Symptoms of ADHD in Adults Women
Dr. Frank says that the symptoms of ADHD in women who are typically more difficult to identify than in men, because women have coping mechanisms to hide their symptoms. Fortunately lifestyle changes and medications can improve their lives and performance.
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 include difficulty keeping track of time and appointments, snagging items, or getting easily distracted. Women may also experience forgetfulness, procrastination and having difficulty working or studying in a noisy, crowded environment. They are often challenged with interpersonal skills, which can include interrupting other people and making remarks that later become regrettable.
In contrast to men and boys who suffer from ADHD tend to be more adept in hiding their symptoms. They may develop healthy coping strategies like having a regular schedule or making phone calls to remind them of important events. These strategies for coping may not last for long and are not sufficient to deal with the complexities of everyday life. Additionally, their symptoms may be exacerbated by co-existing disorders like anxiety and depression.
Many people suffering from ADHD have impulsivity or hyperactivity symptoms as well. Adults may experience milder symptoms that are only affecting specific areas of their lives like social interactions or at work. Those with a hyperactive/impulsive subtype of ADHD may experience frequent fidgeting, talkativeness or trouble sitting still during conversations. They might also have difficulty to relax or settle down. They may also struggle to establish and maintain friendships.
People with mild or moderate ADHD do not have significant issues in their work or relationships, however they have trouble staying organized and have a hard in executing their commitments. They may experience problems with finances, household chores or schoolwork and find themselves overwhelmed by the demands of their jobs. Severe symptoms can cause significant disruptions in a person's day-to-day life. They may also have difficulty maintaining relationships or keeping a job.
2. Hyperactivity
Women with ADHD have a hard time organizing their home, work and personal belongings. They also tend to lose track of important things such as their keys, wallets and eyeglasses. adult male ADHD symptoms are also easily distracted and lose their temper. Inability to follow directions and complete tasks negatively impacts their work, schoolwork and relationships.
Women often mask their symptoms by using their emotions as an excuse for their behavior, which makes it harder to get diagnosed and treated. For instance women may feel low self-esteem or anxiety as the reason for her inattention and forgetfulness. It is also possible to blame relationship problems or somatic complaints such as nausea and headaches on the stress of life or fluctuations in hormones (e.g. menopausal, perimenopausal or menopause).
When untreated, ADHD can lead to serious problems. For instance, women and girls with ADHD may be at a higher risk of sexual activity in adolescence due to their impulsivity as well as difficulties with boundaries between people and planning. Self-medicating with alcohol or drugs may be more common. Inattention can lead to missed doctor's procedures and appointments. They may have disordered eating habits or a high BMI. They may also use unhealthy strategies for coping like shopping too much and nail-biting. Skin picking is another option.
A thorough assessment by a health care professional or mental health professional is the best method to determine ADHD. In addition to looking at the patient's emotional and physical health, the professional might seek feedback from family members and friends. They may also suggest tests in the lab or an interview. A diagnosis can be a life-changing event for those who discover they've been struggling with a mental health condition for years.
3. Impulsivity
Women who suffer from ADHD tend to have more difficulty controlling their impulses than males, and this could contribute to problems like self-injury, alcohol or substance abuse, and other mental health issues. It can also cause relationships problems as an impulsive or forgetful behavior can cause confusion and conflict with family, friends, and coworkers.
Signs of impulsivity include scribbling things out, buying something on a whim and then jumping into the purchase without contemplating the consequences. It is important to keep in mind that acting impulsively isn't always a sign of bad character. In fact, some people need more time than others to think through their thoughts before acting. However, it's still an excellent idea to speak with your doctor about this and to get checked for ADHD especially when you begin to notice that the symptoms are getting more severe.
Women suffering from ADHD often have trouble managing their emotions. This can result in depression and other mental health problems. Depression symptoms can be difficult to recognize in women because they may resemble other health issues, such as insomnia or a chronic headache. Some women suffering from ADHD have a difficult time deciding whether to ask for help because they believe that their symptoms are a sign of low self-esteem or a personality flaw.
It's important to understand that gender and sexuality are two different concepts and that the biological characteristics that determine whether you are male, female, or nonbinary person don't alter your personal identity. Many people with ADHD struggle to identify with their assigned gender. This can cause people to feel embarrassed and desperation. These can be exacerbated by the anxiety of living with untreated ADHD and can result in an absence of support from a professional or personal perspective.
4. Distractions
As girls with ADHD become women, they can have difficulties juggling adult responsibilities. This could lead to issues at school or work and conflicting relationships with family, friends, and romantic partners. Women who suffer from ADHD are also prone to having difficulty managing their finances or at home. They could also be at risk of neglecting health issues such as regular checkups and exercises. They may also struggle to deal with negative emotions like anxiety and depression.
ADHD symptoms in women may include being unable to remember things, losing things, getting easily distracted, having difficulties working with others or feeling overwhelmed by work. There are also mood-related issues like low self-esteem or low self-confidence.
It is essential that women recognize their symptoms and get an assessment. It is also beneficial to speak with a mental health professional about your issues and create coping strategies for ADHD. For example, cognitive-behavioral therapy can help change negative thinking patterns and improve coping strategies. 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 also important to note that women with ADHD have different symptoms than males, and they may differ during transitional times such as puberty, pregnancy, childbirth, or hormone treatments during menopause. This is due to hormonal fluctuations and also the fact that females have a bigger hippocampus, which plays a role in memory and learning. Women are also more adept at masking their ADHD symptoms than men, which makes it more difficult to establish a diagnosis. Despite these challenges it is still possible to lead an enjoyable life with ADHD.
5. Anxiety
It can be hard for women suffering from ADHD to admit that they suffer from anxiety issues, but obtaining the correct diagnosis and treatment could make a significant changes in their lives. It can also assist women to gain a better understanding of their behavior and how it affects other people.
Anxiety is a significant symptom in women suffering from ADHD. It may look like this:
Distractions, such as daydreaming or appearing distracted. Making mistakes that are not made. Avoiding tasks that require concentration, or may be boring. Focusing problems at school or at work. Forgetting things or being late for appointments and meetings. Feeling overwhelmed by crowds or feeling pressured at home or work. Finding it difficult to relax or fall to sleep. Being easily disturbed or sensitive to criticism and rejection.
Women who suffer from ADHD are more likely to develop a 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 violence from intimate partners and a higher percentage of alcohol abuse.
Girls and women can struggle to get a proper ADHD diagnosis because their symptoms are different from the men and boys. Health care professionals must be aware of these differences in order to make an accurate diagnosis. This involves identifying specific characteristics, such as a more distinct manifesting symptom, difficulty in social interactions, a tendency to develop strategies to cope with the signs of underperformance and performance issues and the coexistence of anxiety and depression. It is also crucial to think about the impact of hormone levels in women on her symptom manifestation.