Adult Female ADHD Symptoms
Women with ADHD are often overlooked due to symptoms that may not be evident, gender bias between healthcare professionals and symptom-masking. The need for a diagnosis is essential to improve relationships, set you up for success, and assist you to 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. Use this checklist to look for these signs:
Hyperfocus
Many people with ADHD are able to focus on a particular activity to the point where they completely forget about the external world, even if the activity is not productive. Hyperfocus is the term used to describe this. Hyperfocus that is unrestricted, though beneficial for some people, like scientists, writers, and artists, can be a problem for others. It can lead to missed appointments, setbacks in the workplace or at school, and strained relationships with family members and friends.
Hyperfocus can be very difficult to stop, particularly when you don't know it's occurring. The best method to get out of an ADHD hyperfocus session is to make a plan and prioritize tasks for the day, which includes routine chores like brushing your teeth or taking a shower. If you're having a difficult time keeping track of time then use a timer or alarm clock to help you keep track of your time or ask a friend to check in with you at specific intervals. It is also helpful to move around and take frequent breaks when working on a project.
Hyperfocus in children is sometimes thought of as positive, since it allows them to be engaged in an activity like skateboarding or creating with Legos. Unrestrained hyperfocus, however, can lead to problems in school, a decrease in productivity at work, and frayed relationships between siblings and parents.
Hyperfocus can make it difficult to determine if your child suffering from a mental illness such as anxiety or depression. These are very common among adolescents. This is why it is important to seek medical attention if you suspect your child has symptoms of ADHD that affect her daily life.
Symptoms of ADHD can also be more severe during certain times in women's lives, such as when she is menstruating or pregnant. This can increase the intensity and frequency of emotional symptoms, like irritability and mood swings. It also increases the possibility of a female being misunderstood either by her romantic partner, or coworkers.
While the ratio of males to females with diagnosed ADHD is 2:1 in the early years of childhood, this imbalance becomes less apparent after age 14 when more women receive a diagnosis. There are numerous resources that can aid girls and women in managing their ADHD and improve their lives.
Procrastination
Procrastination is an atypical adult female ADHD symptom that can lead to issues in your professional and personal life. This symptom can make it difficult to begin and complete tasks, especially those that require self-regulation and executive function abilities. People who are inclined to procrastinating often find themselves behind on important work or school assignments, which can damage 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 information in conversations or even your own personal needs, such as paying your bills. You may have trouble concentrating in noisy or busy environments, which could cause you to miss opportunities at work or school. You may also be easily distracted by your mobile or social media, and struggle to concentrate when listening to or reading a book 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 a range of emotional challenges that range from anxiety and depression to shifts in mood that can impact your life in different ways. It can also make it difficult to manage frustration and misunderstandings in personal and work relationships.
Women are more adept at hiding their ADHD symptoms than men, which could cause difficulty in getting a diagnosis and accessing treatment. This is particularly 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 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 overlooked and undiagnosed.
There are many treatments for adults with ADHD. These include medication, cognitive behavior treatment, and lifestyle changes. Discuss with your doctor the best treatment plan for you. Remember that the goal of a treatment plan is to improve your daily functioning and assist you to manage your symptom. Make sure you discuss the advantages and side effects of any medications you're taking, as with any co-occurring issues you 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. However, ADHD symptoms in women adults are quite common and can interfere with school, work, or relationships.
Impulsivity is a symptom of the inattentive ADD/ADHD type and can lead to poor decisions or reckless behavior. It is characterized by the tendency to respond to questions before they are asked, interrupting conversations, or buying things without thinking about the consequences. These impulsive behaviors can result in embarrassing situations in relationships, social awkwardness and financial problems.
Emotional impulsivity is another frequent characteristic of female adult ADHD. It can result in the impulsive behavior that occurs in reaction to anger or frustration. This impulsivity may also cause mood fluctuations that make it difficult for people to maintain healthy and supportive relationships.
Women who suffer from ADHD might have trouble managing their emotions, leading to depression and anxiety. These negative emotions can affect the performance of a person at work and cause delayed appointments and health problems. Women who suffer from an impulsive ADHD frequently struggle to make decisions or plan ahead. They might become too dependent on others or have trouble keeping their commitments.
Throughout adolescence and into adulthood, girls and women with ADHD are more likely to engage in sexually risky behaviors than their peers who do not suffer from the disorder. This is usually due to an appreciation of the importance of sexual activities for social acceptance. The risky sexual behaviors of adolescents and young adults with ADHD are a contributing factor to higher rates of teenage, early or unplanned pregnancies in these groups.
The good news is that there are many ways to curb impulsive behavior. It is helpful to take a step back and write down thoughts before making a decision. Meditation or mindfulness exercises can also help in relaxing the body and mind and removing distractions and reducing the impulsiveness. Diet is a factor in reducing impulsiveness. A balanced diet that includes fruits, vegetables, whole grains and high-quality protein, can improve concentration and prevent the impulsive behavior. Sleep is also key to decreasing impulsiveness. Make sure you have a regular sleep routine, using a heavy blanket to calm your mind and body and limiting screen use prior to going to bed.
Emotional Dysregulation
Emotional dysregulation affects many adults with ADHD. If you're not able control your emotions it can be difficult to manage everyday challenges and relationships. This could lead to self-destructive behaviours such as addictions and eating disorders. This can make it difficult for people to maintain an occupation, school or even a home life.
It can be difficult to identify your emotions or understanding what they mean. This can be especially challenging if you suffer from a mood disorder, such as anxiety or depression. The signs of emotional dysregulation could include difficulty relaxing after an argument or having frequent outbursts. You may also find yourself being easily annoyed by minor irritations and inconveniences. You may also have difficulty letting go of old experiences or repressing grudges.
Females with ADHD are more prone to emotional dysregulation. This is because their symptoms are typically internalized and they're less likely than males and females to be 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 men and boys to meet societal expectations. This can be especially difficult for teenagers with ADHD as they experience the hormonal changes associated with puberty and adolescence. In addition, their increased susceptibility to academic and social pressures, these can be the cause of emotional dysregulation.
If you suffer from an emotional disorder due to ADHD symptoms therapy or medication could be the best treatment option. Medicine can aid in regulating your hormones and improve your mood while therapy can provide a safe space to deal with feelings of anger, sadness or anxiety.
Whether you opt for medication or therapy the best way to treat emotion dysregulation is to take steps to improve your sleep. This can be achieved by following a routine before bed, practicing meditation or listening to calming music. A healthy sleep routine can help you feel more energized throughout the day.
While everyone's experience is unique, it's important 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, medications or lifestyle changes to determine the most effective solution.