ADHD Symptoms in Adult Females
Although ADHD affects both genders equally in adulthood, the condition typically is not recognized in females. This is likely due to gender stereotypes and the capacity of women to hide their symptoms.
Many healthcare professionals lack the knowledge or experience to detect ADHD in women. Many females are misdiagnosed and do not receive the treatment they require.
1. Disorganization
Women and girls with ADHD have trouble coordinating. This condition is difficult to manage. For example your desk could be a jumble of tangled papers, 17 different chapsticks, and even a ticket to the Kings of Leon concert you went to in 2008. Although you may have spent money on products to help you organize, your office or home is probably still messy and messy.
Your inability to stay on top of your tasks can result in missing deadlines and appointments. In addition, you might be struggling with a concept known as "time blindness," which means you aren't able to remember or comprehend the time required to finish the task. This can cause you to be in a state of discontent and feeling as if you're not doing a great job in your work or in your personal life, particularly when it seems that other people don't appreciate your efforts.
You may also have difficulty controlling your emotions. This can lead you to react excessively when confronted with stressful situations. Your fast-paced verbal communication could result in miscommunications and misunderstandings with your family and colleagues, and you could make statements that hurt the feelings of others without meaning to. Since impulsivity is a common trait for those with ADHD it is possible that you will be unable to stop yourself from saying things before considering them.
If you suffer from ADHD it's possible that a portion of your symptoms stem from gender stereotypes or ideas regarding how women, men, and boys should behave. This can make it difficult to recognize and treat ADHD.
In addition to a diagnosis you may also require a behavioral therapy program to address the root causes 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 have intense emotions. However, their brains are not capable of separating them from or assess them. They can be overwhelmed by a tiny event, or have difficulty assessing the emotional state of other people. This makes them more susceptible to being distracted by small inconveniences such as the availability of a book or an unreliable friend.
Many women with ADHD overcome their attention problems by hiding symptoms and implementing strategies to cope. They could be highly organized or an obsessive at school or at work, and have difficulty keeping the track of appointments, bills, or important dates. They might struggle with self-talk control and may talk too much or interrupt others frequently.
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 begin or stop activities. They can also be characterized by being unable to wait for your turn in a conversation or being unable to discern social signals.
While gender stereotypes can have an impact on the development of ADHD for women, it is not always easy to spot these issues. The scales for rating used to determine ADHD symptoms are still geared towards male behavior. Some healthcare professionals might not be aware of the woman's ADHD symptoms.
Many women with ADHD also note that their symptoms tend to become more severe during periods of hormonal changes, for example menstrual cycle 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 ongoing feeling of dissatisfaction in their relationships or their lives. This can contribute to depression, substance abuse and unhealthy coping strategies. It is important for women to realize that these symptoms don't show their worth or value as human beings. The good news is that with a well-planned treatment plan, these symptoms can be reduced or even eliminated.
3. Attention
While everyone struggles with paying attention and focusing at times with ADHD the symptoms are experienced often enough that they cause disruption with your daily life. You may make careless errors at work or in school, or miss appointments, or spend a great amount of time putting off tasks. You have a hard time waiting for your turn in conversations and frequently interrupt other people.
Adults who aren't attentive can be prone to jump into projects without thoroughly planning them and researching them. This leads to incomplete results or even subpar ones. It is also possible to get lost easily and tend to leave projects unfinished -- from the vegetable garden that got planted, but never watered, to the new organizational system that was put together and left to rot on your nightstand.
People with inattention ADHD also struggle with a constant sense of disorganization at home and at work. You might have trouble finding important documents, bills or keys and may lose things frequently. You may also lose the track of time and end up late for work, meetings 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. Women who suffer from these conditions may make or do actions without thinking about the consequences, like talking over others or making nonsensical sounds when they're alone. They might be unable to sit still, and may flitter around in their chair or move. They can have trouble working and may have frequent conflicts with coworkers and managers.
In some cases the mood swings or emotional distress caused by ADHD may lead to frustration in relationships and misunderstandings. This is especially the case when it comes to romantic relationships and at work. People who suffer from ADHD also are more likely having co-occurring conditions like bipolar disorder, depression or anxiety disorder.
Women and girls with ADHD may face many difficulties when seeking treatment. These include gender discrimination, a tendency to hide symptoms or undervalue their severity, and gender bias. Women with a high profile, such as Em Rusciano and Mia Freedman who have publicly discussed their struggles with ADHD have helped to raise awareness. But, many young women and girls do not know they have it.
4. Anxiety
Although many people feel anxious or nervous from time to the other, persistently high anxiety is the hallmark of an anxiety disorder. You may feel a constant sense of unease, fear, or anxiety, as well as a rapid pulse, difficulty staying calm, and difficulty thinking clearly. You may also feel an increased fear of danger even in situations that aren't likely to be risky for you. The most commonly encountered types of anxiety are general anxiety disorder, agoraphobia, separation anxiety, phobias and panic disorders.
Anxiety is more prevalent in women suffering from ADHD than in men, and it is more likely to become worse at certain times in a woman's life, such as around the time of her menstrual cycle, pregnancy or perimenopause. This can make it more difficult to manage daily tasks and social interactions, and cause feelings of low self-esteem and general discontent with your life.
You are extremely sensitive to rejection and you have a difficult time accepting criticism. You easily misinterpret feedback or even anticipated rejection, and you may get angry over minor things that others do not see as an issue with.
Mood swings can also be an indication of adhd in women. You may find that you experience erratic emotions or find it difficult to manage these. You might also be prone to self-injury that isn't suicidal which includes striking, burning or scratching yourself.
If you're struggling with any of the above symptoms, it's essential to establish a clear diagnosis. It can help you better know your issues and offer you strategies for improving your quality of life. click the next document can take an online ADHD test, or go to your doctor for a thorough evaluation. In some cases your doctor may prescribe medication to help alleviate your symptoms. In some instances, your doctor may recommend the combination of lifestyle changes and cognitive behavior therapy. In either situation, it's crucial to begin making positive changes to your lifestyle as soon as you can. This will help you take control of your life and feel more productive, confident and capable.