ADHD Symptoms in Adult Women
Many women are not diagnosed with ADHD until they reach adulthood. Early signs can be missed, and coping mechanisms learned as children may not work in the same way as they do for adults.
Treatment options include stimulant medication as well as other treatments such as cognitive therapy for behavior. Support groups and coaching are also available.
1. Inattentiveness
Women with inattentive ADHD have difficulty staying focused, whether at work or at school. They may forget simple things or make a few mistakes that cause frustration. They may also have difficulty finishing long-term or complex tasks and may result in them falling behind in their commitments. Inattentional ADHD symptoms can last into adulthood. However the symptoms of hyperactivity and impulsivity are often reduced.
Inattentive ADHD symptoms can be difficult to detect for children and girls who don't show the same symptoms of impulsivity and hyperactivity as boys and kids who are assigned male at birth (AMAB). This means that the disorder goes undiagnosed during childhood, with girls often being misdiagnosed with depression or anxiety.
For women of adulthood who have suffered from these symptoms their entire lives, it can be an incredible relief to get a diagnosis. This will help them comprehend the difficulties they've faced and validate their experience and help them find effective treatment.
Distractibility, which persists into adulthood, is yet another symptom that can be caused by inattention ADHD. People suffering from the condition may be easily pulled into diverting pursuits like video games or social media and have difficulty keeping their attention on the task at their disposal. adhd in adults signs may also find it difficult to complete tasks that require multiple steps, such as writing reports or paying bills.
Attention-deficit ADHD can be treated with cognitive behavioral therapy which helps you manage distractions, creating and using schedules and prioritizing work. Finding support groups and making adjustments to the surroundings can help. A healthcare professional can recommend medication as well as other treatments to improve the quality-of-life for women with inattention ADHD. Women can benefit from expert advice to help them manage their symptoms, improve daily functioning and attain their goals.
2. Hyperactivity
Hyperactivity can be a problem for women suffering from ADHD. The inability to sit still or play games and a lack of ability to finish tasks are just a few of the signs. They may speak or act after they've finished their sentence and can appear to have "a thousand-yard stare." These symptoms can interfere with school, work or family relationships. It can take some time to be diagnosed with ADHD however, treatment can improve your relationships and prepare you for the success you'll have in school or at work, and help you develop an understanding of who you are.
While ADHD is more prevalent for females than males, there has been little research into its effects on adult females of cisgender. The reason is partly because rating scales for ADHD symptoms are skewed toward male behavior, and internalized feelings of misbehavior are difficult to measure or communicate.
Women with ADHD may also experience problems with impulsivity, and may have trouble following through with commitments. Sexual initiation at an early age, lack of planning and the tendency to be impulsive can make it easier for people with ADHD to engage in sexually risky activity. They are also more likely to develop sexually transmitted diseases or suffer from unplanned pregnancies. They could also be afflicted with a high level of rejection sensitivity. This is a strong emotional reaction to rejection whether real or perceived.
Managing the symptoms of ADHD is a difficult task at any age. Women who suffer from ADHD can use a variety of strategies to manage their symptoms, ranging from psychotherapy and medication to lifestyle adjustments. Participating in a support group can be beneficial for many adults with ADHD. They can talk to others who have similar difficulties. They can also work with an executive function coach to assist with their organization abilities and learn healthy coping techniques like physical exercise. Adults suffering from ADHD may also want to take part in clinical trials that test new treatments and medications. For more information, visit NIMH's Clinical Trials webpage.
3. Impulsivity
Girls and women with ADHD struggle with controlling their behavior. This can lead to low self-esteem and broken relationships. Their impulsivity puts them at risk of being coerced into unwanted sexual activity or being victims of violence from their intimate partners, especially if they have poor planning and organization skills.
Although impulsiveness is a component 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 important details and missing appointments, having difficulties with time management and having difficulty with self-control in conversation (interrupting people frequently or completing other people's sentences).
Inattentive ADHD can affect both children and adults. 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.
The gender roles that are a part of the norm could also be a reason why women and girls tend to hide their ADHD symptoms. It's more acceptable for girls than boys to be impulsive or chaotic. This makes it harder for parents and teachers to recognize the issues with behavior of girls.
Women suffering from ADHD may experience a variety of other symptoms, such as mood swings and difficulties with social interactions. The symptoms may vary from day-to-day, based on the fluctuation of their hormones. They can be exacerbated by, for instance, a drop of estrogen following ovulation or close to menstrual. Additionally an unbalanced, processed and a sugary diet can cause symptoms. They may also be affected by their pregnancies, breastfeeding, and hormonal changes that occur during menopause.
4. Disorganization
Women suffering from ADHD are often disorganized, which can be severe or mild. For instance, you might have to search for your keys often or spend a lot of time searching for them in your home. Your messy bedroom or desk makes it difficult to find a space to work. You may also be having trouble keeping the schedule of your appointments and paying your bills.
Disorganization can also affect your emotional well-being. You may struggle to control your mood, which can lead to a low self-esteem or feeling of inadequate. You could also be susceptible to impulsive behavior which can result in relationship issues. You could put off or delay tasks that require a lot of details.
Your difficulty staying organized can cause you to put off things that require effort. This could lead to a build-up of unfinished projects that can be stressful. The disorder can also cause you to forget or lose important items such as your wallet or prescription. It's easy to blame your disorganization due to stress or a busy life, but these issues could be signs of ADHD.
The signs of disorder could be a result of problems in your relationships and social life. You may not know the right response to someone else's request, or you may interrupt them in an inappropriate manner. You might also be struggling to keep your emotions under control which could lead to arguments or feelings of rejection.
A diagnosis can help you understand more about the symptoms you experience and how to manage them. You may feel relieved to know that you are not the only one struggling with ADHD symptoms. You might be able to get treatment from your doctor or other health care provider like an ADHD coach or psychotherapy. You might also be able to take part in a trial. Clinical trials are research studies that investigate new methods to detect, prevent, or treat illnesses. Learn more about clinical trials on the NIMH Clinical Trials page.
5. Indecision
Whether it's what to wear or where to go for dinner, indecisive people may struggle to make even the most small of decisions. Indecisiveness can affect more major decisions, like making a decision on a career or buying the home of your dreams. People who are unsure often feel that they are stuck, which can lead to anxiety and stress.
They may continually weigh pros and cons, or they may ask for opinions from others, but their inability to choose a course of action can keep them from moving forward. People who are unable to make a decision have difficulty accepting the implications of decisions. Ultimately, these habits can impact their health and wellbeing in significant ways.
Some indecisive people might be hesitant to make any decision and this can result in negative consequences for their lives and relationships. For instance, they might not apply for a job or start dating because they fear the decision might be a mistake. They might even be unable to buy a home or car as they are unable to decide on the right one.
Indecisiveness can have an impact on work performance and productivity. Indecisive leaders have been shown to reduce motivation and decrease the morale of their teams. This can have an effect on employees who are in the same position, which can trickle down through the whole organization.
There are many methods to help those who have difficulty making decisions overcome their indecisiveness. For example, they can focus on the present moment. They can also learn to trust their own intuition. They can also seek out guidance from mental health professionals to pinpoint the mental and behavioral patterns that hinder them from being able to make decisions.