Adult Female ADHD Symptoms
Women suffering from ADHD are often overlooked due to symptoms that are less evident, gender biases in healthcare professionals and symptom-masking. Getting a diagnosis is important to improve your relationships and prepare you for success, and help you understand your 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. Check this checklist to identify these symptoms:
Hyperfocus
Many people who suffer from ADHD can focus on an activity to the point where they completely forget about the external world, even if the activity is not productive. Hyperfocus is what this is. While certain people, like scientists, artists and writers utilize this ability to do their best work but uncontrolled hyperfocus can be a liability. It can result in delayed appointments, disappointments at the workplace or at school, and strained relationships with family members and friends.
Hyperfocus can be a challenge to stop, especially when you don't know it's occurring. The best way to break out of an ADHD hyperfocus is to create a schedule and prioritize tasks for the day, which includes everyday chores like brushing teeth or taking showers. Use an alarm or clock to aid in keeping the time. You could also ask a friend or family member to check in on you regularly. It can also help to move around and take frequent breaks when working on a task.
Hyperfocus in children is sometimes considered to be positive because it allows them to be engaged in a fun and exciting activity, such as skateboarding, or building with Legos. However, uncontrolled hyperfocus could cause problems in school, lost productivity at work, and even strained relationships with siblings or parents.
The ability to hyperfocus can make it harder to see if your child is suffering from a mental illness such as depression or anxiety, which is common among adolescents. It is important to seek medical help when your child's symptoms of ADHD are impacting her daily life.
ADHD symptoms may also be more prominent in certain times of a woman's pregnancy, or menstrual cycles. This can increase the severity and frequency of emotional symptoms, such as anger or mood fluctuations. It also increases the chance that a woman will be misunderstood or misinterpreted by her spouse or colleagues.
The male-to-female ADHD ratio is approximately 2:1 during childhood. However, the imbalance is less apparent when women start receiving more ADHD diagnoses after age 14. There are many resources that can assist girls and women manage their ADHD and improve their lives.
Procrastination
Procrastination is a common ADHD symptoms in women of adulthood and can lead to issues both in your professional and personal lives. This symptom can make it difficult to complete tasks, particularly those that require self regulation and executive functioning abilities. Procrastinators often fall behind in important school or work assignments, which can harm their reputation and relationships.
The inability to remember appointments and the failure to meet deadlines are a few other typical signs of adult ADHD for women. You might also be prone to forgetting important information in conversations, or even your own personal needs like paying bills. It can be difficult to focus in noisy or busy areas, which could lead you to be distracted at work or school. You could also be easily distracted by your phone or social media and have difficulty staying focused while listening to or reading a book 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 lead to a variety of emotional challenges including anxiety and depression as well as mood changes which can have a profound impact on your life. It can also make it difficult to handle frustration and misunderstandings in workplace and personal relationships.
Women are better at concealing their ADHD symptoms than men, which may contribute to the difficulty of being diagnosed and obtaining treatment. This is particularly relevant for women who have high-functioning ADHD as the inattention symptoms aren't so apparent and are more easily disguised by mood or anxiety symptoms. School reports tend to concentrate on academic performance and behavior, and not the relationship or social issues. This can lead to girls and women with ADHD to be misdiagnosed and under-diagnosed.
There are many treatments for adults suffering from ADHD, including medication as well as cognitive behavioral therapy and lifestyle modifications. Discuss with your doctor which treatment plan is best for you. Keep in mind that the aim of a treatment plan is to improve your daily functioning and help you manage your symptoms. Be sure to discuss the benefits and side consequences of any medication you're taking, as with any co-occurring issues you suffer from.
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 with relationships.
The tendency to be impulsive is an attribute of the inattention ADD/ADHD subtype and can cause trouble when it leads to poor choices or risky behavior. Impulsivity is defined as a tendency to respond to questions before they are asked, interrupting conversations and buying things without thinking about the consequences. These impulsive behaviors can result in embarrassing situations in relationships, social awkwardness and financial difficulties.
Emotional impulsivity may also be common in adult female ADHD. It can cause people to act out in reaction to feelings of anger or frustration, which can be difficult to manage. This impulsivity can also cause mood swings, which makes it difficult to maintain healthy and supportive relationships.
Women who suffer from ADHD may have difficulties managing their emotions, which can lead to anxiety and low self-esteem. These negative emotions can impact productivity and can lead to missed appointments and health issues. Women suffering from an impulsive ADHD frequently struggle to make decisions or plan ahead. They can become dependent on others or have trouble staying on track with their commitments.
In the adolescent years and into adulthood, women and girls who suffer from ADHD are more likely to engage in risky sexual behaviors than their peers who are not affected by the disorder. This is usually due the recognition of the importance of sexual activity to gain social acceptance. Sexually threatening behaviors of young adults and adolescents with ADHD are a contributing factor to the increased rates of teenage, early or unplanned pregnancies in these populations.
The good news is that there are plenty of ways to reduce impulsive behaviors. It can be helpful to take a step back and record your thoughts prior to taking action. ADHD symptoms adults or mindfulness exercises can be beneficial in calming the mind and body, blocking out distractions, and controlling the impulsiveness. Diet plays a role in controlling impulses. A balanced diet, which includes vegetables, fruits, whole grains and high-quality protein, can help improve concentration and reduce the risk of impulsive behavior. Sleep is another factor in reducing impulsiveness. To get a better night's rest Try establishing a regular bedtime routine, including an oversized blanket to relax the mind and body prior to going to bed, and limiting screen time in the hours prior to bed.
Emotional Dysregulation
Emotional dysregulation is a frequent issue that typically affects people with ADHD. It is difficult to manage daily challenges and relationships when you are not able to control emotions. This can lead to self-destructive behavior like addictions or eating disorder. This can make it difficult for people to maintain an occupation, school or home life.
It can be difficult to identify your feelings or understanding what they mean. This can be particularly difficult if you suffer from a mood disorder, such as depression or anxiety. symptoms of emotional dysregulation may include difficulty calming down after an argument, having frequent outbursts or getting easily frustrated by small inconveniences and annoyances. It is also possible to have trouble letting go of old experiences or holding grudges.
Females with ADHD are more susceptible to emotional dysregulation. The reason for 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 typically feel more pressure to conform to social norms than men and boys. This can be particularly difficult for teenage girls who have ADHD because they are going through the hormonal changes that come with puberty and the transition to adolescence. With their increased awareness of academic and social pressures, these can be a recipe for emotional dysregulation.
If you suffer from issues with your emotions due to ADHD symptoms therapy or medication could be the best choice for treatment. Medicine can aid in regulating your hormones and improve your mood, while therapy can offer the space to process feelings of sadness, anger, anxiety or rejection.
Whether you opt for therapy or medication the best way to treat emotion dysregulation is to take steps to improve your sleep. You can do this by following a routine for bedtime and meditating or listening to soothing music before sleeping. Good sleep hygiene practices can help you get more energy throughout the day.
Although every person's story is unique, it's important to keep in mind that there are ways to deal with ADHD symptoms and live an enjoyable life. It's not unusual for people to go through the combination of medications, therapies or lifestyle adjustments to discover the best solution.