ADHD Symptoms in Adult Women
Women with ADHD are faced with significant issues with their health, their relationships and at work. Recognizing their symptoms and accessing treatment is a first step to getting the help they need.
ADHD symptoms in women can be affected by hormonal fluctuations, such as menstrual cycles and menopausal changes. These fluctuations exacerbate emotional symptoms, such as anger and mood swings.
Insufficient Focus
Having trouble staying focused is a common symptom of adhd in women who are older. It's important to keep in mind that the lack of focus may be a sign of another issue, such as health issues or stress. It can also be caused by some medications. A doctor can help find the right balance of treatment and medication to manage ADHD symptoms.
Women suffering from ADHD might have a difficult to stay on track due to their monthly hormonal fluctuations. The natural decrease in estrogen, progesterone and testosterone prior to each period can cause ADHD symptoms to get worse. Women may have trouble remembering appointments, paying bills or finishing tasks on time during this period. Some women struggle to concentrate at work or school and are easily distracted by their surroundings or conversations. Some women struggle with organization and are prone to misplacing or losing things. Some people struggle to make decisions, and they may shift topics frequently during conversations, or get emotional over small issues.
ADHD is not diagnosed in many women, despite being more common in males and females. This is likely because females typically have a more difficult time admitting to having ADHD than their male counterparts. Women can also mask their symptoms by using alcohol or other drugs in excessive amounts. This can make it difficult for others to discern that there is a problem, and can delay the diagnosis.
While signs of add in adult women of focus is the most well-known characteristic of ADHD, other symptoms of the disorder include impulsivity and trouble with organization. People who suffer from ADHD struggle to stay focused and paying attention to small details, especially in busy environments or when the surroundings are noisy. They may also have difficulties keeping track of instructions, staying on time and getting enough restful sleep.
These symptoms can affect work or school performance and lead to relationship difficulties. They also increase the chance of having a pregnancy that is not wanted or engaging in risky sexual activities. Additionally, women who suffer from ADHD often experience rejection sensitivity, and may be more susceptible to anxiety, depression eating disorders, mood swings and other mental health issues.
Trouble following through on tasks
Women who suffer from ADHD often have trouble following through on the tasks they have started and frequently fall behind in work or school. They may also forget appointments, miss deadlines, and have a difficult organizing. They're not able to remain still, particularly in noisy or crowded environments. They usually have a "thousand yard stare." They can be described as unable to pay attention to conversations, either zoning out or going off on a tangent.
Researchers believe that despite the fact that ADHD symptoms are not gender specific women and girls are underdiagnosed. It could be that they are more adept in hiding their symptoms, they are able to hide them from detection. It could be due to stereotyping or gender bias that cause girls and women to hide their symptoms or attribute them to anxiety or mood disorders rather than ADHD. In addition women and girls who suffer from the inattentive-type subtype of ADHD may find it difficult to receive a diagnosis or treatment by a doctor.
Women suffering from ADHD are most likely to suffer from inattention symptoms that include difficulty concentrating or keeping the track of important information; difficulty engaging on conversations; a tendency to lose things like keys or remote controls or other items; difficulties finishing projects at the workplace or at school; and a tendency to forget deadlines or appointments. Other symptoms of inattentive ADHD include being impulsive or restless, having difficulty staying on task in classes or at work and a inclination not to take risks such as driving too fast or disregarding the safety rules at home.
As adults, women with ADHD are more prone to having difficulty controlling their emotions. They are more likely than others to be unable to relax and are at a higher risk of depression, low self-esteem, and chronic stress. These emotional problems can impact relationships and work performance. Women who suffer from ADHD are more likely to engage in sexual activity earlier than their peers. They could also be at a higher chance of having unwanted babies or being pushed into unwanted sexual activities.
Certain people find that medication and lifestyle changes are the best way to control ADHD symptoms. Others can benefit from counseling or working with an expert coach. For example, coaching can help students develop strategies to help with managing time and organization. They also can help in finding work or dealing with workplace culture. Therapists can offer treatment for anxiety or depression associated with ADHD.
Finding new friends can be a challenge.
Women with ADHD are more prone to difficulty in making new friends and developing solid relationships than those who do not have the disorder. The most important reason is sensitivity to rejection, which is the intense emotional response to real or perceived social rejection. Women with ADHD may also have difficulties interpreting social cues. They may misread the emotions of others, which could make them more sensitive.
The symptoms of ADHD in adults can be different throughout different phases of life, depending on factors like hormonal changes. Women suffering from ADHD might notice that their symptoms are improved during menstrual cycle or pregnancy. Some women may notice that their symptoms are more severe during certain times of the year like hot flashes and menopausal periods.
In addition, the inattentive subtype of ADHD is more common in women than in men, and women are less likely to have hyperactive/impulsive or mixed symptoms. This could lead to underdiagnosis or delayed treatment. Women with high-functioning ADHD may mask their symptoms by putting in an extra efforts at school or at work which makes it difficult for others to recognize.
A person with ADHD can also lead to problems with family and romantic relationships. Some of the symptoms include difficulty listening to others, difficulty following instructions, and even forgetfulness. Women with ADHD are more likely to engage in risky behaviours like early sex or unprotected sexual activities, and they also have more sexually transmitted infections. This is due to the fact that women who suffer from ADHD may resort to sexual activity to gain attention and acceptance that they require to feel appreciated.
Exercise can help regulate mood, reduce impulsivity, and decrease anxiety. A healthy diet that is rich in whole grains, fruits, vegetables, and protein can also help reduce the symptoms of ADHD. Meditation can calm your mind and your body, eliminate distracting thought patterns, and help control the impulsive behavior. It can also be helpful to share your experiences with a counselor who can help you explore the relationship you have with your ADHD and develop effective coping strategies.
Trouble in Managing Emotions
Women who suffer from ADHD may have a harder to manage their emotions than men. If they are angry or sad, they may react more impulsively than others. This could have a negative impact on their relationships. Women who suffer from ADHD typically have trouble reading body language and picking up social signals. For instance, they could interrupt their friends during conversations, arrive late to events or miss the mood of others and respond angrily.
The good news is that there are ways to enhance your ability to manage your emotions. One option is to learn to recognize when you're beginning to get overwhelmed. Try to implement a pause behavior such as deep breathing or counting before you react when you feel stressed. This will help slow down your reaction to the situation and help you get more clarity.
Another option is to focus on positive self-talk and then refocus on your strengths. You can also engage in calming activities to help you control your feelings, such as yoga, mindfulness, and meditation. Exercise is an excellent way to control your emotions. It releases neurotransmitters that improve focus and concentration, and it can also help you reduce stress and anxiety.
Although women with ADHD are more likely to receive an diagnosis than men, they usually aren't diagnosed due to the expectations of society and stereotypes about gender and behavior. They might also conceal their symptoms to fit in and have a better life and make it difficult for others to recognize that they have ADHD.
Seek treatment and support for ADHD symptoms. There are many ways to enhance your life quality. If you're still not receiving the assistance you require, consider speaking to your employer or school regarding accommodations. Based on the accommodations available in your particular area, they may be legally required or provided upon request. We employ the term "women" to encompass those who were assigned female gender at birth and those who have an established gender identity. We use the term "men" for people who are male or assigned to male at birth. This helps avoid confusion and is more in line with the research.