Adult Female ADHD Symptoms
Women with ADHD are often overlooked due to inattentive symptoms that may not be evident, gender bias among healthcare providers and symptom masked. Getting a diagnosis is important to improve relationships and set you up for success, and help identify your own behaviors.
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 symptoms:
Hyperfocus
Many people with ADHD can focus on an event to the point that they completely forget about the external world, even when the activity isn't productive. This is referred to as hyperfocus. Unrestrained hyperfocus, while beneficial for certain people like scientists, writers and artists, can be a problem for others. It can cause you to delay appointments, experience setbacks at school or work, and strain relationships with family and friends.
Hyperfocus is difficult to stop if unaware that it is occurring. Make a plan for your day and prioritize daily tasks, such as brushing your teeth or taking bath. Utilize an alarm clock or alarm to help you keep the time. You could also ask a friend or family member to check on you regularly. When working on a project, it is beneficial to move around frequently and take frequent breaks.
Hyperfocus in children is often seen as positive, as it allows them to be highly engaged in a fun activity like skateboarding or building with Legos. Unrestrained hyperfocus, however, can lead to setbacks at school, lower productivity at work, and frayed relations between siblings and parents.
Hyperfocus can make it difficult to determine if your child is suffering from a mental illness such as anxiety or depression. These are common in adolescents. This makes it important to seek medical attention if you suspect your child has symptoms of ADHD that affect her daily life.
ADHD symptoms may be more apparent in certain times of pregnancy or menstruation. This can increase the intensity and frequency of emotional symptoms, such as mood swings and irritability. It also increases the likelihood that a female will be misunderstood or misinterpreted by her spouse or colleagues.
The male-to-female ratio for diagnosed ADHD is 2:1 in childhood, this imbalance becomes less pronounced after age 14 when more women are diagnosed with ADHD. The good news is that there are a variety of resources to help girls and women manage their ADHD and improve their lives.
Procrastination
Procrastination can be a common ADHD symptoms in women of adulthood and can create problems in your professional and personal life. This condition can make it difficult to 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.
Other signs of adult ADHD include the inability to remember appointments and missing deadlines. You could also be susceptible to forgetting important details in conversations or even your own personal requirements, such as paying bills. You might have difficulty focusing in noisy or busy environments, which could lead to missed opportunities at school or at work. You may also be easily distracted by your phone or social media, and find it difficult to stay focused when listening to or reading a book with another person.
People with the hyperactive/impulsive type of ADHD typically have a harder time controlling their emotions than those with the inattentive type. This can lead to various emotional issues that range from anxiety and depression and mood fluctuations that can have a major impact on your life. It can also make it difficult to deal with tensions and miscommunications in personal and professional relationships.
Women are better than males in obscuring their ADHD symptoms, which can make it more difficult to get diagnosed and receive treatment. This is especially the case for women with high-functioning ADHD, where the inattentive symptoms aren't so obvious and can be camouflaged by mood or anxiety symptoms. School reports tend to concentrate on academic performance and behavior, but not social or relationship issues. severe ADHD symptoms in adults can lead girls and women with ADHD to be overlooked and undiagnosed.
There are a variety of treatments for adults suffering from ADHD. These include medication, cognitive behavior treatment, and lifestyle adjustments. Talk to your doctor about which treatment plan is best for you. Be aware that the aim of any treatment plan is to help manage your symptoms and improve your daily functioning. Discuss the possible side effects and benefits of any 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. Inattention symptoms are extremely common and can cause difficulties at school, at work, or with relationships.
The tendency to be impulsive is a characteristic of the inattentive ADD/ADHD subtype and can cause problems when it leads to poor choices or risky behavior. Symptoms of impulsivity can include blurting out answers prior to questions are asked, interrupting other people in conversations, or buying items on impulse without taking into consideration the consequences. These impulsive actions can lead to embarrassing social situations, relationship problems, and financial struggles.
Emotional impulsivity is a common symptom of adult female ADHD. It can result in acting out in the face of anger or frustration, which can be difficult to control. This impulsivity may also cause mood swings which make it difficult to maintain healthy and supportive relationships.
Women suffering from ADHD are often unable to manage their emotions, which leads to low self-esteem and anxiety. These negative emotions can negatively impact the performance of a person at work and cause delayed appointments and health problems. Women suffering from an impulsive ADHD are unable to making decisions or planning ahead. They may become overly reliant on others or have trouble staying on track with their commitments.
Through adolescence and through adulthood, girls and women with ADHD are more likely to engage in risky sexual actions than those who are not affected by the disorder. This is usually due to the recognition of the importance of sexual activities for social acceptance. Sexually risky behavior in adolescents and young adults with ADHD is a factor that can lead to a higher rate of unplanned, teenage or early pregnancies.
The good news is that there are a variety of ways to decrease the impulsivity of your behavior. It is helpful to take a step back and record your thoughts prior to making a decision. Mindfulness or meditation practices can be beneficial in relaxing the body and mind, blocking out distractions, and reducing impulsiveness. Diet plays a role in reducing the impulsiveness. A balanced diet that includes vegetables, fruits, whole grains and high-quality proteins, can improve focus and help prevent an impulsive behaviour. Sleep is also crucial to reducing the tendency to be impulsive. Make sure you have a regular sleep routine, with a heavy blanket to relax your body and mind, and limiting screen use during the time before bed.
Emotional Dysregulation
The disorder of emotional regulation affects a lot of adults with ADHD. It can be difficult to manage everyday challenges and relationships when you are not able to control emotions. ADHD symptoms in adults females can result in self-destructive behaviours such as eating disorders and addictions. This can make it difficult to keep a clean home, work or school life.
You might find it difficult to pinpoint your feelings or comprehend what they mean. This is especially difficult when you suffer from an emotional disorder like anxiety or depression. Emotional dysregulation is defined as the difficulty of calming down following an argument, frequent outbursts, or becoming easily annoyed by small annoyances. It could also be difficult in letting go of past events or holding grudges.
Females who suffer from ADHD are at risk to emotional dysregulation. This is because the symptoms of ADHD tend to be internalized and they're less likely than males and females to be diagnosed with ADHD. 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 who suffer from ADHD are often subject to more pressure than men and boys to live up to the expectations of society. This can be particularly challenging for teenagers with ADHD as they experience the hormonal changes that accompany puberty and adolescence. With their increased awareness of academic and social pressures, these can be the cause of emotional dysregulation.
If you are experiencing issues with your emotions due to ADHD symptoms therapy or medication could be the best treatment option. The use of medication can help regulate your hormones and improve your mood while therapy can offer an environment that allows you to work through feelings of anger, sadness, anxiety or rejection.
You can improve your sleep by implementing a routine before bed, practicing meditation or listening to soothing music before sleeping. This can be achieved by implementing a routine prior to going to bed, 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 experience with ADHD is unique, it's important to remember that there are ways to manage symptoms and lead an enjoyable life. It's not unusual for people to encounter a combination of treatments, medications or lifestyle adjustments to discover what works best.