ADHD Symptoms in Adult Women
Women who aren't diagnosed with ADHD may have issues at workplace or in relationships. It is crucial to recognize the symptoms of ADHD and seek a treatment that works for you.
Symptoms of ADHD in adults are more likely to be the inattentive type than hyperactivity/impulsive. Being diagnosed with the right diagnosis can aid in improving your life by addressing your symptoms and focusing on what matters most.
1. Trouble paying attention
Women may be struggling with their inability to pay attention to details, remember appointments and deadlines or underestimate the time it will take to complete a task. They may also be unable to keep track of their responsibilities in their relationships or at work and are easily distracted and aren't able to keep promises. They may also have a tendency to be impulsive, have trouble managing their emotions, and blurt out thoughts without thinking them through.
It is important to be aware of and treat symptoms of ADHD in women of adulthood. Inability to focus can lead to problems with relationships and friendships. Women may find it difficult to make new acquaintances, or they may struggle in their relationships, with recurring fights and missed opportunities for fun and being neglected. Women also may find it difficult to balance the demands of home, work and childcare.
It's not easy for health professionals and therapists alike, to identify ADHD in many people. But that doesn't mean that it's not real or that the person needs to do more to remain on track. The diagnosis is based on how the symptoms affect everyday functioning across a variety of aspects of life.
It is more common for women to exhibit inattention symptoms - as opposed to hyperactive or impulsive symptoms and that could help explain why this population often goes undiagnosed. Many women suffering from ADHD are also embarrassed of their symptoms because they don't fit the stereotypes of ADHD. This makes it harder for those with ADHD to seek help or receive treatment.
Certain women with ADHD are not diagnosed for a prolonged period of time because they are unable to hide their symptoms and manage. They are more likely to be suffering from comorbidities, such as anxiety or depression that can cover up the symptoms of ADHD. They are also more likely to experience hormonal fluctuations that can cause their symptoms to flare up or fade away, for instance during menstrual cycles or pregnancy, as well as perimenopausal.
2. Problems with Organization
Disorganization, forgetfulness, impulsivity, and emotional dysregulation are common ADHD symptoms that women suffer from. These symptoms can make it difficult for them to manage daily tasks, keep up with their obligations and maintain relationships. They may also have low self-esteem or experience anxiety. Women with undiagnosed ADHD often feel like they're not meeting societal expectations and have a harder time keeping up with their peers in terms of academic achievement as well as job performance and social connections.
ADHD in women can manifest as hyperfocus, procrastination or forgetfulness. These issues can cause women to skip appointments, not pay bills on time, and feel overwhelmed. Hyperfocus can lead to a lack of attention to other important activities and a lack of sense of time, which can make it difficult to switch from one activity to another. Procrastination can also result in an increase in anxiety, stress and the constant feeling of being behind.
Communication issues, both verbal and nonverbal, are another common symptom of ADHD. This could include a lot of talking and interrupting other people or uttering inappropriate phrases. It can also include an inability to wait his or her turn or difficulty recognizing social boundaries. It is important to keep in mind that these behaviors don't necessarily mean an absence of intelligence or ability.
Many women suffering from ADHD come up with strategies to mask their symptoms. This can have both positive and negative effects. Some of these coping strategies might be healthy. For example keeping a daily calendar or making reminders for important dates. Some aren't for example, using alcohol and drugs to hide symptoms or ignoring them altogether. It is therefore important that women who suspect they be suffering from ADHD seek out professional help.
Women suffering from ADHD might benefit from medications, lifestyle changes or therapy as well as other treatment options. Some of these include cognitive behavioral therapy to deal with negative thoughts and beliefs, mindfulness and relaxation techniques and exercise and a balanced diet and a sufficient amount of sleep. A health care provider may also recommend adjustments that will make school or work more manageable.
3. Disruptive Behaviors
Women who suffer from ADHD might struggle with emotional dysregulation. In the end, they are often frustrated and discouraged when their problems aren't resolved. This can make it difficult to maintain relationships with friends, romantic partners, and co-workers. For example, forgetfulness or impulsivity may cause confusion or frustration in romantic relations and can cause feelings such as depression or loneliness. Additionally the desire to find thrills on the spur of the moment could be misinterpreted as a lack of interest or indifference by others.
These are the reasons why ADHD symptoms for girls and women are often missed or underdiagnosed. It is possible that they fail to recognize their struggles due to ADHD due to stereotypes and social norms regarding gender and sexuality.
Women and girls with ADHD might conceal their symptoms to avoid embarrassment. This can result in them being referred for diagnosis less frequently than boys and men who have similar symptoms. This disparity could be due to gender bias in research that informs the diagnosis criteria. In a recent study Hartung and Widiger discovered that women and girls are more likely to be unidentified and under-diagnosed than men and boys with similar ADHD symptoms. This could be due to the fact that doctors are taught to see hyperactive and aggressive ADHD symptoms as more common to boys and men and can make them more easily identified and referred for assessment.
In adults, ADHD symptoms can manifest as restlessness or difficulty relaxing. These are common symptoms of ADHD however, as we age they can have a profound impact on the quality of life and well-being. People suffering from ADHD might feel anxious or find it difficult to stay still. This is especially the case when they're anxious or stressed. They also tend to fidget, and are often overly talking. They frequently interrupt or end other people's sentences without even realizing they are being rude.
If you think you may be suffering from ADHD, you can be recommended to a psychiatrist by your GP or psychologist. Or, extreme ADHD symptoms adults can self-refer. This content was reviewed by Madeline Dykes (clinical psychologist) as well as members of the Thriving Madly network in Christchurch in October 2024. The content was updated in November 2022.
4. Problems with Social Skills
Women suffering from ADHD may have trouble communicating effectively or manage their emotions in the workplace. This can lead to issues that can hinder personal relationships and professional goals. For example, they might have trouble recognizing and responding to feedback, which can result in frustration and displeasure. They also may struggle to maintain healthy eating and sleeping habits, which can increase feelings of anxiety. Women with ADHD use unhealthy coping methods to deal with their issues. This includes eating disorders, addiction to substances and non-suicidal harming oneself (NSSI) such as cutting, burning or scratching.
Women who suffer from ADHD might have a harder time get help as adults than males, because they tend mask their symptoms. In order to make themselves acceptable to society and meet expectations, they usually develop coping mechanisms. This could make it more difficult to be recognized by others as having ADHD symptoms. These coping strategies can be as simple as setting reminders and creating lists, or they could be more complex, such as being able to manage their emotions or developing mindful techniques.
However, these coping methods can backfire and make symptoms worse. They can also make it difficult to achieve good sleep, which is essential in managing ADHD symptoms. Women who suffer from ADHD may also feel overwhelmed by the demands of daily life, which can cause ADHD symptoms.
It's true that boys are more likely to be diagnosed with ADHD than girls. However, the gap narrows as they get older. This is because it's common for women to experience a variety of symptoms throughout their lives, which may lead to the diagnosis at various times.
Changing hormone levels can also influence ADHD symptoms in women. For instance when they have high levels of estrogen during pregnancy, their symptoms might improve. Higher levels of estrogen regulate brain chemicals that influence the ability to focus. If their estrogen levels drop due to perimenopausal or age, ADHD symptoms may worsen.
It's now possible for adults with ADHD to receive an accurate diagnosis and access effective treatment. This includes cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and neurocognitive psychotherapy, which will help people with ADHD build essential skills to improve their everyday functioning. Additionally, they can join support groups for ADHD to share their experiences with others with similar experiences and gain valuable insights from their peers.