
ADHD can affect people of all age groups and genders, however it can be more difficult for women to get diagnosed. That's because females often don't exhibit the same level of hyperactivity or impulsivity as men, so they can be overlooked or misdiagnosed.
The first step to manage your symptoms is to get an accurate diagnosis. Adults suffering from ADHD are usually treated with stimulant medications however, there are other options.
1. Problems with Focusing
Women with ADHD can be distracted by a myriad of things, but they also have difficulties being focused on their conversations and tasks especially when they are experiencing emotional or sensory overload. These difficulties can be exacerbated during menstrual cycles.
Women with inattention ADHD have problems with their working memory. This makes it difficult to remember simple things like the dates of appointments or events that are coming up. They may forget where they left their keys in their car or the name of the lady who gave them a ride home from spinning class. They may also forget important dates and deadlines.
Procrastination, and the inability to stick with plans are also signs and symptoms of adhd in adults of ADHD among females of adulthood. They are more likely to get distracted by shiny objects or social networks which makes it difficult to complete their projects and assignments. This can lead to feeling overwhelmed and underperforming at school or at work.
Because of societal ideas about gender, many women suffering from ADHD go undiagnosed. In turn, they experience shame and mistakenly classify their problems as "bad behavior" or "character imperfections". They often feel as if they are a fraud. A diagnosis can be a moment of clarity, providing them with a clear external explanation for their issues and allowing them to accept their own uniqueness.
Untreated combined adhd symptoms for girls and women can cause a range of negative effects, such as problems with academics, behavioral issues as well as family and relationship issues and co-existing mental health issues. A well-constructed diagnosis and treatment plan will enhance the lives of those with adhd diagnosis symptoms at any stage in their lives. Treatment options could include stimulant medication and therapy. *
2. Difficulty Finishing Projects
Women with ADHD often have difficulty completing tasks and duties. They may forget important information, have difficulty shifting between tasks and responsibilities, or find it hard to meet deadlines. They may also be more likely to make careless errors, have difficulty organizing their schedules and managing their time, and underestimate how long they need to finish tasks.
Women with ADHD can find the emotional symptoms of ADHD like mood swings or irritability, particularly difficult. The symptoms of adhd in adult women can be made worse by hormonal changes, such as those that occur during the menstrual cycle or during pregnancy, as well as menopausal. Women with undiagnosed ADHD might feel angry and unhappy in their work performance and in their relationships.
Women with ADHD struggle with managing everyday tasks such as grocery shopping and chores. They might overlook the need to empty the garbage or turn off the stove, and be easily distracted. They may also struggle with repetitive tasks, such as folding dishes or washing the laundry. Simple chores or boring ones can become exhausting, resulting in impulsive behaviors like excessive talk or sharing. The impulsivity of ADHD can also cause women to make unruly decisions and depend on unhealthy coping strategies like alcohol or drugs.
If you're having trouble finishing tasks, have memory issues that cause chronic procrastination or problems with relationships, it is time to seek a professional evaluation for ADHD. A correct diagnosis can enhance your quality of life and assist you in achieving success in your personal and professional life. It can help you manage your ADHD symptoms and develop strategies to deal with them effectively. You can minimize lapses of concentration and attention by adhering to a plan, using a planner or reminder apps, making notes during meetings, and maintaining good sleep hygiene. Exercise can also help you focus as it increases the neurotransmitter levels in your brain.
3. It is difficult to remember names
It is possible that a trouble remembering names might be coupled with other ADHD symptoms, such as difficulty following directions or completing projects. The underlying issue behind the difficulties is a lack of ability to prioritize and organize tasks that affects efficient information retrieval. This condition can get worse during times of stress, fatigue, or hormonal changes, like prior to, during, or after menopausal changes.
Forgetting names can feel even more frustrating if it's accompanied by a feeling of numbness over bigger items, such as appointments and events, or personal reminders. These lapses may be caused by depression or anxiety, which commonly co-occur with ADHD in women.
ADHD is often underdiagnosed in women because of gender bias and internalized symptoms. Inattentive ADHD symptoms are more subtle than hyperactive/impulsive symptoms, making them harder to detect and identify. They are, therefore, under-diagnosed and not referred to doctors to receive treatment and diagnosis.
Additionally, there is gender-based discrimination because the disorder tends to be seen as a condition that is affecting boys. Hyperactive boys are the ones who are most frequently referred to clinics and evaluated for treatment. Coupled with internalized stigmas and the fact that women's symptoms tend to differ from those of men as well, a lot of professionals fail to diagnose or treat ADHD in women.
Fortunately, it's becoming increasingly common for women to receive an ADHD diagnosis in their adulthood. A diagnosis can improve your relationships and set you up for success at school and at work and provide the support you need to thrive in your life. If you are interested in getting diagnosed, speak to an experienced Salience Health provider. We can evaluate your symptoms with tools like Creyos cognitive testing and Brainview Advanced, and connect you with a therapist right for you.
4. Ailoofs with difficulty
Women with ADHD often have inattentive symptoms, and their struggles may seem insignificant to other people. They may skip appointments, neglect to complete chores around the house, or have trouble taking notes at work. They might also have problems with impulsivity and trouble understanding social boundaries. This could lead to misinterpretation and misunderstandings in relationships with friends and family and could result in feelings of loneliness and isolation.
Additionally, women with untreated ADHD often have difficulty meeting societal expectations for them as women. They may struggle with the burden of caring for children and household chores, and this social pressure can exacerbate their ADHD symptoms and feelings of inadequateness. Many women with untreated ADHD suffer from low self-esteem and resort to unhealthy coping strategies such as binge eating or TV marathons.
The challenges of ADHD for women could be amplified by gender discrimination in the way women and girls are viewed as well as how clinicians assess them. Some research suggests that girls and women tend to conceal or minimize their ADHD symptoms, and may be less likely to receive treatment and diagnosis than boys and men.
Women with ADHD may also have trouble understanding their symptoms and could confuse them with mood disorders or anxiety disorders. This can lead to a false diagnosis and delayed or incorrect treatment.
The symptoms of ADHD are influenced by hormone fluctuations, and they are most evident during the ovulation cycle and during menstrual cycles, pregnancy, or menopause. These changes can intensify the woman's frustration over her ADHD symptoms, and could increase the chance of being viewed as moody or emotional.
5. Impulsivity
The impulsivity of ADHD affects both men and boys differently, women experience it too. They can also experience trouble controlling their emotions and could be prone to having "foot-in-mouth" moments. These uncontrollable behaviors can have a major impact on your personal and professional life.
The brain part that regulates the ability to make decisions and reason is known as the prefrontal cortex. This area is able to prevent people from making bad decisions because it acts as a check. ADHD sufferers have less functional prefrontal cortex. This can make it more difficult for them to resist urges and prevent themselves from doing something reckless. It can also result in a lack of self-respect. In women, impulsiveness usually manifests as difficulty with social boundaries and self-control (interrupting, finishing others' sentences, and speaking too much).
Women can also have problems with control of impulses when hormones fluctuate. Estrogen fluctuates at different times throughout the menstrual cycle, pregnancy, childbirth and menopausal cycles. The use of oral contraception and hormone therapy during perimenopause and menopausal cycles can alter the levels of estrogen and other hormones that impact the woman's ADHD symptoms.
The manner in which ADHD symptoms manifest for women and girls may differ from the symptoms of men and boys this is one of the reasons they are often not diagnosed. Many people with ADHD are unaware of their health issues. The good news is that identifying and treating ADHD can help improve the quality of life for anyone at any age. Speak to your doctor if you're unsure whether you suffer from ADHD. They will give you advice. Treatment options include medication, cognitive therapy, and couples counseling.
