Adult Female ADHD Symptoms
Women with ADHD are often undiagnosed because of inattentive or less obvious symptoms, gender biases by health professionals and the concealing of symptoms. The need for a diagnosis is essential to improve relationships, 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 determine 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. Hyperfocus is what it is. While certain people, like scientists, artists and writers utilize this ability to be successful in their profession, unrestrained hyperfocus can be a risk. It can lead to delayed appointments, disappointments at work or school and even strained relationships with family members and friends.
More Support can be extremely difficult to stop, particularly when you don't even realize it's taking place. Create a schedule for the 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 keep track of your time or ask a trusted friend to check in with you at certain intervals. When working on an assignment, it's also helpful to move around frequently and take frequent breaks.
In children, hyperfocus can be seen as a positive trait, because it allows children to be extremely engaged in a fun activity like skateboarding or building with Legos. However, uncontrolled hyperfocus can cause problems at school, decreased productivity at work, and even strained 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 very common among adolescents. It is important to seek medical help if your daughter's symptoms of ADHD are affecting her daily functioning.
ADHD symptoms can also be more prominent in certain times of a woman's pregnancy, or menstrual cycle. This can increase the intensity and frequency of emotional symptoms, such as irritability and mood swings. It also increases the chance of a woman being misinterpreted by her partner in love or colleagues.
The male-to-female ADHD ratio is about 2:1 in childhood. However, the difference decreases as women receive more ADHD diagnoses after the age of 14. The good news is that there are many resources to assist women and girls manage their ADHD and improve their lives.
Procrastination
Procrastination is a typical ADHD sign in women who are older, and it can cause issues both in your professional and personal lives. This condition makes it difficult to start and complete tasks, particularly those that require self-regulation or executive function skills. People who delay their work often miss out on important school or work assignments, which can harm their reputation and relationships.
Missing More Support and forgetting appointments are other common symptoms of adult ADHD in women. You may also forget important details in conversations or even your own personal needs, such as paying bills. You might have difficulty focusing in noisy or busy environments, which could cause you to miss opportunities at work or school. You could also get distracted by your smartphone or social media and struggle to concentrate when reading or listening to 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 a variety of emotional challenges ranging from depression and anxiety, to mood changes that can have a significant impact on your life. It can also make it difficult to deal with frustration and misunderstandings in workplace and personal relationships.
Women are better than males in hiding their ADHD symptoms and this can make it harder to obtain diagnosed and receive treatment. This is especially relevant for women who have high-functioning ADHD, where the inattentive symptoms are less obvious and can be camouflaged by mood or anxiety symptoms. School reports tend to concentrate on academic performance and behavior and not on issues with relationships or social. This can lead to girls and women with ADHD to be misdiagnosed and under-diagnosed.
There are many treatments for adult ADHD. These include medication, cognitive behavioral treatment, and lifestyle modifications. Talk to your doctor about the most effective treatment plan for you. Be aware that the purpose of any treatment plan is to assist you manage your symptoms and improve your daily functioning. Discuss the potential side effects and benefits of any medication you are 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. The inattentive symptoms are very common, and can cause problems at work, school, or with relationships.
Impulsivity is a signification of the type of ADD/ADHD that is inattentive and can result in poor choices or dangerous behaviors. It is characterized by a tendency to answer questions before they are asked, interrupting conversations, or buying things without considering the consequences. These actions of impulsivity can lead to embarrassing situations at the social level, problems with relationships, and financial struggles.
Emotional impulsivity may also be a common symptom in adult female ADHD. It can result in the impulsive behavior that occurs in response to anger or frustration. This impulsivity could lead to mood changes that make it difficult for people to maintain healthy and supportive relationships.
Women who suffer from ADHD may have difficulty managing their emotions, leading to anxiety and low self-esteem. These negative emotions can negatively impact the performance of a person at work, and can lead to missing appointments or health issues. Women who suffer from an impulsive ADHD often struggle to make decisions or plan ahead. In the process, they may become dependent on others, or be unable to keep their commitments.
In the adolescent years and into adulthood, women and girls 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. The risky sexual behaviors of adolescents and young adults with ADHD are a contributing factor to the increased rates of early, teenage or unplanned pregnancies in these populations.
The good news is that there are many ways to curb impulsive behavior. It is helpful to learn to pause and record thoughts prior to taking action. Meditation or mindfulness can also aid in calming the body and mind and help block out distractions. Diet plays an important role in controlling impulses. A balanced diet, which includes fruits, vegetables, whole grains and high-quality proteins, can improve focus and help prevent the impulsive behavior. Sleep is also key to reducing the tendency to be impulsive. Make sure you have a regular sleep routine, utilizing a thick blanket to relax your mind and body, and limiting your use of screens during the time before you go to bed.
Emotional Dysregulation
Emotional dysregulation is a common issue that typically affects adults suffering from ADHD. If you're not able manage your emotions it is difficult to deal with your daily life and relationships. It can result in self-destructive behaviours like addictions and eating disorders. This can make it difficult to manage a home, work or school life.
You may have difficulty identifying your emotions or figuring out what they mean. This is especially difficult if you have a mood disorder, such as depression or anxiety. Emotional dysregulation can be characterized by difficulties in slowing down after an argument, frequent outbursts or becoming easily annoyed by small inconveniences. It is also possible to have difficulty letting go of past experiences or retaining grudges.
Females with ADHD are at risk to emotional dysregulation. The reason for this is that their symptoms tend to be 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.
Additionally, girls with ADHD are often subject to more pressure than men and boys to live up to the expectations of society. This can be particularly challenging for teenage girls who have ADHD as they experience the hormonal changes that come with puberty and the transition into adolescence. Combined with their heightened sensitivity to social and academic pressures, these can be a recipe for emotional dysregulation.
If you're ADHD symptoms result in emotional dysregulation, treatment options could include medication or therapy. Medication can improve your mood and regulate your hormones while therapy offers a safe space to process emotions such as anger, sadness or rejection.
Whether you choose therapy or medication the best way to treat emotion dysregulation is to adopt steps to improve your sleep. You can achieve this by following a bedtime routine, practicing meditation or listening to soothing music before you go to sleep. A good night's sleep can help you get more energy throughout the day.
While every person's experience with ADHD is different it is important to recognize that there are methods to manage the symptoms and live a happy life. It's normal for people to experiment with different therapies and medications, or lifestyle changes to find the most effective solution.