Adult Female ADHD Symptoms
Women who suffer from ADHD are often underdiagnosed because of inattention to symptoms that are less evident, gender bias between healthcare professionals and symptom-masking. It is important to get an diagnosis to improve your relationships, prepare yourself 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. Use this checklist to check for these signs:
Hyperfocus
ADHD can cause people to become so focused on a particular activity that they lose track of the outside world. This happens even if the activity is not productive. This is referred to as hyperfocus. While some people, such as writers, artists, and scientists make use of this skill to excel in their work however, hyperfocus that is not controlled can be a risk. It can result in delayed appointments, disappointments at work or school and strained relationships with family members and friends.
Hyperfocus is difficult to stop if unaware that it is taking place. The most effective way to get rid of an ADHD hyperfocus session is to make a plan and prioritize your tasks for the day, which includes routine chores like brushing your teeth or taking shower. If you're having a difficult time keeping track of your time you can use a clock or alarm clock to help keep track of your time or ask a friend to keep track of you at certain intervals. When working on an assignment, it's also helpful to move around and take frequent breaks.
Hyperfocus in children can be thought of as positive, since it allows them to be engaged in a fun activity, such as skateboarding, or building with Legos. However, uncontrolled hyperfocus could lead to setbacks in school, lost productivity at work, and damaged relationships with parents or siblings.
Hyperfocus can make it harder to see whether a child is suffering from a mental illness such as depression or anxiety that is prevalent among adolescents. This makes it important to seek medical attention if your child has symptoms of ADHD that affect her daily activities.
Symptoms of ADHD can also increase at certain times of the life of a woman, such as when she is menstruating or is pregnant. This can increase the intensity and frequency of emotional symptoms, such as mood swings and irritability. It can also increase the chance of a woman being misunderstood either by her romantic partner or coworkers.
The male-to-female ADHD ratio is about 2:1 in the early years of childhood. However, the disparity is less apparent when women start receiving more ADHD diagnoses after the age of 14. There are a variety of resources to aid girls and women in managing their ADHD and improve their lives.
Procrastination
Procrastination can be a common ADHD sign in women who are older and can create issues in your professional and personal lives. This condition causes difficulty to begin and complete tasks, particularly those that require self-regulation and executive functioning abilities. People who delay their work often miss out on important work or school assignments, which could damage their reputation and relationships.
Other signs of adult ADHD include the inability to remember appointments and missing deadlines. You might also forget important information in conversations or even your personal needs such as paying 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 struggle to concentrate when 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 result in many emotional problems, from depression and anxiety to mood swings that can impact your life in different ways. It can also make it difficult to deal with frustrations and misunderstandings within personal and professional relationships.
Women are better than men in obscuring their ADHD symptoms which makes it more difficult to get a diagnosis and receive treatment. This is especially relevant for women who have high-functioning ADHD, where the inattentive symptoms aren't as evident and are often disguised by anxiety or mood symptoms. Reports on school typically do not include any comments regarding relationship or social issues and focus on academic performance and behavior, which may result in under-diagnosis and under-identification of women and girls suffering from ADHD.
There are a variety of treatments for adult ADHD. These include medication, cognitive behavioral treatment, and lifestyle changes. Consult symptoms of inattentive ADHD in adults about the best treatment plan for you. Remember that the purpose of the treatment plan is to improve your daily performance and help manage your symptom. Discuss the possible side effects and benefits of any medication you are taking, together with any co-occurring conditions.
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 issues at school, work or in relationships.
Impulsivity is a symptom of the type of ADD/ADHD that is inattentive and can result in poor decisions or reckless behavior. The signs of impulsivity include blurting out answers prior to questions are asked, interrupting people in conversations, and buying things on impulse, without taking into consideration the consequences. These impulsive actions can lead to embarrassing social situations, relationship problems and financial difficulties.
Emotional impulsivity may also be an underlying symptom of adult female ADHD. It can cause people to act out in the face of anger or frustration which may be difficult to manage. This impulsivity may also lead to mood fluctuations that make it difficult to maintain supportive and healthy relationships.
Women with ADHD can find it challenging to manage their emotions, which can lead to low self-esteem and anxiety. These negative emotions can affect the performance of a person at work and cause delayed appointments and health problems. Women suffering from hyper-impulsive ADHD have trouble making decisions or planning ahead. This is why they can become overly dependent on others, or struggle to keep their commitments.
Women and girls with ADHD are at a higher risk of engaging in sexually risky behaviors throughout their adolescence and even into adulthood. This is in comparison to their peers who do not have the disorder. This is often due to an appreciation of the importance of sexual activities for social acceptance. Sexually threatening behavior of young adults and teens with ADHD can contribute to the higher rate of teenage, early or unplanned pregnancy in these groups.
There are many ways you can reduce impulsive behavior. It can be helpful to take a step back and record thoughts prior to making a decision. Meditation or mindfulness practices can also help in calming the mind and body and removing distractions and controlling the urge to be impulsive. Diet plays a role in managing the impulsiveness. A healthy diet, which includes vegetables, fruits whole grains, whole grains and high-quality proteins, can improve focus and help prevent impulsive behavior. Sleep is another important element in reducing impulsiveness. Try establishing a consistent sleep routine, utilizing a thick blanket to calm your mind and body, and limiting your use of screens in the hours before bed.
Emotional Dysregulation
Emotional dysregulation is a common problem that often affects people with ADHD. When you're unable to manage your emotions, it can be difficult to navigate daily challenges and relationships. It could cause self-destructive behavior like addictions and eating disorders. This can make it difficult for people to keep the demands of school, work or even a home life.
It can be difficult to pinpoint your feelings or comprehend what they mean. This is especially difficult when you suffer from a mood disorder, such as depression or anxiety. Emotional dysregulation is characterized by a difficulty in calming down following an argument, frequent outbursts or being easily upset by small inconveniences. You may also have difficulty letting go of old experiences or putting off grudges.
Females who suffer from ADHD may be particularly vulnerable to emotional dysregulation. 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 boys and men. This can be especially difficult for teenage girls who have ADHD as they go through the hormonal changes associated with puberty and adolescence. Combined with their heightened sensitivity to social and academic pressures, they can create the cause of emotional dysregulation.
If your ADHD symptoms result in emotional dysregulation, treatment options include therapy or medication. Medication can improve your mood and regulate your hormones while therapy provides a safe environment to explore feelings like sadness, anger or rejection.
You can enhance your sleep by implementing a routine before bed and practicing meditation, or listening to calming music prior to sleeping. This can be achieved by following a bedtime routine such as practicing meditation or listening to soothing music prior to bed. Good sleep hygiene practices can help you get more energy throughout the day.
Although everyone's journey is unique, it's essential to keep in mind that there are ways to deal with ADHD symptoms and lead a fulfilling lifestyle. It's commonplace for people to experiment with various therapies or medications or lifestyle changes to find the best solution.