderstandings and miscommunications with your family as well as your coworkers. You might say things that hurt feelings of others without meaning to. Since impulsivity is a common trait for those with ADHD and ADD, you may be unable to stop yourself from saying things before considering them.
If you suffer from ADHD It's likely some of your symptoms are rooted in gender stereotypes and beliefs about how boys, men, and women should act. This makes it difficult to identify and treat ADHD.
In addition to a diagnosis you may also benefit from behavioral therapy to deal with the root cause of your disorder. It may take a while to discover the most effective coping strategies, but implementing them will help you feel in control of your life and improve your relationships with family members, coworkers, and other friends.
2. Impulsivity
People with ADHD are prone to intense emotions. However, their brains are not capable of filtering them or analyze them. This means they can get overwhelmed by a single setback or struggle to accurately assess the emotional state of other people. It also makes it easier for them to become distracted by minor inconveniences like a book that's out of stock or a friend who's running late to the spin class.
Many women suffering from ADHD cover up their symptoms and devise strategies to deal with their attention issues. They may be perfectionists or extremely meticulous at school or at work however, they have trouble keeping track of important dates, bills, and appointments. They may also have issues with verbal self-restraint and frequently interrupt others, talk too much, often, or dump information during conversations.
The hyperactive/impulsive subtype of ADHD tends to be more common in boys and men, but it's not unusual for women to have these symptoms too. These symptoms include the sudden urge to begin or stop activities. They can also be characterized by not being able to wait for your turn in a conversation and being unable to discern social signals.
While gender-based stereotypes may influence the development of ADHD, it's often difficult to recognize when a woman has these issues. Rating scales used to identify ADHD symptoms are still biased towards male behavior and some healthcare experts may be misinformed or underestimate the severity of a woman's symptoms.
Many women who suffer from ADHD also say that their symptoms get more severe during periods of hormonal changes, like during the menstrual cycle or pregnancy, or perimenopausal (the run-up to menopause). This can cause emotional issues and lead to frequent feelings of frustration, irritability or depression. They may also experience an ongoing feeling of discontent with their relationships or lives. This could lead to substance abuse, low self-esteem and unhealthy coping strategies. It's important that women understand that these symptoms don't indicate their worth or importance as human beings. With a well-planned treatment program, you can reduce or even eliminate these signs.
3. Inattention
Everyone has difficulty paying attention and focusing, with ADHD the symptoms are experienced so frequently that they interfere with your daily life. You might make mistakes at work or at school, forget appointments or spend a large amount of time delaying. You're not able to stand in line and interrupt others during conversations.
Adults who are inattentive can also have a tendency to rush into projects before having a complete plan and research them. This leads to incomplete results or even subpar ones. You could also get easily distracted and abandon projects that are not completed. This could include the vegetable garden that was planted, but not watered, or a brand new organizational system that you assembled and then left on your nightstand to collect dust.
People with inattention ADHD struggle with chronic disorganization at home and at work. You may have difficulty finding important documents such as keys or bills, and frequently lose things. You may be unable to keep track of time and be late for work, school or even meetings.
Women with hyperactive/impulsive ADHD are less likely to experience these inattentive symptoms, but they can still have problems with organization, time management and self-control. People with these issues might perform actions or words without considering the impact. For instance they may be rude to others or make nonsensical noises when alone. They may have trouble sitting still, and fidget in their seats or at a fast pace. They might be unable to keep their job and may have frequent conflicts with their coworkers and manager.
In certain cases mood swings and emotional turmoil caused by ADHD can cause frustration and miscommunication in relationships. This is especially true in relationships with partners as well as at work. People who suffer from ADHD also are more likely to being afflicted with comorbid conditions, such as depression, anxiety or bipolar disorder.
Women and girls with ADHD can face a variety of obstacles when seeking treatment and diagnosis, including gender bias and a tendency to conceal their symptoms or undervalue the severity of their symptoms. The rise of high-profile women like Mia Freedman and Em Rusciano who have shared their struggles with ADHD has increased awareness, but many young women and girls still don't know they have the condition.
4. Anxiety
An anxiety disorder is characterized by persistently excessive anxiety. While everyone is anxious or nervous at times, anxiety disorders are characterized by persistently high levels of anxiety. You may experience a constant feeling of unease or fear, a rapid heartbeat, difficulty staying at peace and having difficulty focusing. You may also feel an underlying sense of danger in situations that you are aware aren't risky. The most common types of anxiety are general anxiety disorder, agoraphobia, separation anxiety, as well as panic disorders.
Anxiety is more common in women suffering from ADHD than men. It tends worsen around certain life events, such as menstrual cycles or pregnancy, as well as perimenopausal. This makes it more difficult to handle everyday activities and social interactions and can cause feelings of self-doubt and general dissatisfaction with your life.
You're highly sensitive to rejection and have a tough time accepting criticism. You are prone to interpret feedback incorrectly, or anticipate rejection. You might be annoyed by small things that others don't see an issue with.
Mood swings are also one of the symptoms of adhd in women who are older and you may find that your emotions are unpredictable or difficult to control. You could also be prone to self-injury that isn't suicidal like burning, scrubbing, or hitting yourself.
It's important to seek a diagnosis if you're experiencing any of the symptoms listed above. It can help you understand the issues you're facing and provide you strategies to improve your quality of life. You can take an ADHD test online or talk to your physician for an assessment from a professional. In certain instances, your doctor might prescribe medication to alleviate your symptoms. In certain instances your doctor may suggest an amalgamation of lifestyle changes and cognitive behavior therapy. In either case it's crucial to change your lifestyle as quickly as possible. This will help you gain control over your life and make you feel more productive, confident and capable.