Signs of ADHD in Women
Women face a lot of pressure to be the caretaker, keep up with children and maintain a healthy relationship, and do well at work. ADHD symptoms can make all of these tasks seem impossible.
It is crucial to be diagnosed and treated if you have ADHD. It will help you manage these symptoms and improve the quality of your life.
1. You're Always Late
Being always late is among the most frequent signs that you may have ADHD. This is because those with ADHD frequently have difficulty managing their time, and can be easily distracted by other tasks. This can lead to problems at school or work and can result in not attending important meetings or forgetting about homework assignments. This can create stress for both you and those who depend on your presence. To avoid being late, set an alarm on your phone or calendar, and make sure to prepare for the night prior to. Also, try to leave a few extra minutes for yourself to get to the place you're going.
In addition to that, some women with ADHD struggle to make friends due to their constant absence out on social events. They may also have difficulty learning to read social cues or comprehend body language. They may also have trouble concentrating on conversations and getting lost in their thoughts.
Lastly, some girls with ADHD go undiagnosed because their symptoms are more difficult to notice than the hyperactive/impulsive ones seen in boys and men. Also, teachers and parents are more likely to refer a male or female for an ADHD evaluation than they are to do the same for a girl.
2. You're having trouble focusing
People with ADHD are easily distracted and lose track of their activities. In a conversation, they might frequently drift off topic or talk about other topics. They may also have difficulty being still, and are more likely to be impulsive and make risky decisions.
These problems can strain relationships between family members as well as coworkers, friends, and family members. People with ADHD tend to forget appointments or missing deadlines. They could also be unorganized or spend too much time on unimportant tasks. They might be unable to concentrate at work or keep track of their finances.
In adult add women are more likely to be diagnosed with ADHD than girls. As adults, the numbers are similar. It is thought that this is due to the fact that women are more likely to experience a greater recurrence of symptoms, and they are more likely to seek treatment when one of their children is diagnosed with the disorder. Changes in hormone levels, especially during menopause, can also affect the severity of ADHD symptoms.
3. You may have a poor memory
Women who suffer from ADHD have a hard time remembering important dates, like birthdays and anniversary dates. They also lose track of gatherings. They may also have difficulty recalling names, which can make it difficult to keep pace in conversations and social settings.
People with ADHD typically have poor filtering. They speak things without really considering them. This can result in lots of "foot-in-mouth" moments, which can be frustrating for family members and colleagues.
Another indication of adhd in women is difficulty making and keeping friendships. Many girls suffering from ADHD struggle to manage their emotions which can result in difficult relationships with their partners. This puts them at a greater risk for being pressured to engage in sexual activity that is not their own or becoming victims of violence from their intimate partners.
Many women with ADHD struggle to meet social expectations in areas such as parenting and homemaking, relationships and work. This can add a lot stress to their lives, making it harder to identify and deal with ADHD symptoms. Some women develop coping mechanisms like drinking or using drugs to hide their symptoms. This can interfere with treatment. Getting diagnosed is an important first step in identifying and managing these challenges. You can seek help.
4. You are having trouble making decisions
Women who are struggling to make decisions can delay or not be able to finish tasks, since they aren't sure what tasks to prioritize. They also have difficulty remembering and keeping track of the decisions they've made. This type of ADHD can impact the performance of work as well as relationships and self-esteem.
The symptoms of ADHD in women are more difficult to recognize because parents and teachers don't send girls as often as boys for evaluation. Women are also better in hiding their symptoms. They may develop coping strategies that enable them to appear "normal", and meet social expectations. For example, they might rely on apps to manage their daily activities.
Women can receive an official diagnosis from their primary care doctor, who might refer them to a specialist. Depending on the results, the doctor might suggest therapy or medication. In therapy, your therapist can help you learn healthier coping skills and help you switch negative thoughts for positive ones. They can also help you and your family members improve communication, which can be difficult when one or more of the people in a relationship have ADHD. The medication can help to reduce symptoms, and boost productivity at work or at school.
5. You Have Trouble Multitasking
Women suffering from ADHD may feel overwhelmed when they must meet deadlines and work on many tasks. They may also experience difficulty managing their emotions and find it difficult to find or keep friends, particularly when they struggle to pick the social signals and can be prone to impulsive behaviors.
Women who are unable to multitask are also more likely to be more likely to suffer from adhd. They also may lose or misplace items and get easily distracted. This could be an issue for women working in environments where they are constantly interrupted.
In addition, if you have the hyperactive/impulsive type of adhd, having trouble staying quiet and being able to control your emotions can lead to frequent outbursts that are not only disruptive to others but can be damaging to your career. This kind of ADHD is more likely to be misdiagnosed by women as the symptoms are less apparent than those of the inattention type.
Women with undiagnosed adult ADHD might develop strategies to disguise their struggles, such as using alcohol or drugs to take care of themselves, in order to be accepted by other people. This can further exacerbate symptoms as they struggle with chronic feelings of inadequacy. This can lead to uneasy relationships and a general feeling of self-worth deficiency.
6. You are having trouble managing your time
ADHD time management issues can be a major concern in the workplace. It's difficult to get work completed when you don't have a system of filing paperwork, returning calls, or completing projects within the timeframes you set. Even if you do excellent work, your boss will doubt your competence if you repeatedly fail to meet deadlines.
Women with ADHD are more likely to have the inattentive subtype of symptoms, which can make it harder for them to be diagnosed and treated than men or boys with the hyperactive/impulsive type of symptoms. This is because doctors and teachers are more likely to recognize the hyperactive/impulsive symptoms in boys and men, and may be less familiar with the inattentive-type symptoms of women with ADHD.
Women who don't receive treatment for ADHD may also be more likely to develop co-occurring depression or anxiety and may have trouble maintaining relationships. Women are expected to be caregivers, and this can exacerbate the symptoms of ADHD, especially if they do not have access to the right treatment or support. This can lead to tensions between family, friends and romantic partners. The strain on relationships can lead to frustration and miscommunication, making it harder for women to seek assistance.
7. You have trouble making friends
Women with ADHD may find it difficult to have trouble making friends. One reason is that women are expected to be capable of balancing many roles. This includes caring for children, maintaining a relationship and thriving in the workplace. Women may suffer from symptoms that get worse when they attempt to meet the requirements. They could also be at an increased chance of developing a poor relationship with their peers or having co-existing mood disorders and anxiety disorders. Women are more likely than men to develop coping strategies that cover ADHD symptoms. This could lead to them over-exercising, staying up later than they should and rely on schedules or reminders on their phones to manage their lives.
Impulsivity and forgetfulness are problematic behaviors that can cause problems at work as well as in personal relationships. For instance, ignoring the birthday celebration of a friend can cause them to feel unloved and don't value them. Interrupting conversations or becoming angry at the slightest hint can lead to confusion and conflict. Manage your expectations about your relationships to avoid negative emotions, misinterpretations and resentment. You can do this by keeping a calendar to track your friend's important dates or using a notepad write down any information you discover about new acquaintances and keeping your promises.