ADHD Symptoms in Adult Women
Many women don't realize they are diagnosed with ADHD until they reach adulthood. It is possible that symptoms go unnoticed until childhood and the coping strategies they learned as children may not be as effective when they become adults.
Treatment options include stimulant medication and other treatments such as cognitive therapy for behavioral problems. Support groups and coaching is also available.
1. Inattentiveness
Women who are not attentive ADHD struggle to stay focused whether at school or at work. They may forget simple tasks or make mistakes that result in frustration. They may also have difficulty working on long-term or complex projects, which can cause them to fall behind in their commitments. Symptoms of inattentive ADHD typically continue into adulthood, although the level of impulsivity and hyperactivity tends to decrease.
Attention-deficit ADHD symptoms can be hard to detect in children and girls who don't have the same visible signs of hyperactivity and impulsivity as boys and kids born male (AMAB). This means that the condition is undiagnosed during the early years of childhood, with girls frequently being misdiagnosed with anxiety or depression.
It can be a huge relief for women of adulthood who have battled these symptoms all their lives to finally receive a correct diagnosis. This can help explain the difficulties they've faced and can validate their experiences and offer a path to successful treatment.
Distractibility is another symptom of inattentive ADHD that persists throughout adulthood. adhd in women symptoms with ADHD are easily distracted by other pursuits such as video games or social media, and experience difficulty focussing on the task at hand. They may also experience difficulty working through multi-step tasks, such as writing a paper or paying bills.
Cognitive behavioral therapy is a treatment for inattentive ADHD. It involves teaching strategies for managing distractions and creating and using schedules. Learning about the condition, finding support groups, and making the necessary adjustments can be beneficial. A medical professional can suggest medication and other treatments to enhance the quality-of-life for women with inattention ADHD. Women can benefit from professional assistance to manage their symptoms, improve their daily functioning and reach their goals.
2. Hyperactivity
Hyperactivity can be a problem for women suffering from ADHD. It is characterized by anxiety, trouble sitting or playing games and having trouble finishing tasks. They may speak or act before they finish their sentences, and they may have a "thousand-yard stare". These symptoms can affect the school environment, work, relationships and families. It can take a while to be diagnosed with ADHD however, treatment can improve relationships and help you achieve success at school or at work, and help you develop an understanding of who you are.
Despite being more common than boys, very little research explores the effects of ADHD in adult, cisgender females. This is due to the rating scales of ADHD symptoms tend to be skewed towards male behavior, and internalized feelings aren't easy to measure.
In addition to hyperactivity, women with ADHD may struggle with impulsivity and having a difficult time following through on commitments. Sexual initiation at an early age with no planning, as well as an impulsive nature can make it easy for people with ADHD to engage in sexually risky activities. They are also more likely to contract sexually transmitted illnesses or have unplanned pregnancy. They can also struggle with rejection sensitivity, an intense emotional response to actual or perceived rejection.
The management of ADHD symptoms can be difficult at any age. Women who suffer from ADHD have a range of tools available to help them manage their symptoms. These include medication, psychotherapy and lifestyle modifications. Many adults with ADHD benefit by joining a support group to connect with other people who have similar challenges. They can also work with an executive function coach to help with their organization skills and learn healthy coping strategies such as exercising. Adults suffering from ADHD might also want to consider taking part in clinical trials to test new treatment methods or medications. For more information, go to the NIMH's Clinical Trials webpage.
3. Impulsivity
Women and girls who suffer from ADHD often have difficulty controlling their behavior, resulting in problems with self-esteem and strained relationships. Their impulsivity can also expose them to being forced into sexual activity, or becoming an intimate partner's victim violence.
While impulsiveness is a part of all kinds however, it is most prevalent in the inattentive ADHD subtype. This is what most people are diagnosed with. Inattentive ADHD symptoms are characterized by racing thoughts and being easily bored, getting distracted, forgetting details and avoiding appointments, having trouble managing time, and having trouble with conversational self-restraint (interrupting others frequently or finishing other people's sentences).
Attention-deficit ADHD is the most frequent type of adhd that adults suffer from, but it can also occur in kids and teens. It's less common in the hyperactive/impulsive or mixed subtypes, which is why many girls and women with this condition go undiagnosed or get a misdiagnosis, even into adulthood.
Another reason women and girls may be more likely to mask their ADHD symptoms is due to gender roles that are rooted in tradition. It's accepted for boys to be reckless or disorganized, making it difficult for teachers and parents to spot girls' behavior problems.
Women who suffer from ADHD can experience a range of other symptoms, such as mood swings and difficulties in social interactions. The symptoms may change from day to day depending on their fluctuating hormones. For instance, they could be exacerbated by a drop in estrogen following ovulation or close to menstrual flow, as well as by eating a diet that is unbalanced and is high in sugar and processed foods. Women with these conditions can be affected during pregnancy, nursing and changes in hormones after menopausal.
4. Disorganization
Women with ADHD are often plagued by disorganization, a symptom that can be severe or mild. For instance, you could lose your keys often or spend hours searching for them in your home. You may find it difficult to work as your bedroom or desk is cluttered. You may also be having trouble keeping track of your appointments or paying your bills.
Unorganizedness can affect your emotional well-being. You may struggle to control your mood, leading to a low self-esteem or feeling of being inadequate. Additionally, read this article could be at risk of impulsive actions that can result in relationship issues. This could include delaying tasks with a lot of details or procrastinating until the last minute.
The difficulty in staying organized could cause you to put off tasks that require effort. This can result in a build-up of unfinished projects, which can be stressful. In addition, it can cause you to forget or lose important items like your wallet or prescription. It's easy to blame your disorganization on stress or a hectic life, but these issues could be signs of ADHD.
Unorganizedness can also cause issues in your social and personal relationships. For instance, you might not know how to respond to people's requests or you might interrupt others inappropriately. You may also find it difficult to control your emotions, which can lead you to argue or feel dissatisfied.
A diagnosis can help you understand the symptoms and figure out how to manage them. It can also give you a sense of relief that you're not the only person having to deal with your ADHD symptoms. You may be able get treatment from your doctor or other health care professional like an ADHD coach or psychotherapy. You may also be able participate in a clinical trial. Clinical trials are research studies that study innovative ways to prevent, detect or treat illnesses and conditions. Learn more about clinical trials on the NIMH Clinical Trials page.
5. Indecisiveness
Whether it's what to wear or what to eat for dinner, those who aren't sure may struggle to make even the most minor decisions. Indecision can also affect larger decisions, like choosing a career or buying the home of your dreams. Indecisive individuals often feel stuck in an uncharted territory. This can lead to anxiety and stress.
They may continually think about pros and cons, or seek advice from friends however their inability decide on a path to take could hinder them from taking a step forward. Certain people who are indecisive have difficulty accepting the consequences of their decisions. These habits could ultimately affect their health and well-being in a variety of ways.
People who aren't sure about their choices might be hesitant to make an even decision and this can have negative effects on their relationships and lives. For example, they may not apply for a job or start dating due to the fear that the decision could be a mistake. They may not even be able to buy a home or car because they can't decide which one is the best.
Indecisiveness can also have an impact on the performance of employees and productivity. Research has demonstrated that leaders who are indecisive can lower team morale and demotivate employees. This could negatively impact employees in other departments and be a problem for the entire organization.
For those who struggle to make decisions, there are several strategies to help them overcome their indecisiveness. For example, they can practice mindfulness by focusing on the present moment. They can also learn how to trust their instincts. They can also seek guidance from mental health professionals to identify the attitudes or behaviors that are preventing them from being decisive.