What's Holding Back The Adult Female ADHD Symptoms Industry?
ADHD Symptoms in Adult Females
While ADHD affects both genders equally throughout adulthood, the condition often goes undiagnosed in females. This is probably due to gender stereotypes and the ability of females to mask their symptoms.
Many healthcare professionals aren't equipped and experience to recognize ADHD in women. This means that many women are misdiagnosed prior to receiving the treatment they require.
1. Disorganization
Women and girls with ADHD are often plagued by disorganization. This condition is difficult to manage. Your desk, for example might be a mess of papers, 17 different chapsticks and a ticket from the Kings of Leon show you attended in 2008. As you purchase products that claim to aid in your organization, your home and office are likely to remain chaotic and messy.
Inability to keep the track of your tasks can cause you to miss deadlines and appointments. In addition, you could be struggling with a concept known as "time blindness," which means you aren't able to remember or comprehend how much time it takes to complete a task. This can cause you to be in a state of discontent and feeling as if you're not doing an adequate job in your work or personal life, particularly when it seems like other people don't value your efforts.
There is a possibility that you have trouble controlling your emotions. This can lead you to react excessively when confronted by stressful situations. Your rapid verbal communication may create misunderstandings and miscommunications with your loved ones and coworkers, and you might say things that hurt the feelings of others without meaning to. You may also have trouble stopping yourself from speaking before you think things through, since it is common for those with ADHD.
If you suffer from ADHD, it's likely that some of your symptoms are rooted in gender stereotypes and cultural ideas regarding how men, boys, and women should act. This makes it more difficult for you to recognize and treat your ADHD.
You could also benefit from behavioral treatment to address the root cause of your disorder. It might take time to find the best coping strategies, but implementing them can help you feel in control of your life and improve your relationships with family, colleagues, and friends.
2. Impulsivity
People who suffer from ADHD have intense emotions. However, their brains are not able to filter them or analyze them. This means they may be overwhelmed by a single incident or struggle to accurately assess the mood of their peers. This makes them more prone to being distracted by minor issues such as an out of stock book or a shaky friend.
Many women suffering from ADHD manage their attention issues by hiding symptoms and developing coping strategies. They could be perfectionists or extremely meticulous at school or work but struggle to keep on top of important dates, deadlines and appointments. They may also have trouble with self-control in speech and speak too much, interrupt others often, or ramble 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 the sudden urge to begin or stop activities. They also include being unable to wait for your turn in a conversation, and experiencing difficulty in interpreting social cues.
Although gender-based stereotypes can play a role in the development of ADHD but it's not always easy to recognize when a woman has these issues. Rating scales that are used to determine ADHD symptoms are still skewed toward male behavior and some health experts may be misinformed or underestimate a woman's symptoms.
Many women with ADHD say that their symptoms get worse when hormonal changes occur, such as during menstruation or pregnancy, as well as perimenopausal. This can cause emotional symptoms such as frustration and irritability, or depression. They may also experience a persistent sense of dissatisfaction with their lives or relationships. This can contribute to depression, substance abuse and unhealthy coping habits. This is why it's crucial for women to recognize that these symptoms aren't a reflection of their value or worth as an individual. With a good treatment plan, you can improve or even eliminate these symptoms.
3. Attention
Although everyone has trouble paying attention and focusing at times, with ADHD, these symptoms occur often enough that they cause disruption with your daily life. You could make a few mistakes at work or at school, miss appointments or spend a good deal of time procrastinating. You can't be patient and not interrupt others in conversations.
Inattentive symptoms in adults can be accompanied by the tendency to get involved in projects without properly planning and analyzing them, which can result in incomplete or subpar results. You might also get side-tracked easily and have a tendency to leave projects unfinished -for example, from the vegetable garden that was planted but never watered to the new organizational system that got assembled and then left to gather dust on your nightstand.
People who have inattention ADHD struggle with chronic disorganization at home and at work. You may have difficulty finding important documents such as keys or bills, and also lose items frequently. You could be unable to keep your track of time and become late for school, work 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. People who suffer from these conditions may perform actions or words without considering the consequences. For example they may be rude to others or make a lot of nonsensical noises in solitude. They might have difficulty sitting still and adjusting their seats or at a fast pace. They may have difficulty maintaining the job they have, and are in frequent disputes with their coworkers and their manager.
In certain instances, mood swings or emotional stress caused by ADHD can cause frustration in relationships and misunderstandings. This is particularly true in relationships with partners as well as at work. People who suffer from ADHD are also more likely to have comorbid conditions, such as depression, anxiety, or bipolar disorder.
Women and girls with ADHD are often faced with a range of difficulties in seeking diagnosis and treatment that include gender bias and a tendency to conceal their symptoms or minimize the severity of their symptoms. The rise of high-profile women like Mia Freedman and Em Rusciano who have shared their personal struggles with ADHD has increased awareness, however many young women and girls do not know they have the disorder.
4. Anxiety
Although many people feel anxious or nervous from time to the other, persistently high anxiety is a sign of an anxiety disorder. You might experience a constant sense of unease, fear, or anxiety, as well as a rapid pulse, difficulty maintaining calm, and having trouble thinking clearly. You may also feel a sense of danger in situations that you know are not dangerous. The most commonly encountered types of anxiety include general anxiety disorder, phobias, agoraphobia as well as panic disorders, separation anxiety and selective Mutism.
Anxiety is more prevalent in women with ADHD than men. It tends worsen around certain life events, such as menstrual cycle, pregnancy, or perimenopause. This makes it more difficult to manage daily tasks and social interactions, and can cause feelings of low self-esteem and a general feeling of discontent with your life.
You're highly sensitive to rejection and have a hard to accept criticism. You are prone to misinterpret feedback, or even anticipate rejection. You might get annoyed by small things that others don't see an issue with.
Mood swings may also be a sign of adult adhd in women. You might notice that you experience erratic emotions or are unable to manage these. You might also be prone to self-injury that is not suicidal, such as scratching, burning or hitting yourself.
If you're experiencing any of the above symptoms, it's essential to receive a diagnosis. It can help you understand the challenges you're facing, and offer you strategies to improve the quality of your life. You can take an online ADHD test, or go to your doctor for a thorough evaluation. In certain cases a doctor might prescribe medication to ease your symptoms. In other instances, they might recommend a combination of lifestyle changes and cognitive behavioral therapy. In any case, it's important to change your lifestyle as quickly as possible.
More will help you gain control of your life and feel more confident and capable.