Symptoms of ADHD in Adults Female
Many women suffering from ADHD don't receive a diagnosis until adulthood. This is due to persistent stereotypes, referral biases and masking behaviors, comorbidities and hormonal fluctuations.
Symptoms of ADHD in adults female may be harder to detect than those in men and boys because women's symptoms are more likely to be inattentive rather than hyperactive/impulsive. This can lead both to a delayed diagnosis or a misdiagnosis.
1. Inattention and lack of Focus
Many people with ADHD struggle to focus and stay focused. This can cause problems at work or school and can result in a lack of attention to chores or homework, or avoiding important meetings. It can also cause emotional issues, like mood shifts or a lack self-esteem.
Attention-deficit ADHD symptoms are often more subtle which makes them harder to identify. You may seem like you're not paying attention when others are talking (you may be unable to focus or display what's known as a"thousand-yard stare"). You may find it difficult to finish tasks that require concentration such as writing reports or completing paperwork.
Regular exercise can improve your ability for concentration and organization. Try walking every day or participating in fitness classes with other people, or going cycling or swimming. Limiting your intake of caffeine can help to reduce the side effects that certain ADHD medications may cause.
2. Making decisions can be difficult
Women suffering from ADHD frequently struggle to make decisions or carry out the actions that result from them. They may also have trouble maintaining their calm and avoiding impulsive behavior, which can lead to problems at work and with relationships.
The inattentive subtype of ADHD has nine symptoms that must last for at least six months to be diagnosed, while the hyperactive/impulsive and mixed subtypes each have their own set of symptoms. For instance, some women with ADHD may have trouble being still or paying attention to tasks that require their full attention, and they might be prone to losing things or forgetting important dates.
Women are often misdiagnosed or underdiagnosed since the signs of ADHD aren't always apparent. The diagnosis of adult ADHD is a major life-changing event for women who receive the help they require. Therapists can offer advice and help to manage the disorder. They might suggest a combination therapy such as medication, psychotherapy, and lifestyle changes like establishing a routine sleep schedule and ensuring that you have a healthy sleeping routine.
3. Time Management Problems
As children with ADHD become adults, they might struggle to manage their lives and relationships without assistance. They can be difficult to spot particularly if their symptoms are primarily inattention.
They do not remember important dates, such as birthdays or appointments. They lose the track of their routines as well as schedules making it difficult to leave on time for work or school. They could even lose or misplace their wallets, keys or eyeglasses.
Symptoms of ADHD aren't always clear-cut and they may be worsened by stress, mental health issues or physical ailments. That's why it's crucial to talk to your doctor about any problems you're experiencing. They may suggest cognitive behavioral therapy to help you reframe your negative thoughts and actions and develop better ways of coping. Verywell Health notes that gender is the internal self-perception of a person, whereas sex is biology.
4. Difficulty staying organized
Inattention-related symptoms can affect your school and work, including forgetfulness and trouble keeping track of tasks. It can also result in losing important items or events, as well as difficulties with your relationships.
Hyperactive/impulsive symptoms can include difficulty sitting still (fidgeting, tapping your foot, or talking excessively) and restlessness (being unable to enjoy quiet activities). They can be accompanied by the inability to wait for your turn in conversations or at work and an inability to recognize the boundaries of social interactions. Impulsivity can lead to reckless choices, risk-taking, or a tendency to interrupt.
Women can feel under pressure to be perfect in balancing work and family as well as being punctual and organised and many other expectations. This can lead to anxiety and stress that could exacerbate symptoms of ADHD, causing them to be undiagnosed or not treated. In addition, symptoms could get worse during menopausal cycles. This can cause lower self-esteem and issues with relationships.
5. Difficulty Concentrating
Girls and women who suffer from ADHD may have difficulty being able to focus. This can cause problems at school or work and may make it difficult to form relationships. It can also be difficult to keep up with everyday chores like dressing or remembering to get medication and health checks.
Women with ADHD have coping strategies to hide their symptoms. This allows other people not to be aware that they have trouble staying focused or avoiding important tasks. These coping strategies can include healthy habits, such as setting reminders on their phones or adhering to the same routine. They may also involve unhealthy habits, such as drinking excessively and using substances.
The symptoms of ADHD can be different in their severity and it's crucial for those suffering from ADHD to discuss their concerns with a physician. According to the CDC there are three levels of severity: mild (fewer than six symptoms that cause minimal impairment in social or work environments), moderate and severe.
6. Difficulty Multitasking
Women suffering from ADHD are often under pressure to fulfill social expectations, such as taking care of children, maintaining a harmonious relationship and running a home. It can be challenging to manage when ADHD symptoms make it difficult to be organized efficient, punctual and reliable.
The impulsivity and forgetfulness of people can lead to the frustrations and conflicts with partners, friends, and family. They can also hinder the way you study or work and cause underperformance.
This can lead to anxiety and low self-esteem which can contribute to coexisting conditions such as depression. Undiagnosed ADHD may also affect relationships and result in a decrease in fulfillment at work and home. The right support can be helpful. You can use coping strategies like a daily schedule or reminders, to help overcome these difficulties. You can talk to your school or employer about adjustments that could help you manage your symptoms. You can also network with other women who have ADHD and learn how to manage it by joining a women's ADHD group.
7. Trouble Managing Attention
The inability to pay attention to particulars is among the primary symptoms of ADHD. This manifests in a variety of ways, from not reading the fine text on a contract, to making frequent mistakes at work or in school.
Read Full Report with inattention ADHD can have difficulty following a routine, or keeping track of their responsibilities. This can lead to issues such as not paying their bills or not making appointments. They also find it difficult to stay at a distance or refrain from interrupting others.
Women with inattention ADHD are more likely to suffer from depression or anxiety, and may have difficulty maintaining fulfilling, healthy relationships. They are more likely to start sexual activity at a later and risky age.
Women with hyperactive/impulsive ADHD are less likely to develop these symptoms, so it is harder for them to be diagnosed. Women may also experience similar issues and should be assessed by a medical professional.
8. Difficulty Staying Calm
Symptoms of ADHD can intensify feelings of anger and frustration. It's easy for those who aren't aware of the condition to confuse the emotions. It's important for women to recognize these symptoms and seek help before they become severe emotional issues.
For instance, if always forgetting appointments or being late for work meetings This could cause conflict with your employer or co-workers. It can also lead to confusion with family and friends members. You could make mistakes and say things that hurt other people's feelings even though you weren't intending to.
There are three subtypes of ADHD: inattentive, hyperactive/impulsive and mixed. You must have six or more symptoms for a minimum of six months to be diagnosed. Women are less likely to have the hyperactive/impulsive or mixed symptoms than men, but these can still occur in some cases. In addition to the inattentive type, women can experience a mix of the other symptoms.
9. Difficulty Making Friends
Women who have ADHD can struggle to make and maintain friendships. Their impulsivity and forgetfulness can cause confusion with family and friends. They might also be struggling with emotional dysregulation, which causes them to be difficult to manage their moods. This may cause them to feel secluded, misunderstood or anxious, and it could have a negative impact on their self-esteem.
People with ADHD frequently miss social cues, such as rolled eyes and stifled grunts. This can lead them to believe that their friends do not want to hang out or that they are dissing them.
Women can also struggle dealing with interpersonal issues since they are more likely to experience depression, which can exacerbate their ADHD symptoms. This makes it difficult for others to identify that the person is suffering from ADHD and delay a proper diagnosis. Many people suffering from ADHD report that their quality of living improves once they've been diagnosed.