How To Explain Adult Female ADHD Symptoms To Your Boss
ADHD Symptoms in Adult Females
Although ADHD affects both genders equally throughout adulthood, it often isn't recognized by females. This is likely due to gender stereotypes and the capability of women to hide their symptoms.
Many healthcare professionals do not have the knowledge or experience to identify ADHD in women. As a result, many women are misdiagnosed prior to receiving the proper treatment they need.
1. Disorganization
Women and girls who suffer from ADHD are often plagued by disorganization, a condition that can be a challenge to manage. For example your desk could be a jumble of tangled papers, 17 different chapsticks, and even a ticket stub from the Kings of Leon concert you attended in 2008. Although you may have spent money on products to help you organize, your home or office is likely still messy and chaotic.
Inability to keep the track of your tasks can lead to missed deadlines and appointments. You might also be struggling with "time blindness," where you don't know or remember how long it takes to finish an assignment. This can make you feel frustrated and believe that you're not doing a great enough job at your job, or even your personal life.
You may also be having trouble regulating your emotions, which can cause you to react too quickly in stressful situations. You may also say things without meaning to hurt people's feelings. Since impulsivity is a common trait for people with ADHD it is possible that you will have trouble stopping yourself from saying things before considering them.
If you have ADHD it's possible that some of your symptoms stem from gender stereotypes or cultural ideas about how women, men, and boys should behave. This makes it more difficult to recognize and treat your ADHD.
You could also benefit from a behavioral therapy to address the root cause of your disorder. While it could take some time to identify the appropriate coping strategies, implementing these strategies can assist you in feeling more in control of your life as well as improve relationships with family, friends, and coworkers.
2. Impulsivity
People who suffer from ADHD often experience intense emotions, but their brains don't have a way to filter or assess them. This means that they could be overwhelmed by a single incident or have difficulty being able to assess the emotional state of other people. It also makes it easier for them to become distracted by small issues like a book that's out of stock or an acquaintance who's late for take a spin class.
Many women suffering from ADHD conceal their symptoms and devise strategies to cope with their attention problems. They could be perfectionists, or extremely attentive at work or in school however, they have trouble keeping the track of important dates, bills, and appointments. They may also have trouble with self-control in speech and speak too much, interrupt others often, or dump information 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 urge to start, stop or alter activities; being unable to wait for your turn during a conversation and difficulty interpreting social cues (like facial expressions or body language).
While gender-based stereotypes can play a role in the development of ADHD however, it's sometimes difficult to tell if women suffer from these issues. inattentive add in women for rating used to determine ADHD symptoms are still biased towards male behavior. Some healthcare professionals may misunderstand a woman's ADHD symptoms.
Many women suffering from ADHD also note that their symptoms tend to become more severe during times of hormonal changes, like menstrual cycle or pregnancy, or during perimenopausal (the period leading up to menopausal). treatment for adhd in women can cause emotional issues and trigger a lot of feelings of anger, frustration or depression. They may also experience a persistent feeling of unsatisfaction with their relationships or life. This could lead to depression, substance abuse and unhealthy coping strategies. This is why it's important for women to understand that these symptoms aren't a reflection of their value or worth as a person. The good news is that with a well-planned treatment program the symptoms can be alleviated or even eliminated.
3. Inattention
ADHD is defined by a high frequency of these symptoms. While everyone struggles to focus and pay attention at times the frequency of these symptoms is so high that they can impede your daily life. You could make a few mistakes at work or in school, miss appointments or spend a large amount of time putting off tasks. You aren't comfortable waiting your turn in conversations and are often interrupted by others.
Adults who are inattentive can be prone to get caught up in projects before having a complete plan and research them. This can lead to poor results or even subpar ones. You may also get distracted easily and have a tendency to leave projects unfinished- from the vegetable garden that was planted, but never watered, to the new system of organization which was erected and put aside to dust on your nightstand.
People who have inattention ADHD struggle with chronic disorganization at home and in the workplace. You might have trouble finding important documents keys, bills, or other important documents and misplace items on a regular basis. You could also be unable to keep track of the time and end up running 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. People who suffer from these conditions may make decisions or conduct actions without thinking about the consequences. For instance, they might talk over others or make a lot of nonsensical noises when they are alone. They might have difficulty sitting still, and fidget in their chair or move. They might be unable to keep a job, and have frequent disputes with their coworkers and manager.
In certain cases, the mood swings and emotional turmoil caused by ADHD can cause frustration and miscommunication in relationships. This is especially true when it comes to romantic relationships and at work. People who suffer from ADHD also are more likely having co-occurring conditions like bipolar disorder, depression or anxiety disorder.
Women and girls who suffer from ADHD can face a variety of obstacles when seeking diagnosis and treatment, including gender bias and a tendency to conceal their symptoms or underestimate the severity of them. High-profile women such as Em Rusciano and Mia Freedman who have publicly discussed their struggles with ADHD have helped to raise awareness. But, many girls and young woman still do not know they have it.
4. Anxiety
An anxiety disorder is defined by a constant, excessive anxiety. Although everyone feels anxious or nervous occasionally anxiety disorders are defined by a constant high level of anxiety. You might experience an uneasy feeling or fear and also rapid pulse, difficulty being calm, and trouble thinking clearly. There is also an underlying sense of danger in situations that you are aware aren't risky. The most frequent types of anxiety are general anxiety disorder, phobias and agoraphobia and panic disorders, separation anxiety and selective Mutism.
Anxiety is more prevalent among women with ADHD compared to men. It can be worsened by certain life events, like menstruation, pregnancy, or perimenopause. This makes it more difficult to manage everyday tasks and social interactions, and cause feelings of self-doubt and general discontent with your life.
You are extremely sensitive to rejection, and you have a tough acceptance of criticism. You are prone to misinterpret feedback, or even anticipating rejection and you can be angry about minor things that others do not see as to be a problem.
Mood swings may also be a sign of adult adhd in women. It is possible that you are prone to having unpredictable emotions or find it difficult to control them. You may also be prone non-suicidal acts of self-injury such as burning, scrubbing, or hitting yourself.
If you're experiencing any of the above symptoms, it's essential to get a proper diagnosis. It will help you know your issues and offer you strategies to improve your quality of life. You can take an online ADHD test, or visit your doctor for a professional assessment. In some cases a doctor might prescribe medication to ease your symptoms. In other cases, they might recommend a combination of lifestyle changes and cognitive behavioral therapy. In any scenario, it's essential to start making some positive changes to your life as soon as you can. This will help you gain control of your life and make you feel more confident and competent.