15 Reasons Why You Shouldn't Overlook Adult Female ADHD Symptoms
ADHD Symptoms in Adult Females The condition is often misdiagnosed by women, even though it affects men and women equally as adults. This is likely due to gender stereotypes and the capability females to hide their symptoms. Many healthcare professionals aren't equipped and experience to identify ADHD in women. Many women are not diagnosed correctly and don't receive the treatment they need. 1. Disorganization Women and girls with ADHD are often plagued by disordered thinking, which can be very difficult to manage. For example your desk could be a mess of muddled papers, 17 different chapsticks, and a ticket to the Kings of Leon concert you went to in 2008. Even if you've purchased a few items to help you organize, your office or home is likely to remain chaotic and messy. Your inability to keep track of your work could result in missing deadlines and appointments. You might also be struggling with “time blindness,” where you don't recall or know how long it takes to finish an assignment. This can cause you to be in a state of discontent and feeling as if you're not doing a good job in your work or in your personal life, particularly when it seems like others don't appreciate your efforts. You might also have trouble controlling your emotions, which can make you overreact in stressful situations. Your high-speed verbal communication can cause confusion and miscommunications with your family and coworkers, and you might say things that hurt others' feelings without meaning to. You may also be having trouble stopping yourself from speaking before you think things through, as it is common for people with ADHD. If you suffer from ADHD it's likely that some of your symptoms are rooted in gender stereotypes and ideas about how men, boys and women should behave. This could make it difficult for you to identify and treat your ADHD. You could also benefit from behavioral treatment to address the root causes of your disorder. While it could take some time to find the appropriate coping strategies, implementing these strategies can help you feel more in control of your life and improve relationships with family friends, coworkers, and other family members. 2. Impulsivity People who suffer from ADHD have intense emotions. However, their brains are not capable of separating them from or evaluate them. This means they may be overwhelmed by a single setback or have difficulty being able to discern the emotional state of other people. It can also make it easier for them to get distracted by minor issues such as the book that's out of stock or a friend who's running late to take a spin class. adult add in women I Am Psychiatry with ADHD conceal their symptoms and devise coping strategies to compensate for their attention issues. They may be highly conscientious or a perfectionist at school or work and have trouble keeping track of appointments or bills, as well as important dates. They might also struggle with verbal self-restraint and frequently interrupt others, talk too much, 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. The symptoms include a sudden desire to stop, start or alter the course of action or activities; not being able to wait your turn in a conversation; and having trouble reading social cues (like facial expressions or body language). Although gender-based stereotypes can contribute to the development of ADHD but it's sometimes difficult to tell if women are suffering from these problems. The rating scales that are used to detect ADHD symptoms still favor male behavior. Some healthcare professionals may misunderstand the woman's ADHD 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 during perimenopausal (the menopausal transition). This can trigger emotional symptoms such as frustration, irritability or depression. They might also experience a persistent feeling of dissatisfaction in their relationships or lives. This could lead to self-esteem issues, substance abuse or unhealthy methods of coping. This is why it's crucial for women to recognize that these signs aren't a reflection of their value or worth as an individual. If you follow a proper treatment strategy, you can lessen or even eliminate these symptoms. 3. Attention ADHD is defined by a high frequency of these symptoms. While everyone struggles to concentrate and pay attention at certain times, they are so frequent that they can disrupt your everyday life. You may make careless errors at work or at school, forget appointments, or spend a great amount of time delaying. You can't stand in line and interrupt others during conversations. Attention deficit symptoms in adults could also include the tendency to get involved in projects without properly planning and researching them, which leads to poor or insufficient results. You may also get distracted quickly and tend to leave projects unfinished — from the vegetable garden that was planted, but never watered, to the new organizational system that was put together and put aside to dust on your nightstand. People who have inattention ADHD have trouble focusing at home and in the workplace. It is possible that you have trouble finding important documents keys, bills or even keys and may lose things on a regular basis. You may also lose your track of time and become late for school, work or 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 who suffer from these conditions may perform actions or words without thinking about the consequences including snoozing over others or making nonsensical sounds when they are on their own. They have difficulty sitting still and can move around or get out of their seats. They might have issues working and may have frequent disagreements with coworkers and managers. In some cases the mood swings or emotional distress caused by ADHD may lead to frustration in relationships and miscommunications. This is especially the case in relationships with partners as well as at work. People with ADHD also are more likely to being afflicted with comorbid conditions, such as depression, anxiety or bipolar disorder. Girls and women who suffer from ADHD may face many difficulties when seeking treatment. These include gender discrimination as well as a tendency to cover up symptoms or undervalue their severity, as well as gender bias. Famous women like Em Rusciano and Mia Freedman who have spoken out about their struggles with ADHD have helped to raise awareness. However, many young women and girls do not know they have it. 4. Anxiety Although most people experience anxiety or anxious from time to moment, a constant and overwhelming anxiety is a sign of an anxiety disorder. You may feel a constant sense of unease, fear, or anxiety, as well as an intense pulse, trouble maintaining calm, and having trouble thinking clearly. You may also feel a heightened sense of danger, even in situations that aren't likely be dangerous for you. The most frequent types of anxiety are general anxiety disorder, agoraphobia, separation anxiety, phobias and panic disorders. Anxiety is more prevalent in women with ADHD than men, and it is more likely to become worse at certain times in the woman's life for instance, during the time of her menstrual period and pregnancy or perimenopausal. This can make it difficult to manage everyday tasks and social interaction and can trigger feelings of low self-esteem or discontent. You are very sensitive to rejection and you have a hard to accept criticism. You are prone to misinterpret feedback, or even anticipate rejection. You might get upset over small issues that other people do not see as an issue with. Mood swings are a part of the adult female adhd symptoms and you may find that your emotions are unpredictable or difficult to control. You may also be susceptible to non-suicidal self-injury, such as striking, burning or scratching yourself. If you're experiencing any of the above symptoms, it's important to establish a clear diagnosis. It can help you know your issues and offer you strategies for improving your quality of living. You can take an ADHD test online, or talk to your doctor to get an assessment from a professional. In certain instances doctors may prescribe medication to alleviate your symptoms. In other cases they may recommend an amalgamation of lifestyle changes and cognitive behavioral therapy. In any case, it's important to make positive changes as soon as possible. This can help you regain control of your life and make you feel more confident and capable.