ADHD Adult Female Symptoms

ADHD can affect people of all genders and ages, but it is more difficult for women to get diagnosed. It's because women do not typically show the same inattention or impulsivity as men do, and therefore can be missed or misdiagnosed.

Making sure you have a clear diagnosis is the first step to managing your symptoms. Adults suffering from ADHD are often treated with stimulant medications, however, there are other alternatives.

1. Problems with Focusing

Although everyone is distracted at times women who suffer from ADHD have difficulty putting their attention on conversations and tasks particularly when they're suffering from emotional or sensory overload. These issues can become more severe during menstrual cycles.

Women with inattention ADHD suffer from problems with their working memory. This makes it difficult to remember things that are simple, such as appointments or upcoming events. They might forget where they left their keys in their car or the name of the lady who offered them a ride home from the spin class. They might forget important dates or deadlines.

Other signs of ADHD females in adulthood include procrastination and difficulty in following the steps of plans. They tend to be distracted by shiny objects or social media, making it difficult to complete their work and assignments. This can cause feeling overwhelmed and a lack of performance at school or at work.

Many women with ADHD are not diagnosed because of gender stereotypes. As a result, they feel ashamed and mistakenly label their issues as "bad habits" or "character flaws." They also feel like an imposter. A diagnosis can be a lightbulb moment giving them a clear, external explanation for their challenges and giving them the opportunity to accept themselves more fully.

Girls and women with untreated ADHD are susceptible to a wide range of negative outcomes, including academic problems, behavioral issues, poor family and relationship problems, and co-occurring mental health issues. A well-constructed diagnosis and treatment plan can enhance the lives of those who suffer from ADHD at any time in their lives. Treatment options include stimulant therapy and medication. *

2. Difficulty Finishing Projects

Women with ADHD often struggle to complete tasks and duties. They may be unable to remember important details, have trouble switching between tasks or responsibilities, and have difficulty attempting to meet deadlines. They could also be more likely to make careless errors, have difficulty organizing their schedules and underestimate the time they need to finish tasks.

The emotional symptoms of ADHD in adults, like mood swings and irritability, can be particularly frustrating for women who suffer from the condition. Symptoms can be exacerbated by hormonal changes, including those that occur during the menstrual cycle as well as during pregnancy and menopausal. Women who have not been diagnosed with ADHD can feel frustrated and disappointed by their performance at work or in relationships.

Women who suffer from ADHD are unable to complete daily tasks like chores and grocery shopping difficult. They might have a difficult finding the time to remember to empty the garbage or switch off the stove, and they are easily distracted by the smallest things around them. They might also struggle with monotonous tasks like washing dishes or folding laundry. The monotonous or repetitive chores can become exhausting which can lead to impulsive behavior like excessive talk or sharing. The impulsivity that is associated with ADHD can also lead women to make impulsive decisions and depend on unhealthy coping strategies such as alcohol or drugs.

If you are having difficulty working through tasks, suffer from memory problems, procrastinate chronically or are experiencing relationship issues It is crucial to seek professional assistance for ADHD. A proper diagnosis can improve your quality of life and set you up for success in your professional and personal lives. It can assist you in managing your ADHD symptoms and create strategies to deal with the symptoms. You can minimize lapses of concentration and attention by adhering to a set schedule using a planner, or a reminder apps, making notes during meetings, and maintaining good sleeping habits. Exercise can also help you focus because it increases the levels of brain neurotransmitters.

3. Difficulty Remembering Names

Difficulty remembering names can go hand-in-hand with other ADHD symptoms such as difficulties following directions and difficulty finishing projects. This is due to the difficulty of organizing and prioritizing tasks, which hinders information retrieval. ADHD symptoms in adulthood is more likely to occur when there is a period of stress, fatigue or hormonal changes.

The feeling of forgetting names can be more frustrating when it's accompanied by a feeling of forgetfulness about larger items like appointments, events, or personal reminders. These lapses can also be caused by depression or anxiety that are often associated with ADHD in women.

Due to gender perceptions and internalized symptoms ADHD is often misdiagnosed by women. Inattentive ADHD symptoms are more subtle than hyperactive/impulsive symptoms, making them harder to detect and identify. This means that they are often not identified and not referred for treatment and diagnosis.

In addition there is discrimination based on gender since the disorder is often be viewed as a condition that affects boys. Boys with hyperactivity are the ones most often taken to clinics and assessed for treatment. Coupled with internalized stigmas and the fact that women's symptoms often appear different from men's as well, a lot of professionals fail to recognize or treat ADHD in women.

It's becoming more commonplace for women to be diagnosed with ADHD in adulthood. A diagnosis can improve relationships and set you up for success at school and at work, and provide the support you need to excel in your life. Talk to an Salience Health provider if you're interested in getting diagnosed. We can assess your symptoms using tools like Creyos Cognitive Testing and Brainview Advanced and connect you with a therapist who's the right fit for you.

4. Difficulty Appearing Aloof

Women suffering from ADHD might exhibit subtle signs of inattention. They might forget to complete chores at home, miss appointments, or have trouble taking notes. They may also struggle with impulsivity and trouble understanding social boundaries. This could lead to misinterpretation and misunderstandings in relationships with family and friends, and it can lead to feelings of loneliness and disconnection.

Women with untreated ADHD may also have trouble fulfilling the expectations of society as women. They might struggle with the burden of caring for children and household chores, and this social pressure can intensify their ADHD symptoms and feelings of inadequacy. If not treated, ADHD can cause low self-esteem in women. They may turn to unhealthy methods of coping, like binge eating and watching marathons on TV.

The difficulties of ADHD for women can be compounded by gender discrimination in the way girls and women are viewed, and how clinicians evaluate them. Some research suggests that women and girls tend to hide or compensate for their ADHD symptoms, and could be less likely to be referred for treatment and diagnosis than boys and men.

Another challenge is that women with ADHD may be unable to recognize their own symptoms, and they might confuse them with depression or anxiety. This can contribute to a false diagnosis as well as delay or ineffective treatment.

The signs of ADHD can vary with hormone changes, and they are most evident during the ovulation cycle and during menstrual cycles, pregnancy or menopausal. These changes can intensify a woman's frustration with her ADHD symptoms, and they can increase the risk of being misinterpreted or dismissed as moody or emotional.


5. Impulsivity

Women are also susceptible to the impulsivity that is associated with ADHD. They may also struggle with controlling their emotions and are prone to "foot in mouth" moments. These actions that are impulsive can have a big impact on relationships and professional life.

The brain part that controls the process of decision-making and reasoning is known as the prefrontal cortex. This area can prevent individuals from making poor choices because it acts as a safeguard. The people who suffer from ADHD have less functioning prefrontal cortex. This makes it difficult for them to resist urges or stop themselves from engaging in reckless or harmful behavior. It can also result in an absence of self-esteem. Women's impulsiveness is often manifested as an inability to maintain social boundaries and self-control in conversations (interrupting others, finishing their sentences, and talking too much).

Women also have issues with control of impulses when hormones change. Estrogen fluctuates naturally at different times throughout the menstrual cycle, during pregnancy, childbirth and menopausal. Oral contraception and hormone therapy used during menopausal or perimenopausal periods can alter estrogen levels and other hormones which could affect the woman's ADHD.

ADHD symptoms in girls and women may differ from those in males and boys. This is why they are often not properly diagnosed. Many adults with ADHD are unaware of their condition. The good news is, the diagnosis and treatment of ADHD at any age can improve the quality of life for the person. Speak to your doctor if you're unsure if you have ADHD. They will give you suggestions. Treatment options include medication, cognitive therapy and couples counseling.