Are You Making The Most Of Your Adult Female ADHD Symptoms?
ADHD Symptoms in Adult Females Although ADHD affects both genders equally in adulthood, the condition typically isn't recognized by females. This is likely due to gender stereotyping and the capability females to hide their symptoms. Many healthcare professionals lack the experience or knowledge to detect ADHD in women. Many females are misdiagnosed and fail to receive the care they require. 1. Disorganization Girls and women with ADHD often struggle with disorganization, which can be very difficult to manage. Your desk, for instance might be a mess of papers, 17 different chapsticks, and tickets from the Kings of Leon show you attended in 2008. As you spend money on products that promise to keep you organized, your home and office probably still feel chaotic and messy. Your inability to stay on top of your responsibilities can result in missing deadlines and appointments. You might also struggle with “time blindness,” where you don't know or remember the time it takes to finish an assignment. This can leave you frustrated and feeling like you're not doing a great job in your work or personal life, especially when you feel like other people don't value your efforts. You may also have difficulty controlling your emotions, which could make you overreact in stressful situations. Your rapid verbal communication may cause confusion and miscommunications with your loved ones and colleagues, and you might say things that hurt the feelings of others without even knowing. You might also have difficulty stopping yourself from speaking before you have thought things through, since it is common for people suffering from ADHD. If you suffer from ADHD it's possible that a portion of your symptoms are rooted in gender stereotypes or beliefs about how women, men, and boys should behave. This makes it more difficult for you to identify and treat your ADHD. You could also benefit from a behavioral therapy to address the underlying causes of your disorder. It could take some time to discover the most effective coping strategies, but implementing them can help you feel more in control of your life and improve your relationships with family, coworkers, and other friends. 2. Impulsivity People who suffer from ADHD frequently experience intense emotions however their brains don't have a good way to filter or assess them. This means that they could be overwhelmed by a single setback or find it hard to discern the mood of their peers. This also makes them more susceptible to being distracted by minor inconveniences like an out of stock book or a shaky friend. Many women suffering from ADHD overcome their attention issues by hiding symptoms and developing coping strategies. They could be perfectionists or extremely attentive at school or work however, they have trouble keeping the track of important dates, bills and appointments. They may also have trouble with verbal self-restraint and talk excessively, 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 a sudden urge to start, stop or change activities and being unable to hold your turn in conversation; and having trouble reading social cues (like facial expressions or body language). Although gender-based stereotypes can play a role in the development of ADHD however, it's sometimes difficult to recognize when women suffer from these issues. Rating scales that are used to determine ADHD symptoms are still biased toward male behavior, and some healthcare experts may be misinformed or underestimate a woman's symptoms. Many women with ADHD also note that their symptoms tend to become more severe during periods of hormonal changes, for example during the menstrual cycle, pregnancy, or perimenopause (the menopausal transition). This can trigger emotions such as anger or irritability as well as depression. They may also feel a persistent feeling of unsatisfaction with their relationships or lives. This can contribute to the use of drugs, low self-esteem, and unhealthy coping behaviors. It's important that women understand that these symptoms do not show their worth or value as human beings. The positive side is that with a solid treatment plan these symptoms can be reduced or even eliminated. 3. Inattention ADHD is often characterized by a higher frequency of these symptoms. While everyone struggles to concentrate and pay attention at certain times the frequency of these symptoms is so high that they can interfere with your day-to-day life. You might make mistakes at school or work and forget appointments, or spend many hours putting off work. You can't stand in line and interrupt others in conversations. Adults who are inattentive can be prone to get caught up in projects before fully planning them and researching them. This can lead to poor results or even subpar ones. You could also get easily distracted and leave projects unfinished. adhd symptoms in adult women could be an unwatered vegetable garden planted but never watered, or a brand new organization system you put together and then put on your nightstand to collect dust. People with inattention ADHD struggle with chronic disorganization at home and in the workplace. It is possible that you have trouble finding important documents, keys or bills and also lose items frequently. You could also forget to keep the track of time and end up late for work, school 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. Women with these symptoms may make decisions or conduct actions without considering the impact. For example they might talk over others or make nonsensical noises when alone. They are unable to sit still and might move around or get out of their seats. They might be unable to keep a job, and have frequent disagreements with their colleagues and supervisor. In some cases the mood swings or emotional distress caused by ADHD may lead to frustration in relationships and misunderstandings. This is especially the case when it comes to romantic relationships and at work. People with ADHD also are more likely being afflicted with comorbid conditions, such as bipolar disorder, depression or anxiety disorder. Girls and women who suffer from ADHD may face many difficulties when seeking treatment. These include gender discrimination and a tendency to conceal symptoms or underestimate their severity, as well as gender bias. High-profile women such as Em Rusciano and Mia Freedman who have spoken out about their struggles with ADHD have contributed to raising awareness. However, a lot of young women and girls aren't aware of it. 4. Anxiety An anxiety disorder is defined by persistently excessive anxiety. Although everyone feels anxious or nervous from time to time, anxiety disorders are characterized by persistently high levels of anxiety. You might experience an uneasy feeling, fear, or anxiety and also a rapid pulse, difficulty being calm, and trouble thinking clearly. You might also feel a sense of danger in situations you know aren't dangerous. The most frequent types of anxiety are general anxiety disorder, phobias and agoraphobia, separation anxiety, panic disorders and selective mutism. Anxiety is more prevalent in women with ADHD as compared to men. It can be worsened by certain life events like menstruation or pregnancy, or perimenopausal. This can make it difficult for women to deal with everyday tasks and social interaction and may lead to feelings such as low self-esteem or unsatisfaction. You're extremely sensitive to rejection and have a tough to accept criticism. You are prone to misinterpret feedback, or even anticipate rejection and you can get angry over small things that others don't find an issue with. Mood swings can also be an indication of adhd in women. You might notice that you have unpredictable emotions or are unable to manage them. You might also be prone to self-injury that isn't suicidal, such as striking, burning or scratching yourself. If you're struggling with any of the above symptoms, it's important to establish a clear diagnosis. It will help you comprehend some of the challenges you're facing and provide you strategies to improve the quality of your life. You can take an ADHD test online or consult your physician for an assessment from a professional. In certain cases, a doctor may prescribe medication to alleviate your symptoms. In certain instances your doctor might suggest an amalgamation of lifestyle changes and cognitive behavior therapy. In any case, it's important to make positive changes as soon as possible. This will allow you to regain control of your life and feel more confident and capable.