ADHD Symptoms in Adult Women
Many women aren't diagnosed with ADHD until 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 medications and other treatments like cognitive behavioral therapy. Coaching and support groups are also available.
1. Inattentiveness
Women with inattentive ADHD often have trouble staying on task at school or at work. They may forget simple things or make mistakes that lead to frustration. They may also have difficulty in completing complete large-scale or long-term projects which can cause them to be late on their commitments. The signs of inattention ADHD typically continue into adulthood, though the intensity of hyperactivity and impulsivity tend to decrease.
Inattentive ADHD is difficult to spot in girls and children who do not display the same signs of impulsivity or hyperactivity as boys and children born male (AMAB) display. This means that the condition is often misdiagnosed as anxiety or depression in girls.
For women of adulthood who have struggled with these issues for the majority of their lives, it can be an immense relief to be diagnosed. This can help them understand the difficulties they've faced, validate their experience, and help them find effective treatment.
Distractibility, which persists throughout adulthood, is a different symptom that can be caused by inattention ADHD. People with ADHD are easily distracted by side quests like games on video or social media, and experience difficulties staying focused on the task at hand. They may also have difficulty working through multi-step tasks, such as writing a paper or paying bills.
Cognitive behavioral therapy is a treatment for inattention ADHD. This involves teaching skills for managing distractions and creating and implementing schedules. Learning about the condition, locating support groups, and making environmental modifications can also be helpful. A medical professional can suggest medications and other treatments to improve the quality of life for women suffering from inattention ADHD. A consultation with an experienced professional can assist women to manage their symptoms and improve their everyday functioning, and reach their goals.
2. Hyperactivity
Women suffering from ADHD may experience difficulties with hyperactivity. Symptoms include anxiety, trouble sitting or playing games and having trouble finishing tasks. They can speak or act before they've finished their sentence, and are often said to have "a thousand-yard stare." These issues can hinder school, work, family and friendships. It can take some time to be diagnosed with ADHD, but treatment can help improve relationships and prepare you for success at school or at work, and provide you with more insight into yourself.
Although ADHD is more common in females than boys, there has been little research on its effects in adult females of cisgender. This is partly because the rating scales of ADHD symptoms tend to favor male behavior, and internalized feelings aren't easy to measure.
In addition to hyperactivity, people with ADHD may have trouble with impulsivity and having a difficult time staying on track with commitments. Early sex initiation with no planning, as well as impulsivity can make it easy for people with ADHD to engage in sexually risky activity. They are also more likely to contract 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 it is real or perceived.
Managing the symptoms of ADHD can be challenging at any age. Women who suffer from ADHD have a range of tools to assist them in managing their symptoms. These include medication, psychotherapy and lifestyle changes. Joining a support group can be beneficial for a lot of people with ADHD. They can speak to others who are experiencing similar challenges. They can also employ a coach to help them with organization and executive function skills, and develop healthy coping strategies like exercising. Adults suffering from ADHD may also want to consider taking part in clinical trials that evaluate new treatments and medications. Visit the NIMH Clinical Trials page for more details.
3. Impulsivity
Women and girls with ADHD have trouble controlling their behavior. This can result in low self-esteem and broken relationships. Their impulsivity can put them at risk of being coerced into unwanted sexual activity or being the victims of violence from their intimate partners particularly if they possess inadequate planning and organizational skills.
While impulsiveness can be part of all types of ADHD but it's more prevalent in the subtype of inattentive, which is the one that most people with ADHD are diagnosed with. Inattentive ADHD is characterised by a racing or disoriented mind that lead to forgetting appointments or details, and being easily distracted.
Inattentional ADHD can affect 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 traditional gender roles may also be a reason why girls and women tend to hide their ADHD symptoms. It's more normal for girls than boys to be unorganized or impulsive. This makes it more difficult for parents and teachers to spot the behavior issues of girls.
Women suffering from ADHD can also experience mood swings or difficulties in interacting with others. Their symptoms can vary from day to day based on their fluctuating hormones. For example, they can be aggravated 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. They can also be affected by pregnancy, breastfeeding, and changes in hormones that occur during menopausal.
4. Disorganization
Women suffering from ADHD are usually chaotic, and this can be either severe or mild. You may have to search for hours for your keys or losing them frequently. Your messy desk or bedroom make it hard for you to find a place to work. It can also be difficult to keep track of your appointments and pay your bills.
The disorder can also affect your mental health. You may be struggling to manage your mood. This could lead to feelings of low self-esteem and feeling inadequate. You could also be susceptible to impulsive behavior which can lead to relationship issues. You might put off or delay tasks that require lots of details.
You might put off tasks that require effort because you're not organized. This could lead to a plethora of unfinished work which can cause stress. Disorganization can also cause you to lose or forget important items like medications or your wallet. It's easy to blame your disorganization due to stress or a busy lifestyle, but these factors could be signs of ADHD.
Disorders that cause disorganization can also be associated with problems in your relationships and social life. You may not know what to say to someone else's suggestion or you might interrupt them in a way that is inappropriate. You might also find it difficult to control your emotions, which can cause you to argue or feel rejected.
Being diagnosed can help you learn more about your symptoms and how you can manage them. It could also provide you with the peace of mind that you're not alone in trying to manage your ADHD symptoms. You might be able to receive treatment from your doctor or other health care professional for example, an ADHD coach or psychotherapy. You may also be able take part in a trial. Clinical trials are research studies that study innovative ways to prevent, detect or treat diseases and conditions. Visit the NIMH's Clinical Trials webpage to learn more about what to expect if you decide to participate in one.
5. Indecisiveness
Indecisive individuals may have trouble making even the smallest choices, like what to wear or where to take a bite. Indecisiveness can also impact larger choices, like deciding on a job or buying a house. People who are unsure often feel in an uncharted territory. This can lead to anxiety and stress.
They may constantly consider pros and cons or ask for advice from friends, but their inability to decide on a path to take could hinder them from taking a step forward. Some people who are indecisive also have a difficult time accepting the consequences of their choices. Ultimately, these habits can impact their health and wellbeing in a variety of ways.
Some people who are not sure might avoid making any decision in the first place. This could cause negative consequences for their relationships and lives. They may not start dating or apply for an employment opportunity because they fear making a wrong choice. They might even be unable to purchase a home or car because they can't decide on the right one.
Indecisiveness can have an impact on performance and productivity. Leaders who are indecisive have been proven to demotivate and stifle the morale of their teams. This can have an effect on employees who are in the same position, which can then affect the whole organization.
For those who are struggling to make choices, there are many strategies that can aid them in overcoming their indecisiveness. For symptoms of add in adults , they could focus their attention on the present moment. They can also learn to trust their instincts. They can also seek advice from mental health professionals to identify the mental and behavioral patterns that hinder them from making decisions.