ADHD Symptoms in Adult Women

Women with undiagnosed ADHD might have difficulties at workplace or in relationships. It is crucial to recognize the signs of ADHD and find the right treatment for you.

Symptoms of ADHD in adults are more likely to be the inattentive type than hyperactivity/impulsive. A proper diagnosis can help improve your life by managing your symptoms and focusing your attention on what's important.

1. Trouble paying attention

Women may have difficulty paying attention to details, remembering appointments and deadlines, or underestimating how long it takes to complete an assignment. They may also have difficulty managing their time at work or in relationships, become distracted easily, and fail to deliver on promises. They may also be impulsive, struggle with managing their emotions, and blurt out things before taking the time to think them through.

The difficulty in paying attention that is experienced by ADHD symptoms in women of adulthood can lead to problems with friendships and relationships that's why it's important to recognize the signs and seek treatment. Women might find it harder to make new friends, or they may have difficulty in their relationships, with frequent fights and missing opportunities to have fun and being left out. Women also may find it difficult to balance the demands of work, home and childcare.

Many people who suffer from female adhd symptoms do not meet the diagnostic criteria, and it could be hard for health care providers or therapists to identify the disorder. But that doesn't mean that it's not real or that the person has to try harder to remain on track. The diagnosis is based on the extent to which the symptoms affect everyday functioning across a variety of aspects of life.

Women tend to have more inattentive symptoms as opposed to hyperactive or impulsive ones which is why they aren't diagnosed. Additionally many women suffering from ADHD feel a sense of shame about their symptoms because they don't fit into the stereotypes of people with ADHD. This can make it more difficult to seek assistance or seek treatment.

In some cases women suffering from ADHD are not diagnosed for a long time due to the fact that they're trying to cope and hide their symptoms. They are more likely to have disorders that are comorbid, like anxiety or depression, which can cover up the symptoms of ADHD. They are also more likely to have hormonal fluctuations that could cause their symptoms to flare up or fade away, for instance during 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 suffer from anxiety. Women with undiagnosed ADHD often feel that they are failing to meet social expectations and have a hard than their peers in terms of athese include cognitive behavioral therapy to deal with negative thoughts and beliefs mindfulness techniques and relaxation and exercise and a balanced diet and adequate sleep. A medical professional may also recommend adjustments to help make work or school more manageable.

3. Disruptive Behaviors

Women who suffer from ADHD can struggle with emotional dysregulation. They can become frustrated and depressed if life's challenges can't be easily resolved. This makes it difficult to keep relationships with romantic partners, friends and colleagues. For example an impulsive or forgetful attitude can cause confusion or frustration in romantic relationships and lead to feelings of loneliness or depression. A tendency to seek thrills at the whim of your heart could be mistaken by others as a lack of interest or indifference.

For these reasons, ADHD symptoms are frequently missed or not recognized for girls and women. They might also have a hard time understanding that their issues are a result of the disorder because of stereotypes and social norms that define men's and women's behaviors.

Girls and women with ADHD often conceal their symptoms to avoid causing embarrassment. This could result in them being referred less often for diagnosis than boys and men with similar symptoms. This discrepancy may also be due to gender bias in research that informs the diagnostic criteria. In a recent study, Hartung and Widiger discovered that girls and women are more likely to be unidentified and not diagnosed than men and boys with the same ADHD symptoms. This could be due to the fact that clinicians are trained to view hyperactive and impulsive ADHD symptoms as more typical of men and boys which makes them easier to identify and referred for evaluation.

For adults, ADHD symptoms can manifest as restlessness and difficulty relaxing. These are typical ADHD symptoms, but they can affect an adult's life. People suffering from ADHD may be irritable or find it hard to stay still. This is particularly true if they're feeling anxious or stressed. They also tend to fidget and are often overly talking. They often interrupt or finish sentences of others without even realizing they're causing offence.

If you think you may have ADHD, you can be referred to a psychiatrist by your doctor or psychologist. Or, you can self-refer. This content was reviewed by Madeline Dykes (clinical psychologist) and other members of the Thriving Madly network in Christchurch in October 2024. It was updated in November 2022.

4. Problems with Social Skills

Women suffering from ADHD may have trouble communicating effectively or manage their emotions at work. This can result in issues with personal relationships and with professional goals. They may have trouble recognizing and responding appropriately to feedback. This can result in disappointment or anger. They may also have trouble maintaining healthy eating and sleep habits, which can cause anxiety. Some women who suffer from adhd social symptoms employ unhealthy methods of coping to cope with their issues. These include eating disorders, substance abuse and non-suicidal harming of oneself (NSSI) such as cutting, burning, or scratching.

Women who suffer from ADHD may be more hesitant to get help as adults than men, because they are more likely to hide their symptoms. To fit in with society and meet expectations, they usually develop coping strategies. This makes it difficult for others recognize their adhd disorder symptoms symptoms. These coping strategies may be as simple and straightforward as setting reminders or making lists, or they can be more complex such as learning how to control their emotions or implementing mindful strategies.

However, these strategies can backfire and make symptoms worse. These coping methods can also make it difficult to get the rest you need which is essential for managing ADHD symptoms. Women with ADHD may also feel overwhelmed by the demands of daily life, which can exacerbate ADHD symptoms.

While it's true that more boys are diagnosed with ADHD than girls, the gap becomes smaller as they grow older. It's because it's common for women to experience a variety of symptoms throughout their lives, which can result in a diagnosis at different dates.

Changes in hormone levels can also impact ADHD symptoms among women. If they have a higher estrogen level during pregnancy, for example their symptoms could get better. Higher levels of estrogen help regulate brain chemicals that influence attention. If their estrogen levels drop due to perimenopausal or aging, ADHD symptoms may worsen.

Adults suffering from ADHD can receive an accurate diagnosis, and they can access effective treatment. This includes cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) neurocognitive psychology, and other treatments that can help people with ADHD improve their everyday functioning. They are also able to attend meetings of support groups for ADHD to share their experiences with others on the same journey, and gain valuable insights from their peers.