Adult Female ADHD Symptoms
Women with ADHD are often undiagnosed because of inattentive or less evident symptoms, gender bias by healthcare professionals, and the concealing of symptoms. ADHD adult female symptoms is important to get an assessment to improve your relationships, set yourself up 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 outside world. This happens even if the activity is not productive. This is known as hyperfocus. While certain people, like scientists, artists and writers make use of this skill to do their best work however, hyperfocus that is not controlled can be a risk. It can cause you miss appointments, have setbacks at school or work and can cause tension with your family and friends.
Hyperfocus can be difficult to stop if you are unaware that it is taking place. The best way to break out of an ADHD hyperfocus session is to establish a routine and prioritize tasks for the day, such as routine chores like brushing your teeth or taking showers. If you're having a difficult time keeping track of time, use a clock or alarm clock to help keep track of your time or ask a friend to check in with you at certain intervals. When working on an assignment, it's important to move around and take frequent breaks.
Hyperfocus in children is sometimes seen as positive, as it allows them to be highly engaged in a fun activity like skateboarding or creating with Legos. However, excessive hyperfocus can lead to setbacks in school, decreased productivity at work, and damaged relationships with parents or siblings.
Hyperfocus may make it difficult to discern the signs that a child is suffering from a mental illness like anxiety or depression which are common among adolescents. This makes it important to seek medical attention if your daughter is showing signs of ADHD that affect her daily activities.
ADHD symptoms may be more prevalent during certain phases of a woman's pregnancy or menstrual cycles. This can increase the intensity and frequency of emotional symptoms, like irritability and mood fluctuations. It also increases the chance that a woman will be misunderstood or misinterpreted by her spouse or colleagues.
The male-to-female ADHD ratio is 2:1 during childhood. However, the disparity becomes less pronounced as women receive more ADHD diagnoses after age 14. There are a variety of resources that can assist girls and women manage their ADHD and improve their lives.
Procrastination
Procrastination is a common adult female ADHD symptom and can cause issues in your personal and professional life. This symptom makes it difficult to start and complete tasks, especially those that require self-regulation and executive function skills. People who delay their work often miss out on important school or work assignments, which can damage their reputation and relationships.
Forgetting appointments and missing deadlines are other common symptoms of adult ADHD in women. You may also forget important information during conversations or your personal needs such as paying your bills. You might have difficulty focusing in noisy or busy environments, which could lead to missed opportunities at school or work. You could also get distracted by your smartphone or social media, and have difficulty staying focused while listening to or reading a book with 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 cause a variety of emotional challenges ranging from depression and anxiety and mood fluctuations which can have a profound 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 men in hiding their ADHD symptoms which makes it harder to obtain an accurate diagnosis and get treatment. This is particularly relevant for women who have high-functioning ADHD as the inattention symptoms are less obvious and can be camouflaged by anxiety or mood symptoms. School reports tend to focus on academic performance and behavior, but not on issues with relationships or social. This can lead girls and women with ADHD to be overlooked and not diagnosed.
There are a variety of treatments for adults suffering from ADHD which include medication and cognitive behavioral therapy and lifestyle changes. Speak to your doctor about the most effective treatment plan for you. Remember that the goal of a treatment plan is to improve your daily performance and help manage your symptom. Make sure you discuss the advantages and side effects of any medication you're taking, as any co-occurring conditions 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 symptoms of inattention are common and can cause problems at work, school or in relationships.
Impulsivity is an attribute of the inattention subtype of ADD/ADHD and can cause problems when it causes reckless choices or risky behaviour. Symptoms of impulsivity can include uttering answers before questions are asked, interrupting people in conversations, and buying things on impulse without thinking through the consequences. These impulsive actions can lead to embarrassing situations in social situations, relationship issues and financial difficulties.
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 may 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 have difficulty managing their emotions, leading to depression and anxiety. These negative emotions can negatively impact the performance of a person at work, and can lead to missed appointments or health issues. Women suffering from impulsive ADHD frequently struggle to make decisions or plan ahead. They might become too dependent on others or have trouble keeping their commitments.
Girls and women who suffer from ADHD are more likely of engaging in sexually risky behavior throughout their adolescence, and even into adulthood. This is compared with their peers who don't have the disorder. This is usually due a recognition of the value of sexual activity to gain social acceptance. The risky sexual behavior of young adults and adolescents with ADHD are a contributing factor to the increased rates of teenage, early or unplanned pregnancy in these groups.
The good news is that there are a variety of ways to reduce impulsive behaviors. Learning to pause before you act and to record thoughts that might be impulsive can assist. Meditation or mindfulness exercises can also help in relaxing the body and mind, blocking out distractions, and controlling impulsiveness. Diet can play a part in controlling impulses. A balanced diet, which includes fruits, vegetables whole grains, whole grains and high-quality protein, can help improve focus and help prevent impulsive behavior. Sleep is another important element in reducing impulsiveness. Set up a regular sleeping routine, utilizing a thick blanket to calm your body and mind, and limiting your use of screens in the hours before you go to bed.
Emotional Dysregulation
Emotional dysregulation affects many adults with ADHD. If you're not able to control your emotions it can be difficult to navigate your daily life and relationships. This could lead to self-destructive behaviours like addictions or eating disorder. This can make it difficult to maintain an occupation, school or home life.
You might find it difficult to pinpoint your emotions or to understand what they mean. This can be particularly difficult if you suffer from a mood disorder like anxiety or depression. Emotional dysregulation is characterized by difficulties in calming down following an argument, frequent outbursts, or becoming easily annoyed by small annoyances. It could also be difficult getting rid of past experiences or holding grudges.
Females with ADHD are more susceptible to emotional dysregulation. The reason for this is that their symptoms tend to be internalized and they are less likely than men and boys 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.
Additionally, girls who suffer from ADHD are often under more pressure than males and boys to live up to the expectations of society. This can be particularly challenging for teenagers suffering from ADHD, as they enter into the hormonal changes of puberty and the transition to adolescence. This can lead to emotional dysregulation, particularly combined with the increased sensitivity of girls with ADHD to academic and social pressures.
If you suffer from emotional dysregulation due to ADHD symptoms therapy or medication could be the best choice for treatment. ADHD symptoms in women adults of medication can aid in regulating your hormones and improve your mood while therapy can provide an environment that allows you to work through feelings of sadness, anger, anxiety or rejection.
Whether you choose therapy or medication the best way to treat this disorder is to implement steps to improve your sleep. You can achieve this by implementing a routine before bed, practicing meditation or listening to calming music before sleeping. Good sleep hygiene can help you feel more refreshed throughout the day.
While everyone's experience is unique, it's important that you remember there are ways to manage ADHD symptoms and lead a life that is enjoyable. It's not uncommon for people to encounter the combination of therapies, medications or lifestyle adjustments to discover what works best.