Adult Female ADHD Symptoms
Women suffering from ADHD are often not diagnosed due to inattentive symptoms that may be less evident, gender biases between healthcare professionals and symptom masked. Getting a diagnosis is important to improve relationships, set you up for success, and help understand your 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. Use this checklist to determine these symptoms:
Hyperfocus
Many people who have ADHD are able to focus in on an activity until they completely forget about the external world, even if the activity isn't productive. Hyperfocus is the term used to describe this. Hyperfocus that is unrestricted, though useful for some people such as writers, scientists and artists, can be a liability. It can cause you delay appointments, experience problems at work or school and cause problems with your family and friends.
Hyperfocus can be a challenge to stop, particularly when you don't know it's occurring. The best way to break out of an ADHD hyperfocus is to make a plan and prioritize tasks for the day, which includes daily chores such as brushing teeth or taking a shower. Set an alarm or a clock to assist you in keeping track of your time. You can also ask a friend or family member to check on you at regular intervals. When working on an assignment, it's beneficial to move around and take frequent breaks.
In children, hyperfocus is often thought of as a positive trait, because it allows children to be extremely engaged in a fun activity like skateboarding or building with Legos. Hyperfocus that is not controlled can cause problems at school, decreased productivity at work, and strained relationships between parents and siblings.
The ability to hyperfocus can make it difficult to determine whether your child is experiencing emotional issues like anxiety or depression which are prevalent among adolescents. It is crucial to seek medical attention in the event that your child's symptoms of ADHD are hindering her daily functioning.
Symptoms of ADHD can also be more severe at certain times of a woman's life, such as when she is menstruating or is pregnant. This can increase the intensity and frequency of emotional symptoms such as irritability and mood swings. It can also increase the possibility of a female being misinterpreted by her partner in love, or coworkers.
While the ratio of males to females with diagnosed ADHD is 2:1 in childhood, this imbalance becomes less noticeable after age 14, when more women are diagnosed with ADHD. There are numerous resources to aid girls and women in managing their ADHD and improve their lives.
Procrastination
Procrastination is a typical adult female ADHD symptom, and it can cause problems in both your professional and personal life. This symptom can make it difficult to complete tasks, especially ones that require self-regulation and executive function abilities. Procrastinators are often late in important work or school assignments, which can harm their reputation and relationships.
Other signs of adult ADHD include not remembering appointments and ignoring deadlines. You might also be prone to forgetting important details in conversations or even your own personal needs, such as paying your bills. You may have trouble concentrating in noisy or busy environments, which can cause you to miss opportunities at school or work. You can also become easily distracted by your phone or social media and have trouble staying 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 cause many emotional problems including anxiety and depression to shifts in mood that can impact your life in many ways. It can also make it difficult to manage anger and miscommunications in your workplace and personal relationships.
Women are better at concealing their ADHD symptoms than men, which may contribute to the difficulty of getting a diagnosis and accessing treatment. This is especially true for women who have high-functioning ADHD. The inattentive signs aren't as obvious and are often concealed by anxiety or mood disorders. 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 under-identified and under-diagnosed.
There are many treatments for adult ADHD that include medication, cognitive behavioral therapy, and lifestyle changes. Discuss with your doctor which treatment plan is best for you. Keep in mind 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 every medication you are 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 frequent, and can lead to difficulties at school, at work or in relationships.
Impulsivity is a signification of the inattentive ADD/ADHD type and can lead to bad choices or risky behaviors. Impulsivity is defined as the tendency to respond to questions before they are asked, interrupting conversations, and buying things without considering the consequences. These impulsive actions can result in embarrassing situations in social settings, relationship issues, and financial issues.
Emotional impulsivity is yet another frequent symptom of adult female ADHD. It can cause the impulsive behavior that occurs in reaction to anger or frustration. The impulsivity of this behavior can also trigger mood swings, which makes it difficult to keep healthy and positive relationships.
Women with ADHD might have trouble managing their emotions, leading to anxiety and low self-esteem. These negative emotions can affect the performance of a person at work and cause absences from appointments and health issues. Women who suffer from an impulsive ADHD have trouble making decisions or planning ahead. They may become overly reliant on others, or have difficulty keeping their commitments.
Girls and women with ADHD have a higher risk of engaging in risky sexual behavior throughout their adolescence, and even into adulthood. This is in contrast to peers who don't have the disorder. ADHD symptoms in women adults is usually due a recognition of the value of sexual activities for social acceptance. Sexually threatening ADHD adult female symptoms of adolescents and young adults with ADHD are a contributing factor to the increased rates of teenage, early or unplanned pregnancies in these populations.
There are a variety of ways you can decrease your the impulsive behavior. It can be helpful to take a step back and write down thoughts before acting. Meditation or mindfulness can aid in calming the body and mind, and block out distractions. Diet is a factor in reducing the impulsiveness. A healthy diet that includes plenty of vegetables and fruits, whole grains, and high-quality protein can improve focus and prevent the impulsive behavior. Sleep is another key factor in reducing impulsiveness. Set up a regular sleeping routine, utilizing a thick blanket to calm your mind and body and limiting your screen time in the hours before you go to bed.
Emotional Dysregulation
Emotional dysregulation is a frequent issue that is often experienced by people with ADHD. It can be difficult to handle daily challenges and relationships when you are not able to control emotions. This can lead to self-destructive behavior such as addictions and eating disorders. This can make it difficult for people to maintain a job, school or even a home life.
It can be difficult to identify your feelings or understanding what they mean. This can be especially challenging when you suffer from an emotional disorder like anxiety or depression. Emotional dysregulation is defined as a difficulty in slowing down after an argument, frequent outbursts or being easily upset by small inconveniences. You may also have difficulty in letting go of past events or holding grudges.
Females who suffer from ADHD are at risk to emotional dysregulation. This is because their symptoms 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.
Additionally, girls with ADHD are often subject to more pressure than men and boys to live up to the expectations of society. This can be especially difficult for teenagers with ADHD because they are going through the hormonal changes that come with puberty and the transition to adolescence. With their increased susceptibility to academic and social demands, this can be a recipe for emotional dysregulation.
If you're ADHD symptoms result in emotional dysregulation, treatment options include therapy or medication. Medication can help regulate your hormones and improve your mood, while therapy can offer the space to work through emotions of sadness, anger, anxiety or rejection.
Whether you opt for therapy or medication, the best way to treat this disorder is to implement steps to improve your sleep. This can be achieved by following a bedtime routine and meditating or listening to soothing music before you go to sleep. A good night's sleep can make you feel more energetic throughout the day.
While every person's experience with ADHD is different, it's important to remember that there are ways to manage symptoms and lead a fulfilling life. It's not uncommon for people to experience an array of medications, therapies or lifestyle changes to determine the most effective treatment.