Adult Female ADHD Symptoms
Women with ADHD often go undiagnosed because of inattentive or less evident symptoms, gender biases among healthcare professionals, and the concealing of symptoms. It is essential to obtain an diagnosis to improve your relationships, prepare yourself for success, and 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 adult ADHD symptoms men to check for these signs:
Hyperfocus
Many people who suffer from ADHD are able to focus on an activity until they completely forget about the external world, even when the activity is not productive. Hyperfocus is what this is. While certain people, like writers, artists, and scientists, use this skill to do their best work however, hyperfocus that is not controlled can be a risk. It can result in delays in appointments, a loss of time at work or school and strained relationships with family members and friends.
Hyperfocus can be very difficult to stop, particularly if you don't realize that it's taking place. Create a schedule for the day and prioritize daily tasks such as brushing your teeth or taking bath. If you're having a difficult time keeping track of the time then use a timer or alarm clock to help stay on task or have a friend keep track of you at specific intervals. It also helps to move around and take frequent breaks when working on a project.
Hyperfocus in children is often considered to be positive because it allows them to be highly engaged in an activity, such as skateboarding, or creating with Legos. However, uncontrolled hyperfocus could lead to setbacks in school, lost productivity at work and strained relationships with siblings or parents.
Hyperfocus can make it difficult to determine if your child suffering from a mental disorder, such as anxiety or depression. These are typical among adolescents. It is essential to seek medical help when your child's symptoms of ADHD are impacting her daily life.
The symptoms of ADHD can also be more severe at certain times in women's lives, such as when she is having menstrual cycle or pregnant. This can increase the intensity and frequency of emotional symptoms, such as mood swings and irritability. It also increases the likelihood that a female is misunderstood by her spouse or colleagues.
While the male-to-female ratio of diagnosed ADHD is 2:1 in childhood but this disparity becomes less pronounced after age 14, when more women are diagnosed with ADHD. There are many sources that can assist girls and women manage their ADHD and improve their lives.
Procrastination
Procrastination is an atypical adult female ADHD symptom that can lead to issues in your personal and professional life. This condition makes it difficult to start and complete tasks, particularly those that require self-regulation and executive functioning skills. People who are susceptible to procrastination often end up behind on important assignments or work, which can damage their reputations and relationships.
Other symptoms of adult ADHD include forgetting appointments and missing deadlines. You might also forget important details in conversations or even your personal needs such as paying your bills. It can be difficult to concentrate in busy or noisy areas, which could lead you to not take advantage of opportunities at work or school. You could also get easily distracted by social media or your phone and have trouble staying focused while listening to or reading.
People with the hyperactive/impulsive type of ADHD typically have a harder time controlling their emotions than those with the inattentive type. This can lead to various emotional problems ranging from depression and anxiety, to mood swings that can have a major impact on your life. It can also make it difficult to deal with conflicts and miscommunications in your personal and professional relationships.
Women are better at masking their ADHD symptoms than men, which can make it more difficult for them to finding a diagnosis and getting treatment. This is particularly true for women who have high-functioning ADHD. The inattentive signs aren't as obvious and are often concealed by mood disorders or anxiety. Reports on school typically do not include any comments regarding relationship or social issues and focus more on academic performance and behavior, which could result in under-diagnosis and under-identification of women and girls with ADHD.
There are many treatments for adults suffering from ADHD which include medication and cognitive behavioral therapy and lifestyle changes. Talk with your doctor about what treatment plan is right for you. Remember that the purpose of the treatment plan is to improve your daily functioning and help you manage your symptoms. Discuss the side effects and benefits of every 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. However, the inattention symptoms are quite frequent and can cause problems with school, work, or 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 others in conversations, or buying things on impulse, without thinking through the consequences. These impulsive behaviors can result in embarrassing social situations, relationship problems, and financial struggles.
Emotional impulsivity may also be a common symptom in adult female ADHD. It can lead to impulsive behavior in reaction to anger or frustration. This impulsivity can also lead to mood swings that make it difficult to maintain healthy and supportive relationships.
Women suffering from ADHD may have difficulty managing their emotions, which can lead to depression and anxiety. These negative emotions can impact productivity and can lead to absences from appointments and health issues. Women with hyper-impulsive ADHD often have difficulty making decisions or plan ahead. This is why they can become overly dependent on others or be unable to keep their commitments.
Women and girls with ADHD are more likely of engaging in risky sexual behavior throughout their adolescence, and even into adulthood. This is in contrast to their peers who do not suffer from the disorder. This is often due to the recognition of the importance of sexual activity to gain social acceptance. Risky sexual behavior in adolescents and young adults with ADHD is a factor that contributes to a higher rate of teenage, unplanned or early-stage pregnancies.
There are many ways that you can decrease your the impulsive behavior. Learning to pause before you act and writing down thoughts that might be impulsive can help. Meditation or mindfulness exercises can also be helpful in relaxing the body and mind and removing distractions and reducing impulsiveness. Diet can also play a role in managing impulsiveness. A healthy diet that includes plenty of vegetables and fruits, whole grains, and high-quality protein can enhance focus and help prevent impulse-driven behaviors. Sleep is another element in reducing impulsiveness. Set up a regular sleeping routine, with a heavy blanket to calm your body and mind, and limiting screen use during the time before you go to bed.
Emotional Dysregulation
Emotional dysregulation affects many adults with ADHD. If you're not able to control your emotions, it can be difficult to manage everyday challenges and relationships. It could result in self-destructive behaviours like addictions and eating disorders. This can make it hard to maintain a school, home or work life.
You may be having difficulty identifying your emotions or understanding what they mean. This is especially difficult for those suffering from a mood disorder, such as depression or anxiety. Symptoms of emotional dysregulation can include difficulty calming down after an argument and having frequent outbursts, or becoming easily annoyed by minor irritations and inconveniences. It could also be difficult getting rid of past experiences or repressing grudges.
Females with ADHD are more susceptible to emotional dysregulation. It's because the symptoms they experience are internalized, and they are less likely to be diagnosed with ADHD than men or boys. 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 who suffer from ADHD are often under more pressure than boys and men to conform to social norms. This can be especially difficult for teens with ADHD as they experience the hormonal changes that accompany puberty and the transition into adolescence. This can cause emotional dysregulation, particularly when combined with the increased sensitivity of girls who have ADHD to academic and social pressures.
If your ADHD symptoms result in emotional dysregulation, treatment options could include therapy or medication. Medicine can help regulate your hormones and improve your mood, while therapy can offer the space to deal with feelings of sadness, anger 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 implementing a routine before bed such as practicing meditation or listening to calming music prior to bed. Good sleep hygiene practices can also help you have more energy throughout the day.
Although everyone's experience with ADHD is different it is important to recognize that there are solutions to manage symptoms and lead an enjoyable life. It's normal for people to try various treatments and medications, or lifestyle changes to determine the best solution.