ADHD Symptoms in Adult Females
The condition is often misdiagnosed among women, even though it affects both men and woman equally as adults. This is likely due to gender stereotypes and the capability of women to mask their symptoms.
Many healthcare professionals don't have the knowledge or experience to identify ADHD among women. This means that many females are misdiagnosed before receiving the treatment they require.
1. Disorganization
Girls and women with ADHD are often plagued by disorganization. This disorder is challenging to manage. For instance your desk might be a jumble of unruly papers, 17 different chapsticks, and a ticket stub from the Kings of Leon concert you attended in 2008. Although you may have spent money on products to help you organize your workspace, your office or home is likely still chaotic and messy.
Inability to keep the track of your tasks can cause you to miss deadlines and appointments. You might also struggle with "time blindness," where you don't know or remember how long it takes to finish an assignment. This can make you feel frustrated and believe that you're not doing a great enough job in your career, or even your personal life.
Highly recommended Site might also have trouble managing your emotions, which may make you overreact in stressful situations. You might also say things without intention of hurting the feelings of someone else. You may also be having trouble stopping yourself from speaking before you have thought things through, since impulsivity can be common among people suffering from ADHD.
If you suffer from ADHD it's likely that some of your symptoms are rooted in gender stereotypes and beliefs about how men, boys, and women should act. This can make it difficult to identify and treat ADHD.
In addition to being diagnosed, you might need a treatment for behavioral issues to deal with the root cause of your disorder. It could take some time to find the best strategies to cope, but using them will allow you to feel more in control of your own life and improve your relationships with family, coworkers, and friends.
2. Impulsivity
People with ADHD are prone to intense emotions. However, their brains are not able to filter them or analyze them. They may be overwhelmed by a tiny event, or have difficulty being able to assess the mood of other people. It also makes it easier for them to get distracted by small issues like a book that's out of stock or an acquaintance who's late for take a spin class.
Many women with ADHD mask their symptoms and come up with strategies to deal with their attention issues. They may be perfectionists or extremely attentive at work or in school but struggle to keep on top of important dates, bills and appointments. They may also struggle with verbal self control and speak too much or interrupt others often.
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 a sudden desire to stop, start or alter activities and being unable to hold your turn in a conversation; and difficulty in interpreting social cues (like facial expressions or body language).
While gender stereotypes can impact on the development of ADHD for women, it's difficult to recognize these issues. Rating scales used to identify ADHD symptoms are still skewed toward male behavior, and some healthcare professionals might misunderstand or misunderstand the symptoms of women.
Many women suffering from ADHD have reported that their symptoms worsen when hormonal changes occur like menstrual cycles or pregnancy, and also during perimenopausal symptoms. This can cause emotions such as anger or irritability as well as depression. They may also feel an ongoing feeling of unsatisfaction with their lives or relationships. This could lead to depression, substance abuse and unhealthy coping strategies. This is why it's crucial for women to realize that these symptoms are not a reflection of their value or worth as individuals. The good news is that, with a solid treatment program these symptoms can be improved or even eliminated.
3. Attention!
Although everyone has trouble paying attention and focusing at times, with ADHD the symptoms are experienced often enough that they cause disruption with your life. You may make careless errors at work or at school, or miss appointments or spend a good amount of time putting off tasks. You have a difficult time waiting your turn in conversations and are often interrupted by others.
Adults who are inattention may be accompanied by an inclination to dive into projects without thoroughly planning and researching them, which can result in incomplete or subpar results. It is also possible to get lost easily and tend to leave projects unfinishedfrom the garden that got planted but never watered to the new system of organization that got assembled and then put aside to dust on your nightstand.
People who have inattention ADHD suffer from chronic disorganization at home and in the workplace. It is possible that you have trouble finding important documents, bills or keys and misplace things frequently. You may be unable to keep the track of time and end up late for work, school or meetings.
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. Women with these symptoms might make or do actions without considering the impact such as yelling at others or making nonsensical sounds when they're alone. They have difficulty sitting still and might fidget or pace in their seats. They may have difficulty maintaining the job they have, and are in frequent disputes with their coworkers and supervisor.
In some instances, the mood swings or emotional distress caused by ADHD can cause frustration in relationships and miscommunications. This is especially true when it comes to romantic relationships and at work. People who suffer from ADHD are also more likely to have comorbid conditions, such as depression, anxiety or bipolar disorder.
Women and girls with ADHD are often faced with a range of challenges when seeking diagnosis and treatment that include gender bias and a tendency to cover up their symptoms or underestimate the severity of their symptoms. The rise of high-profile women such as Mia Freedman and Em Rusciano who have spoken out about their personal struggles with ADHD has raised awareness, but many young women and girls aren't aware of the condition.
4. Anxiety
An anxiety disorder is defined by constant anxiety. While everyone feels anxious or nervous occasionally, anxiety disorders are characterized by constant high levels of anxiety. You may feel an uneasy feeling, fear, or anxiety and also rapid pulse, difficulty being calm, and trouble thinking clearly. You might also feel an underlying sense of danger in situations that you know are not dangerous. The most frequent forms of anxiety include general anxiety disorder, agoraphobia, phobias, separation anxiety and panic disorders.
Anxiety is more common in women with ADHD than in men and it is more likely to become worse during certain times of women's lives like her menstrual cycle, pregnancy or perimenopause. This makes it more difficult to manage daily activities and social interactions and can cause feelings of low self-esteem and general dissatisfaction with your life.
You are very sensitive to rejection and you have a hard time accepting criticism. You easily misinterpret feedback or even anticipate rejection and you can be angry about minor things that others wouldn't see as to be a problem.
Mood swings are also a sign of adult adhd in women. You might notice that you have unpredictable emotions or find it difficult to control these. You could also be susceptible to non-suicidal acts of self-injury such as scrubbing, burning or hitting yourself.
It's crucial to seek a diagnosis when you're experiencing any of the symptoms listed above. It will help you know your issues and offer you strategies for improving your living quality. You can take an online ADHD test, or go to your doctor for a professional evaluation. In some instances your doctor may prescribe medication to alleviate your symptoms. In other instances they might suggest an amalgamation of lifestyle changes and cognitive behavior therapy. In either case it's crucial to change your lifestyle as quickly as you can. This will allow you to regain control of your life and feel more confident and capable.