As an adult woman and mum living with ADHD, I can share some of the symptoms I’ve personally experienced. ADHD often presents differently in women compared to men, and it’s common for women to go undiagnosed until adulthood, as I did. Here’s what it can look like:
- Difficulty Focusing
I often struggle with staying on task, especially when the activity isn’t immediately engaging. My mind tends to wander, and I can find myself starting multiple tasks without finishing any of them. - Overwhelm and Emotional Dysregulation
Managing emotions can be particularly challenging. I experience intense mood swings, especially during certain phases of my menstrual cycle due to PMDD. Small setbacks can feel overwhelming, and it can take effort to regain emotional balance. - Hyperfocus
On the flip side, I sometimes get so immersed in something I’m passionate about (like writing or researching) that I lose track of time and forget basic needs like eating or taking breaks. - Executive Function Challenges
Planning, organizing, and prioritizing can feel like climbing a mountain. For instance, keeping track of deadlines or managing my time effectively takes constant effort, and it’s easy to feel paralyzed by where to start. - Impulsivity
This might not always show up in obvious ways, but for me, it can look like making quick decisions without fully thinking them through or blurting out thoughts in conversations. - Fatigue and Burnout
Living with ADHD can feel exhausting. There’s a constant mental juggling act, and when you pair that with the demands of work, family, and life, it’s easy to hit burnout. - Forgetfulness and Losing Things
I misplace items frequently, no matter how much I try to stay organized. Sometimes I’ll even forget wAs an adult woman and mum living with ADHD, I can share some of the symptoms I’ve personally experienced. ADHD often presents differently in women compared to men, and it’s common for women to go undiagnosed until adulthood, as I did. Here’s what it can look like: - Difficulty Focusing
I often struggle with staying on task, especially when the activity isn’t immediately engaging. My mind tends to wander, and I can find myself starting multiple tasks without finishing any of them. - Overwhelm and Emotional Dysregulation
Managing emotions can be particularly challenging. I experience intense mood swings, especially during certain phases of my menstrual cycle due to PMDD. Small setbacks can feel overwhelming, and it can take effort to regain emotional balance. - Hyperfocus
On the flip side, I sometimes get so immersed in something I’m passionate about (like writing or researching) that I lose track of time and forget basic needs like eating or taking breaks. - Executive Function Challenges
Planning, organizing, and prioritizing can feel like climbing a mountain. For instance, keeping track of deadlines or managing my time effectively takes constant effort, and it’s easy to feel paralyzed by where to start. - Impulsivity
This might not always show up in obvious ways, but for me, it can look like making quick decisions without fully thinking them through or blurting out thoughts in conversations. - Fatigue and Burnout
Living with ADHD can feel exhausting. There’s a constant mental juggling act, and when you pair that with the demands of work, family, and life, it’s easy to hit burnout. - Forgetfulness and Losing Things
I misplace items frequently, no matter how much I try to stay organized. Sometimes I’ll even forget why I walked into a room or what I was about to say mid-sentence. - Sensitivity to Stimulation
I’m easily overwhelmed by noise, light, or crowded spaces. This sensory overload can lead to irritability or a need to withdraw. - For me, understanding how ADHD interacts with other aspects of my life, like hormonal changes during my cycle, has been a huge part of managing it effectively. Strategies like mindfulness, nutrition tailored to my needs, and holistic health approaches have been game-changers.hy I walked into a room or what I was about to say mid-sentence.
- Sensitivity to Stimulation
I’m easily overwhelmed by noise, light, or crowded spaces. This sensory overload can lead to irritability or a need to withdraw.
For me, understanding how ADHD interacts with other aspects of my life, like hormonal changes during my cycle, has been a huge part of managing it effectively. Strategies like mindfulness, nutrition tailored to my needs, and holistic health approaches have been game-changers.
