Adult Female ADHD Symptoms
Women with ADHD are often not diagnosed due to inattentive symptoms that may not be evident, gender bias in healthcare professionals, and symptom masking. It is important to get a diagnosis in order 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 symptoms:
Hyperfocus
ADHD can cause people to be too focused on one particular activity that they lose track of the world outside. This can happen even if the activity isn't productive. This is called hyperfocus. Unrestrained hyperfocus, although beneficial for some people, like scientists, writers and artists, could be a hindrance. It can result in missed appointments, setbacks in the workplace or at school, and even strained relationships with family members and friends.
Hyperfocus is hard to stop if unaware of the fact that it is taking place. Set a schedule for the day and prioritize daily tasks like brushing your teeth or taking a bath. If you're having a difficult time keeping track of the time then use a timer or alarm to help you keep track of your time or ask a friend to check in with you at specific intervals. When working on a project, it is important to move around frequently and take frequent breaks.
Hyperfocus in children can be seen as positive, as it allows them to be engaged in a fun and exciting activity, such as skateboarding, or building with Legos. However, uncontrolled hyperfocus could lead to setbacks in school, decreased productivity at work, and even strained relationships with siblings or parents.
Hyperfocus can make it difficult to determine if your child is suffering from a mental disorder, such as depression or anxiety. These are very common among adolescents. This is why it is important to seek medical attention if your child has symptoms of ADHD that interfere with her daily life.
The symptoms of ADHD can also increase at certain times of the life of a woman for instance, when she is having menstrual cycle or is pregnant. This can increase the severity and frequency of emotional symptoms such as anger or mood swings. It can also increase the likelihood that a female will be misunderstood or misinterpreted by her coworkers or romantic partners.
The male-to-female ADHD ratio is approximately 2:1 during childhood. However, the disparity decreases when women start receiving more ADHD diagnoses after the age of 14. The good news is that there are many resources available to assist women and girls manage their ADHD and improve their lives.
Procrastination
Procrastination can be a common ADHD sign in women who are older and can create problems in your personal and professional lives. This symptom can make it difficult to complete tasks, particularly ones that require self-regulation and executive function abilities. People who are susceptible to procrastinating often find themselves in a bind with important work or school assignments and this can hurt their reputations and relationships.
Other signs of adult ADHD include forgetting appointments and missing deadlines. You might also forget important information during conversations or your own personal needs, such as paying bills. You may have trouble concentrating in busy or noisy environments, which can result in missed opportunities at work or school. You may also be easily distracted by your smartphone or social media accounts and struggle to concentrate 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 a variety of emotional challenges that range from anxiety and depression and mood changes that can have a significant impact on your life. It can also make it difficult to deal with anger and miscommunications in your workplace and personal relationships.
Women are better at masking their ADHD symptoms than men, which may cause difficulty in getting a diagnosis and accessing treatment. This is particularly the case for women who suffer from high-functioning ADHD. The symptoms of inattention are less apparent, and can be hidden by depression or anxiety. School reports tend to focus on academic performance and behavior, and not on issues with relationships or social. ADHD symptoms in adults males can lead to girls and women with ADHD to be under-identified and not diagnosed.
There are many treatments for adults with ADHD that include medication and cognitive behavioral therapy and lifestyle adjustments. Discuss with your doctor which treatment plan is best for you. Remember that the goal of a treatment plan is to improve your daily performance and help manage your symptom. Discuss the possible side effects and benefits of any medication you're 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. However, the inattentive symptom set is very common and can affect school, work, and relationships.
Impulsivity is a symptom of the inattentive ADD/ADHD type and can result in poor choices or dangerous behaviors. It is characterized by an inability to respond to questions prior to being asked, interrupting conversations, or buying things without thinking about the consequences. These impulsive actions can result in embarrassing situations in relationships, social awkwardness and financial difficulties.
Emotional impulsivity may also be common in adult female ADHD. It can cause people to act out in response to feelings of anger or frustration which can be difficult to control. This impulsivity can also cause mood swings, which makes it difficult to maintain healthy and supportive relationships.
Women who suffer from ADHD might have trouble managing their emotions, leading to anxiety and low self-esteem. These negative emotions can affect work performance and lead to missed appointments and health issues. Women with impulsive ADHD often have difficulty making decisions or plan ahead. In the process, they can become overly dependent on others, or have a hard time keeping 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 do not suffer from the disorder. This is often due to a recognition of the value of sexual activity for social acceptance. Sexually risky behavior of young adults and adolescents with ADHD can contribute to the higher rate of early, teenage or unplanned pregnancy in these populations.
The good news is that there are a variety of ways to reduce impulsive behaviors. Making sure to pause before doing something and to record thoughts that may be impulsive could help. Meditation or mindfulness practices can also be helpful in calming the mind and body, blocking out distractions, and controlling the impulsiveness. Diet plays a role in managing the impulsiveness. A healthy diet, which includes fruits, vegetables, whole grains and high-quality protein, can help improve focus and help prevent an impulsive behaviour. Sleep is another key element in reducing impulsiveness. Make sure you have a regular sleep routine, with a heavy blanket to soothe your mind and body, and limiting your screen time prior to you go to bed.
Emotional Dysregulation
Emotional dysregulation is a typical issue that typically affects adults with ADHD. It is difficult to manage daily stress and relationships when you are not able to manage your emotions. This can lead to self-destructive behavior like addictions or eating disorder. This can make it difficult for people to maintain an occupation, school or home life.
You may be having difficulty identifying your emotions or understanding what they mean. This can be particularly challenging in the case of a mood disorder, such as anxiety or depression. Symptoms of emotional dysregulation can include difficulty in calming down 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 getting rid of past experiences or holding grudges.
Females suffering from ADHD are more prone to emotional dysregulation. The reason for this is that their symptoms are typically internalized and they are less likely than males and females 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.
In addition, girls with ADHD are often under more pressure than males and boys to conform to social norms. This can be particularly challenging for teenage girls with ADHD, as they enter into the hormonal changes that accompany puberty and the adolescent years. Combined with their heightened awareness of academic and social demands, this can be the cause of emotional dysregulation.
If you are experiencing issues with your emotions 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 an environment that allows you to deal with emotions of sadness, anger and anxiety, as well as rejection.
You can improve your sleep by implementing a routine before bed and practicing meditation, or listening to calming music before sleeping. This can be accomplished by following a routine before going to bed, doing a meditation routine or listening to relaxing music. Good sleep hygiene can help you feel more energetic throughout the day.
While every person's experience with ADHD is unique, it's important to remember that there are methods to manage symptoms and live an enjoyable life. It's commonplace for people to experiment with different treatments and medications, or lifestyle changes to determine the best solution.