The Reasons To Focus On Improving Adult Female ADHD Symptoms
ADHD Symptoms in Adult Females
The condition is often misdiagnosed in women, despite the fact that it affects both men and woman equally as adults. This is probably due to gender stereotyping and the ability of females to mask their symptoms.
Many healthcare professionals lack the experience or knowledge to identify ADHD in women. Many females are not diagnosed correctly and don't receive the care they require.
1. Disorganization
Women and girls with ADHD have trouble coordinating. This disorder can be difficult to manage. Your desk, for example might be a mess of papers, 17 different chapsticks, and even a ticket to the Kings of Leon show you attended in 2008. While you purchase products that claim to aid in your organization your office and home are likely to remain messy and chaotic.
Inability to stay on top of your responsibilities can result in missed deadlines and missed appointments. In addition, you could be struggling with the concept of "time blindness," which means you aren't able to remember or comprehend how much time it takes to finish a task. This can cause you to be in a state of discontent and feeling as if you're not doing a great job in your work or personal life, particularly when it seems that other people don't appreciate your efforts.
You may also be having trouble regulating your emotions, which may make you overreact in stressful situations. You may also say things without intention of hurting people's feelings. You may also be having trouble stopping yourself from speaking before thinking things through, as the tendency to be impulsive is common among those with ADHD.
If you have ADHD it is possible that some of your symptoms stem from gender stereotypes or beliefs about how men, women and boys should behave. This could make it difficult for you to identify and treat your ADHD.
In addition to being diagnosed you may also benefit from behavioral therapy to deal with the root cause of your condition. And although it may take some time to find the appropriate coping strategies, implementing these strategies can make you feel more in control of your life as well as improve relationships with family friends, coworkers, and other family members.
2. Impulsivity
People who suffer from ADHD frequently experience intense emotions, but their brains don't have a method to assess or filter them. This means they can get overwhelmed by a single setback or have difficulty being able to discern the emotional state of other people. This can also make them more prone to be distracted by small inconveniences, such as a book out of stock or an unreliable friend.
Many women suffering from ADHD cover up their symptoms and come up with coping strategies to compensate for their attention problems. They may be perfectionists or extremely attentive at work or in school however, they have trouble keeping the track of important dates, deadlines and appointments. They may also struggle with verbal self control and talk excessively or interrupt others frequently.
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 begin, stop or alter activities and being unable to hold for your turn during a conversation and having trouble reading social signals (like facial expressions or body language).
While gender stereotypes can influence on the development of ADHD for women, it's not always easy to spot these issues. The scales for rating used to determine ADHD symptoms are still geared towards male behavior. Some healthcare professionals may miss the mark on the woman's ADHD symptoms.
Many women suffering from ADHD report that their symptoms get worse when hormonal changes occur like menstrual cycles or pregnancy, and also during perimenopausal symptoms. This can exacerbate emotional symptoms and cause frequent feelings of frustration, irritability or depression. They may also feel an ongoing feeling of unsatisfaction with their relationships or lives. This can result in depression, substance abuse or unbalanced methods of coping. It is important for women to realize that these symptoms don't indicate their worth or importance as a human being. With a good treatment strategy, you can lessen or even eliminate these symptoms.
3. Inattention
Everyone has difficulty paying attention and focusing at times with ADHD, these symptoms occur so frequently that they interfere with your daily life. You might make mistakes at work or at school, or miss appointments, or spend a great deal of time procrastinating. You aren't comfortable waiting for your turn in conversations and are often interrupted by other people.
Adults who are not attentive may also have a tendency to get caught up in projects before thoroughly planning them and researching them. This leads to incomplete results or even 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 organizational system that was put together and left to gather dust on your nightstand.
People with inattention ADHD struggle with chronic disorganization at home and at work. You may have difficulty finding important documents such as keys or bills, and lose things regularly. You could also forget to keep your track of time and become late for school, work or for 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 say or do things without considering the impact such as yelling at other people or making strange sounds when they're alone. They are unable to sit still and can move around or get out of their seats. They may have difficulty maintaining a job and might have frequent disagreements with coworkers and managers.
In certain cases mood swings and emotional turmoil caused by ADHD can cause frustration and miscommunication in relationships. This is particularly true in romantic relationships as well as at work. People who suffer from ADHD are also more likely to have comorbid conditions, such as anxiety, depression or bipolar disorder.
Women and girls who suffer from ADHD have a myriad of challenges when seeking diagnosis and treatment which include gender discrimination and a tendency to hide their symptoms or minimize the severity of them. The rise of well-known 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 condition.
4. Anxiety
While most people feel anxious or anxious from time to time, persistently outsize anxiety is a sign of an anxiety disorder. You might feel an uncontrollable feeling of anxiety or anxiety, a fast heartbeat, trouble keeping calm and having trouble thinking clearly. You might also have an increased sense of danger, even in situations that aren't likely to be risky for you. The most frequent types of anxiety are general anxiety disorder, agoraphobia, separation anxiety, as well as panic disorders.
Anxiety is more prevalent in women suffering from ADHD as compared to men. It is more likely to be exacerbated during certain life events like menstrual cycle or pregnancy, as well as perimenopausal. This can make it harder to handle everyday tasks and social interactions, and can cause feelings of low self-esteem and a general feeling of discontent with your life.
You're very sensitive to rejection and have a tough to accept criticism. You easily misinterpret feedback or even anticipate rejection and you might get angry over minor things that others wouldn't see as to be a problem.
Mood swings are another of the adult female adhd symptoms, and you might discover that your mood is unstable or difficult to control. You might also be prone to non-suicidal self-injury, such as striking, burning or scratching yourself.
adult adhd in women to seek out a diagnosis if you're experiencing any of the symptoms listed above. It can help you understand some of the challenges you're facing, and give you strategies to improve your quality of life. You can take an ADHD test online or talk to your doctor to get a professional assessment. In certain instances a doctor might prescribe medication to help alleviate your symptoms. In some instances your doctor may suggest a combination between lifestyle changes and cognitive behavior therapy. In either case it's crucial to make positive changes as soon as you can. This will help you take control of your life and make you feel more confident, productive and competent.