ADHD Symptoms in Adult Women
Women suffering from ADHD suffer from significant issues with their health, relationships and their work. Recognizing signs and seeking treatment is the first step to getting the help you need.
ADHD symptoms in women differ in response to hormonal fluctuations, such as menopausal, pregnancy, and menstrual cycle. These changes can cause emotional symptoms like irritability and mood swings.
Lack of Focus
Struggling to stay on task is a typical symptom of adhd for women of all ages. It is important to keep in mind that the lack of focus may be a sign of another issue, like stress or health issues. It can be caused by certain medications. A doctor can help you find the right balance of treatment and medication to treat ADHD symptoms.
Women who suffer from ADHD generally have a difficult to stay on track due to their monthly hormone fluctuation. The natural decrease in estrogen, progesterone and testosterone prior to each period can cause ADHD symptoms to worsen. Women may have difficulty remembering appointments, paying bills or working on tasks in time during this period. Women who are distracted at school or work and are easily distracted by their surroundings or conversations. Women who struggle with organization and are susceptible to misplacing or losing things. Some may have a difficult to make decisions and frequently shift topics during conversations, or become emotional over small things.
ADHD is not a recognized condition in many women, despite being more common in boys and men. This is probably due to the fact that women are more reluctant to admit they have ADHD than men. Women also may tend to cover their symptoms through excessive use of alcohol and other substances. This can make it hard for others to recognize that there is a problem, and delay the correct diagnosis.
Other signs of ADHD include impulsivity and difficulties with organization. Most people with ADHD have trouble staying focused and paying attention to small details especially in noisy environments or when their environment is noisy. They may also have difficulty adhering to instructions, staying on time, and getting enough sleep.
These symptoms can lead to difficulties in relationships and affect performance at work or school. They may also increase your risk of being pregnant unintentionally or engaging in dangerous sexual behaviors. Additionally, women with ADHD often struggle with the sensitivity to rejection and may be more prone to depression, anxiety, mood swings, eating disorders and other mental health problems.
Trouble following through on tasks
Women with ADHD may struggle to finish tasks they start with, and they may fall behind at work or in school. They may be unable to remember appointments, forget deadlines and have a difficult to stay organized. They can't be still, especially in noisy or crowded environments. They often have the "thousand yard stare." Sometimes adhd symptoms in women are described as unable to listen during conversations, zoning-out or going off on an errand.
Researchers believe that, despite the fact ADHD symptoms aren't gender specific, girls and women aren't diagnosed. It could be because they are more adept at hiding their symptoms and causing them to go undetected. It could also be due to gender bias or stereotyping that cause girls and women to conceal their symptoms or attribute them to anxiety or mood disorders instead of ADHD. Additionally women and girls who suffer from the inattentive-type subtype of ADHD may have difficulty to get referred for diagnosis or treatment by clinicians.
Inattentional symptoms are most common in women with ADHD and include difficulties concentrating on tasks or keeping track of information; problems in focusing on conversations and frequent misplaced objects, such as keys or the remote control; difficulties in completing assignments at work or at school; and a propensity to miss deadlines or appointments. Other symptoms of the inattentive-type of ADHD include being impulsive, having a feeling of restlessness or fidgeting, having difficulty staying on task in class or at work, and a tendency to avoid or minimize the risks involved, like driving too fast or not following the safety rules at home.
Women suffering from ADHD are more likely to struggle with managing their emotions in adulthood. They are more likely than other women to have difficulty relaxing, and are at greater chance of suffering from depression and low self-esteem as well as chronic stress. These issues with emotional health can affect relationships and work performance. Women who suffer from ADHD are more likely to be sexually active earlier than their peers. They could also be at greater risk of unwanted pregnancies or being forced into unwelcome sexual activities.
For those with ADHD, the best method to manage their ADHD symptoms is to take lifestyle and medication modifications. Others may benefit from counseling or working with coaches. Coaching can help people develop strategies for managing their behavior to assist with managing time, organizing and finding work. A therapist can provide therapy for depression or anxiety that is associated with ADHD.
Difficulty Making New Friends
Women with ADHD have more difficulty making new friends and developing solid relationships than those who do not have the disorder. The main reason for this is sensitivity to rejection, which is the intense emotional response to perceived or real social rejection. Women with ADHD also tend to have a harder time interpreting social cues and may be unable to discern the emotions of others, which can cause them to be more sensitive and easily upset or angry.
The symptoms of ADHD in adults can vary at different times of life, depending on factors such as hormonal changes. For instance, women suffering from ADHD often find that their symptoms are worse during menstrual cycles and pregnancy. They might be able to observe that their symptoms become more severe at certain periods of the year like during menopausal cycles or when they have hot flashes.
In addition, the inattentive subtype of ADHD is more common in women than in men, and women are less likely to have hyperactive/impulsive or mixed symptoms. This could result in underdiagnosis or delayed treatment. Women with high-functioning ADHD might hide their symptoms through an extra effort at school or work, making it harder for others to notice.
ADHD can also cause problems in relationships with family members as well as romantic partners. Some of the symptoms include difficulty listening to others, difficulty following instructions, and even forgetfulness. Additionally, women with ADHD have a higher tendency to engage in sexually risky behaviors, including early sex as well as more casual or unprotected sexual sex, and more sexually transmitted diseases than those who do not suffer from the disorder. This is because they see sexual intimacy as a means to get the attention and approval they require to feel valued.
Exercise can help control mood, reduce impulsivity and decrease restlessness. A healthy diet that includes whole grains and vegetables, can also help to improve ADHD symptoms. Meditation can help calm your body and mind and help you get rid of distracting thoughts and assist in controlling impulse-driven behaviors. It can also be beneficial to share your experiences with a counselor, who can assist you in analyzing the relationship you have with your ADHD and devise effective strategies to cope with it.
The difficulty of managing emotions
Women who suffer from ADHD are more likely to have a difficult in managing their emotions than men. When they feel frustrated or sad, they tend be more impulsive than other people. This could have a negative impact on their relationships. It is also typical for women with ADHD to have difficulty reading body language or recognizing social signals. For instance, they may interrupt their friends in conversations, be late for events or miss the mood of others and react in anger.
There are ways to improve emotional management skills. You can begin by recognizing the signs that you're beginning to feel overwhelmed. Try implementing a pause behavior like deep breathing or counting before you react when you are feeling triggered. This can help you reduce your reaction to the situation and provide you with more clarity.
Another strategy is to focus on positive self-talk and focus on your strengths. You can also engage in calm activities that can aid in controlling your emotions, like mindfulness, yoga, and meditation. Exercise is another excellent way to manage your emotions. It releases neurotransmitters that boost focus and concentration and also aid in reducing stress and anxiety.
Women with ADHD are twice as likely to be diagnosed as males. However, this is often due to societal stereotypes and expectations about gender and behavior. They might also cover up their symptoms in order to fit in and have a better life, which can make it difficult for others to realize that they have ADHD.
If you're struggling with ADHD symptoms, seek treatment and support. Numerous strategies can help improve your life. If you're still not getting the help you need you should talk to your school or employer regarding accommodations. Based on the type of accommodations offered in your region, they can be legally mandated or offered upon request. We use the term "women" here to include those who were born female and those with an established gender identity of females, while using the term "men" to refer to men/people assigned male at birth. This avoids confusion and is more in line with the research.