Adult Female ADHD Symptoms
Women who suffer from ADHD are often overlooked due to symptoms that may be less evident, gender biases among healthcare providers and symptom masked. It is crucial to receive an diagnosis to improve your relationships, set yourself up for success, and gain a better understanding of 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 for these signs:
Hyperfocus
Many people who suffer from ADHD can focus in on an activity to the point where they forget about the outside world, even when the activity isn't productive. Hyperfocus is what this is. Unrestrained hyperfocus, while beneficial for certain people such as writers, scientists and artists, could be a liability. It can result in missed appointments, setbacks in work or school and even strained relationships with family members and friends.
Hyperfocus is difficult to stop if unaware that it is happening. The best method to get out of an ADHD hyperfocus is to create a schedule and prioritize tasks for the day, which includes routine chores like brushing your teeth or taking shower. Set an alarm or a clock to help you keep the time. You can also ask a trusted friend or family member to check in on you at regular intervals. It also helps to move around and take frequent breaks while working on a project.
In children, hyperfocus is sometimes thought of as a positive trait, because it allows children to be highly engaged in an enjoyable activity such as skateboarding or creating with Legos. However, uncontrolled hyperfocus could cause problems in school, lost productivity at work and strained relationships with siblings or parents.
Hyperfocus can make it difficult to determine if your child suffering from a mental disorder such as depression or anxiety. These are typical among adolescents. This makes it important to seek medical attention if your child has symptoms of ADHD that interfere with her daily functioning.
The symptoms of ADHD can also be more severe at certain times of the life of a woman like when she is experiencing menstrual cycles or is pregnant. This can increase the intensity and frequency of emotional symptoms like mood swings and irritability. It also increases the likelihood of a female being misunderstood by her lover or coworkers.
While the ratio of males to females with diagnosed ADHD is at 2:1 in childhood the imbalance is less noticeable after age 14 when more women receive a diagnosis. The good news is that there are many options to help women and girls manage their ADHD, and improve their lives.
Procrastination
Procrastination can be a common ADHD symptoms in women of adulthood, and it can cause problems in your personal and professional lives. This condition can make it difficult to begin and complete tasks, especially those that require self-regulation and executive functioning abilities. Procrastinators are often late in important school or work assignments, which can damage their reputation and relationships.
Missing deadlines and forgetting appointments are other common symptoms of adult ADHD for women. You might also forget important information in conversations or even your own personal needs, such as paying your bills. It may be difficult to concentrate in noisy or busy areas, which could lead you to miss opportunities at work or school. You could also get distracted by your smartphone or social media accounts and have difficulty staying focused while reading or listening to someone else.
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 a variety of emotional challenges that range from anxiety and depression, to mood swings which can have a profound impact on your life. It can also make it hard to manage frustrations and misunderstandings within personal and professional relationships.
Women are more adept than men in obscuring their ADHD symptoms and this can make it harder to obtain diagnosed and receive treatment. This is particularly relevant for women with high-functioning ADHD. The signs of inattention aren't as obvious and are often concealed by anxiety or mood disorders. School reports tend to focus on academic performance and behavior, and not social or relationship issues. This can cause girls and women with ADHD to be misdiagnosed and under-diagnosed.
There are a variety of treatments for adult ADHD. These include medication, cognitive behavioral treatment, and lifestyle changes. Talk with your doctor about the best treatment plan for you. Remember that the purpose of the treatment plan is to improve your daily performance and help manage your symptom. Discuss the side effects and benefits of every medication you are taking as well as any co-occurring disorders.
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.
Impulsivity is a sign of the type of ADD/ADHD that is inattentive and can lead to bad decisions or reckless behavior. Signs of impulsivity could include blurting out answers prior to questions are asked, interrupting people during conversations, and purchasing things on impulse without thinking through the consequences. These impulsive actions can result in embarrassing situations in social settings, relationship issues, and financial problems.
ADHD symptoms in adults males may also be a common symptom in adult female ADHD. It can cause impulsive behavior in response to anger or frustration. This impulsivity can also lead to mood swings that make it difficult for people to keep healthy and positive relationships.
Women suffering from ADHD might have trouble managing their emotions, which can lead to depression and anxiety. These negative emotions can negatively impact the performance of a person at work, and can result in missing appointments or health issues. Women with hyper-impulsive ADHD often have difficulty making decisions or plan ahead. They can become dependent on others, or have trouble keeping their commitments.
In the adolescent years and into adulthood, women and girls with ADHD are more likely to engage in risky sexual actions than those without the disorder. This is because sexual activity is viewed as a sign of social acceptance. Sexually risky behaviors of young adults and teens with ADHD are a major contributor to the higher rate of early, teenage or unplanned pregnancy in these groups.
The good news is that there are many ways to reduce impulsive behaviors. It is helpful to learn to pause and record your thoughts prior to making a decision. Meditation or mindfulness can also aid in calming the body and mind and eliminate distractions. Diet plays a role in managing the impulsiveness. A balanced diet that includes fruits, vegetables, whole grains and high-quality protein, can improve focus and help prevent an impulsive behaviour. Sleep is another key factor in reducing impulsivity. To get a better night's rest Try establishing a regular bedtime routine, utilizing an oversized blanket to relax the body and mind before going to bed, and limiting screen time during the time leading up to sleep.
Emotional Dysregulation
The disorder of emotional regulation affects a lot of adults with ADHD. If you're not able control your emotions, it can be difficult to navigate daily challenges and relationships. This can lead to self-destructive behaviors like addictions and eating disorder. This can make it difficult for people to maintain the demands of school, work or home life.
You might find it difficult to identify your feelings or comprehend what they mean. This can be especially challenging when you suffer from a mood disorder, such as anxiety or depression. Emotional dysregulation can be characterized by the difficulty of calm after an argument, frequent outbursts or becoming easily annoyed by small inconveniences. It is also possible to have trouble getting rid of past experiences or holding grudges.
Females with ADHD are more prone to emotional dysregulation. The reason for this is because their symptoms are internalized and they are less likely to be diagnosed with ADHD than boys or men. 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.
Additionally girls who suffer from ADHD are typically under greater pressure than males and boys to live up to the expectations of society. This can be especially difficult for teenage girls who have ADHD as they go through the hormonal changes associated with puberty and adolescence. Combined with their heightened sensitivity to social and academic pressures, these can be a recipe for emotional dysregulation.
If you experience an emotional disorder due to ADHD symptoms, medication or therapy may be the best treatment option. Medicine can help improve your mood and regulate your hormones while therapy provides a safe environment to explore feelings such as anger, sadness or rejection.
Whether you choose therapy or medication, the best way to treat emotion dysregulation is to adopt steps to improve your sleep. This can be achieved by following a bedtime routine, practicing meditation or listening to calming music before sleeping. Good sleep hygiene can help you feel more energized throughout the day.
Although everyone's journey is unique, it's important to keep in mind that there are ways to manage ADHD symptoms and lead a fulfilling lifestyle. It's normal for people to experiment with different therapies or medications or lifestyle changes to determine the best solution.