ADHD in Adult Women Symptoms
Women suffering from ADHD might find it difficult to receive the assistance they need. However through therapy and medication, symptoms can be managed.
The symptoms include forgetfulness, restlessness and impulsivity, mood swings, and difficulty keeping track of 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 tendency to completely be absorbed in a task and avoid distractions. This can be a great technique when it is used for a task like writing or creating art, but when it's applied to other activities like television or social media it can result in being less productive. Hyperfocus is a symptom of ADHD that affects women and can cause issues at work and in their private lives.
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. Because of this, their ADHD symptoms may be more difficult to identify. They may not be in a position to manage their schedule or pay bills, and they might have trouble making and keeping friends.
Hyperfocus can cause an inability to manage emotions, which typically can make it difficult for women with ADHD to be assertive or have healthy relationships at home or at work. The inability to regulate emotions can be an indicator of ADHD for women. It is often exacerbated by hormonal fluctuations during menstrual cycles, pregnancy, or menopause.
It can be difficult for others to recognize when you're in hyperfocus. They may not know what you're talking about until you return. This can be frustrating for everyone affected. It is possible to develop strategies to help you overcome your hyperfocus and regain control over your time. For instance, set a timer for 15 minutes to remind you to not spend your time on the internet or switch tasks when you're watching TV. You can also break your focus by simply gesture.
Hyperfocus can be a great advantage for people suffering from ADHD. It helps them achieve amazing feats, such as winning gold medals at the Olympics or working on major artistic projects. This is only possible if the person can recognize their own impulsive behavior and learn to control their attention and turn off hyperfocus when required. This is difficult for most people without a supportive system that can hold them accountable and help set reasonable limits.
2. Procrastination
Women suffering from ADHD often have difficulty to get started on projects or tasks. They often put them off until the last minute, and then find themselves overwhelmed by their workload and are unable to motivate themselves to get started. They might also have difficulty keeping track of their time and tend overestimate the length of tasks.
Procrastination is a common trait among many people, but for those with ADHD it can cause a lot of problems. It can be difficult to keep up with your life admin tasks such as registering to health services, scheduling appointments with doctors, or replying to your friends on time. Stress and anxiety may also be the result, which can affect your health.
There are times when you have difficulty planning future events or completing homework. You may get caught up in the details of planning that you fail to make any progress and end up not getting the task done at all. You may also find it difficult to stay in contact with your family or friends or find it difficult to read non-verbal signals of others. You may talk too much and diverge from your topic or struggle to understand the social boundaries.
Women who suffer from ADHD have difficulty forming new friendships and developing relationships. They may also struggle to work and keep up with household chores. They might have low self-esteem and may find it difficult to be a natural people. Some of them are unable to read body language or recognize social signals. This could make them appear distant and unapproachable.
Women who suffer from ADHD are more likely to be diagnosed, but many women are still experiencing symptoms. Certain people suffer from high-functioning ADHD. This is when the symptoms do not significantly impact their lives. Some suffer from mild or specific symptoms that affect only specific areas of their lives, like school and work.
Those who have ADHD should be aware that they can improve their performance by seeking treatment. Treatment choices include therapy and medication. You can also ask for accommodations from your employer or the educational institution you attend. They can help you manage your symptoms better and set you up to succeed.
3. Impulsivity
People suffering from ADHD often have difficulty controlling their emotions. This can result in uncontrollable behavior that can lead to social problems. This can be manifested as saying things without thinking, buying something at a whim, or having a heated argument with family members. ADHD sufferers can also have trouble waiting for their turn, and might not know the boundaries of social interaction. This can cause women to experience issues with relationships and lack of confidence, which can affect their mental well-being.
This is a more frequent occurrence for adults who have the inattention kind of ADHD. It can lead to problems in the workplace or at school, such as being late to deadlines, not remembering events of importance and misplacing things. It can also lead to issues at home. For ADHD symptoms adults male can make it difficult to complete household tasks or chores. Women who suffer from impulsive symptoms can find themselves feeling overwhelmed by everyday responsibilities, which may make them feel like they're failing at life or not comparing to their peers.
Many people with ADHD are unable to recognize their impulsive behavior, but it is important to seek help if these are present. If you're having trouble with mood swings, low self-esteem or low self-confidence that is affecting your daily life, it's a great idea to speak with an experienced therapist and request an assessment. You can also reach out to the Salience health professional for an evaluation and treatment.
Traditionally, females and girls have been diagnosed with ADHD less than boys. This isn't due to them being less susceptible to the disorder, but because it's more likely to manifest differently for females. This means they are more likely to develop coping mechanisms that mask symptoms or are suffering from a comorbid condition. They're also more likely to be in relationships that are difficult and this can decrease their awareness of their symptoms.
There are medications that treat ADHD in adult women and improve their quality of life. There are stimulants, such as amphetamine, dextroamphetamine, methylphenidate salts, and the lisdexamfetamine. Non-stimulants, such as atomoxetine (Strattera) and antidepressants, such as bupropion (Wellbutrin) can be used for those who can't use stimulants due to medical issues or severe adverse effects. Group therapy and psychotherapy can be beneficial for certain individuals.
4. Emotional Dysregulation
ADHD in women of adulthood is often associated with emotional dysregulation, which manifests as frequent and intense emotions that are insignificant to the situation. Women with this condition struggle to manage their emotions, which can lead to impulsive behavior that damages relationships and career success. They may also struggle to identify and express their emotions, which could cause them to become overwhelmed by their emotions.
Adults suffering from ADHD are less likely to understand emotional dysregulation than impulsivity or hyperactivity. It could be characterized by difficulties with self-control in conversations, speaking impulsively and interrupting others, as well as trouble understanding social boundaries, which leads to issues like getting angry or disrupting other people's conversations or activities. It can also be difficult to recognize and express feelings, such as frustration, anger, sadness, anxiety and depression.
Women with emotional dysregulation might have difficulty maintaining relationships and working effectively. They are more likely to experience stress, irritability, and low self-esteem. They are also more prone to anxiety and depression, which can contribute to their symptoms of ADHD. They are more prone to develop comorbid disorders such as bipolar disorder, anxiety and depression.
Because women who suffer from ADHD frequently experience a combination of symptoms that are overlapping and symptoms, they are more difficult to recognize than men with the same symptoms. This is due to the fact that women have fewer externalizing signs than men. These are more obvious for others. However, it is important to consider the entire spectrum of symptoms a patient may exhibit when diagnosing them, not just the external symptoms.
Verywell Health acknowledges that sex and gender are two different concepts, with sex referring to one's biology, chromosomal makeup and hormones, whereas gender refers to a person's inner self-image as a woman, male, nonbinary, or another gender. While the ratio of males to females for ADHD is higher in childhood however, the ratio becomes more equal as people move into adulthood. Women who suffer from ADHD are not often diagnosed. A diagnosis can help them manage their symptoms and improve their relationships. make them more successful at work and home, and help them accept themselves more fully.