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ADHD Symptoms in Adult Women Women who aren't diagnosed with ADHD might face difficulties at work or in their relationships. It's important to identify the signs and seek out treatment that is effective 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 help you improve your life by addressing your symptoms and focusing on the things that matter most. 1. Trouble paying attention Women may have difficulty paying attention to details, remembering appointments and deadlines or underestimating the amount of time it takes to complete an assignment. They may also be unable to keep track of their obligations in work or relationships They can easily get distracted and fail follow through with promises. They might also struggle with impulsivity, trouble controlling their emotions and a tendency to blurt out things without thinking them through first. It's important to recognize and treat symptoms of ADHD in women of adulthood. Inability to concentrate can lead to difficulties with friendships and relationships. Women may have difficulty to make new friends, or they may have difficulty in their relationships, with recurring fights, missed opportunities for fun and being ignored. They may also face difficulties balancing the demands of home, work and childcare. It's not easy for health care providers and therapists alike, to identify ADHD in many people. However, that doesn't mean it's not true or that the person doesn't need to try harder to remain on track. Diagnoses are based on the symptoms and how they impact daily functioning in multiple areas. Women are more likely to suffer from inattentional symptoms than hyperactive or impulsive ones and this could be the reason why they aren't diagnosed. Many women suffering from ADHD are also embarrassed of their symptoms, because they don't conform to the stereotypes associated with ADHD. This can make it even more difficult to reach out for assistance or get treatment. Some women with ADHD are not diagnosed for a lengthy period of time, because they try to hide their symptoms and cope. Additionally, they are more likely to suffer from complications that may cover up their ADHD symptoms, such as anxiety, depression and gastrointestinal issues. They are also more likely to suffer from hormonal fluctuations that may cause their symptoms to flare or disappear, like during the menstrual cycle, pregnancy and perimenopause. 2. Problems with Organization Inattention, forgetfulness, disorganization and emotional dysregulation are common ADHD symptoms for women. These signs can cause them to be incapable of completing daily tasks, meet obligations, or maintain relationships. They may also have a low self-esteem and experience anxiety. Women who are not diagnosed with ADHD might feel like they're not meeting society's expectations. They may also struggle with anxiety and low self-esteem. In addition to a lack of organization and forgetfulness, ADHD in adult women can manifest as procrastination or hyperfocus. These issues can cause women to skip appointments, not pay bills on time, and feel overwhelmed. Hyperfocus can cause a lack in concentration on other important tasks and a poor understanding of time. This can make it hard to switch from one job to another. Procrastination can also lead to an increase in stress, anxiety, and a constant feeling of being behind. Communication problems both non-verbal and verbal, are another common sign of ADHD. This can mean talking too much, interrupting others, or saying inappropriate things. It can also indicate 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 the absence of intelligence or ability. Many women with ADHD develop coping strategies to disguise their symptoms. This can have positive and negative consequences. Some of these strategies could be healthy, like keeping a schedule for the day or establishing reminders for events. Others may be unhealthy for example, using alcohol and drugs to hide symptoms or not paying attention to them at all. Therefore, it is crucial for women who suspect ADHD to seek out help from a mental health professional. Women suffering from ADHD might benefit from taking treatment, lifestyle changes, therapy, or other treatment options. These include cognitive behavioral therapy, which addresses the underlying negative thoughts and beliefs as well as mindfulness and relaxation exercising and a balanced diet and adequate rest. A medical professional can also recommend accommodations to help make work or school easier to manage. 3. Disruptive Behaviors Women suffering from ADHD may struggle with emotional dysregulation. This is why they can become discontent and frustrated when their problems aren't resolved. It can be difficult to keep relationships going, whether with romantic partners, colleagues or even friends. For example an impulsive or forgetful attitude can cause confusion or frustration in romantic relations and can cause feelings of depression or loneliness. Additionally, a tendency to seek excitement on a whim can be misinterpreted as lack of interest or indifference by other people. These are the reasons ADHD symptoms for girls and women are often not recognized or diagnosed. ADHD in adults symptoms women may also have difficulty understanding that their issues are related to the disorder because of stereotypes and social norms that define men's and women's behaviors. Women and girls with ADHD may camouflage symptoms to avoid embarrassment. This can lead to being referred to less frequently for diagnosis than men and boys with the same symptoms. This discrepancy may also be due to gender bias in the research that informs diagnosis criteria. Hartung and Widiger discovered in an earlier study that women and girls with ADHD symptoms tend to be more likely to go undiagnosed and not being recognized than boys and adults. This could be due to the fact that healthcare professionals are conditioned by their training to think of hyperactive and aggressive ADHD as being more common in both men and boys. This can make them easier to recognize and refer for assessment. Adult ADHD symptoms can manifest as irritability and difficulty in calming down. These are common symptoms of ADHD however, in the later years of adulthood, they can have a major impact on one's life and well-being. People who suffer from ADHD are often anxious and have difficulty sitting still, particularly if they're anxious or stressed. They are also susceptible to fidgeting and tend to be very talkative, often interrupting or finishing other people's sentences without thinking they're being rude. If you think you might have ADHD, you can be referred to a psychiatrist by your doctor or psychologist. You can also 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. Problems with Social Skills Women who suffer from ADHD may have difficulty managing their emotions and communicating effectively at work. This can cause problems in relationships with family and friends as well as in achieving professional goals. For example, they might struggle to understand and respond to feedback, which could cause frustration and even disappointment. They might also have difficulty trying to maintain healthy eating and sleeping habits, which could increase anxiety. Many women with ADHD utilize unhealthy strategies for coping to cope with their issues. These can include substance abuse, eating disorders, or self-injury that is non-suicidal (NSSI) which includes cutting or burning. Women with ADHD might have a harder time get help as adults than males, because they tend mask their symptoms. In an effort to be accepted by society and to meet expectations, they often create coping mechanisms. This can make it harder for others recognize their ADHD symptoms. These coping mechanisms can be as simple and straightforward as setting reminders and making lists, or they may be more complex, such as finding ways to control their emotions or developing mindful techniques. These coping mechanisms can, however, backfire and cause worse symptoms. They can also hinder an adequate amount of sleep, which is crucial 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. 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 women often experience a variety of symptoms over the course of their lives. This can result in different diagnoses. Changes in hormone levels could also affect ADHD symptoms in women. If they have a higher estrogen level during pregnancy, for example their symptoms could get better. Higher levels of estrogen regulate brain chemicals that affect the ability to focus. However, if they begin to notice a decrease in estrogen levels due to perimenopausal changes or age, their ADHD symptoms may become worse. Adults suffering from ADHD can receive an accurate diagnosis, and they can get effective treatment. This includes cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) and neurocognitive psychotherapy, which will help people with ADHD build the necessary skills for improving their daily functioning. They are also able to attend support group meetings for ADHD in order to share their experiences with other people on the same journey and gain valuable information from their colleagues.