ADHD in Adult Women Symptoms
Women with ADHD may find it difficult to receive the assistance they need. However with therapy and medication, symptoms can be managed.
It can be characterized by anxiety, trouble in keeping track of daily tasks, missing deadlines, forgetfulness, impulsivity and mood swings. These can cause unhealthy relationships and co-occurring disorders such as eating disorders.
1. Hyperfocus
For people suffering from ADHD hyperfocus refers to the ability to fully be absorbed in a task and ignore other distractions. When used for tasks like writing or making art, this is a very useful skill. However, if it is extended to other tasks, like watching television or interacting with social media, the results could become less productive. Hyperfocus is a sign of ADHD that affects women and can cause issues at work as well as in their personal life.
Women may also experience the inattentive-type symptoms of ADHD (difficulty staying on task or forgetting important tasks) more than they do the hyperactivity/impulsive symptoms. Due to this, their ADHD symptoms may be more difficult to identify. They may not be able keep track of their expenses or schedule, and they may struggle to maintain friendships.
Hyperfocus can cause women suffering from ADHD to become ineffective or have unhealthy relationships at work or home. Emotional dysregulation is a key sign of ADHD in women of all ages, and it can be exacerbated by hormonal changes during the menstrual cycle or during pregnancy.
When you return to them, they may not understand what you are saying. This can be a source of frustration for everyone involved. But, it's possible to come up with strategies to enable you to break out of hyperfocus and regain control of your time. For example, try setting a timer for 15 minutes to remind yourself to stop wasting your time online or to change your focus when you're watching TV. You can also distract yourself with a simple gesture.
Some people suffering from ADHD consider hyperfocus to be a useful superpower, helping them achieve incredible feats such as Olympic gold medals or huge artistic projects. But this is only true if they're able to recognize their tendency to be impulsive, learn to control their attention, and switch off their hyperfocus when needed. This isn't easy for the majority of people who do not have a system that can hold them accountable and set reasonable limits.
2. Procrastination
Women with ADHD often have difficulty to begin tasks or work on projects. They tend to put off tasks until the last minute, and then feel overwhelmed by their work and have trouble motivating themselves to begin. They may also have trouble keeping track of time and often underestimate the amount of time required to complete.
Procrastination can be a problem for many people. However, it can be a problem for those with ADHD. For example, it can make it hard to manage your finances or manage life admin tasks like making health insurance registrations, booking doctor's appointments, or responding to friends in a timely manner. Stress and anxiety may also be the result, which impacts your health.
It is also possible that you have difficulty making plans for future events or completing your homework. You may get caught up in the details of planning that you don't achieve any progress and then find yourself not getting the job done. It is also possible that you struggle to stay in touch with your friends or family members or have trouble interpreting nonverbal cues from other people. You may be prone to talking too much or ramble on tangents, or have difficulty understanding the boundaries of social interaction.
Some women with ADHD struggle to make new friendships or forming relationships. They may also have trouble working and completing their household chores. They may be low-self-esteemed and have difficulty being able to connect with other people. Some are unable to read body language or pick up on social cues. This could cause them to appear aloof and unapproachable.
While it is true that women who suffer from ADHD are less likely to be diagnosed than men, many women do experience the symptoms of the disorder. Some suffer from what's known as high-functioning ADHD which means that symptoms don't significantly interfere with their lives. Some people experience mild symptoms or symptoms which only affect certain areas of their life, such as school and work.
Anyone suffering from ADHD must be aware that they can improve their performance by seeking treatment. Medication and therapy are two options for treatment. There are also accommodations you can request from your workplace or educational institution. They can assist you to better manage your symptoms and set you up for success.
3. Impulsivity
People with ADHD are often unable to control their emotions. This can result in an impulsive behavior that could cause social problems. This could be seen as a person uttering words without thinking, buying something at a whim, or arguing with family members. ADHD sufferers may also have difficulty waiting for their turn, and may not understand social boundaries. This can lead to issues with relationships and a lack of self-confidence that can impact women's mental health.
This symptom is more common for those who suffer from the inattention-deficit kind of ADHD. It can lead to problems at school or at work including not meeting deadlines, forgetting important dates and misplacing personal items. ADHD symptoms adult female can also cause problems at home, for example, having difficulty completing chores or household chores and finding it difficult to begin or finish projects. Women who are impulsive may feel overwhelmed by their day-to-day obligations. They might even feel like they are being a failure in their lives or feel that they don't perform as well as others.
Many people suffering from ADHD are unable to recognize their impulsive behavior, but it is crucial to seek help if they exist. If you're struggling with mood swings, low self-esteem or a low self-confidence that is impacting your daily life, it's a good idea to consult an experienced therapist and request an evaluation. You can also contact the Salience health professional to get an evaluation and treatment.
Traditionally, women and girls have been diagnosed with ADHD less than boys. This isn't because they're more susceptible to the condition but because it's typically manifests differently in females. This means they're more likely to develop a comorbid disorder or develop strategies to cope that mask the symptoms. They're also more likely to suffer from relationships problems, which could further obscure their symptoms.
There are a variety of medications that can improve the quality of life for adult women with ADHD. There are stimulants, such as amphetamine, dextroamphetamine and methylphenidate salts and Lisdexamfetamine. Nonstimulants such as atomoxetine and antidepressants such as bupropion (Wellbutrin) can be used by people who are unable to take stimulants due to health issues or severe side-effects. Behavioral therapy, for example, group therapy or psychotherapy, can also be effective for some.
4. Emotional Dysregulation
ADHD in adult women is usually a result of emotional dysregulation. This manifests as intense and frequent emotions that are insignificant to the circumstances. Women who suffer from this condition frequently struggle to manage their emotions. This can lead to an impulsive behavior that harms relationships and hinder career growth. They may also have trouble recognizing and expressing their feelings and become overwhelmed by their emotions.
Emotional dysregulation is less recognized than impulsivity and hyperactivity in adults with ADHD. It can include trouble with self-control during conversations, impulsive speaking and interrupting others, as well as trouble understanding social boundaries, leading to issues such as being impatient or causing disruption to other people's conversations or activities. It could also be difficult to recognize and express emotions such as anger or anger, as well as sadness, anxiety and depression.
Women with emotional dysregulation often struggle to maintain relationships and perform efficiently, making them more prone to stress, irritability and low self-esteem. They are more likely to suffer from anxiety and depression, which can contribute to the symptoms of ADHD. They are more prone to have comorbid disorders, such as borderline personality disorder, bipolar disorder, anxiety and depression.
Women who suffer from ADHD often experience overlapping symptoms. This makes it more difficult to diagnose these disorders than men who suffer from the same symptoms. This is partly due to the fact that women are more likely to exhibit externalizing symptoms than men, and are more obvious to others. However, it's important to consider the entire spectrum of symptoms a patient may exhibit when diagnosing them, not just their externalizing symptoms.
Verywell Health recognizes that sex is a different term. Sex refers to one's genetic makeup and chromosomal makeup while gender refers to the person's perception of themselves as a woman, a man or nonbinary gender. While the male-to-female ratio for ADHD is higher in childhood but the ratio is more equal as we move into adulthood. This is why women who suffer from ADHD are often not diagnosed. A diagnosis can help them manage their symptoms improve their relationships, set them up for success at home and work, and help them accept themselves more fully.