ADHD Symptoms in Adult Women
Women with undiagnosed ADHD may have issues at work or in relationships. It is crucial to recognize the symptoms of ADHD and find an effective treatment for you.
Symptoms of ADHD in adults are more likely to be the inattentive type than hyperactivity/impulsive. Having a proper diagnosis can aid in improving your life by managing your symptoms and focusing on what matters most.
1. Difficulty paying attention
Women may be struggling with their inability to pay attention to the smallest details, remember appointments and deadlines or underestimate how long it takes to complete their tasks. They may also struggle to keep track of their obligations in their relationships or at work, get easily distracted, and fail follow through with commitments. They might also struggle with an impulsive nature, trouble controlling their emotions and a tendency to blurt out things without thinking about them first.
It is crucial to be aware of and treat symptoms of ADHD in women of adulthood. The inability to focus can lead to problems with friendships and relationships. Women may have difficulty to make new friendships or have difficulty in their relationships due to frequent arguments, missed opportunities for fun and being ignored. Women may also struggle to manage the demands of home, work and childcare.
It can be a challenge for health professionals and therapists alike to diagnose ADHD in a lot of people. But that doesn't mean that it's not real or that the person has to try harder to stay on task. The diagnosis is based on the extent to which the symptoms affect daily functioning across multiple areas of life.
Women are more likely to suffer from inattentional symptoms as opposed to hyperactive or impulsive ones which is why they go undiagnosed. Many women suffering from ADHD are also embarrassed by their symptoms because they don't fit the stereotypes of ADHD. This can make it more difficult to reach out for help or access treatment.
In some cases women suffering from ADHD remain undiagnosed for a long time because they're trying to cope and conceal their symptoms. In addition they are more likely to have complications that may mask their ADHD symptoms, such as anxiety, depression and gastrointestinal issues. They are more likely to have hormonal fluctuations that could trigger symptoms that flare up or disappear. This is particularly true during menstruation or pregnancy, as well as perimenopausal.
2. Problems with Organization
Disorganization, forgetfulness, impulsivity, and emotional dysregulation are common ADHD symptoms for women. These symptoms can make it difficult for them to manage daily tasks, keep up with their obligations and maintain relationships. They might also suffer from low self-esteem and experience anxiety. Women who have not been diagnosed with ADHD might feel like they're not meeting society's expectations. They may also struggle with anxiety and low self-esteem.
ADHD in women may manifest itself as procrastination, hyperfocus, or forgetfulness. These issues can result in women missing appointments, not paying their bills on time and feeling overwhelmed. Hyperfocus can result in a lack of focus on other important activities and a shaky sense of time, which could make it difficult to switch from one activity to another. Procrastination can also cause anxiety, stress, and a constant sense of being lagging behind.
Communication issues, both verbal and nonverbal are a typical symptom of ADHD. This can mean talking too much, interrupting others, or saying inappropriate things. It can also include the inability to wait for her turn or having difficulty understanding social boundaries. It is important to note that these behaviors don't necessarily mean an absence of intelligence or ability.
Many women with ADHD develop coping strategies to disguise their symptoms. This can have positive as well as negative effects. Some of these coping strategies may be healthy, such as using a daily schedule or establishing reminders for events. Others may be unhealthy, such as drinking alcohol or using drugs to hide symptoms or ignoring them altogether. It is therefore important that women who suspect they be suffering from ADHD seek help from a professional.
Women suffering from ADHD are able to benefit from medication, lifestyle modifications, therapy and a variety of other treatment options. Some of these include cognitive behavioral therapy to address the root of negative thoughts and beliefs, mindfulness and relaxation techniques, exercise and a balanced diet and a sufficient amount of sleep. A medical professional can also recommend accommodations that can help make work or school more manageable.
3. Disruptive Behaviors
Women suffering from ADHD are often afflicted by emotional dysregulation. This is why they can become unhappy and depressed when the challenges of life aren't solved. It can be difficult to maintain relationships, whether it's with romantic partners, colleagues or family members. For example, forgetfulness and impulsivity can heighten anxiety or confusion in romantic relationships and cause feelings of loneliness, abandonment, or depression. A tendency to look for thrills at the whim of your heart could be misinterpreted by others as an absence of interest or apathy.
For these reasons, ADHD symptoms are often overlooked or misdiagnosed for girls and women. It is possible that they fail to recognize their issues as being related to ADHD because of stereotypes and social norms about men and women's behavior.
Girls and women with ADHD can disguise their symptoms to avoid embarrassment. This can lead to them being referred less often for diagnosis than men and boys who have the same symptoms. Additionally there is a gender bias in the research that determines diagnostic criteria could contribute to this disparity. Hartung and Widiger discovered in a recent study that girls and women with ADHD symptoms are more likely to be undiagnosed and under-identified than boys and adults. This could be due to the fact that clinicians are taught to see hyperactive and impulsive ADHD symptoms as more common among males and females which makes them more easily identified and referred for evaluation.
For adults, ADHD symptoms can manifest as restlessness and difficulty relaxing. These are common signs of ADHD however, as we age they can have a major impact on a person's life and wellbeing. People suffering from ADHD might feel anxious or find it hard to remain still. This is especially the case when they're anxious or stressed. They also tend to fidgeting and tend to be extremely talkative, frequently interrupting or finishing other people's sentences without thinking they're causing offence.
If you think you have ADHD Your doctor or registered psychologist can refer you to psychiatrists to conduct an assessment. You can also self-refer. This content was reviewed by Madeline Dykes (clinical psychologist) as well as members of the Thriving Madly network in Christchurch in October 2024. It was updated in November 2022.
4. Social Problems Skills
Women suffering from ADHD may have difficulty managing their emotions and communicating effectively at work. This can cause problems that interfere with personal relationships and professional goals. They may have trouble recognizing and responding in a timely manner to feedback. This could lead to frustration or disappointment. They may also have trouble maintaining healthy eating and sleep habits, which can result in anxiety. In some cases women suffering from ADHD develop unhealthy coping mechanisms to cope with these problems. This can include alcohol abuse, eating disorders, or non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI) which includes cutting or burning.
Women with ADHD may have a harder time get treatment as adults than men, because they tend mask their symptoms. They frequently create strategies for coping to fit in and conform to societal expectations, which can make their ADHD symptoms difficult to be recognized by others. These coping mechanisms might be as simple as making lists and establishing reminders, or more complex methods, like learning to control their emotions or developing mindfulness techniques.
However, these strategies can backfire and make symptoms worse. These coping methods can also make it difficult to get a good night's sleep which is essential for managing ADHD symptoms. Additionally, women who suffer from ADHD often find themselves overwhelmed by their daily demands and this can increase stress and further exacerbate their ADHD symptoms.
Although it's true that more boys are diagnosed with ADHD than girls, the gap is less as they grow older. This is due to the fact that women frequently experience a variety of symptoms throughout the course of their lives. This can lead to different diagnoses.
Changing hormone levels can also influence ADHD symptoms in women. If ADHD symptoms in women adults have higher levels of estrogen during pregnancy, for instance, their symptoms may improve. Higher levels of estrogen help regulate brain chemicals that affect the ability to focus. If they start to notice a decrease in estrogen levels due to perimenopausal changes or age or perimenopausal symptoms, their ADHD symptoms might get worse.
It is possible for people with ADHD to get a correct diagnosis and get effective treatment. This includes cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) neurocognitive psychology, and many other therapies that can help people with ADHD improve their everyday functioning. In addition, they may also attend support groups for ADHD to discuss their experiences with others on the same journey and gain valuable insights from their peers.