ADHD in Adult Women Symptoms
Women suffering from ADHD may have difficulty getting the help they need. However with therapy and medication, symptoms can be managed.
Symptoms include restlessness, forgetfulness, impulsivity, mood swings and difficulty in managing daily activities. These can result in unhealthy relationships and co-occurring disorders, such as eating disorders.
1. Hyperfocus
For those with ADHD, hyperfocus is the ability to fully focus on an activity and completely ignore any distractions. This is a wonderful technique when it is used for tasks such as writing or creating art, but when it's extended to activities like watching TV or social media, the results can be less productive. Hyperfocus is a symptom of ADHD that affects women and can cause issues at work and 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 capable of keeping track of their schedule or bills and may have trouble making and keeping friends.
Hyperfocus can lead women with ADHD to become unproductive or have unhealthy relationships at home or at work. Emotional dysregulation is a key indicator of ADHD in adults women, and it can be exacerbated by hormonal changes during menstrual cycles or during pregnancy.
When you return to them, they may not understand what you're saying. This can be frustrating for everyone involved. It is possible to develop strategies to help you break out of hyperfocus, and gain control over your time. For example, try setting a timer for 15 minutes to remind you to stop spending your time on the internet or switch tasks when you're watching TV. You could also interrupt your focus by simply gesture.
Some people with ADHD consider hyperfocus to be an effective superpower, allowing them achieve incredible feats such as Olympic gold medals or huge artistic projects. This is true only when the person is able to identify their own impulsive behaviors and learn to control their attention, and switch off hyperfocus when needed. This isn't easy for the majority of people without a supportive system that holds them accountable and set realistic limits.
2. Procrastination
Women who suffer from ADHD have a difficult time beginning tasks or working on projects. They tend to put off tasks and projects until the very last minute and then become overwhelmed by their workload and are unable to find motivation to get started. They might also have difficulty keeping track of the time and often underestimate the time required to complete their tasks.
Procrastination is common in many people however, for those who suffer from ADHD it can cause many issues. It can be difficult to keep track of your daily administrative tasks, such as making an appointment with health services, scheduling appointments with doctors, or replying to your friends promptly. It can also lead to stress and anxiety which can affect your health.
There are times when you have difficulty making plans for future events or with homework. You may become so involved in planning that you fail to move forward. You might also struggle to keep in touch with family or friends, or find it difficult to read non-verbal signals from others. You may talk too much, go off on tangents or struggle to grasp the social boundaries.
Certain women who suffer from ADHD experience difficulties when it comes to forming friendships and making new ones. They may also have difficulties maintaining their jobs and keeping up with their household chores. They might be self-defeating and have difficulty being able to connect with other people. Some of them aren't able to understand body language or recognize social cues. This can make them appear distant and unapproachable.
While it's true that women with ADHD are less likely to be diagnosed than men, lots of women are affected by the symptoms of the disorder. Certain people suffer from high-functioning ADHD. This is when the symptoms do not significantly affect their lives. Others have mild or specific symptoms that only impact certain areas of their lives, such as work and school.
People who suffer from ADHD should know that they can improve their performance by seeking treatment. Treatment options include medication and therapy. You can also request accommodations from your employer or your educational institution. They can help you better manage your symptoms and help you set yourself up for success.
3. Impulsivity
Many people with ADHD have difficulty controlling their emotions, leading to an impulsive behavior that can cause social problems. This could manifest as blurting out things without thinking about it, buying things on a whim or arguing with loved ones. ADHD sufferers can also have difficulties waiting for their turn and may not be aware of social boundaries. This can lead women to experience issues with relationships and a lack of confidence which can impact their mental well-being.
This is a more frequent occurrence in adults with the inattention type of ADHD. It can cause issues at work or school, such as being late to deadlines, ignoring important dates and misplacing personal items. It can also create problems at home, such as having trouble completing chores and household tasks and finding it difficult to get started or complete tasks. Women who suffer from impulse-driven symptoms may find themselves feeling overwhelmed by everyday responsibilities and can feel like they're failing in life or aren't up to their peers.
Many people suffering from ADHD are unable to recognize their impulsive behavior, but it is important to seek help if these occur. Asking for an evaluation from a therapist is a good idea if you are experiencing mood swings, low self-esteem, or a lack of confidence that affects your daily life. You can also speak with a Salience health provider for an evaluation and treatment.
Traditionally, what is adult ADHD symptoms and girls have been diagnosed with ADHD less frequently than boys. This isn't because girls and women are less susceptible to the disorder, but because the condition typically presents differently for women. This means they're more likely to have an underlying disorder or develop strategies to cope that mask the symptoms. They're also more likely to experience relationship problems, which can make their symptoms more difficult to identify.
There are medications that can improve the quality of life of adult women with ADHD. They include stimulants, such as methylphenidate (Ritalin), dextroamphetamine and amphetamine salts (Adderall) and lisdexamfetamine (Vyvanse). Nonstimulants such as atomoxetine and antidepressants like bupropion (Wellbutrin) are a possibility by those who cannot take stimulants due health issues or serious side-effects. Behavioral therapy, like group therapy or psychotherapy is also effective for some.
4. Emotional Dysregulation
ADHD in adult females is often a result of emotional dysregulation. This manifests itself as intense and frequent feelings that are not proportional to the situation. Women with this symptom struggle with managing their emotions which can lead to impulsive behavior that damages relationships and careers. They may also have trouble recognizing and expressing their feelings and become overwhelmed by their emotions.
Adults suffering from ADHD are less likely to recognize emotional dysregulation than hyperactivity or impulsivity. It could be characterized by difficulties with self-control in conversations, impulsive speech and interrupting others and also having difficulty understanding social boundaries, which can lead to issues like being impatient or causing disruption to the conversations of others and their activities. It may also result in difficulty identifying and expressing emotions, such as anger or sadness, frustration, anxiety, depression and fear.
Women with emotional dysregulation frequently struggle to maintain relationships and work efficiently, which makes them more prone to stress, irritability and low self-esteem. They are more likely to be suffering from anxiety and depression that can also contribute to the symptoms of ADHD. They are more likely to have comorbid disorders, such as borderline personality disorder, bipolar disorder, anxiety and depression.
Women with ADHD frequently experience symptoms that overlap. This makes it more difficult to identify the condition than men with the same symptoms. This is due in part to the fact that women show less externalizing signs than men. They are more apparent for others. However, it's important to consider all the symptoms of a patient when diagnosing them, not just the external symptoms.
Verywell Health acknowledges that sex and gender are two distinct concepts that refer to one's biology hormones, chromosomal makeup, and chromosomal makeup and gender refers to a person's internal sense of self, as a woman, man, nonbinary or other gender. While the ratio of males to females for ADHD is higher in childhood, the ratio becomes more equal as you move into adulthood. Women who suffer from ADHD are often not diagnosed. A diagnosis can help them better manage their symptoms and improve their relationships. help them achieve success at home and at work and assist them in accepting themselves more fully.