Symptoms of ADHD in Adult Women

While males and females are diagnosed far more often with ADHD but girls and women are also susceptible to it. But persistent stereotypes, referral biases, internalized symptoms and comorbidities can make it more difficult for them to get properly assessed and treated.

Many women come up with strategies to hide their ADHD symptoms and meet societal expectations, but these strategies can be unsustainable and unhealthy. Here are a few of the most frequent symptoms of ADHD in adult male adhd symptoms women.

1. Unfocused attention

Women with ADHD are susceptible to feeling overwhelmed by everyday tasks. They often find it challenging to keep track of multiple deadlines, email notifications and meetings. They are also more likely to miss important events or appointments. They may also find it difficult to concentrate in noisy or busy environments. This can lead to missed opportunities and lower quality of work.

These issues can cause frustration for many adults with ADHD. They may feel that they reflect of their own performance or of themselves. They often have a low self-esteem and negative body image. They may also be struggling to maintain relationships and come up with effective strategies to cope. In some instances, they resort to unhealthy coping strategies, such as excessive drinking or drugs. This can make others less likely to acknowledge their problems and delay diagnosis.

Adults suffering from ADHD may be particularly sensitive to criticism or failure. This can cause them to internalize the issue and make it difficult to seek help. In the end, they may experience issues with relationships and may have a difficult time finding meaningful work. They could also be more prone to depression, anxiety and mood swings. In certain cases the symptoms can cause a mental disorder such as non-suicidal harming oneself (NSSI) which could be expressed by cutting, burning or scratching.

ADHD is more common in both boys and men, but symptoms can linger and affect all aspects of your life. Women should recognize the signs and seek a diagnosis from a healthcare professional. A correct diagnosis can lead to better management of symptoms and a higher quality of life.

2. Disorganization

Women suffering from ADHD feel overwhelmed, as if their lives are chaotic. They may fail to meet deadlines for work or struggle to keep up with household or work tasks like paying bills and keeping appointments. They may have a disorganized home and finances, and struggle to maintain a stable relationship and an employment.

inattentive adhd in adults symptoms ADHD symptoms can cause frustration and confusion in relationships with friends, partners and coworkers. These issues can result in fractured or even strained relationships and feelings of being isolated. Forgetfulness, difficulty listening, and a tendency to "zone out" in conversations could cause misunderstandings and arguments with loved ones.

Signs of emotional dysregulation, impulsivity and mood swings are more prevalent among women suffering from ADHD than men, and can be highly disruptive to both your personal and professional. Women who are not treated for ADHD may be overwhelmed by the demands of work, family and the social world. They could also be sensitive to harsh criticism and harsh judgment.

The good news is that there are options to reduce the impact of these symptoms. Treatment options for adults include lifestyle adjustments and the use of specialized tools for organization, and prescription stimulant drugs.

Women with ADHD typically have a harder time than men to conceal their ADHD symptoms and, as a consequence they may not be diagnosed until the age of adulthood. They are also more likely to suffer from comorbid disorders, such as anxiety and depression which can exacerbate the effects of untreated ADHD. Women also have a difficult time trying to maintain stable relationships and jobs and can suffer from low self esteem and chronic stress. *Sex refers to the person's biological makeup, chromosomes and hormones and anatomy; gender refers to the internal feeling of self as a woman, man or a nonbinary gender identity; and mental health conditions are usually diagnosed based on both.

3. Anxiety

Women who have ADHD are at risk of developing depression and anxiety. These emotions may be exacerbated due to the inability of keeping on top of daily tasks and appointments and can result in health issues such as missing health check-ups, missed payments, and even debt. ADHD can lead to emotional dysregulation, impulsivity and forgetfulness and can cause relationship problems with partners, friends and coworkers.

Many women come up with strategies to disguise their symptoms. This makes it difficult for others to notice that they are having trouble staying focused and organized. These strategies of coping can be healthy like creating a daily schedule or a phone reminder, or unhealthy, like relying on drugs or alcohol to function or cope. These strategies for coping can make women feel anxious and unsecure and make them doubt their capabilities and self-confidence. This can lead to feelings of depression or anxiety.

Women who suffer from adhd adult symptoms might also feel like they aren't accepted or don't meet social expectations. This can cause feelings of self-doubt and frustration. They may also face challenges at work such as difficulty with organization skills, adhering to corporate policies or sticking to a standard 9-to-5 routine. They may be struggling to manage their finances due to disorganization or an impulsive spending. Or, they may be struggling to complete homework assignments or other work.

ADHD can be a chronic condition that requires lifelong care, particularly when it affects women and girls. Despite its prevalence this disorder is undiagnosed and misunderstood. It is also not treated. The lingering stigmas as well as referral biases, internalized symptoms, comorbidities, and hormonal fluctuations all contribute to the unique symptom-based presentation of ADHD in females.

4. Impulsivity

Women with ADHD can have difficulty controlling their emotions and impulses. They could be easily frustrated or excessively exuberant, and they may lose track of their time or be late for events. They might also have difficulty reading body speech or recognizing social signals. This can lead to problems at work or with relationships. For instance, they may be easily entangled in arguments or they may spend too much time with hobbies and interests that aren't very important to them. They might also have difficulty keeping friendships and making new connections because they struggle to keep their promises and commitments.

Women are more adept at forming strategies to manage their ADHD symptoms. This makes it more difficult for them than men to get diagnosed. For instance, they could develop routines to help them keep track of their time or use apps to remind them of their appointments. They might also change their behavior to conform with norms and expectations set by society. They might even attempt to conceal their symptoms by using alcohol or drugs. This can have serious health consequences over time.

Many people who suffer from ADHD get over their symptoms, but there are some who don't. About 60 percent of women with ADHD in childhood continue to be affected into adulthood, compared to 30% of men.

For those who don't get relief from lifestyle changes or medication Professional treatment may be beneficial. There are a myriad of options available, including career coaching, life coaching, and counseling along with medications like stimulants. Exercise is a great way to improve your mood and increasing your energy. It releases neurotransmitters to boost attention and motivation and can also ease anxiety and stress.

5. Emotional reactivity

Girls and women who suffer from ADHD are often afflicted by emotional reaction. They may have difficulty to manage their emotions and express them in a proper manner, which can cause frustration with their own self and others. For instance, a woman with ADHD might become enraged when a friend criticizes her, but she might not be able to control her anger and discuss the problem in a more sensible manner. It is also possible that she struggles to "pause" her reactions by recognizing bodily signals that indicate she's feeling overwhelmed or stressed like a flushed skin or shortness of breath.

This issue with regulating their emotions can lead to more frustration and miscommunications in relationships, and can make those with severe adhd symptoms adults more prone to anxiety or depression. It can also cause problems in social interactions, since it is difficult to discern the mood of others and recognize social cues.

In certain instances, ADHD people may appear emotionally detached and uninterested towards their friends or loved one even though they care about them. In other instances, they may withdraw from situations that trigger them to avoid feeling a strong emotion.

Gender bias is common among clinicians and the effects of ADHD on women can be easily overlooked due to the nature of their symptoms. Many women conceal their ADHD symptoms and when they do appear, they are more likely to be mistakenly diagnosed as depression or anxiety disorders. If you're struggling with these symptoms, it can be beneficial to consult an expert in mental health who is experienced in working with women and girls who have ADHD. They can confirm your experience, teach you strategies like self-awareness and pacing, and also provide you with family psychoeducation to help you recognize and manage future ADHD symptoms.