Blog entry by Shella Howse
ADHD Symptoms in Adult Females
While ADHD affects both genders equally throughout adulthood, it often is not recognized in females. This is probably due to gender stereotyping and the ability females to hide their symptoms.
Many healthcare professionals lack the knowledge and experience to identify ADHD in women. Many women adhd checklist are not diagnosed correctly and don't receive the treatment they require.
1. Disorganization
Women and girls with ADHD can struggle with disorganization. This condition is difficult to manage. For instance your desk could be a jumble of unruly papers, 17 different chapsticks, or a ticket to the Kings of Leon concert you went to in 2008. And while you spend money on products that promise to help you stay organized your office and home are likely to remain messy and chaotic.
Inability to keep the track of your tasks can lead to missed deadlines and appointments. In addition, you could struggle with a concept called "time blindness," which means you can't remember or understand the amount of time it takes to finish the task. This can cause you to feel frustrated and like you're not doing a great enough job at your job, or even your personal life.
You may also be having trouble managing your emotions, which could cause you to react too quickly in stressful situations. Your high-speed verbal communication can create misunderstandings and miscommunications with your loved ones and coworkers, and you might say things that hurt others' feelings without meaning to. Since impulsivity is a common trait for people with ADHD it is possible that you will find it difficult to resist saying things before thinking them through.
If you have ADHD it is possible that some of your symptoms are rooted in gender stereotypes or beliefs about how women, men and boys should behave. This makes it difficult to recognize and treat ADHD.
You could also benefit from a treatment for behavioral issues to address the root cause of your disorder. Although it might take some time to find the appropriate coping strategies, implementing these strategies can assist you in feeling more in control of your life as well as improve relationships with your family, friends, and coworkers.
2. Impulsivity
People who suffer from ADHD are often overwhelmed by intense emotions however their brains do not have a way to filter or assess them. This means they can get overwhelmed by one setback or struggle to assess the mood of their peers. It can also make it easier for them to be distracted by minor inconveniences like the book that's out of stock or a friend who's late to spin class.
Many women with ADHD mask their symptoms and devise strategies to cope with their attention issues. They may be highly conscientious or an obsessive at work or school and have difficulty keeping the track of appointments, bills, or important dates. They might also struggle with self-control and verbal control. They may also 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 an abrupt desire to stop, start or alter activities; being unable to wait for your turn during a conversation and difficulty in interpreting social signals (like facial expressions or body language).
While gender-based stereotypes can contribute to the development of ADHD however, it's often difficult to determine if women suffer from these issues. The scales of rating used to identify adhd assessment for women symptoms are still geared towards male behavior. Some healthcare professionals might misunderstand a woman's ADHD symptoms.
Many women suffering from adhd in middle aged women (https://www.play56.net/home.php?mod=space&uid=3703097) have reported that their symptoms worsen when hormonal changes occur, such as during menstruation, pregnancy, and perimenopause. This can cause emotional symptoms like frustration or irritability as well as depression. They may also experience an ongoing feeling of dissatisfaction in their relationships or lives. This can contribute to the use of drugs, low self-esteem and unhealthy coping strategies. This is the reason it's so important for women to realize that these symptoms are not a reflection of their value or worth as an individual. The good news is that, with a well-planned treatment program, these symptoms can be reduced or even eliminated.
3. Attention
ADHD is characterized by a high frequency signs of add in adult women these symptoms. While everyone struggles to focus and pay attention at times the frequency of these symptoms is so high that they can impede your day-to-day life. You may make careless errors at work or at school, or miss appointments or spend a large amount of time putting off tasks. You have a difficult time waiting your turn in conversations and are often interrupted by other people.
Adults who aren't attentive can be prone to rush into projects before having a complete plan and research them. This leads to incomplete results or subpar ones. You may also get distracted easily and tend to abandon projects that are not finished -- from the vegetable garden that got planted, but never watered, to the new system of organization that got assembled and then left to gather dust on your nightstand.
People with inattentive ADHD have trouble focusing at home and at work. You might have difficulty finding important documents keys, bills or keys and frequently lose things. You may also lose the track of time and end up running late for work, meetings or school.
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 with these issues might perform actions or words without considering the impact. For example they might be rude to others or make nonsensical noises in solitude. They are unable to sit still and can move around or get out of their seats. They might have trouble keeping the job they have, and are in frequent disagreements with their colleagues and their manager.
In some cases the mood swings or emotional distress caused by ADHD may lead to frustration in relationships and misunderstandings. This is particularly true in romantic relationships and at work. People who suffer from ADHD are also more likely to suffer from comorbid conditions, such as depression, anxiety or bipolar disorder.
Women and girls with adhd in women test may face many difficulties when seeking treatment. These include gender bias, a tendency to hide symptoms or minimize their severity, as well as gender bias. The rise of high-profile women like Mia Freedman and Em Rusciano who have spoken out about their own struggles with ADHD has raised awareness, however many young women and girls do not know they have the condition.
4. Anxiety
An anxiety disorder is characterised by a constant, excessive anxiety. Although everyone feels anxious or nervous at times, anxiety disorders are characterized by persistently high levels of anxiety. You might experience a constant feeling of unease or anxiety, a fast heartbeat, difficulty staying calm and difficulty thinking clearly. You might also have an increased sense of danger even in situations that aren't likely to be dangerous to you. The most frequent types of anxiety are general anxiety disorder, phobias and agoraphobia as well as separation anxiety, panic disorders and selective mutism.
Anxiety is more common in women suffering from ADHD compared to men. It is more likely to be exacerbated during certain life events, such as menstrual cycles, pregnancy, or perimenopause. This can make it difficult for women to handle everyday tasks and social interactions, and can lead to feelings such as low self-esteem or discontent.
You're highly sensitive to rejection and have a tough to accept criticism. You are prone to misinterpret feedback, or even anticipate rejection and you may be angry about minor things that others do not see as an issue with.
Mood swings are also one of the symptoms of adhd in women who are older, and you might be able to notice that your moods are unstable or difficult to control. You could also be susceptible to non-suicidal self-injury like hitting, burning or scratching yourself.
If you're struggling with any of the above symptoms, it's important to receive a diagnosis. It will help you comprehend the challenges you're facing, and give you strategies to improve the quality of your life. You can take an ADHD test online, or talk to your doctor to get a professional assessment. In certain instances, your doctor might prescribe medication to help alleviate your symptoms. In some cases your doctor may suggest the combination of lifestyle changes and cognitive behavior therapy. In any case, it's important to change your lifestyle as quickly as possible. This will allow you to regain control of your life, and make you feel more confident and capable.