Symptoms of ADHD in Adults Females
Adult females with ADHD are often misdiagnosed or overlooked. A correct diagnosis can make a difference in your life both professionally and personally.
The most common symptoms are memory loss, trouble staying organized and impulsive behavior, insufficient emotional regulation and difficulty in recognizing social cues. Treatment could include therapy or medication.
Insufficient Focus
One of the most prominent symptoms of ADHD is difficulty with sustained focus. People with ADHD find it difficult to concentrate on a job beyond a few moments regardless of how fascinating the task is. However, when they do find themselves attracted to something, they may become focused to the point of ignoring other tasks or responsibilities. This symptom can cause procrastination and missed appointments and incomplete work assignments.
Additionally, those with ADHD may have difficulty recalling instructions and details. This can make it hard to perform tasks in school or at work and can cause confusion and anger between people. It can be a significant factor in problems with time management like not paying bills on time or showing up at appointments on time or failing to show up altogether.
Women with ADHD might develop coping strategies to hide their symptoms, which can result in them being seen as unorganized or sloppy by other people. This can lead to feelings of guilt and shame, which can further impact their self-confidence and ability focus.
Use an organizer to help manage this symptom. You can also make use of post-it notes or a planner to appointments and deadlines. Use a noise-cancelling headset to block out distractions and listen to music for improved concentration (make sure that the lyrics don't interfere with your concentration). Avoid caffeine before bedtime as it can disturb sleep patterns. A healthy sleep routine involves establishing the routine of time to go to bed and removing screens one hour before going to sleep. You can also use an oversized quilt or a warm bath, or soothing music to calm your mind before going to bed.
Attention!
Women who have the inattention ADHD subtype often have difficulty working through tasks, recalling important deadlines and dates or even finishing routine chores. They may also lose particulars in conversations, or be distracted by the other things going on around them. Often, they make careless mistakes at school or at work and fail to review their work before sending it. Additionally, they face difficulties planning and setting priorities.
Impulse and forgetfulness can cause anger and miscommunications between romantic partners, colleagues, family members, or even teachers. This makes it difficult for people with these issues to seek treatment for their ailments. If you're always late for meetings, or struggle to keep track of your time, people may assume that you are not concerned about them, or are not committed to the relationship. Your forgetfulness or inability of focus can also lead you to misunderstandings with the people who reside with you.
Some women with ADHD suffer from high-functioning symptoms which do not have a significant impact on their daily lives. These include forgetting about appointments, missing deadlines, or putting off tasks. However, they may experience other symptoms like restlessness and ineffective ability to organize.
Symptoms of adult ADHD are more severe during perimenopausal which is the time leading up to menopause. A good night's sleep and exercise can help to manage these symptoms.
Inattention ADHD, one of the most well-known types of ADHD is a condition that develops when a person is not paying attention. A thorough examination by a healthcare specialist is needed to diagnose ADHD. This can include a behavioral, cognitive or physical test, as well as an interview with your doctor. *Note: Sex refers to biology which is the chromosomal makeup, hormones and anatomy that determine whether someone is either a woman or a man; nonbinary, or a different gender and gender identity - an internal perception of being a woman, a man or a different gender, as well as the associated cultural and social beliefs about roles, behaviours and expressions.
Impulsivity
Women with ADHD have difficulty controlling their impulses and have the capability of putting off action or preventing from taking action based on thought. They may be unable to self-restrain or interrupting other people without thinking, and have a hard time understanding the boundaries of social interaction. They also have a difficult time waiting for their turn and tend to be impatient in general. These symptoms can cause issues at home, school as well as in social relationships.
Adults with ADHD might find it difficult to manage numerous tasks. This includes phone calls, emails and meetings. In addition, they may be unable to remember names and their handwriting might be messy. They may also lack organizational skills and stall on projects, which can affect their work performance and lead to stress. In some instances, impulsive behaviors can lead to unhealthy coping mechanisms like alcohol or drug use.
Because many women with ADHD are unaware that they have the condition, they are underdiagnosed. Their symptoms can be difficult to recognize since they can be obscured by the hormonal changes of puberty, pregnancy, as well as menopausal changes.
At Salience Health, we help patients with ADHD manage their symptoms using a combination of medication and therapy. The use of medication can be particularly beneficial for treating impulse control. To learn more about the treatment options available to adults with ADHD Contact us today to schedule a consultation.
Hyperactivity
Women with ADHD might have difficulty staying still and quiet for long durations of time. Their flitting and restlessness can hinder their ability to focus on their school or at work. They are unable to play or enjoying things in silence. They may appear to be disoriented and not concerned about what other people want. They may also have difficulty recalling specifics of conversations or events they attended.
In ADHD symptoms adults male , they might have difficulty following through on plans and commitments. As they grow older, many women who have ADHD come up with strategies to mask their symptoms, meet expectations and maintain relationship. This can result in feelings like being out of control and overwhelmed. It is especially difficult for women who have the hyperactive/impulsive type of ADHD, which can cause mood swings. These mood changes could be misinterpreted by male friends and colleagues, which could contribute to feelings of isolation and loneliness.
Men and women experience different symptoms of ADHD however an extensive evaluation is required by a licensed healthcare professional. Salience Health providers can use tools like Creyos Cognitive Testing or Brainview Advanced Testing to diagnose and suggest treatments.
A combination of medication and therapy is typically recommended for people suffering from ADHD including adult women. Therapies like cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), interpersonal skills training, and other therapies can help change negative thought patterns and behavior. Medication, such as stimulant and non-stimulant drugs, can be helpful in managing the symptoms of ADHD in adult women. A doctor can prescribe the best medication for you, based on symptoms and age, your stage in life, primary responsibilities, and any other medical conditions or illnesses you may have.
Social Skills
Many people suffering from ADHD struggle to connect with others and feel isolated despite having many friends, coworkers, acquaintances and family members. They have a difficult time making new friends or maintaining relationships due to their forgetfulness and focus issues, as well as the tendency to be impulsive. This can lead to long periods without having a meaningful conversations and being late to appointments and being absent from social gatherings.
These social difficulties can cause problems at work, in school, and in relationships. Inability to keep up on commitments or promises can cause the feeling of being judged and not loved by family members, friends and even peers. This can lead to depression anxiety, depression, low self-esteem and a feeling of being in a state of denial or feeling of being out of control. In some cases it may result in separation or divorce because the inappropriate social behavior becomes too for the spouse or partner. spouse who is not suffering from ADHD.
Women suffering from ADHD may hide their symptoms through changing their behavior in order to comply with social norms and expectations. This can make it harder for them to get an assessment because they might not be as forthcoming about their struggles. They may have developed a repertoire of coping strategies to disguise their symptoms.
For instance, they might keep track of their appointments in an app for calendars or set phone reminders to pay bills or attend important events. They might be able to deal with their inability of multitasking by doing more than one thing at a single time however, they may struggle with executive function or memory deficits which limit their ability to plan and handle time.
In addition, they can be unable to read between the lines or understanding the subtext of other people, which could be a contributing factor to social issues. Accurate diagnosis is the first important step in finding solutions and enhancing relationships with other people. There are numerous solutions and resources that can assist, including medication and therapy.