Adult Female ADHD Symptoms
Women suffering from ADHD are often not diagnosed because of inattention to symptoms that may be less obvious, gender bias in healthcare professionals, and symptom masking. It is crucial to be diagnosed to improve relationships and set you up for success, and help recognize 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 check these symptoms:
Hyperfocus
Many people who have ADHD are able to focus in on an activity to the point where they forget about the outside world, even if the activity isn't productive. This is called hyperfocus. Unrestrained hyperfocus, although beneficial for some people, such as writers, scientists and artists, could be a hindrance. It can lead to missed appointments, setbacks in school or at work and even strained relationships with family members and friends.
Hyperfocus can be very difficult to stop, especially if you don't realize that it's taking place. Make a plan for your day and prioritize daily tasks such as brushing your teeth or taking bath. Use an alarm or clock to assist you in keeping the time. You can also ask a friend or family member to check on you regularly. It also helps to move around and take frequent breaks while working on a project.
In children, hyperfocus can be considered to be positive, since it allows children to be highly engaged in an enjoyable sport like skateboarding or creating with Legos. Hyperfocus that is not controlled can lead to problems at school, decreased productivity at work, and frayed relationships between parents and siblings.
Hyperfocus may make it difficult to discern if a child is suffering from a mental illness like anxiety or depression which are common among adolescents. This makes it important to seek medical attention if you suspect your child exhibits symptoms of ADHD that affect her daily life.
The symptoms of ADHD can also increase during certain times in a woman's life, such as when she is menstruating or is pregnant. This can increase the frequency and severity of emotional symptoms like mood swings and irritability. It also increases the likelihood of a female being misunderstood either by her romantic partner or coworkers.
The male-to-female ADHD ratio is about 2:1 in childhood. However, the imbalance is less apparent as women receive more ADHD diagnoses after the age of 14. The good news is that there are plenty of resources available to help girls and women manage their ADHD, and improve their lives.
Procrastination
Procrastination is a common adult female ADHD symptoms and can cause issues in your personal and professional life. This condition causes difficulty to begin and complete tasks, particularly those that require self-regulation and executive functioning skills. People who are inclined to procrastinating often find themselves behind on important work or school assignments and can harm their reputations and relationships.
Missing deadlines and forgetting appointments are also common signs of adult ADHD for women. You could also be susceptible to forgetting important details in conversations or even your own personal needs such as paying your bills. You may have trouble concentrating in noisy or busy environments, which can result in missed opportunities at school or work. You could also get distracted by your smartphone or social media, and struggle to concentrate when 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 many emotional problems that range from anxiety and depression to shifts in mood that can impact your life in many ways. It can also make it difficult to handle frustration and misunderstandings in the workplace and in personal relationships.
Women are better at masking their ADHD symptoms than men, which may contribute to the difficulty of getting a diagnosis and accessing treatment. This is especially the case for women who suffer from high-functioning ADHD. The symptoms of inattention are less obvious, and can be hidden by mood disorders 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 result in under-diagnosis and under-identification of girls and women with ADHD.
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. Keeping in mind that the aim of any treatment plan is to help you manage your symptoms and improve your daily functioning. 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. Inattention symptoms are extremely common, and can cause difficulties at school, at work, or with relationships.
The tendency to be impulsive is one of the traits of the inattentive subtype of ADD/ADHD and can cause trouble when it causes reckless choices or risky behaviour. Impulsivity is defined as an inability to respond to questions before they are asked, interrupting conversations, or buying things without thinking about the consequences. These actions of impulsivity can lead to embarrassing situations at the social level, problems with relationships, and financial struggles.
ADHD in adults symptoms women is yet another common symptom of adult female ADHD. It can lead to impulsive behavior in reaction to anger or frustration. This impulsivity could result in mood swings that make it difficult to maintain supportive and healthy relationships.
Women who suffer from ADHD may find it difficult to manage their emotions, which can lead to anxiety and low self-esteem. These negative emotions can affect the performance of a person at work, and can lead to missed appointments or health issues. Women suffering from an impulsive ADHD often struggle to make decisions or plan ahead. This is why they can become overly dependent on others or may have a hard time keeping their commitments.
Throughout adolescence and into adulthood, women and girls with ADHD are more likely to engage in risky sexual actions than those who do not suffer from the disorder. This is often due to a recognition of the value of sexual activity to gain social acceptance. Sexually threatening behaviors of adolescents and young adults with ADHD can contribute to the increased rates of early, teenage or unplanned pregnancies among these groups.
There are a variety of ways you can decrease your the risk of impulsive behavior. Making sure to pause before doing something and to write down thoughts that may be impulsive can help. Meditation or mindfulness exercises can also help in relaxing the body and mind, blocking out distractions, and controlling impulsiveness. Diet also plays an important role in reducing impulsiveness. A balanced diet that includes fruits, vegetables whole grains, whole grains and high-quality proteins, can improve focus and help prevent impulsive behavior. Sleep is another factor in reducing impulsiveness. To ensure an improved night's sleep, try establishing a consistent bedtime routine, using the blanket with weight to settle the body and mind before going to bed, and limiting screen time in the hours before bed.
Emotional Dysregulation
A lot of adults suffer from emotional dysregulation with ADHD. If you're not able to control your emotions, it can be difficult to navigate everyday challenges and relationships. This can lead to self-destructive behaviors like addictions and eating disorders. This can make it difficult for people to maintain the demands of school, work or even your home life.
You may be having difficulty identifying your feelings or understanding what they mean. This can be especially challenging for those suffering from a mood disorder, such as anxiety or depression. symptoms of emotional dysregulation may include having trouble getting calm after a fight, having frequent outbursts or becoming easily annoyed by minor irritations and inconveniences. It is also possible to have trouble getting rid of past experiences or holding grudges.
Females with ADHD are more susceptible to emotional dysregulation. This is because the symptoms they experience 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 often feel more pressure to conform to social norms than both boys and men. This can be particularly challenging for teenage girls who have ADHD because they are going through the hormonal changes that accompany puberty and adolescence. Combined with their heightened susceptibility to academic and social demands, this can be the cause of emotional dysregulation.
If you're ADHD symptoms cause you to experience emotional dysregulation, treatment options include therapy or medication. Medication can improve your mood and regulate your hormones while therapy can provide a secure environment to explore feelings like sadness, anger or rejection.
If you decide to take medication or therapy the best way to treat emotion dysregulation is to adopt steps to improve your sleep. This can be accomplished by implementing a routine prior to going to going to bed, doing a meditation routine or listening to relaxing music. Good sleep hygiene practices will also help you to have more energy throughout the day.
Although everyone's journey is unique, it's essential to remember that there are ways to manage ADHD symptoms and lead a fulfilling lifestyle. It's not uncommon for people to go through a combination of treatments, medications or lifestyle adjustments to discover what works best.