ADHD Symptoms in Adult Women

Women who aren't diagnosed with ADHD may have issues at workplace or in relationships. It is essential to recognize the signs of ADHD and seek a treatment that works for you.

Symptoms of ADHD in adults are more likely to be the inattentive adhd in adults symptoms type than hyperactivity/impulsive. Having a proper diagnosis can help you improve your life by addressing your symptoms and focusing on what is important most.

1. Difficulty paying attention

Women may struggle with their inability to pay attention to specifics, remember appointments and deadlines or underestimate how long it takes to complete their tasks. They might also find it difficult to keep track of their obligations in work or relationships They can easily get distracted and fail follow through with commitments. They may also have a tendency to be impulsive, struggle with managing their emotions, and blurt out ideas without taking the time to think them through.

It is crucial to recognize and treat the symptoms of ADHD in women of adulthood. Inability to concentrate can lead to difficulties with friendships and relationships. Women may find it difficult to make new friendships or struggle with their relationships due to frequent arguments, missed opportunities for enjoyment, and being ignored. Women can also struggle to manage the demands of home, work and childcare.

Many people who suffer from ADHD don't meet the diagnostic criteria, and it can be hard for health professionals or therapists to detect the condition. It doesn't mean that it's not real, or that the person needs to be more focused. Diagnoses are based on symptoms and how they impact the daily activities in a variety of areas.

Women are more likely to experience inattentional symptoms as opposed to hyperactive or impulsive ones and this could be the reason why they aren't diagnosed. In addition, many women with ADHD are afflicted with a sense of guilt about their condition because they don't conform to the stereotypes of someone with ADHD. This makes it harder for people who suffer from ADHD to seek assistance or seek treatment.

In some instances women with ADHD are not diagnosed for a long time because they're trying to manage and conceal their symptoms. They are more likely to be suffering from other comorbidities, including anxiety or depression, which can conceal the symptoms of ADHD. They are more likely to have hormonal fluctuations that could trigger symptoms that flare up or disappear. This is particularly relevant during menstrual cycle as well as pregnancy and perimenopausal.

2. Problems with Organization

Forgetfulness, disorganization, impulsivity and emotional dysregulation are common ADHD symptoms for women. These symptoms can cause them to be difficult to manage daily tasks, meet obligations or maintain relationships. They might also suffer from low self-esteem and suffer from anxiety. Women with undiagnosed ADHD often feel as if they're not meeting the expectations of society and have a harder time keeping up with their peers in terms of academic performance or job performance. They also have a harder time maintaining social interactions.

In addition to forgetfulness and disorganization, ADHD in adult adhd symptoms men women can be manifested as hyperfocus or procrastination. These problems can lead to women not attending appointments, not paying bills on time and feeling overwhelmed. Hyperfocus can result in a lack of focus on other activities that are crucial and a shaky sense of time, which can make it difficult to shift from one task to another. Procrastination can cause stress, anxiety and a constant feeling of being lagging behind.

Communication issues both non-verbal and verbal, are another common sign of ADHD. This could mean excessive talk or interrupting others or using inappropriate words. This can include a lack of ability to sit still or understanding the boundaries of social interaction. It is important to remember that these issues don't always signal a lack of intelligence or ability.

Many women with ADHD have coping strategies to mask their symptoms, which can have both positive and negative consequences. Some of these coping strategies might be healthy. For instance using a calendar for the day or making reminders for important dates. Some of these coping strategies may be healthy, for instance, setting reminders for events or using alcohol and drugs to disguise symptoms. Therefore, it is essential that women who suspect they may be suffering from ADHD seek professional help.

Women suffering from ADHD may benefit from medications treatment, lifestyle changes, therapy and a range of other treatment options. These include cognitive behavioral therapy, which addresses the underlying negative beliefs and thoughts such as mindfulness and relaxation, exercise, a healthy diet, and adequate rest. A health care provider may also recommend accommodations to make working or school easier.

3. Disruptive Behaviors

Women suffering from ADHD may struggle with emotional dysregulation. They can become frustrated and depressed if life's challenges can't be easily overcome. This makes it difficult to maintain relationships with romantic partners, friends as well as coworkers. For instance, forgetfulness or impulsivity may cause confusion or frustration in romantic relations and can cause feelings such as depression or loneliness. A tendency to look for thrills on a whim may be taken to mean an absence of interest or indifference.

This is one of the reasons ADHD symptoms for girls and women are often missed or underdiagnosed. It is possible that they fail to recognize their problems due to ADHD because of stereotypes and social norms that define men and women's behavior.

Women and girls with ADHD often camouflage their symptoms to avoid embarrassment. This may lead to them being diagnosed less frequently than men and boys who suffer from similar symptoms. This discrepancy may also be due to gender bias in research that informs the diagnostic criteria. Hartung and Widiger discovered in an earlier study that girls and ADHD symptoms in adult women women with ADHD symptoms are more likely to go undiagnosed and under-diagnosed than men and adults. This could be due to the fact that clinicians are trained to view hyperactive and aggressive ADHD symptoms as more typical of boys and men and can make them easier to recognize and referred for evaluation.

Adult ADHD symptoms can manifest as irritability and difficulty in calming down. These are common symptoms of ADHD however, as we age they can have a significant 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 true if they're feeling anxious or stressed. They also tend to fidget and are often overly talking. They frequently interrupt or complete sentences of others and do not realize they are being rude.

If you think you have ADHD, your GP or registered psychologist can refer you to psychiatrists to conduct an assessment. Or, you 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. It was updated in November 2022.

4. Social Skills

Women suffering from ADHD may have difficulty managing their emotions and communicating effectively at work. This can cause problems that interfere with personal relationships and professional goals. For instance, they may have trouble recognizing and responding to feedback, which could result in frustration and displeasure. They might also have difficulty trying to maintain healthy eating and sleeping habits, which could increase feelings of anxiety. Women with ADHD employ unhealthy methods of coping to cope with their issues. They may resort to substance abuse, eating disorder and non-suicidal harming oneself (NSSI) such as cutting, burning or scratching.

As adults, women with ADHD are more likely to seek treatment than men, as they tend to cover up their symptoms. In an effort to be accepted by society and conform to expectations, they usually create coping mechanisms. This could make it more difficult for others to recognize their ADHD symptoms. These coping mechanisms may be as simple as setting reminders and making lists, or they can be more complex, such as being able to manage their emotions or developing mindfulness techniques.

These coping mechanisms could be counterproductive and cause more symptoms. They can also hinder good sleep, which is vital for managing ADHD symptoms. Women who suffer from ADHD may also feel overwhelmed by the demands of everyday life, which can lead to an increase in ADHD symptoms.

While it's true that a greater number of boys are diagnosed with ADHD than girls, the gap is less when they reach the age of adulthood. This is because women often experience a variety of symptoms throughout the course of their lives. This could lead to different diagnoses.

Changes in hormone levels can also affect ADHD symptoms among women. For instance when they have high levels of estrogen during pregnancy, their symptoms of inattentive adhd in adults could improve. This is because estrogen levels can aid in regulating brain chemicals that affect attention. If they start to notice a decrease in estrogen levels due to age or perimenopause, their ADHD symptoms may become worse.

Fortunately, it's possible for adults suffering from ADHD to receive a precise diagnosis and receive effective treatment. This includes cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and neurocognitive psychology, and other treatments that can help people with ADHD improve their everyday functioning. They can also attend support group meetings for ADHD to share their experience with others on the same journey, and gain valuable insights from their colleagues.