Adult Female ADHD Symptoms
Women suffering from ADHD are often not diagnosed due to inattentive symptoms that may be less evident, gender biases in healthcare professionals, and symptom masking. It is important to get an diagnosis to improve your relationships, prepare yourself for success, and understand your behavior.
To be diagnosed with ADHD, you need to have at least five ongoing symptoms of inattention and/or hyperactive/impulsive symptoms that interfere with daily life. Check this checklist to identify these symptoms:
Hyperfocus
ADHD can cause people to be so focused on a specific task that they lose sight of the world outside. This happens even if the activity is not productive. This is known as hyperfocus. While certain individuals, such as scientists, artists and writers, use this skill to do their best work but uncontrolled hyperfocus can be a liability. It can cause you to miss appointments, have setbacks at school or work and cause problems with your family and friends.
what is ADHD symptoms in adults can be very difficult to stop, especially when you don't even realize it's happening. Make a plan for your day and prioritize daily tasks, such as brushing your teeth or taking a bath. Utilize an alarm clock or alarm to help you keep track of time. You can also ask a trusted friend or family member to check in on you regularly. When working on a project, it is beneficial to move around frequently and take frequent breaks.
In children, hyperfocus is often thought of as a positive trait, because it allows kids to become highly engaged in an enjoyable sport like skateboarding or creating with Legos. However, excessive hyperfocus can result in setbacks at school, decreased productivity at work, and even strained relationships with parents or siblings.
Hyperfocus can make it difficult to determine if your child suffering from a mental illness such as depression or anxiety. These are common in adolescents. This makes it important to seek medical attention if you suspect your child has symptoms of ADHD that interfere with her daily life.
ADHD symptoms can also be more prominent during certain phases of a woman's pregnancy, or menstruation. This can increase the intensity and frequency of emotional symptoms, such as anger or mood swings. It also increases the likelihood of a female being misunderstood either by her lover, or coworkers.
The male-to-female ADHD ratio is approximately 2:1 during the early years of childhood. However, the disparity becomes less pronounced as women receive more ADHD diagnoses after age 14. There are a variety of resources that can help women and girls manage their ADHD and improve their lives.
Procrastination
Procrastination is a typical adult female ADHD sign and can cause difficulties in your personal and professional life. This symptom can make it difficult to complete tasks, especially ones that require self-regulation and executive function abilities. Procrastinators often fall behind in important school or work assignments, which can harm their reputation and relationships.
Forgetting appointments and missing deadlines are other common symptoms of adult ADHD among women. You might also forget important details in conversations or even your own personal needs like paying your bills. It can be difficult to focus in noisy or busy areas, which could lead you to miss opportunities at work or school. You can also become easily distracted by social media or your phone and find it difficult to stay focused while listening to or reading.
People with the hyperactive/impulsive type of ADHD typically have a harder time controlling their emotions than those with the inattentive type. This can result in various emotional problems ranging from depression and anxiety, to mood swings which can have a profound impact on your life. It can also make it difficult to handle confusion and frustration in workplace and personal relationships.
Women are better at masking their ADHD symptoms than men, which may make it more difficult for them to finding a diagnosis and getting treatment. This is especially the case for women with high-functioning ADHD and inattention symptoms are less evident and are often disguised by mood or anxiety symptoms. School reports tend to focus on academic performance and behavior, but not social or relationship issues. This can lead to girls and women with ADHD to be under-identified and undiagnosed.
There are many treatment options for adults suffering from ADHD. These include medication, cognitive behavioral treatment, and lifestyle changes. Talk with your doctor about which treatment plan is best for you. Remember that the goal of a treatment plan is to improve your daily functioning and help you manage your symptoms. Discuss the potential side effects and benefits of every medication you're taking, together with any co-occurring conditions.
Impulsivity
Women and girls with ADHD are more likely to have inattentive symptoms than men and boys, but they're less likely to have the hyperactive/impulsive or mixed subtypes of ADHD. The inattentive symptoms are very common, and can cause issues at school, work, or with relationships.
The tendency to be impulsive is a characteristic of the inattentive subtype of ADD/ADHD and can cause trouble when it causes poor choices or risky behavior. Symptoms of impulsivity can include uttering answers before questions are asked, interrupting people during conversations, and purchasing things on impulse without thinking through the consequences. These impulsive actions can lead to embarrassing situations at the social level, problems with relationships and financial problems.
Emotional impulsivity can also be common in adult female ADHD. It can cause people to act out in response to feelings of anger or frustration, which can be difficult to manage. This impulsivity can also cause mood swings, making it difficult to keep healthy and positive relationships.
Women who suffer from ADHD may find it difficult to manage their emotions, which can lead to low self-esteem and anxiety. These negative emotions can negatively impact work performance and lead to absences from appointments and health issues. Women who suffer from impulsive ADHD are unable to making decisions or planning ahead. They might become too dependent on others, or have difficulty staying on track with their commitments.
Women and girls with ADHD have a higher risk of engaging in risky sexual behavior throughout their adolescence, and even into adulthood. This is in contrast with their peers who do not suffer from the disorder. This is due to the fact that sexual activity is viewed as a sign of social acceptance. Sexually risky behavior in adolescents and young adults with ADHD is a factor that is responsible for the higher incidence of unplanned, teenage or early-stage pregnancies.
There are many ways that you can control your impulsive behavior. Learning to pause before acting and to write down thoughts that might be impulsive can assist. Mindfulness or meditation practices can also be helpful in relaxing the body and mind and removing distractions and reducing impulsiveness. Diet plays a role in managing impulses. A balanced diet that includes vegetables, fruits, whole grains and high-quality protein, can improve concentration and reduce the risk of an impulsive behaviour. Sleep is also key to decreasing impulsiveness. To get a better night's rest, try establishing a consistent bedtime routine, including an oversized blanket to relax the mind and body prior to sleeping, and limiting screen time in the days before bed.
Emotional Dysregulation
Emotional dysregulation affects many adults with ADHD. When you're unable to control your emotions, it is difficult to deal with everyday challenges and relationships. This can lead to self-destructive behavior like addictions and eating disorders. This could make it difficult to maintain the demands of school, work or even a home life.
It can be difficult to identify your emotions or figuring out what they mean. This can be particularly difficult if you suffer from a mood disorder, such as anxiety or depression. The signs of emotional dysregulation could include having trouble relaxing after an argument, having frequent outbursts or being easily annoyed by minor problems and irritations. It is also possible to have trouble getting rid of past experiences or putting off grudges.
Females suffering from ADHD are more susceptible to emotional dysregulation. It's because their symptoms are internalized and they are less likely to be diagnosed with ADHD than males or females. Symptoms may also be harder to notice because many teachers miss subtle hyperactive-impulsive symptoms in girls, and rating scales for ADHD are still skewed toward male behavior symptoms.
Girls who suffer from ADHD are often under greater pressure to conform to social norms than both boys and men. This can be particularly difficult for teenage girls who have ADHD as they go through the hormonal changes that accompany puberty and the transition to adolescence. In addition, their increased sensitivity to social and academic pressures, these can be an ideal recipe for emotional dysregulation.
If you experience issues with your emotions due to ADHD symptoms treatment or medication may be the best treatment option. The use of medication can help regulate your hormones and improve your mood while therapy can offer a safe space to deal with emotions of sadness, anger and anxiety, as well as rejection.
Whether you choose therapy or medication the best way to treat the issue of emotion dysregulation is to implement steps to improve your sleep. This can be achieved by implementing a routine prior to going to sleeping, practicing meditation or listening to calming music. A good night's sleep can also help you have more energy throughout the day.
Although everyone's journey is different, it's vital to remember that there are ways to deal with ADHD symptoms and live an enjoyable life. It's commonplace for people to test various therapies, medications or lifestyle changes to determine the most effective solution.