Adult Female ADHD Symptoms
Women suffering from ADHD are often overlooked because of inattention to symptoms that may not be obvious, gender bias in healthcare professionals and symptom-masking. 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 determine these symptoms:
Hyperfocus
Many people who have ADHD can focus on an activity until they are unable to think about the outside world, even when the activity isn't productive. Hyperfocus is the term used to describe this. While certain people, like scientists, artists and writers, use this skill to be successful in their profession, unrestrained hyperfocus can be a liability. It can lead to missed appointments, setbacks in school or at work and even strained relationships with family members and friends.
Hyperfocus can be a challenge to stop, particularly if you don't realize that it's occurring. Make a plan for your day and prioritize daily tasks, such as brushing your teeth or taking a bath. If you have a hard time keeping track of your time, use a clock or alarm clock to help remain focused or ask a trusted friend to be in touch with you at specific intervals. When working on a project, it's also helpful 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, such as skateboarding, or creating with Legos. Unrestrained hyperfocus, however, can cause problems at school, decreased productivity at work, and even strained relationships between siblings and parents.
The ability to hyperfocus can make it harder to see if your child is experiencing emotional issues such as depression or anxiety which are prevalent among adolescents. This is why it is important to seek medical attention if your daughter has symptoms of ADHD that impact her daily functioning.
ADHD symptoms can be more prevalent during certain phases of a woman's pregnancy, or menstrual cycles. This can increase the severity and frequency of emotional symptoms such as anger or mood swings. It also increases the likelihood that a female will be misunderstood by her spouse or colleagues.
The male-to-female ADHD ratio is about 2:1 in childhood. However, the disparity decreases when women start receiving more ADHD diagnoses after age 14. There are numerous resources to assist girls and women manage their ADHD and improve their lives.
Procrastination
Procrastination is a typical adult female ADHD sign that can lead to issues in your personal and professional life. This condition can make it difficult to complete tasks, particularly those that require self regulation and executive functioning abilities. People who are inclined to procrastinating often find themselves in a bind with important school or work assignments, which can damage their reputations and relationships.
Other symptoms of adult ADHD include the inability to remember appointments and missing deadlines. You might also forget important details during conversations or your own personal needs like paying bills. You may have trouble concentrating in busy or noisy 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 may have difficulty staying focus when reading or listening to others.
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 issues that range from anxiety and depression to shifts in mood that affect your life in many ways. It can also make it difficult to handle anger and miscommunications in your personal and work relationships.
Women are more adept than men at hiding their ADHD symptoms and this can make it more difficult to receive a diagnosis and receive treatment. This is particularly the case for women who suffer from high-functioning ADHD. The symptoms of inattention are less obvious, and can be concealed by depression or anxiety. School reports usually do not contain any mentions concerning relationship issues or social problems and focus on academic performance and behavior, which may cause under-diagnosis and mis-identification of women and girls with ADHD.
There are a variety of treatments for adult ADHD. These include medication, cognitive behavioral treatment, and lifestyle modifications. Speak to your doctor about the most effective treatment plan for you. Be aware that the goal of any treatment plan is to help you manage your symptoms and improve your daily functioning. Be sure to discuss the benefits and side consequences of any medication you're taking, as well 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. However, the inattentive symptoms are quite common and can affect school, work, and relationships.
Impulsivity is a symptom of the type of ADD/ADHD that is inattentive and can result in poor choices or dangerous behaviors. Signs of impulsivity could include blurting out answers prior to questions are asked, interrupting other people in conversations, and buying things on impulse, without thinking through the consequences. These impulsive actions can lead to embarrassing social situations, relationship problems and financial problems.
Emotional impulsivity is yet another typical symptom of adult female ADHD. It can result in impulsive behavior in reaction to anger or frustration. This impulsivity can also cause mood swings, which makes it difficult to keep healthy and positive relationships.
Women with ADHD might have trouble managing their emotions, leading to depression and anxiety. These negative emotions can affect productivity and may result in absences from appointments or health problems. Women suffering from an impulsive ADHD have trouble making decisions or planning ahead. This is why they may become a bit dependent on others, or be unable to keep their commitments.
Throughout adolescence and into adulthood, girls and women who suffer from ADHD are more likely to engage in sexually risky behavior than peers without the disorder. This is due to the fact that sexual activity is valued for social acceptance. The risky sexual behaviors of young adults and teens with ADHD can contribute to higher rates of early, teenage or unplanned pregnancies among these groups.
There are many ways that you can control your impulsive behavior. Making sure to pause before doing something and to record thoughts that might be impulsive could help. Meditation or mindfulness can also help to calm the body and mind and block out distractions. Diet is a factor in controlling impulses. A healthy diet with lots of fruits and vegetables as well as whole grains and quality protein can improve focus and prevent impulsive behaviors. Sleep is also key to reducing the risk of impulsiveness. To get an improved night's sleep, try establishing a consistent bedtime routine, including an oversized blanket to relax the body and mind before sleeping, and limit screen time in the days prior to bed.
Emotional Dysregulation
Emotional dysregulation affects many adults with ADHD. It can be difficult to manage daily stress and relationships when you are unable to manage your emotions. This can lead to self-destructive behavior such as addictions and eating disorder. This could make it difficult to keep an occupation, school or even a home life.
You may have difficulty identifying your feelings or understanding what they mean. This can be especially challenging when you suffer from a mood disorder such as depression or anxiety. Symptoms of emotional dysregulation can include having trouble relaxing after an argument or having frequent outbursts. You may also find yourself getting easily frustrated by small inconveniences and annoyances. It is also possible to have trouble in letting go of past events or repressing grudges.
Females with ADHD are at risk to emotional dysregulation. This is because their symptoms are typically 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 with ADHD are typically under greater pressure than males and boys to live up to the expectations of society. signs and symptoms of ADHD in adults can be particularly challenging for teenagers suffering from ADHD as they go into the hormonal changes associated with puberty and the transition to adolescence. Combined with their heightened sensitivity to social and academic demands, this can be the cause of emotional dysregulation.
If you experience an emotional disorder due to ADHD symptoms therapy or medication could be the best choice for treatment. The use of medication can boost your mood and regulate your hormones while therapy offers a safe environment to explore feelings such as anger, sadness, rejection, or anxiety.
You can improve your sleep by following a bedtime routine and practicing meditation, or listening to soothing music before sleeping. This can be accomplished by implementing a routine prior to going to bed, practicing meditation, or listening to soothing music. Good sleep hygiene practices will also help you to have more energy throughout the day.
While everyone's experience is unique, it's important to keep in mind that there are ways to manage ADHD symptoms and live an enjoyable life. It's commonplace for people to experiment with a combination or therapies and medications, or lifestyle changes to determine the best solution.