ADHD Symptoms in Adult Women
Many women don't realize they are diagnosed with ADHD until adulthood. It is possible that symptoms go unnoticed until childhood and the coping strategies they learned as kids might not be as effective as adults.
Treatment options include stimulant medications as well as other treatments like cognitive therapy for behavioral problems. Support groups and coaching is also available.
1. Inattentiveness
Women with inattention ADHD frequently have difficulty staying on task at work or school. They may forget simple things or make careless errors that lead to frustration. They can be unable to finish long-term or complex tasks and fall behind on their commitments. The signs of inattention ADHD tend to persist into adulthood, although hyperactivity and impulsivity often decrease.
Attention-deficit ADHD symptoms can be difficult to recognize for children and girls who don't show the same symptoms of hyperactivity and impulsivity as boys and children who are assigned male at birth (AMAB). This means that the disorder is often misdiagnosed as depression or anxiety in girls.
For adult women who have been struggling with these symptoms their entire life, it's an incredible relief to be diagnosed. This can help explain the difficulties they've encountered and validate their experiences and provide a path to effective treatment.
Distractibility is another sign of inattention ADHD that persists into adulthood. People with ADHD are easily distracted by side pursuits like games on video or social media, and have difficulties focussing on the task at hand. They may also find it difficult to complete multi-step tasks, such as writing reports or paying bills.
Cognitive behavioral therapy can treat inattention ADHD. This is a method of teaching techniques for managing distractions, and also creating and using schedules. Finding support groups and making changes to the environment could be helpful. A medical expert on Klarity can suggest various treatments, including medications that can help improve the quality of life for women with inattentive ADHD. Women can benefit from professional assistance to manage their symptoms, improve daily functioning and attain their goals.
2. Hyperactivity
Women with ADHD may experience difficulties with hyperactivity. Symptoms include anxiety, trouble sitting or playing games, and having trouble finishing tasks. They might act or speak before they are finished with their sentences, and they may have a "thousand-yard stare". These symptoms can impact work, school, relationships and even family. It can take a while to get diagnosed with ADHD, but treatment can help improve your relationships and prepare you for the success you'll have in school or at work, and provide you with an understanding of who you are.
Despite being more common than boys, very little research has been conducted to study the effects of ADHD in adult, cisgender females. The reason is partly because rating scales for ADHD symptoms are skewed toward male behavior, and internalized feelings of resentment can be difficult to measure or communicate.
Women with ADHD may also experience problems with the impulsivity of others, and could struggle to stick to commitments. Early sexual initiation without planning, and impulsivity can make it easy for those with ADHD to engage in sexually risky activity. They are also more likely to contract sexually transmitted illnesses or have unplanned pregnancy. They also may struggle with rejection sensitivity, which is an intense emotional response to real or perceived rejection.
Managing ADHD symptoms can be a challenge at any age. Women who suffer from ADHD can benefit from a variety of tools available to help them manage their symptoms. These include medication, psychotherapy and lifestyle adjustments. Participating in a support group can be beneficial to many people with ADHD. They can speak to others who have similar difficulties. They can also engage an executive function coach to help in their organizational skills and develop healthy coping techniques like exercise. Adults suffering from ADHD might also want to consider participating in clinical trials to test new treatments or medications. For more information, visit the NIMH's Clinical Trials webpage.
3. Impulsivity
Women and girls with ADHD struggle with controlling their behavior. This can lead to lower self-esteem and tension in relationships. Their impulsive nature can expose them to being forced into unwanted sexual activities, or being the victim of intimate partner violence.
While impulsiveness can be part of all kinds of ADHD but it's more prevalent in the subtype of inattentive, which is the one that most people with ADHD get diagnosed with. Inattentive ADHD symptoms are characterized by racing thoughts, being easily bored or being distracted, ignoring details and avoiding appointments, having trouble managing time, and having trouble with self-control issues in conversations (interrupting people frequently or completing sentences of others).
Attention-deficit ADHD is the most frequent type of adhd in adults but it can 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.
The traditional gender roles may be the reason women and girls are more likely to conceal their ADHD symptoms. It's more common for boys to be reckless or disorganized, making it difficult for parents and teachers to recognize girls' behavioral issues.
Women who suffer from ADHD can experience a range of other symptoms, such as mood swings and issues in social interaction. The symptoms may vary from daily, based on the fluctuation in their hormones. They can be exacerbated by, for instance, a drop of estrogen after ovulation, or at the time of menstruation. Additionally, an unbalanced, processed food and sugary diet can exacerbate symptoms. These women may also be affected during the course of pregnancy, breastfeeding, and changes in hormones after menopausal.
4. Disorganization
Women who suffer from ADHD are often unorganized, which could be severe or mild. For instance, you might lose your keys frequently or spend hours looking for them at home. It can be difficult to work as your bedroom or desk are filled with clutter. You may also be having trouble keeping the schedule of your appointments and paying your bills.
Disordered living can also affect your mental well-being. You may struggle to control your mood, leading to a low self-esteem or feeling of inadequate. Full Document could also be susceptible to impulsive behavior which can lead to relationship issues. You may procrastinate or delay tasks that require a lot of details.
Your inability to stay organized could also cause you to put off things that require effort. This can lead to a plethora of tasks that are not completed which can cause stress. It can also result in you losing or forget important things, like medication or your wallet. It's easy to blame your lack of organization due to stress or a busy lifestyle, but these factors can be a symptom of ADHD.
In addition, disorganization can cause problems in your social and personal relationships. For instance, you might not know how to respond to others' requests or interrupt people in a way that is inappropriate. You might also struggle to keep your emotions in check which could lead to disputes or feelings of rejection.
Getting a diagnosis can help you understand more about your symptoms and how you can manage them. It can also give you an assurance that you're not the only one struggling to cope with your ADHD symptoms. You may be able receive treatment from your doctor or another health care provider, such as an ADHD coach or psychotherapy. You may also be able participate in an experimental trial. Clinical trials are research studies that explore new methods to detect, prevent, or treat illnesses. 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, people who are indecisive are often unable to make even minor decisions. Indecisiveness can affect more major decisions, like making a decision on a career or buying an apartment. People who are indecisive often feel as if they are stuck which can cause anxiety and stress.
They may continually think about pros and cons, or ask for advice from friends but their inability to determine the best course of action could hinder them from taking a step forward. Some indecisive people are also unable to accept the consequences of their choices. These habits can have a profound impact on their health and wellbeing.
People who are unsure may avoid making any decisions in the first place. This can cause negative consequences for their lives and relationships. They may not start dating or apply for a new job because they fear making the wrong choice. They might even be unable to purchase a house or car because they cannot decide which one is the best.
Indecisiveness can have a significant impact on productivity and work performance. Indecisive leaders have been shown to demotivate and stifle the morale of their teams. This could have a negative impact on other employees and can be a problem for the entire organization.
There are a variety of ways to help those who are having difficulties making decisions overcome their indecisiveness. For instance, they can to practice mindfulness by focusing their attention on the present moment. They can also learn how to trust their instincts. Finally, they can seek advice from mental health professionals to pinpoint the habits or thoughts that hinder them from taking a stand.