ADHD Symptoms in Adult Females
Although ADHD affects both genders equally throughout adulthood, it often is not recognized in females. This is likely due to gender stereotypes and the capacity of females to mask their symptoms.
Many healthcare professionals lack the expertise and experience to identify ADHD in women. Many females are not diagnosed correctly and don't receive the treatment they require.
1. Disorganization
Girls and women with ADHD are often plagued by disorganization. This condition is difficult to manage. For instance your desk might be a mess of unruly papers, 17 chapsticks, and even a ticket stub from the Kings of Leon concert you attended in the year 2008. As you buy products that promise to aid in your organization, your home and office may still be messy and chaotic.
Inability to keep on top of your work can cause you to miss deadlines and appointments. In addition, you might struggle with a concept called "time blindness," which means you can't remember or understand how much time it takes to finish an assignment. This can leave you in a state of discontent and feeling as if you're not doing a good job in your career or in your personal life, particularly when it seems like others don't appreciate your efforts.
You may also have difficulty regulating your emotions. This can lead you to react too quickly when faced with stressful situations. Your fast-paced verbal communication could result in miscommunications and misunderstandings with family members and colleagues, and you may make comments that hurt the feelings of others without even knowing. You may also have trouble stopping yourself from speaking before thinking things through, as the tendency to be impulsive is common among people suffering from ADHD.
If you have ADHD it's possible that a portion of your symptoms stem from gender stereotypes or beliefs about how men, women, and boys should behave. This makes it difficult to identify and treat ADHD.
In addition to a diagnosis it is possible that you will benefit from behavioral therapy to deal with the root cause of your condition. It may take a while to discover the most effective strategies to cope, but using them will allow you to feel more in control of your own life and improve your relationships with family, colleagues, and friends.
2. Impulsivity
People who suffer from ADHD frequently experience intense emotions however their brains don't have a method to evaluate or filter them. They may be overwhelmed by a tiny setback, or have difficulty in assessing the emotional state of others. This also makes them more prone to being distracted by small inconveniences, such as a book out of stock or a shaky friend.
Many women suffering from ADHD cover up their symptoms and develop coping strategies to compensate for their attention problems. They could be perfectionists or highly conscientious at school or at work but struggle to keep track of important dates, bills and appointments. They might also struggle with self-control and verbal control. They may also talk excessively, interrupt others often, or ramble 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 an abrupt urge to start, stop or change activities; being unable to wait your turn in conversation; and difficulty interpreting social signals (like facial expressions or body language).
Although gender-based stereotypes can play a role in the development of ADHD but it's sometimes difficult to recognize when women suffer from these issues. Rating scales used to identify ADHD symptoms are still biased toward male behavior, and some healthcare experts may be misinformed or underestimate a woman's symptoms.
Many women who suffer from ADHD also say that their symptoms get more severe during times of hormonal changes, like during menstrual cycles or pregnancy, or perimenopausal (the menopausal transition). This can intensify emotional symptoms and lead to frequent feelings of anger, frustration or depression. They may also experience an unrelenting feeling of discontent in their lives or relationships. This could result in depression, substance abuse or unhealthy ways of coping. It is important for women to realize that these signs do not reflect their worth or value as human beings. With a good treatment strategy, you can lessen or even eliminate these signs.
3. Attention
ADHD is often characterized by a higher frequency of these symptoms. While everyone struggles to concentrate and pay attention at times and in a variety of ways, they are so frequent that they can disrupt your daily life. You could make a few blunders at work or school or forget appointments or you may spend many hours putting off work. You have a hard time waiting to be the first in a conversation and often interrupt others.
Adults who are inattention may include a tendency to jump into projects without fully planning and researching the subject, which results in inadequate or poor results. You may also get distracted easily and tend to leave projects unfinished -- from the vegetable garden that got planted, but never watered, to the new organizational system which was erected and put aside to dust on your nightstand.
People with inattentive ADHD also have a chronic sense of disorganization in their workplaces and at home. You might have difficulty finding important documents, keys or bills and lose things regularly. You might also keep losing your track of time and end up over time for meetings, work or school.
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 can make decisions or conduct actions without considering the consequences. For example, they might be rude to others or make nonsensical noises when they are alone. They are unable to sit still and might fidget or pace in their seats. They may have difficulty maintaining a job and might have frequent conflicts with coworkers and managers.
In some cases the mood swings or emotional stress caused by ADHD may lead to frustration in relationships and misunderstandings. adhd in women uk is especially the case in romantic relationships as well as at work. People with ADHD are also more likely to suffer from comorbid conditions, such as depression, anxiety, or bipolar disorder.
Women and girls with ADHD have a myriad of obstacles when seeking diagnosis and treatment which include gender discrimination and a tendency to hide their symptoms or minimize the severity of their symptoms. Famous women like Em Rusciano and Mia Freedman who have openly discussed their struggles with ADHD have helped to raise awareness. However, many girls and young woman still aren't aware of it.
4. Anxiety
Although many people feel anxious or nervous from time to time, persistently outsize anxiety is the hallmark of an anxiety disorder. You may experience a constant feeling of unease or fear, a rapid heartbeat, trouble staying at peace and having difficulty focusing. You might also feel an underlying sense of danger in situations that you are aware are not dangerous. The most frequent types of anxiety are general anxiety disorder, agoraphobia, separation anxiety, phobias and panic disorders.
Anxiety is more prevalent among women with ADHD as compared to men. It can be worsened by certain life events, like menstrual cycle, pregnancy, or perimenopause. This can make it difficult for women to deal with everyday tasks and social interactions and can trigger feelings such as low self-esteem or discontent.
You're very sensitive to rejection and have a tough to accept criticism. adhd in young women are prone to misinterpret feedback, or even anticipating rejection and you might get angry over minor things that others don't find a problem with.
Mood swings can also be an indication of adhd in women. You may find that you experience erratic moods or find it difficult to manage these. You may also be prone self-injury that isn't suicidal such as scrubbing, burning or hitting yourself.
It's crucial to seek a diagnosis if you are experiencing any of the symptoms listed above. It will help you understand your challenges and give you strategies for improving your quality of living. You can take an ADHD test online or talk to your doctor for an expert assessment. In certain instances, your doctor might prescribe medication to alleviate your symptoms. In some instances your doctor may suggest the combination of lifestyle changes and cognitive behavior therapy. In either case it's crucial to change your lifestyle as quickly as you can. This can help you gain control over your life and make you feel more confident, productive and competent.