Adult Female ADHD Symptoms
Women with ADHD often go undiagnosed due to inattention or less evident symptoms, gender bias by health professionals and symptom maskedness. It is important to get an diagnosis to improve your relationships, prepare 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 look for these symptoms:
Hyperfocus
Many people who suffer from ADHD can focus in on an activity until they completely forget about the external world, even when the activity is not productive. This is referred to as hyperfocus. While some people, such as scientists, artists and writers, use this skill to do their best work but uncontrolled hyperfocus can be a risk. It can cause you to be late for appointments, suffer difficulties at work or at school, and strain relationships with family and friends.
Hyperfocus can be a challenge to stop, especially if you don't realize that it's taking place. The most effective way to get rid of an ADHD hyperfocus session is to establish a routine and prioritize your tasks for the day, which includes everyday chores like brushing teeth or taking showers. If you have a hard time keeping track of time, use a clock or alarm clock to help remain focused or have a friend check in with you at regular intervals. When working on a project, it is beneficial to move around and take frequent breaks.
Hyperfocus in children can be thought of as positive, since it allows them to be highly engaged in a fun activity, such as skateboarding, or making things with Legos. However, excessive hyperfocus can lead to setbacks in school, lost productivity at work, and damaged relationships with parents or siblings.
The ability to hyperfocus can make it difficult to determine whether your child is suffering from a mental illness such as depression or anxiety, which is common among adolescents. It is essential to seek medical assistance if your daughter's symptoms of ADHD are hindering her daily functioning.
The symptoms of ADHD can also heighten during certain times in a woman's life for instance, when she is experiencing menstrual cycles or is pregnant. This can increase the severity and frequency of emotional symptoms, such as anger or mood fluctuations. It also increases the likelihood of a female being misunderstood by her lover or coworkers.
The male-to-female ADHD ratio is about 2:1 in the early years of childhood. However, the imbalance is less apparent as women begin to receive more ADHD diagnoses after the age of 14. The good news is that there are a variety of resources to help women and girls manage their ADHD, and improve their lives.
Procrastination
Procrastination is a common ADHD symptom in adult women, and it can cause issues both in your professional and personal lives. This symptom can make it difficult to begin and complete tasks, particularly those that require self-regulation or executive function abilities. Procrastinators often fall behind in important work or school assignments, which could damage their reputation and relationships.
Other signs of adult ADHD include not remembering appointments and ignoring deadlines. You might also forget important details in conversations or even your own personal needs, such as paying bills. It may be difficult to concentrate in busy or noisy places, which could cause you to miss opportunities at school or work. You could also get distracted by your phone or social media, and find it difficult to stay focused when reading or listening to 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 result in many emotional problems, from depression and anxiety to mood swings that can impact your life in different ways. It can also make it difficult to deal with frustrations and misunderstandings within personal and professional relationships.
Women are better at masking their ADHD symptoms than men, which can cause difficulty in being diagnosed and obtaining treatment. This is particularly the case for women who suffer from high-functioning ADHD. The inattentive signs are less obvious, and are often concealed by depression or anxiety. School reports tend to concentrate on academic performance and behavior, but not on issues with relationships or social. symptoms of ADHD in adults can cause girls and women with ADHD to be overlooked and undiagnosed.
There are a variety of treatments for adult ADHD. These include medication, cognitive behavioral treatment, and lifestyle changes. Talk to your doctor about the best treatment plan for you. Keep in mind that the aim of the treatment plan is to improve your daily performance and help manage your symptom. Discuss the side effects and benefits of every medication you are taking along with any co-occurring disorders.
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 frequent, and can lead to issues at school, work, or with relationships.
Impulsivity is a sign of the inattentive ADD/ADHD type and can lead to bad choices or risky behaviors. The signs of impulsivity include blurting out answers prior to questions are asked, interrupting people during conversations, and purchasing things on impulse without taking into consideration the consequences. These actions of impulsivity can lead to embarrassing social situations, relationship problems and financial problems.
Emotional impulsivity is a common symptom in adult female ADHD. It can lead to acting out in reaction to feelings of anger or frustration which can be difficult to control. This impulsivity can also cause mood swings, making it difficult to keep healthy and positive relationships.
Women with ADHD may have difficulties managing their emotions, which can lead to depression 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 have trouble making decisions or planning ahead. As a result, they may become a bit dependent on others or have a hard time keeping their commitments.
Women and girls with ADHD have a higher risk of engaging in sexually risky behaviors throughout their adolescence and even into adulthood. This is compared with their peers who do not suffer from the disorder. This is often due to a recognition of the value of sexual activity to gain social acceptance. Sexually threatening behaviors of young adults and adolescents with ADHD are a contributing factor to higher rates of early, teenage or unplanned pregnancies in these populations.
The good news is that there are plenty of ways to curb impulsive behavior. Learning to pause before you act and to write down thoughts that might be impulsive can assist. Meditation or mindfulness can also help calm the body and mind and eliminate distractions. Diet can play a part in managing impulses. A balanced diet that contains plenty of vegetables and fruits as well as whole grains and quality protein can improve focus and prevent impulsive behaviors. Sleep is also key to the reduction of impulsiveness. Set up a regular sleeping routine, using a heavy blanket to calm your mind and body and limiting your use of screens prior to going to bed.
Emotional Dysregulation
Emotional dysregulation is a frequent problem that often affects adults with ADHD. It is difficult to manage daily stress and relationships when you are unable to manage your emotions. It can result in self-destructive behaviours like addictions and eating disorders. This can make it difficult for people to maintain the demands of school, work or even your home life.
It can be difficult to identify your emotions or understanding what they mean. This is especially difficult when you suffer from an emotional disorder like depression or anxiety. Symptoms of emotional dysregulation can include difficulty getting calm after a fight and having frequent outbursts, or being easily annoyed by minor irritations and inconveniences. You might also have trouble let go of past experiences or holding grudges.
Females who suffer from ADHD are more susceptible to emotional dysregulation. The reason for this is because their symptoms are internalized and they are less likely to be diagnosed with ADHD than boys or men. 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 typically under greater pressure than boys and men to meet societal expectations. This can be particularly challenging for teenage girls who have ADHD as they go through the hormonal changes that come with puberty and adolescence. With their increased awareness of academic and social pressures, these can be the cause of emotional dysregulation.
If you suffer from issues with your emotions due to ADHD symptoms, medication or therapy may be the best choice for treatment. Medicine can help improve your mood and regulate your hormones, while therapy offers a safe environment to explore feelings such as anger, sadness and rejection. It can also help with anxiety.
Whether you opt for medication or therapy the best way to treat the issue of emotion dysregulation is to implement steps to improve your sleep. You can do this by following a bedtime routine and meditating or listening to calming music before sleeping. A good night's sleep can make you feel more energetic throughout the day.
While everyone's experience is unique, it's important that you remember there are ways to deal with ADHD symptoms and live a fulfilling lifestyle. It's normal for people to try different treatments, medications or lifestyle changes to find the best solution.