15 Reasons You Shouldn't Overlook Adult Female ADHD Symptoms
ADHD Symptoms in Adult Females Although ADHD affects both genders equally throughout adulthood, the condition often goes undiagnosed in females. This could be due to gender stereotypes and the capability of females to conceal their symptoms. Many healthcare professionals lack the knowledge and experience to identify ADHD in women. Many women are misdiagnosed and do not receive the treatment they need. 1. Disorganization Girls and women who suffer from ADHD have trouble coordinating. This disorder can be difficult to manage. For instance your desk might be a mess of muddled papers, 17 chapsticks, and a ticket for the Kings of Leon concert you attended in 2008. As you purchase products that claim to keep you organized your office and home may still be chaotic and messy. Your inability to keep track of your work can result in missed appointments and forgotten deadlines. You may also experience “time blindness,” where you don't recall or know how long it takes to finish the task. This can cause you to feel frustrated and feel like you're not doing a good enough job in your career, or even your personal life. There is a possibility that you have trouble managing your emotions. This can lead you to react too quickly when confronted with stressful situations. Your fast-paced verbal communication could create misunderstandings and miscommunications with family members and coworkers, and you may make comments that hurt others' feelings without even knowing. You might also have difficulty stopping yourself from speaking before you have thought things through, as the tendency to be impulsive is common among those with ADHD. If you have ADHD it's likely that some of your symptoms are rooted in gender stereotypes and cultural ideas regarding how men, boys and women should behave. adhd in women checklist makes it difficult to diagnose and treat ADHD. In addition to being diagnosed you may also require a behavioral therapy program to tackle the root of your disorder. While it could take some time to identify the right coping mechanisms using these strategies, they can make you feel more in control of your life as well as improve relationships with your family and friends as well as coworkers. 2. Impulsivity People with ADHD are prone to intense emotions. However their brains aren't capable of separating them from or evaluate them. This means they may be overwhelmed by a single incident or have difficulty being able to assess the emotional state of others. This makes them more prone to being distracted by small inconveniences, such as an out of stock book or a shaky friend. Many women suffering from ADHD manage their attention difficulties by masking symptoms and developing coping strategies. They could be perfectionists, or extremely attentive at school or at work however, they have trouble keeping track of important dates, deadlines, and appointments. They may also struggle with verbal self control and speak too much or interrupt others frequently. 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. The symptoms include a sudden desire to begin, stop or alter activities; being unable to wait for your turn during a conversation and having trouble reading social cues (like facial expressions or body language). While gender-based stereotypes may influence the development of ADHD, it's not always easy to recognize when a woman has these issues. Rating scales used to identify 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 who suffer from ADHD also say that their symptoms get more severe during times of hormonal changes, such as during menstrual cycles or pregnancy, or perimenopausal (the run-up to menopause). This can intensify emotional symptoms and trigger a lot of feelings of frustration, irritability, or depression. They might also experience a persistent feeling of dissatisfaction in their relationships or lives. This can cause self-esteem issues, substance abuse or unhealthy ways of coping. This is why it's important for women to realize that these signs aren't an indication of their worth or worth as an individual. With a well-planned treatment plan, you can improve or even eliminate these symptoms. 3. Attention ADHD is often characterized by a higher frequency of these symptoms. While everyone struggles to focus and pay attention at times and in a variety of ways, they are so frequent that they can disrupt your everyday life. You could make a few mistakes at work or at school, miss appointments or spend a large amount of time putting off tasks. You can't wait your turn and interrupt others in conversations. Adults who are not attentive may also have a tendency to rush into projects before thoroughly planning them and researching them. This leads to incomplete results or poor ones. It is also possible to get lost quickly and tend to abandon projects that are not finished — from the vegetable garden that was planted but never watered to the new organizational system which was erected and put aside to dust on your nightstand. People with inattention ADHD are also plagued by a chronic feeling of disorganization, both in their workplaces and at home. You may have difficulty finding important documents keys, bills or keys and frequently lose things. You may also forget to keep your track of time and become late for school, work or for 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 issues may say or do things without considering the consequences. For instance, they might speak over other people or make unintentional noises when they are alone. They might be unable to sit still, and may flitter around in their chair or move. They may have difficulty maintaining a job and might have frequent disagreements with coworkers and managers. In certain instances, mood swings or emotional distress caused by ADHD may lead to frustration in relationships and misunderstandings. This is especially true in romantic relationships as well as at work. People who suffer from ADHD also have a higher likelihood of having comorbid conditions such as bipolar disorder, depression or anxiety disorder. Girls and women with ADHD are likely to face many challenges when seeking treatment. These include gender discrimination as well as a tendency to cover up symptoms or undervalue their severity, and gender bias. The rise of famous women such as Mia Freedman and Em Rusciano who have shared their struggles with ADHD has raised awareness, but many young women and girls do not know they have the condition. 4. Anxiety An anxiety disorder is characterized by a constant, excessive anxiety. While everyone is anxious or nervous at times, anxiety disorders are characterized by persistently high levels of anxiety. You may experience a constant feeling of unease or fear, a rapid heartbeat, trouble keeping at peace and having difficulty focusing. There is also a sense of danger in situations that you know aren't risky. The most common types of anxiety are general anxiety disorder, agoraphobia and separation anxiety, as well as panic disorders. Anxiety is more common among women suffering from ADHD than men, and it tends to worsen during certain times of a woman's life like the time of her menstrual cycle and pregnancy or perimenopausal. This makes it more difficult to manage everyday activities and social interactions and can cause feelings of low self-esteem and general dissatisfaction with your life. You're extremely sensitive to rejection and have a hard time accepting criticism. You are prone to misinterpret feedback, or even anticipating rejection and you may be angry about minor things that others do not see as a problem with. Mood swings are also one of the adult female adhd symptoms and you could discover that your mood is unpredictable or difficult to manage. You could also be susceptible to self-injury that isn't suicidal, such as scratching, burning or hitting yourself. If you're experiencing any of the above symptoms, it's important to receive a diagnosis. It can help you understand the issues you're facing, and give you strategies to improve your quality of life. You can take an online ADHD test, or visit your doctor for a professional assessment. In some cases, your doctor might prescribe medication to alleviate your symptoms. In certain instances, your doctor may recommend an amalgamation of lifestyle changes and cognitive behavior therapy. In any scenario, it's essential to start making some positive changes in your life as soon as you can. This can help you gain control over your life and make you feel more productive, confident and competent.