Adult Female ADHD Symptoms
Women with ADHD are often undiagnosed due to inattention or less evident symptoms, gender bias by healthcare professionals and symptom maskedness. It is important to get an diagnosis to improve your relationships, set yourself up for success and better 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 for these signs:
Hyperfocus
Many people who have ADHD are able to focus on a particular activity until they are unable to think about the outside world, even when the activity is not productive. This is known as hyperfocus. Hyperfocus that is unrestricted, though beneficial for some people, such as writers, scientists and artists, could be a hindrance. It can result in missed appointments, setbacks in work or school and even strained relationships with family members and friends.
Hyperfocus can be extremely difficult to stop, especially when you don't even realize it's taking place. The best way to break out of an ADHD hyperfocus is to make a plan and prioritize your tasks for the day, such as daily chores such as brushing teeth or taking showers. Set an alarm or a clock to aid in keeping track of your time. You can also ask a trusted friend or family member to check on you at regular intervals. It is also helpful to move around and take frequent breaks when working on a task.
Hyperfocus in children can be seen as positive, as it allows them to be highly engaged in an activity, such as skateboarding, or creating with Legos. Hyperfocus that is not controlled can lead to setbacks in school, a decrease in productivity at work, and strained relations between siblings and parents.
Hyperfocus can make it difficult to determine whether your child is suffering from a mental illness like anxiety or depression, which is common among adolescents. It is crucial to seek medical help in the event that your child's symptoms of ADHD are hindering her daily functioning.
ADHD symptoms may be more apparent during certain phases of a woman's pregnancy, or menstrual cycles. This can increase the intensity and frequency of emotional symptoms such as irritability and mood swings. It also increases the chance of a woman being misunderstood either by her partner in love or colleagues.
The male-to-female ADHD ratio is 2:1 during the early years of childhood. However, the difference 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 typical ADHD symptoms in women of adulthood and can lead to problems in your personal and professional lives. This condition can make it difficult to complete tasks, particularly those that require self regulation and executive function skills. People who are susceptible to procrastination often end up behind on important assignments or work, which can damage their reputations and relationships.
Other symptoms of adult ADHD include forgetting appointments and missing deadlines. You could also be susceptible to forgetting important details in conversations or even your own personal needs such as paying your bills. It can be difficult to focus in noisy or busy places, which could cause you to be distracted at school or work. You can also become easily distracted by social media or your phone and may have difficulty staying focus when listening to 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 result in various emotional problems including anxiety and depression and mood fluctuations that can have a significant impact on your life. It can also make it difficult to handle conflicts and miscommunications in your personal and professional relationships.
Women are better at concealing their ADHD symptoms than men, which could contribute to the difficulty of getting a diagnosis and accessing treatment. This is particularly the case for women with high-functioning ADHD as the inattention symptoms aren't as evident and are often disguised by mood or anxiety symptoms. School reports tend to concentrate on academic performance and behavior and not the relationship or social issues. ADHD symptoms female adults can lead girls and women with ADHD to be under-identified and under-diagnosed.
There are many treatments for adults suffering from ADHD which include medication and cognitive behavioral therapy and lifestyle modifications. Talk with your doctor about the best treatment plan for you. Keep in mind that the aim of the treatment plan is to improve your daily functioning and assist you to manage your symptoms. Discuss the potential side effects and benefits of any medication you are taking as well as 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. However, the inattention symptoms are quite common and can affect work, school, and relationships.
The tendency to be impulsive is one of the traits of the inattentive ADD/ADHD subtype and can be a cause of concern when it causes unsafe choices or reckless behaviour. Impulsivity is defined as an inability to answer questions before they are asked, interrupting conversations and buying things without considering the consequences. These impulsive actions can result in embarrassing situations in relationships, social awkwardness and financial difficulties.
Emotional impulsivity may also be an underlying symptom of adult female ADHD. It can result in acting out in response to feelings of anger or frustration, which may be difficult to control. This impulsivity could cause mood fluctuations which make it difficult to maintain supportive and healthy relationships.
Women who suffer from ADHD may have difficulties managing their emotions, leading to anxiety and low self-esteem. These negative emotions can impact productivity and may lead to missed appointments or health issues. Women suffering from impulsive ADHD frequently struggle to make decisions or plan ahead. They can become dependent on others, or have trouble staying on track with their commitments.
In the adolescent years and into adulthood, women and girls who suffer from ADHD are more likely to engage in risky sexual behavior than peers who are not affected by the disorder. This is because sexual activity is valued for social acceptance. Sexual risky behavior among adolescents and young adults with ADHD is a factor that contributes to the higher incidence of teenage, unplanned or early pregnancies.
The good news is that there are a variety of ways to curb impulsive behavior. It is beneficial to take a step back and record thoughts prior to acting. Meditation or mindfulness can help to calm the mind and body and block out distractions. Diet plays an important role in controlling the impulsiveness. A balanced diet, which includes vegetables, fruits whole grains, whole grains and high-quality protein, can help improve concentration and reduce the risk of the impulsive behavior. Sleep is another important factor in reducing impulsivity. Set up a regular sleeping routine, with a heavy blanket to soothe your mind and body, and limiting your use of screens in the hours before bed.
Emotional Dysregulation
Emotional dysregulation is a common issue that typically affects adults with ADHD. If you're not able to manage your emotions it can be difficult to manage your daily life and relationships. It could also lead to self-destructive behaviors such as eating disorders and addictions. This can make it difficult to keep a clean home, work or school life.
It can be difficult to identify your emotions or to understand what they mean. This is especially difficult if you have a mood disorder such as depression or anxiety. The signs of emotional dysregulation could include having trouble getting calm after a fight and having frequent outbursts, or getting easily frustrated by small inconveniences and annoyances. You might also have trouble getting past events out of your mind or holding grudges.
Females with 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.
Girls with ADHD often feel more pressure to conform to social norms than both boys and men. This can be particularly difficult for teenagers with ADHD as they experience the hormonal changes that come with puberty and adolescence. This can lead to emotional dysregulation, particularly when coupled with the increased sensitivity of girls with ADHD to academic and social pressures.
If you are experiencing an emotional disorder due to ADHD symptoms, medication or therapy may be the best treatment option. Medication can aid in regulating your hormones and improve your mood, while therapy can provide the space to work through emotions of sadness, anger or anxiety.
Whether you opt for medication or therapy the best way to treat emotion dysregulation is to take steps to improve your sleep. This can be accomplished by implementing a routine prior to going to sleeping, practicing meditation or listening to relaxing music. A healthy sleep routine can help you feel more refreshed throughout the day.
Although everyone's experience with ADHD is different It's important to keep in mind that there are methods to manage symptoms and live a fulfilling life. It's common for people to test different therapies or medications or lifestyle changes to find the most effective solution.