Adult Female ADHD Symptoms
Women with ADHD often go undiagnosed due to inattention or less obvious symptoms, gender bias by healthcare professionals, and the maskedness of symptoms. Getting a diagnosis is important to improve your relationships and set you up for success, and assist you to identify your own 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 look for these symptoms:
Hyperfocus
Many people with ADHD are able to zero in on an activity to the point where they completely forget about the external world, even if the activity isn't productive. This is called hyperfocus. Unrestrained hyperfocus, although beneficial for certain people like scientists, writers and artists, can be a liability. It can result in delays in appointments, a loss of time at the workplace or at school, and strained relationships with family members and friends.
Hyperfocus is difficult to stop if you're not aware of it happening. Create a schedule for the day and prioritize daily tasks such as brushing your teeth or taking bath. Use an alarm or clock to help you keep track of your time. You can also ask a 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 project.
In children, hyperfocus can be thought of as an advantage, as it allows children to be extremely engaged in a fun activity such as skating or building with Legos. Unrestrained hyperfocus, however, can cause problems in school, a decrease in productivity at work, and frayed relations between siblings and parents.
Hyperfocus can make it difficult to determine if your child suffering from a mental disorder such as anxiety or depression. These are common in adolescents. It is crucial to seek medical assistance if your daughter's symptoms of ADHD are impacting her daily life.
ADHD symptoms may be more apparent in certain times of a woman's pregnancy, or menstrual cycles. This can increase the intensity and frequency of emotional symptoms like irritability and mood swings. It also increases the chance that a woman will be misunderstood by her coworkers or romantic partners.
While the male-to-female ratio of diagnosed ADHD is at 2:1 in childhood, this imbalance becomes less noticeable after age 14, when more women are diagnosed with ADHD. The good news is that there are many resources available to assist women and girls manage their ADHD and improve their lives.
Procrastination
Procrastination is a typical ADHD symptom in adult women, and it can cause issues in your personal and professional lives. This condition makes it difficult to start and complete tasks, especially those that require self-regulation and executive function skills. People who are susceptible to procrastination often end up behind on important work or school assignments and this can hurt their reputations and relationships.
Missing deadlines and forgetting appointments are a few other typical signs of adult ADHD in women. You may also forget important information during conversations or your own personal needs like paying your bills. It can be difficult to focus in noisy or busy areas, which could lead you to miss opportunities at school or work. You could also be easily distracted by your mobile or social media and have difficulty staying focused while listening or reading 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 result in a variety of emotional challenges ranging from depression and anxiety as well as mood fluctuations which can have a profound impact on your life. It can also make it difficult to manage frustration and misunderstandings in workplace and personal relationships.
Women are better than males at hiding their ADHD symptoms which makes it more difficult to get a diagnosis and receive treatment. This is especially true for women who have high-functioning ADHD. The signs of inattention are less apparent, and can be hidden by mood disorders or anxiety. School reports tend to concentrate on academic performance and behavior, and not social or relationship issues. This can lead girls and women with ADHD to be overlooked and under-diagnosed.
There are many treatments for adults with ADHD. These include medication, cognitive behavioral treatment, and lifestyle changes. Talk with your doctor about which treatment plan is best for you. Be aware that the purpose of any treatment plan is to help you manage your symptoms and improve your daily functioning. Be sure to discuss the advantages and side effects of any medications you're taking, as well as any co-occurring conditions that 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 frequent, and can lead to issues at school, work, or with relationships.
The tendency to be impulsive is one of the traits of the inattentive subtype of ADD/ADHD and can be a cause of concern when it causes reckless choices or risky behavior. The signs of impulsivity include blurting out answers prior to questions are asked, interrupting others in conversations, and buying things on impulse without considering the consequences. These impulsive behaviors can result in embarrassing situations in social situations, relationships, and financial issues.
Emotional impulsivity is another typical symptom of adult female ADHD. It can cause the impulsive behavior that occurs in response to anger or frustration. signs and symptoms of add and ADHD in adults can also cause mood swings, making it difficult to maintain healthy and supportive relationships.
Women suffering from ADHD may have difficulties managing their emotions, which can lead to depression and anxiety. These negative emotions can negatively impact productivity and may result in missed appointments or health issues. Women who suffer from hyper-impulsive ADHD often have difficulty making decisions or plan 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 with ADHD are more likely to engage in risky sexual actions than those who are not affected by the disorder. This is because sexual activity is viewed as a sign of social acceptance. Sexually risky behavior in adolescents and young adults with ADHD is a risk factor that is responsible for the higher incidence of teenage, unplanned or early pregnancy.
The good news is that there are a variety of ways to decrease the impulsivity of your behavior. Learning to pause before you act and writing down thoughts that could be impulsive could help. Meditation or mindfulness practices can also be helpful in relaxing the body and mind, blocking out distractions, and reducing impulsiveness. Diet also plays an important role in controlling impulses. A healthy diet with plenty of vegetables and fruits along with whole grains and high-quality protein can improve focus and prevent impulse-driven behaviors. Sleep is another key element in reducing impulsiveness. To get more restful sleep, try establishing a consistent bedtime routine, using the blanket with weight to settle the mind and body prior to sleeping, and limiting screen time in the days prior to bed.
Emotional Dysregulation
A lot of adults suffer from emotional dysregulation with ADHD. When you're unable to control your emotions, it is difficult to deal with daily challenges and relationships. This can lead to self-destructive behaviors like addictions or eating disorders. This can make it difficult to keep an occupation, school or even your home life.
You may be having difficulty identifying your emotions or figuring out what they mean. This can be particularly challenging if you have a mood disorder, such as anxiety or depression. Symptoms of emotional dysregulation can include having trouble relaxing after an argument and having frequent outbursts, or getting easily frustrated by small inconveniences and annoyances. It could also be difficult in letting go of past events or holding grudges.
Females suffering from ADHD are more susceptible to emotional dysregulation. This is because the symptoms of ADHD tend to be internalized and they are less likely than boys and men to get 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.
Girls who suffer from ADHD often feel more pressure to conform to social norms than men and boys. This can be especially difficult for teenagers with ADHD because they are going through the hormonal changes associated with puberty and the transition to adolescence. With their increased awareness of academic and social pressures, these can be a recipe for emotional dysregulation.
If you're ADHD symptoms result in emotional dysregulation, treatment options can include medication or therapy. Medication can improve your mood and regulate your hormones while therapy offers a safe place to work through feelings like sadness, anger, rejection, or anxiety.
You can improve your sleep by following a bedtime routine and practicing meditation, or listening to soothing music prior to sleeping. This can be accomplished by following a routine before bed, practicing meditation or listening to relaxing music. A healthy sleep routine can help you feel more energetic throughout the day.
Although everyone's journey is unique, it's essential that you remember there are ways to deal with ADHD symptoms and live a fulfilling lifestyle. It's normal for people to try different therapies and medications, or lifestyle changes to find the best solution.