Signs and Symptoms of ADHD in Women
Women suffering from ADHD typically experience an entire life of undiagnosed and untreated symptoms. This can lead to difficulties at work, in relationships, and in everyday life.
Women are expected to be able to perform a variety of roles: motherhood, work and managing the home. It can be difficult to manage these expectations and the frustrations of untreated ADHD can lead to anxiety and depression.
Forgetfulness
Women who suffer from ADHD are often plagued by forgetfulness, a tendency to misplace items, and an inability to pay attention to the smallest details. These problems can result in messy homes, missed meetings and a general sense of disorganization. They are also more likely to misplace their keys or phones, or become frustrated when they are unable to locate items they require for work or school. Inattention could also cause problems in relationships, since they're less likely to remember conversations or take notes during meetings.
The signs of ADHD in women are different from those in males and boys, which can make it difficult to spot the signs. They can also be exacerbated by hormone changes throughout life, including those caused by pregnancy, menstrual periods childbirth, and the periods leading to perimenopausal and menopausal symptoms.
A person with undiagnosed ADHD might feel frustrated and overwhelmed when she struggles to meet work or school deadlines. It is possible that she's not a great partner or friend because she misses important calls or events, and she tends to say whatever comes to mind without thinking about it. She could be more susceptible to impulsive behavior, such as buying makeup and clothes before she's even paid the bills.
A therapist with expertise in treating ADHD can assist you in learning strategies to lessen your lapses in memory and increase your organizational skills. You may receive medication that can be extremely beneficial in managing your symptoms. You can also experiment with techniques like focusing on one task at a time, and using a planner or checklist to stay on top of your obligations. You may also benefit from therapy to address related issues like depression or the history of non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI) like cutting, burning, or scratching.
Impulsivity
Controlling impulses is a major problem for people with ADHD. If you suffer from ADHD the voice you hear is often difficult to hear or may not even exist. This is known as a deficiency of prefrontal cortex functioning. Impulsivity can result in poor choices and actions that can have long-term consequences, such as spending too much money on something you don't really need or putting out a comment that can be interpreted as offensive. As an adult, impulsive behavior can affect relationships, career and your personal life.
Women with ADHD are more likely to hide their symptoms and struggle to acknowledge that they are suffering from a disorder. This is particularly the case when they enter adulthood. This makes it difficult for them to seek help due to the strategies they used to manage their symptoms as children may not work in the workplace, college or in other adult situations.
Females who suffer from ADHD are also more likely to have a co-occurring psychiatric condition, such as depression or anxiety that can cause misdiagnosis and delayed treatment. These co-occurring disorders can cause confusion and conceal ADHD symptoms.
Women who suffer from ADHD might have trouble expressing themselves, and may be less willing to ask for help when they need it than men. This can cause them to feel alone and helpless to deal with their issues. This can lead to depression and anxiety. They are more likely to turn to unhealthy coping mechanisms, such as alcohol and addiction to drugs, to cope. This can increase the negative effects of untreated ADHD and lead to increased issues with self-esteem, motivation and focus.
Emotional Dysregulation
Emotional dysregulation happens when you are unable to manage extreme emotions like anxiety, sadness, or anger. This disorder can cause people to react to circumstances in a way that is overblown or to feel their emotions are not in sync with the situation. This can lead to anger and even violent outbursts. This symptom can also cause difficulties maintaining relationships as it can lead to disputes and miscommunications that can wear away at the trust of those closest to them.
In some instances emotional dysregulation may be triggered by an individual or event. In other instances the root cause is more complicated and could be affected by genetic factors, traumatic experiences or mental health conditions like depression.
It's common for women with ADHD to experience a range of symptoms. They may have difficulty coping with the demands of everyday life. As adults their responsibilities are more than those of their parents. This includes juggling family, work and housework. This can cause many frustrations, as they struggle to keep up.
Women suffering from ADHD may also experience difficulties in their relationships due to their forgetfulness impulsivity and emotional dysregulation. They can easily get lost in the details of a conversation, or get so involved in a project that they lose track of time, which could result in misunderstandings and conflicts with friends and partners.
A few of these issues may be made worse by hormonal changes, such as those that occur during menstrual periods and pregnancy as well as during perimenopausal. This is why it's essential for women to find the right therapist or clinician who has experience treating ADHD in women and girls. Treatment options include cognitive behavioral therapy, which can assist in self-advocacy and transforming negative thought patterns.
Depression
Women with ADHD are more likely to experience depression symptoms than males or females. Because of their symptoms, they might also experience anxiety and low self-confidence. These symptoms are difficult to manage, and it's no wonder that a lot of people find it difficult to get a diagnosis of ADHD.
Inattention, emotional dysregulation and impulsivity can lead to disagreements with friends and colleagues. These conditions can make it difficult to keep an occupation and may cause problems in relationships with family members. These problems can be especially difficult for women who suffer from ADHD often struggle to fit in with society's expectations of their gender.
The inattentive type of ADHD is more common in women than in males. It's characterised by difficulties in paying attention and staying focused, as well as being prone to forgetting important dates or occasions. It's not difficult for these symptoms to be mislabeled as laziness or poor time management, or a lack of motivation. Women who suffer from ADHD are often accused of "zoning out" in meetings or being undependable in the workplace.
Adults suffering from ADHD struggle with managing their emotions and maintaining an appropriate sleep schedule. They are often easily annoyed or angry, and could overreact when faced with minor setbacks.
Many adults who haven't been diagnosed with ADHD think that their symptoms are normal or a part of being an older adult. However, the proper treatment can ease these symptoms and improve the quality of life. A doctor will ask questions regarding your behavior, and then perform diagnostic tests. Typically the doctor will consult with other people who know you well to obtain an accurate image of your daily activities.
Relationships
Women suffering from ADHD struggle to maintain healthy relationships because of their lack of memory and the impulsiveness. Their inability to manage their emotions can lead them to misunderstands and conflicts. This can make them feel lonely. They might blame themselves for their troubles, leading them to depression and anxiety.
Symptoms of ADHD in women are often difficult to recognize due to hormonal changes particularly during puberty. These changes can cause symptoms to appear similar to symptoms of other conditions such as anxiety or mood disorders. The fluctuations in estrogen during puberty can also impact the severity of the symptoms. Estrogen decreases before and during ovulation, and rises again towards the beginning menstrual flow. These fluctuations can cause symptoms appear different each day, leading to misdiagnosis and a lack of effective treatment.
Although what are the symptoms of adhd in adults assigned to females at birth could be diagnosed with ADHD like boys, the disorder often goes unrecognized and undertreated for girls. As they mature into adulthood, many of these women struggle to manage their home life and careers, and have difficulty in relationships. Years of mislabeling symptoms and dealing with them can have a negative effect on self-esteem.
While the negative consequences of untreated ADHD for women can be serious however, there are steps that can be taken to improve their quality of life. Many women have discovered that medication, therapy, lifestyle changes, and adaptations to school and at work can aid. A qualified professional can evaluate women with ADHD and recommend the most appropriate treatment. This can help them live an enjoyable, productive life.