ADHD Symptoms in Adult Women
Many women don't get diagnosed with ADHD until the age of adulthood. It is possible that symptoms go unnoticed until childhood and the coping strategies they learned in their youth may not be as effective when they become adults.
Treatment options include stimulant medications and other treatments like cognitive behavioral therapy. Coaching and support groups are also available.
1. Inattentiveness
Women with inattentive ADHD often have difficulty keeping their attention at school or at work. They might forget basic things or make mistakes that cause frustration. They may also have trouble finishing long-term or complex tasks and may cause them to fall behind in their commitments. Inattentional ADHD symptoms can last throughout adulthood. However, hyperactivity and impulsivity are typically reduced.
Inattentive ADHD can be difficult to identify for children and girls who don't show the same symptoms of impulsivity or hyperactivity that boys and children born male (AMAB) exhibit. This means that the disorder goes undiagnosed until childhood, with girls often being misdiagnosed with anxiety or depression.
It can be a huge relief for adult women who have been struggling with these symptoms all their lives to finally receive a correct diagnosis. This can help them understand the challenges they've faced and validate their experience and provide a pathway to effective treatment.
Distractibility, which persists into adulthood, is another symptom that can be associated with inattentive ADHD. People with ADHD are easily distracted by side pursuits such as games on video or social media, and experience difficulty staying focused on the task at hand. They may also have difficulty working through multi-step tasks, for example, writing a research paper or paying bills.
Attention-deficit ADHD can be treated using cognitive behavioral therapy which provides strategies for managing distractions, creating and using schedules and prioritizing tasks. Learning about the condition, finding support groups, and making environmental modifications can also be helpful. A healthcare expert on Klarity can suggest various treatments, including medication, that can improve the quality of life for women suffering from inattentive ADHD. Women can benefit from expert assistance to manage their symptoms, improve their daily functioning and reach their goals.
2. Hyperactivity
Women suffering from ADHD often struggle with hyperactivity. It is characterized by inability to sit still or playing games and struggling to finish tasks. They may act or speak before they finish their sentences and may display the "thousand-yard stare". These symptoms can impact the school environment, work, relationships and families. Finding out that you have ADHD takes time, but treatment, including medication and psychotherapy, can improve relationships, prepare you for success at school or at work and help you understand yourself.
Despite being more frequent than boys, there isn't much research explores the effects of ADHD in females of all ages, who are cisgender. This is partly because the rating scales of ADHD symptoms tend to be skewed towards male behavior and internalized emotions are difficult to measure.
In addition to hyperactivity, women suffering from ADHD may have trouble 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 women with ADHD to engage in sexually risky activity. They are also more likely to develop sexually transmitted illnesses or have unplanned pregnancy. They may also have an excessive level of rejection sensitivity. This is a powerful emotional reaction to rejection, whether it is real or perceived.
The management of ADHD symptoms can be a challenge at any age. Women with ADHD can benefit from a variety of tools that can help them manage their symptoms. These include medication, psychotherapy and lifestyle modifications. Many people who suffer from ADHD benefit by joining a support group to talk with others who have similar challenges. They can also hire an expert to assist them with organization and executive functioning skills, and learn healthy coping strategies like exercising. Adults suffering from ADHD may want to consider taking part in clinical trials that evaluate new treatment methods and medications. Visit the NIMH Clinical Trials page for more information.
3. Impulsivity
Women and girls who suffer from ADHD struggle with controlling their behavior. This can lead to low self-esteem and strained relationships. Their impulsivity can put them at risk of being coerced into sexually inappropriate activities or being victims of violence from intimate partners, especially if they have inadequate planning and organizational skills.
While impulsiveness is a part of all types of ADHD but it's more prevalent in the subtype of inattentive, which is what the majority of people with ADHD get diagnosed with. Inattentive ADHD symptoms include racing thoughts and a tendency to be bored or being distracted, forgetting details and missing appointments, having trouble with time management, and having trouble with self-control issues in conversations (interrupting others frequently or finishing sentences of others).
Inattentional ADHD can affect adults and children. 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 are more likely to conceal their ADHD symptoms is due to traditional gender roles. It's accepted for boys to be reckless or unorganized, which makes it difficult for parents and teachers to spot girls' behavior issues.
Women with ADHD can experience a range of other symptoms, such as mood swings, and difficulties in social interactions. The symptoms may vary from day to day, depending on the fluctuation of their hormones. For example, they can be exacerbated by a drop in estrogen after ovulation or close to menstrual flow and eating a diet that is unbalanced and includes too much sugar and processed foods. Women with these conditions can also be affected during pregnancy, nursing and changes in hormones at menopause.
4. Disorganization
Women who suffer from ADHD often suffer from disorganization, which can be mild or severe. For instance, you could lose your keys often or spend hours searching for them in your home. Or signs of adhd adults or bedroom make it difficult to find a space to work. You might also find it difficult to keep track of your schedule and pay your bills.
Disorders can also affect your emotional health. It is possible that you struggle to regulate your mood, leading to low self-esteem or feelings of inadequacy. You could also be susceptible to impulsive behavior that can result in relationship issues. You might put off or delay tasks that require a lot of details.
You may delay things that require effort due to the fact that you're not organized. This can result in a build-up of unfinished projects that can be stressful. In addition, it can cause you to misplace or forget important things, like medication or your wallet. It's easy to blame your disorganization due to stress or a busy life, but these things can be a sign of ADHD.
Symptoms of disorganization may also be associated with problems in your relationships and social life. For instance, you may not know how to respond to others' requests or interrupt people in a way that is inappropriate. You may also find it difficult to keep your emotions under control and can result in disagreements or feelings of disapproval.
Getting a diagnosis can help you understand more about the symptoms you experience and how to manage them. It could also provide you with the peace of mind that you're not alone in having to deal with your ADHD symptoms. You may be able get treatment from a doctor or a different health care professional such as an ADHD coach or psychotherapy. You might also be able to take part in an experimental trial. Clinical trials are research studies which investigate new methods to detect, prevent or treat diseases. Visit NIMH's Clinical Trials webpage to learn more about what to expect if you decide to participate in one.
5. Indecision
Indecisive people may have difficulty making even the smallest choices, such as what to wear or where to eat. Indecision can also affect larger decisions, such as making a decision on a career or buying a home. People who are indecisive often feel as if they are stuck which can cause stress and anxiety.
They may constantly consider pros and cons or seek advice from others, but their inability to choose a course of action may prevent them from moving forward. People who are unsure also have difficulty accepting the consequences of their decisions. These behaviors can have a profound impact on their health and well-being.
Some people who are not sure may avoid making any decisions at all. This could have negative consequences on their relationships and lives. For example, they may not apply for a job or begin dating due to the fear that the decision might be wrong. They might not be able to buy an automobile or a home since they're unable to decide.
Indecisiveness can have a significant impact on work performance and productivity. Research has demonstrated that indecisive leaders can stifle morale of the team and demotivate employees. This could have a negative impact on employees in other departments and be a problem for the entire organization.
There are many methods to assist those who have difficulty making decisions overcome their apathy. For instance, they can be mindful by focusing on the present moment. They can also learn how to trust their instincts. They can also seek out guidance from mental health professionals in order to identify the mental and behavioral patterns that hinder them from making decisions.