Adult Female ADHD Symptoms
Women suffering from ADHD often go undiagnosed because of inattentive or less obvious symptoms, gender bias by health professionals and the concealing of symptoms. It is crucial to be diagnosed to improve relationships and prepare you for success, and help you 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. Check this checklist to identify these symptoms:
Hyperfocus
ADHD can cause people to become too focused on one particular task that they lose sight of the world around them. This can happen even if the activity is not productive. Hyperfocus is the term used to describe this. While certain individuals, such as scientists, artists and writers, use this skill to do their best work however, hyperfocus that is not controlled can be a problem. It can result in delayed appointments, disappointments at work or school and strained relationships with family members and friends.
Hyperfocus can be a challenge to stop, particularly when you don't even realize it's taking place. The most effective way to get rid of an ADHD hyperfocus is to create a schedule and prioritize your tasks for the day, including routine chores like brushing your teeth or taking shower. Set an alarm or a clock to assist you in keeping track of your time. You could also ask a friend or family member to check on you at regular intervals. When working on a project, it is also helpful to move around frequently and take frequent breaks.
In children, hyperfocus is often considered to be a positive trait, because it allows children to be extremely engaged in a fun activity like skateboarding or creating with Legos. However, uncontrolled hyperfocus can lead to problems at school, decreased productivity at work, and strained relationships between siblings and parents.
Hyperfocus can make it difficult to determine if your child is suffering from a mental disorder such as anxiety or depression. These are very common among adolescents. It is crucial to seek medical help if your daughter's symptoms of ADHD are impacting her daily life.
ADHD symptoms can also be more prominent in certain times of pregnancy or menstrual cycles. This can increase the intensity and frequency of emotional symptoms such as irritability or mood fluctuations. It can also increase the possibility of a female 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 when women start receiving more ADHD diagnoses after the age of 14. There are numerous resources that can aid girls and women in managing their ADHD and improve their lives.
Procrastination
Procrastination is a common ADHD symptom in adult women and can lead to issues both in your personal and professional life. This condition can make it difficult to complete tasks, particularly those that require self regulation and executive function abilities. People who are inclined to procrastinating often find themselves in a bind with important work or school assignments, which can damage their reputations and relationships.
Other symptoms of adult ADHD include the inability to remember appointments and missing deadlines. You could also be susceptible to forgetting important details in conversations, or even your own personal needs such as paying bills. ADHD symptoms in adults males can be difficult to concentrate in busy or noisy places, which can lead you to be distracted at school or work. You could also get distracted by your smartphone or social media, and have difficulty staying focused while listening or reading with another person.
People with the hyperactive/impulsive type of ADHD typically have a harder time controlling their emotions than those with the inattentive type. This can cause many emotional problems, from depression and anxiety to shifts in mood that affect your life in a variety of ways. It can also make it hard to handle frustrations and misunderstandings within personal and professional relationships.
Women are better at concealing their ADHD symptoms than men, which can contribute to the difficulty of being diagnosed and obtaining treatment. This is especially true for women who have high-functioning ADHD. The symptoms of inattention are less obvious, and are often concealed by depression or anxiety. School reports tend to focus on academic performance and behavior, and not the relationship or social issues. This can cause girls and women with ADHD to be misdiagnosed and undiagnosed.
There are many treatment options for adults suffering from ADHD. These include medication, cognitive behavior treatment, and lifestyle modifications. Consult your physician about the best treatment plan that is right for you. Be aware that the aim of any treatment plan is to help you manage your symptoms and improve your daily functioning. Be sure to discuss the benefits and effects of any medications you're taking, as with any co-occurring issues 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 inattentive symptoms are very frequent, and can lead to issues at school, work, or with relationships.
Impulsivity is one of the traits of the inattentive subtype of ADD/ADHD. It can cause trouble when it causes poor choices or risky behavior. The signs of impulsivity include blurting out answers before questions are asked, interrupting others in conversations, and buying things on impulse without considering the consequences. These impulsive behaviors can lead to embarrassing situations at the social level, problems with relationships, and financial struggles.
Emotional impulsivity can also be a common symptom in adult female ADHD. It can cause people to act out in response to feelings of anger or frustration, which can be difficult to manage. This impulsivity can also cause mood swings which make it difficult to maintain supportive and healthy relationships.
Women with ADHD are often unable to manage their emotions, which leads to low self-esteem and anxiety. These negative emotions can affect work performance, and even cause missed appointments or health issues. Women with hyper-impulsive ADHD have a hard time making decisions or planning ahead. In the process, they may become 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 sexually risky behaviors than their peers who are not affected by the disorder. This is usually due to an appreciation of the importance of sexual activity to gain social acceptance. Sexually threatening behaviors of young adults and teens with ADHD are a major contributor to the higher rate of teenage, early or unplanned pregnancy in these groups.
There are many ways that you can reduce the impulsive behavior. It is beneficial to take a step back and record thoughts prior to taking action. Meditation or mindfulness can help calm the body and mind, and eliminate distractions. Diet is a factor in reducing the impulsiveness. A balanced diet, which includes fruits, vegetables and whole grains, as well as high-quality proteins, can improve concentration and reduce the risk of the impulsive behavior. Sleep is another factor in reducing impulsiveness. Try establishing a consistent sleep routine, using a heavy blanket to soothe your mind and body and limiting screen use prior to you go to bed.
Emotional Dysregulation
Emotional dysregulation affects many adults with ADHD. It is difficult to manage everyday challenges and relationships when you are unable to manage your emotions. This could lead to self-destructive behaviours such as addictions and eating disorders. This can make it difficult to maintain a home, work or school life.
It can be difficult to identify your emotions or understanding what they mean. This is especially difficult when you suffer from a mood disorder like depression or anxiety. Symptoms of emotional dysregulation can include difficulty calming down after an argument or having frequent outbursts. You may also find yourself getting easily frustrated by small problems and irritations. You might also have trouble getting past events out of your mind or holding onto grudges.
Females with ADHD are more prone to emotional dysregulation. The reason for this is because their symptoms are internalized and they are less likely to be diagnosed with ADHD than males or females. 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 typically feel more pressure to conform to social expectations than men and boys. This can be particularly difficult for teenage girls with ADHD as they transition into the hormonal changes associated with puberty and adolescence. This can cause emotional dysregulation, especially when combined with the increased sensitivity of girls who have ADHD to academic and social pressures.
If you're ADHD symptoms result in emotional dysregulation, treatment options include medication or therapy. Medication can improve your mood and regulate your hormones, while therapy can provide a secure space to process emotions like sadness, anger, rejection, or anxiety.
You can improve your sleep by following a bedtime routine doing a meditation practice or listening to calming music before sleeping. You can achieve this by following a bedtime routine such as practicing meditation or listening to calming music prior to bed. Good sleep hygiene practices will also help you to have more energy throughout the day.
While everyone's experience is unique, it's important that you remember there are ways to deal with ADHD symptoms and lead a fulfilling lifestyle. It's not uncommon for people to go through a combination of treatments, medications or lifestyle changes to determine what works best.