Adult Female ADHD Symptoms
Women suffering from ADHD are often undiagnosed due to inattention or lack of obvious symptoms, gender bias by healthcare professionals and the concealing of symptoms. It is essential to obtain a diagnosis in order to improve your relationships, position yourself 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. Use this checklist to determine these symptoms:
Hyperfocus
ADHD can cause people to become too focused on one particular activity that they lose track of the world outside. This can happen even if the activity isn't productive. Hyperfocus is the term used to describe this. Hyperfocus that is unrestricted, though beneficial for some people, such as writers, scientists and artists, can be a liability. It can result in delays in appointments, a loss of time at work or school and even strained relationships with family members and friends.
Hyperfocus is hard to stop if unaware that it is happening. Create a schedule for the day and prioritize daily tasks like brushing your teeth or taking bath. Use an alarm or clock to aid in keeping track of your time. You can also ask a trusted friend or family member to check in on you at regular intervals. When working on an assignment, it's important to move around a lot and take frequent breaks.
In children, hyperfocus is often considered to be a positive trait, because it allows children to be extremely engaged in a fun activity such as skateboarding or creating with Legos. Hyperfocus that is not controlled can lead to problems at school, decreased productivity at work, and frayed relations between siblings and parents.
Hyperfocus can make it difficult to discern if a child is experiencing emotional issues like anxiety or depression that is common among adolescents. It is crucial to seek medical assistance when your child's symptoms of ADHD are affecting her daily functioning.
Symptoms of ADHD can also be more severe during certain times in the life of a woman for instance, when she is menstruating or pregnant. This can increase the frequency and severity of emotional symptoms, such as irritability and mood swings. It can also increase the chance that a woman will be misunderstood or misinterpreted by her romantic partner or coworkers.
While the male-to-female ratio of diagnosed ADHD is at 2:1 in childhood, this imbalance becomes less pronounced after age 14 when more women receive a diagnosis. There are numerous resources that can aid girls and women in managing their ADHD and improve their lives.
Procrastination
Procrastination is a common adult female ADHD sign and can cause problems in both your professional and personal life. This symptom can make it difficult to begin and complete tasks, particularly those that require self-regulation or executive function abilities. People who are susceptible to procrastination are often behind on important assignments or work and can harm their reputations and relationships.
The inability to remember appointments and the failure to meet deadlines are a few other typical signs of adult ADHD in women. You may also be prone to forgetting important details in conversations, or even your own personal requirements, such as paying your bills. It may be difficult to concentrate in busy or noisy areas, which could lead you to be distracted at work or school. You can also become easily distracted by your phone or social media and find it difficult to stay focus when listening 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 issues including anxiety and depression as well as mood changes that can have a major impact on your life. It can also make it difficult to manage frustrations and misunderstandings within personal and professional relationships.
Women are better at masking their ADHD symptoms than men, which could cause difficulty in finding a diagnosis and getting treatment. This is particularly true for women with high-functioning ADHD as the inattention symptoms aren't as apparent and are more easily disguised by anxiety or mood symptoms. School reports tend to concentrate on academic performance and behavior, and not on issues with relationships or social. This can cause girls and women with ADHD to be overlooked and under-diagnosed.
There are many treatments for adult ADHD, including medication as well as cognitive behavioral therapy and lifestyle adjustments. Discuss with your doctor which treatment plan is best for you. Keeping in mind that the goal of any treatment plan is to assist you manage your symptoms and improve your daily functioning. Be sure to discuss the benefits and side effects of any medications you're taking, as well with any co-occurring issues you may have.
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 difficulties at school, at work or in relationships.
Impulsivity is one of the traits of the inattentive subtype of ADD/ADHD and can be a cause of concern when it leads to unsafe choices or reckless behaviour. ADHD symptoms adults male can be characterized by the tendency to answer questions prior to being asked, interrupting conversations, and buying things without considering the consequences. These impulsive actions can result in embarrassing situations in social situations, relationships, and financial issues.
Emotional impulsivity is an underlying symptom of adult female ADHD. It can result in the impulsive behavior that occurs in response to anger or frustration. The impulsivity of this behavior can also trigger mood swings, making it difficult to maintain healthy and supportive relationships.
Women with ADHD might have trouble managing their emotions, leading to anxiety and low self-esteem. These negative emotions can impact the performance of a person at work, and can lead to missing appointments or health issues. Women who suffer from impulsive ADHD often have difficulty making decisions or plan ahead. They may become overly reliant on others, or have trouble keeping their commitments.
Girls and women with ADHD have a higher risk of engaging in sexually risky behaviors throughout their adolescence and even into adulthood. This is in contrast to peers who do not suffer from the disorder. This is usually due to a recognition of the value of sexual activity to gain social acceptance. Sexually risky behavior in adolescents and young adults with ADHD is a risk factor that can lead to a higher rate of teenage, unplanned or early-stage pregnancies.
There are a variety of ways you can decrease your impulsive behavior. It is helpful to take a step back and record thoughts prior to making a decision. Meditation or mindfulness exercises can also help in relaxing the body and mind by blocking out distractions and controlling the urge to be impulsive. Diet plays a role in managing impulsiveness. A healthy diet with lots of fruits and vegetables along with whole grains and quality protein can improve focus and prevent the impulsive behavior. Sleep is another key factor in reducing impulsivity. Set up a regular sleeping routine, utilizing a thick blanket to calm your mind and body and limiting screen use prior to you go to bed.
Emotional Dysregulation
Emotional dysregulation affects many adults with ADHD. It can be difficult to manage everyday challenges and relationships when you are not able to manage your emotions. This can lead to self-destructive behavior like addictions and eating disorders. This can make it difficult to keep a clean school, home or work life.
You may be having difficulty identifying your feelings or understanding what they mean. This can be especially challenging if you have a mood disorder such as anxiety or depression. Symptoms of emotional dysregulation can include having trouble getting calm after a fight or having frequent outbursts. You may also find yourself getting easily frustrated by small irritations and inconveniences. It could also be difficult getting rid of past experiences or repressing grudges.
Females who suffer from ADHD are more prone to emotional dysregulation. The reason for this is because the symptoms they experience 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.
In addition, girls with ADHD are typically under greater pressure than boys and men to meet societal expectations. This can be particularly challenging for teens with ADHD because they are going through the hormonal changes associated with puberty and the transition to adolescence. With their increased sensitivity to social and academic demands, this 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. Medication can aid in regulating your hormones and improve your mood while therapy can offer a safe space to work through feelings of sadness, anger, anxiety or rejection.
Whether you opt for therapy or medication, the best way to treat this disorder is to adopt steps to improve your sleep. This can be achieved by following a routine before going to bed, doing a meditation routine or listening to calming music. Practicing good sleep hygiene can help you get more energy throughout the day.
While everyone's journey with ADHD is unique it is important to recognize that there are ways to manage symptoms and live an enjoyable life. It's not unusual for people to go through a combination of medications, therapies or lifestyle adjustments to discover the best solution.