ADHD Symptoms in Adult Women
Many women aren't diagnosed with ADHD until the age of adulthood. The symptoms can go unnoticed during childhood and the coping strategies they learned as children may not be as effective when they become adults.
Treatment options include stimulant drugs as well as other treatments like cognitive behavioral therapy. Coaching and support groups are also available.
1. Inattentiveness
Women who are not attentive ADHD often have difficulty keeping their attention at work or school. They might forget basic tasks or make careless mistakes that cause frustration. They may also find it difficult to finish long-term or complex tasks and get behind on their commitments. The signs of inattention ADHD tend to persist into adulthood, though the level of impulsivity and hyperactivity tends to decrease.
Inattentive ADHD symptoms can be difficult to detect for children and girls who don't display the same obvious signs of hyperactivity and impulsivity 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 as having depression or anxiety.
For adult women who have struggled with these symptoms for the entirety of their life, it's an immense relief to receive a diagnosis. This can help them understand the challenges they've encountered and can validate their experience and offer a path to effective treatment.
Distractibility is another symptom of inattention ADHD that lasts into adulthood. People with ADHD are easily distracted by side quests like games on video or social media, and have difficulty focusing 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 help treat inattentive ADHD. This involves teaching skills for managing distractions and making and using schedules. Educating oneself about the condition, locating support groups, and making environment adjustments can be beneficial. A medical professional can suggest medications and other treatments to improve the quality-of-life for women with inattention ADHD. The guidance of an experienced professional can help women to manage their symptoms, improve their daily functioning, and reach their goals.
2. Hyperactivity
Hyperactivity is a concern for women with ADHD. Symptoms include inability to sit still or playing games and having trouble finishing tasks. They can speak or act after they've finished their sentence, and are often said to have "a thousand-yard stare." These symptoms can affect school, work or family relationships. Getting diagnosed with ADHD isn't easy However, treatment, such as medication and psychotherapy can improve your relationships, prepare you for success at school or at work, and help you better know yourself.
Despite being more common than boys, very little research has examined the effects of ADHD in females of all ages, who are cisgender. The reason is partly because the scales used to assess ADHD symptoms tend to be skewed towards male behaviors, and internalized feelings of infractions are difficult to quantify or communicate.
In addition to hyperactivity, people with ADHD may have trouble with impulsivity and having a difficult time following through on commitments. Early sex initiation with no planning, as well as an impulsive nature can make it easy for those with ADHD to engage in risky sexual activities. They are also more likely to develop sexually transmitted diseases or suffer from unplanned pregnancy. They could also be afflicted with an excessive degree of sensitivity to rejection. This is a strong emotional reaction to rejection whether real or perceived.
Controlling ADHD symptoms can be difficult at any age. Women with ADHD have a range of tools to manage their symptoms, from medication to psychotherapy to lifestyle changes. Many adults with ADHD benefit from joining a support group to chat with others who face similar issues. They can also engage a coach to help them organize and improve their executive functioning skills, and learn healthy strategies for coping such as exercising. Adults suffering from ADHD may also want to think about participating in clinical trials that evaluate new medications and treatment approaches. Visit the NIMH Clinical Trials page for more details.
3. Impulsivity
Women and girls with ADHD have a hard time controlling their behavior. This can lead to lower self-esteem and tension in relationships. Their impulsivity can put them at risk of being coerced into unintentional sexual activities or being victims of intimate partner violence, especially if they have inadequate planning and organizational skills.
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 is characterised by racing or distracted thoughts as well as forgetting appointments and other details, and becoming easily distracted.
Attention-deficit ADHD is the most common type of adhd in adults but it can be seen in children 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 gender roles that are a part of the norm could also be a reason why girls and women tend to hide their ADHD symptoms. It's considered more acceptable for boys to be impulsive or be unorganized, which makes it difficult for teachers and parents to recognize girls' behavioral issues.
Women with ADHD are susceptible to a variety of other symptoms, such as mood swings and issues with social interaction. The symptoms may vary from day-to-day, based on the fluctuation of their hormones. For instance, they could be exacerbated by a drop in estrogen following ovulation or near menstruation, as well as by eating a diet that is unbalanced and is laden with sugar and processed foods. Women with these conditions can be affected during the course of pregnancy, breastfeeding, and changes in hormones at menopause.
4. Disorganization
Women with ADHD often suffer from disorganization, a symptom that can be severe or mild. You could spend hours searching for your keys or losing them frequently. Your messy desk or bedroom make it difficult to find a suitable place to work. You may also find it difficult to keep track of your schedule and pay your bills.
Disorders can also affect your emotional wellbeing. It is possible that you struggle to regulate your mood, leading to a low self-esteem or feeling of inadequacy. You may also be prone to impulsive behavior which can result in relationship issues. These can include putting off tasks with a lot of details or putting off tasks until the last minute.
Your difficulty staying organized can also cause you to put off doing things that require effort. This could lead to a build-up of unfinished projects, which can be stressful. In addition, it can cause you to misplace or forget important items like medications or your wallet. adhd in adults symptoms is often blamed on stress or a stressful life, but ADHD can also be the cause.
Disorganization can also cause problems in your personal and professional relationships. For instance, you might not know how to respond to others' demands or even interrupt others in an inappropriate manner. You might also struggle to keep your emotions in check and can result in arguments or feelings of rejection.
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 trying to manage your ADHD symptoms. You may be able get treatment from a doctor or a different health care professional such as a ADHD coach or psychotherapy. You may also be able take part in trials. Clinical trials are research studies that focus on new methods to prevent, detect or treat illnesses and conditions. Visit NIMH's Clinical Trials webpage to learn more about what to expect should you decide to participate in one.
5. Indecisiveness
It's about what to wear or what to eat for dinner, those who aren't sure might struggle to make even the most small of decisions. Indecisiveness can also impact larger decisions, like choosing the right job or purchasing the house. Indecisive individuals often feel stuck in limbo. This can cause anxiety and stress.
They might constantly consider pros and cons or seek advice from others however their inability decide on a path to take could hinder them from moving forward. People who are unsure also have a difficult time accepting the consequences of their decisions. These behaviors can have a significant impact on their health and wellbeing.
People who are unsure might avoid making any decision in the first place. This can result in negative effects on their relationships and lives. They might not begin dating or apply for an employment opportunity because they fear making the wrong decision. They might not be able a car or home because they're unable to decide.
Indecisiveness can also have an impact on performance and productivity. Leaders who are indecisive have been proven to reduce motivation and decrease the morale of their teams. This could negatively impact other employees and can be spread throughout the company.
There are a variety of ways to assist those who have difficulties making decisions overcome their apathy. For example, they can be mindful by focusing on the present moment. They can also learn to trust their intuition. They can also seek advice from mental health professionals to pinpoint the mental and behavioral patterns that hinder them from making decisions.