Five Killer Quora Answers To Adult Female ADHD Symptoms
ADHD Symptoms in Adult Females
Although ADHD affects men and women equally in adulthood, the condition typically goes undiagnosed in females. signs of adhd in women is likely due to gender stereotypes and the capacity of women to conceal their symptoms.
Many healthcare professionals lack the expertise or experience needed to identify ADHD among women. As a result, many women are misdiagnosed prior to receiving the proper treatment they need.
1. Disorganization
Girls and women with ADHD frequently struggle with disorganization, a condition that can be very difficult to manage. For instance, your desk may be a mess of tangled papers, 17 different chapsticks, or a ticket stub from the Kings of Leon concert you went to in the year 2008. And while you spend money on products that promise to aid in your organization your office and home may still be messy and chaotic.
Inability to keep on top of your work can lead to missed deadlines and appointments. You may also experience "time blindness," where you don't recall or know how long it takes to complete a task. This could make you feel frustrated and like you're not doing a great enough job in your profession, or even your personal life.
There is a possibility that you have trouble regulating your emotions. This can lead you to react excessively when faced with stressful situations. You may also make comments without meaning to hurt people's feelings. Since impulsivity is a common trait in people with ADHD and ADD, you may have trouble stopping yourself from making comments without considering them.
If you suffer from ADHD it's possible that a portion of your symptoms are rooted in gender stereotypes or beliefs regarding how women, men and boys should behave. This can make it difficult to recognize and treat ADHD.
In addition to having a diagnosis you may also require a behavioral therapy program to tackle the root of your condition. Although it might take a while to discover the appropriate coping strategies Implementing these strategies will assist you in feeling more in control of your life and improve relationships with family, friends, and coworkers.
2. Impulsivity
People who suffer from ADHD experience intense emotions. However, their brains are not able to filter them or evaluate them. This means that they could be overwhelmed by a single setback or have difficulty being able to assess the emotional state of other people. This makes them more prone to being distracted by minor issues like the availability of a book or a shaky friend.
Many women suffering from ADHD manage their attention problems by hiding symptoms and devising strategies for coping. They could be perfectionists or extremely attentive at work or in school, but have difficulty keeping track of important dates, deadlines and appointments. They may also have trouble with verbal self-restraint and speak too much, interrupt others often, or dump information during conversations.
The hyperactive/impulsive subtype of ADHD tends to be more common in boys and men, but it's not unusual for women to have these symptoms too. These symptoms include an abrupt urge to start, stop or alter the course of action and being unable to hold for your turn during a conversation and difficulty in interpreting social signals (like facial expressions or body language).
While gender-based stereotypes may contribute to the development of ADHD however, it's often difficult to recognize when a woman has these issues. The scales used to measure ADHD symptoms are still biased towards male behavior and some healthcare experts may be misinformed or underestimate the severity of a woman's symptoms.
Many women with ADHD also say that their symptoms get worse during times of hormonal changes, like during the menstrual cycle or pregnancy, or during perimenopausal (the menopausal transition). This can lead to emotional symptoms such as frustration, irritability or depression. They may also experience an ongoing feeling of unsatisfaction with their lives or relationships. This may lead to substance abuse, low self-esteem and unhealthy coping habits. This is why it's crucial for women to realize that these symptoms aren't a reflection of their value or worth as a person. The positive side is that with a proper treatment plan these symptoms can be reduced or even eliminated.
3. Inattention
While everyone struggles with paying attention and focusing, with ADHD, these symptoms occur often enough that they cause disruption with your life. You might make mistakes at school or work or forget appointments or you may spend long hours delaying. You're not able to be patient and not interrupt others during conversations.
Inattentive symptoms in adults can also include the tendency to get involved in projects without properly planning and researching them, which leads to poor or insufficient results. You may also get distracted quickly and tend to leave projects unfinishedfrom the garden that got planted but never watered to the new organizational system that was put together and left to rot on your nightstand.
People with inattentive ADHD also have an ongoing sense of disorganization in their home and workplaces. You might have difficulty finding important documents, keys or bills and also lose items frequently. You could be unable to keep the track of time and end up late for school, work or even meetings.
Women with hyperactive/impulsive ADHD are less likely to experience these inattentive symptoms, but they can still have problems with organization, time management and self-control. People with these signs may make or do actions without thinking about the consequences including snoozing over others or making nonsensical sounds when they are on their own. They may have trouble sitting still, and may flitter around in their chair or move. They might have issues keeping their job and could be in frequent conflict with colleagues and managers.
In certain cases mood swings and emotional turmoil caused by ADHD can lead to frustration and misunderstandings in relationships. This is particularly true in relationships with partners as well as at work. People with ADHD are also more likely to have co-occurring conditions, like anxiety, depression or bipolar disorder.
Girls and women who suffer from ADHD may face many difficulties when seeking treatment. These include gender bias as well as a tendency to cover up symptoms or undervalue their severity, and gender bias. The rise of high-profile women such as Mia Freedman and Em Rusciano who have publicly shared their personal struggles with ADHD has increased awareness, but many girls and young women do not know they have the condition.
4. Anxiety
An anxiety disorder is characterized by persistently excessive anxiety. While everyone feels anxious or nervous from time to time anxiety disorders are defined by a constant high level of anxiety. You might experience a constant feeling of unease or fear, a rapid heartbeat, trouble staying calm and having trouble thinking clearly. You may also feel an increased sense of danger, even in situations that aren't likely to be dangerous to you. The most commonly encountered kinds of anxiety are general anxiety disorder, phobias and agoraphobia and panic disorders, separation anxiety and selective Mutism.
Anxiety is more prevalent among women suffering from ADHD than men. It can be worsened by certain life events like menstrual cycle, pregnancy, or perimenopause. This can make it harder to handle everyday tasks and social interactions, and cause feelings of self-doubt and a general feeling of discontent with your life.
You're extremely sensitive to rejection and have a hard to accept criticism. You can easily interpret feedback incorrectly, or anticipate rejection. You may be angry about small things that others don't see an issue with.
Mood swings are also a sign of adult adhd in women. It is possible that you experience erratic emotions or find it difficult to manage them. You may also be prone self-injury that is not suicidal, such as burning, scrubbing, or hitting yourself.
If you're experiencing any of the above symptoms, it's crucial to receive a diagnosis. It will help you understand the challenges you're facing and provide you strategies to improve your quality of life. You can take an ADHD test online or talk to your doctor for an assessment from a professional. In some cases doctors may prescribe medication to alleviate your symptoms. In some instances your doctor may suggest a combination between lifestyle changes and cognitive behavior therapy. In any scenario, it's essential to make positive changes in your life as soon as you can. This can help you regain control of your life, and make you feel more confident and capable.