Symptoms of ADHD in Adult Women

While men and boys are more frequently diagnosed with ADHD however, girls and women may also be affected. But stereotypes, prejudices regarding referrals, internalized symptoms, and the presence of comorbidities may make it difficult to get them properly assessed and treated.

Many women devise coping strategies to mask their ADHD symptoms and to meet social expectations, but these can be unhealthy and unsustainable. Here are some of the most common symptoms of ADHD in women who are adults.

1. Unfocused attention

Women suffering from inattentive adhd in adults symptoms can be prone to feel overwhelmed by the daily tasks. It can be difficult to keep the track of deadlines, emails and meetings. They are also more likely to forget important appointments or events. They may also struggle to concentrate in noisy or busy environments. This could result in missed opportunities as well as a lower level of productivity.

These challenges can lead to frustration for many adults suffering from ADHD. They might feel that they are a reflection of their own performance or of themselves. Many adults with ADHD experience a low sense of self and a negative view of their body. They may also have difficulty keeping relationships stable and developing effective coping mechanisms. In some cases, they turn to unhealthy coping strategies, such as excessive drinking or drugs. This can make people less likely to recognize their problems and delay diagnosis.

Adults suffering from ADHD might be more sensitive to criticism or failure. This can cause them to internalize the problem and make it difficult for them to seek assistance. They may also experience issues with relationships and may find it difficult to find work that is meaningful. They may be more susceptible to anxiety, depression and mood swings. In some cases, the symptoms can cause a mental disorder, such as non-suicidal self-harm (NSSI), that can be exhibited through cutting or burning.

While it's more common for men and boys to be diagnosed with ADHD the symptoms can last throughout adulthood and affect many aspects of life. Women must recognize the symptoms and seek a diagnosis from a healthcare professional. A correct diagnosis can lead to better control of symptoms and a better quality of life.

2. Disorganization

Women suffering from adhd symptoms adults often feel overwhelmed and feeling like their lives are chaotic. They might miss deadlines at work or struggle to keep up with household or work tasks like paying bills and making appointments. Their finances and their home could be messy and they may have a difficult time to maintain good relationships and a stable job.

Inattention ADHD symptoms can cause frustration and miscommunications in relationships between friends, partners and coworkers. These problems can lead broken or stressed connections, and feelings of loneliness. Inattention, forgetfulness and the tendency to "zone out", or stop paying attention, can also lead to misunderstandings with loved ones.

The signs of emotional dysregulation, impulsivity, and mood swings are more prevalent in women with ADHD than in men, and can be highly disruptive to both personal and professional. Women with untreated ADHD can feel overwhelmed by the responsibilities and expectations of family, work as well as society. They may be particularly sensitive to harsh criticism or harsh judgment.

There are ways to deal with these symptoms. For many adults treatment options include lifestyle adjustments and the use of specific tools for organizing, as well as prescription stimulant medications.

Women with ADHD may be able to cover up their ADHD symptoms better than males, which can lead to being undiagnosed until later in life. They are more likely to suffer from comorbid disorders such as anxiety and depression that can increase the effects of untreated ADHD. Women can also struggle to maintain stable relationships and jobs and suffer from low self esteem and chronic stress. *Sex refers a person's biological makeup, chromosomes, hormones and anatomy; gender refers to the internal feeling of self as a woman, man, nonbinary, or other gender identity and mental health issues are often diagnosed based on both.

3. Anxiety

Women with ADHD are more likely to suffer from anxiety and depression. These moods can be made worse by the inability to keep on top of daily tasks and appointments and can result in health issues like missed health check-ups, missed payments, and even debt. The emotional dysregulation, impulsivity and apathy of ADHD can also create problems with relationships with colleagues, partners, and friends.

Many women develop coping strategies to hide their symptoms. This could make it difficult for others to recognize that they have difficulty staying organized and focused. These strategies for coping could be beneficial, like making a daily plan or a reminder on the phone or even unhealthy, such as drinking alcohol or taking drugs to function or cope. These coping strategies can lead to an unhealthy cycle of stress and self-doubt for women, making them feel that they aren't successful or productive, which could increase feelings of anxiety and depression.

In addition, women with ADHD often feel a sense of not fitting in or meeting the expectations of society which can cause low self-esteem and frustration. They may also encounter challenges at work, including difficulties with organizational skills and adhering to corporate guidelines or sticking to a standard 9-to-5 routine. They may have difficulty managing their finances due to disorganization or impulsive spending. They may also struggle to keep up with assignments or homework.

ADHD can be a lifelong condition that requires continuous support, especially when it affects women and girls. Despite its prevalence, the disorder is still poorly understood and not properly diagnosed. It is also not treated. The unique symptoms of ADHD in women are a result of stereotypes and referral biases, as well as internalized symptomatology, comorbidities, and hormonal fluctuations.

4. Impulsivity

Women who suffer from ADHD may have trouble controlling their emotions and impulses. They may become easily frustrated or excessively excited, and may lose track of their time or be late for events. They might also have trouble reading body language and picking up social signals. This could cause issues at work or with relationships. They might be susceptible to arguing or spend too much time with interests and hobbies that are not important to them. They may also have difficulty keeping relationships or forming connections because they are unable to keep their commitments and promises.

Women are better at developing strategies to manage their ADHD symptoms. This makes it more difficult for them than men to get diagnosed. For instance, they may develop routines to help them remain organized or rely on apps to remind them of their appointments. They may also alter their lifestyle to comply with social expectations and norms. They may also try to hide their symptoms with drugs or alcohol. This can have serious health consequences over time.

Many people with ADHD overcome their symptoms, but others do not. Around 60% of women who have ADHD during childhood will continue to have it into adulthood. This is compared to 30% of men.

If you are unable to achieve relief with lifestyle or medication professional help can be helpful. There are many options available, including career coaching, counseling, and life coaching. You can also consider taking stimulants. Exercise is an effective method to improve your mood and boosting your energy. It releases neurotransmitters which boost motivation and attention. It can also reduce anxiety and stress.

5. Reactivity to emotions

Girls and women with ADHD often have issues with emotional reactivity. They may struggle with controlling their emotions and how they express them. This can cause frustration for both themselves and others. A woman with adhd in adult men symptoms might become angry when a friend criticizes them however, she may not be able calm down to talk about the issue in a rational way. It is also possible that she struggles to "pause her reaction" by identifying body signals like flushed skin or shortness in breath that indicate she is overexcited or overwhelmed.

This issue with regulating emotions can cause frustration and misunderstandings and make people with ADHD prone towards anxiety or depression. It can also cause issues when it comes to social interactions, because it can be difficult to read the mood of others and recognize social cues.

In some instances, those with ADHD may seem emotionally detached and disinterested in their friends or loved ones, even though they truly care about them. In certain situations, they may avoid situations that trigger strong emotions in order to avoid feeling them.

Gender bias is a common feature among clinicians and the impact of ADHD on women are often overlooked because of the nature of their symptoms. Many of them hide their ADHD symptoms, and when they do appear, they're more likely to be seen as anxiety- or mood-related, which can lead to misdiagnosis. It is advisable to speak with a mental health professional who has experience working with girls and women with ADHD when you're experiencing these symptoms. They can validate your experiences, guide you how to utilize strategies like pacing and self-awareness and offer family psychoeducation which can help you understand how to recognize and address your ADHD symptoms in the near future.