11 Creative Methods To Write About Adult Female ADHD Symptoms
ADHD Symptoms in Adult Females
Although ADHD affects men and women equally throughout adulthood, it often goes undiagnosed in females. This is likely due to gender stereotypes and the capacity of women to mask their symptoms.
Many healthcare professionals do not have the experience or knowledge to detect ADHD among women. As a result, many women are misdiagnosed and not receiving the treatment they require.
1. Disorganization
Women and girls with ADHD often struggle with disordered thinking, which can be a challenge to manage. For instance your desk could be a mess of unruly papers, 17 chapsticks, and a ticket to the Kings of Leon concert you went to in the year 2008. While you spend money on products that promise to aid in your organization your office and home are likely to remain chaotic and messy.
Inability to keep on top of your work can result in missed deadlines and appointments. In addition, you might struggle with a concept called "time blindness," which means you aren't able to remember or comprehend the amount of time it takes to finish an assignment. This can cause you to be frustrated and feeling like you're not doing an adequate job in your work or personal life, especially if it feels that other people don't appreciate your efforts.
You might also have trouble regulating your emotions. This can lead you to overreact when confronted by stressful situations. Your rapid verbal communication may cause confusion and miscommunications with family members and coworkers, and you could make statements that hurt the feelings of others without a thought. In addition, since impulsivity is common in people with ADHD it is possible that you will have trouble stopping yourself from making statements without considering them.
If you suffer from ADHD It's likely some of your symptoms are rooted in gender stereotypes and cultural ideas about how boys, men and women should behave. This makes it difficult to recognize and treat ADHD.
In addition to having a diagnosis it is possible that you will need a treatment for behavioral issues to deal with the root cause of your condition. It might take time to determine the most effective strategies to cope, but using them can help you feel in control of your own life and improve your relationships with family members, coworkers, and other friends.
2. Impulsivity
People with ADHD often experience intense emotions, but their brains don't have a way to assess or filter them. They may be overwhelmed by a minor setback, or have difficulty being able to assess the mood of others. It also makes it easier for them to get distracted by minor issues such as the book that's out of stock or an acquaintance who's late for the spin class.
Many women with ADHD cover up their symptoms and develop strategies to deal with their attention issues. They could be perfectionists or extremely meticulous at work or in school however, they have trouble keeping track of important dates, bills, and appointments. They may also have issues with self-control in speech and frequently interrupt others, talk too much, frequently, or info dump 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 a sudden desire to begin, stop or change activities; being unable to wait your turn in a conversation; and difficulty interpreting social cues (like facial expressions or body language).
While gender-based stereotypes may contribute to the development of ADHD however, it's often difficult to recognize when a woman has these issues. Rating scales that are used to determine ADHD symptoms are still biased toward male behavior and some health experts may be misinformed or misunderstand the symptoms of women.
Many women with ADHD also say that their symptoms get worse during times of hormonal changes, such as during the menstrual cycle or pregnancy, or perimenopausal (the run-up to menopause). This can exacerbate emotional symptoms and cause frequent feelings of frustration, irritability or depression. They may also feel an unending feeling of unsatisfaction with their relationships or life. This can lead to substance abuse, low-self-esteem or unbalanced ways of coping. It is crucial for women to understand that these symptoms don't reflect their worth or value as a human being. The good news is that with a well-planned treatment strategy these symptoms can be improved or even eliminated.
3. Inattention
Although everyone has trouble paying attention and focusing, with ADHD the symptoms can occur in such a way that they can interfere with your daily life. You may make careless errors at work or in school, or miss appointments, or spend a great amount of time delaying. You are unable to stand in line and interrupt others in conversations.
Adults who aren't attentive can be prone to get caught up in projects before fully planning them and researching them. This leads to incomplete results or even subpar ones. You may also be easily distracted and abandon projects that are not completed. This could be an unwatered vegetable garden planted but never watered, or an organizational system that you assembled and then put away on your nightstand to collect dust.
People who have inattention ADHD have trouble focusing at home and at work. You may have difficulty finding important documents keys, bills, or other important documents and lose things on a regular basis. You may also lose your track of time and end up over time for meetings, work 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. Women who suffer from these conditions may make or do actions without thinking about the consequences including snoozing over others or making nonsensical sounds when they are alone. They might have difficulty sitting still and adjusting their seats or at a fast pace. They may have difficulty maintaining a job and might have frequent conflicts with coworkers and managers.
In some cases the mood swings and emotional distress caused by ADHD may lead to frustration in relationships and misunderstandings. This is especially the case in romantic relationships as well as at work. People who suffer from ADHD are also more likely to have other comorbidities, like depression, anxiety or bipolar disorder.
Girls and women with ADHD have a myriad of obstacles when seeking treatment and diagnosis, including gender bias and a tendency to cover up their symptoms or undervalue the severity of their symptoms. The rise of high-profile women like Mia Freedman and Em Rusciano who have spoken out about their struggles with ADHD has increased awareness, however many young women and girls still don't know they have the condition.
4. Anxiety
Although many people feel anxious or anxious from time to moment, a constant and overwhelming anxiety is the hallmark of an anxiety disorder. You might experience a constant feeling of unease 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 and separation anxiety, phobias and panic disorders.
Anxiety is more common among women with ADHD than men, and it is more likely to become worse during certain periods of a woman's life, such as around her menstrual cycle, pregnancy or perimenopause. This makes it more difficult to manage daily tasks and social interactions, and cause feelings of low self-esteem and a general feeling of discontent with your life.
You're extremely sensitive to rejection and have a difficult time accepting criticism. You're prone to misinterpret feedback, or even anticipate rejection. You might get angry about small things that other people do not see as an issue with.
Mood swings are also an indication of adhd in women. It is possible that you have unpredictable emotions or are unable to manage them. inattentive add in women may also be prone self-injury that is not suicidal, like burning, scrubbing or hitting yourself.
It is crucial to seek out a diagnosis if you're experiencing any of the symptoms mentioned above. It will help you understand the issues you're facing and provide you strategies to improve your quality of life. You can take an online ADHD test, or visit your doctor for a professional assessment. In certain cases doctors may prescribe medication to ease your symptoms. In some cases, your doctor may recommend a combination between lifestyle changes and cognitive behavior therapy. In either situation, it's crucial to start making some positive changes in your life as soon as you can. This will help you gain control of your life and feel more confident and capable.