Adult Female ADHD Symptoms
Women with ADHD are often not diagnosed due to symptoms that are less obvious, gender bias between healthcare professionals and symptom-masking. Getting a diagnosis is important to improve your relationships and 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 determine these symptoms:
Hyperfocus
ADHD can cause people to become so focused on a specific activity that they lose track of the world outside. This can happen even if the activity isn't productive. This is known as hyperfocus. Unrestrained hyperfocus, although useful for some people like scientists, writers, and artists, can be a hindrance. It can cause you to be late for appointments, suffer setbacks at school or work and cause problems with your family and friends.
Hyperfocus can be very difficult to stop, especially when you don't know it's happening. The best way to break out of an ADHD hyperfocus is to make a plan and prioritize tasks for the day, which includes daily chores such as brushing teeth or taking a shower. Use an alarm or clock to assist you in keeping the time. You can also ask a trusted 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 project.
In children, hyperfocus is sometimes considered to be a positive trait, because it allows kids to become highly engaged in an enjoyable activity like skateboarding or building with Legos. However, uncontrolled hyperfocus could lead to setbacks in school, a decrease in productivity at work and strained relationships with siblings or parents.
Hyperfocus can make it difficult to determine if your child is suffering from a mental disorder such as anxiety or depression. These are very common among adolescents. It is essential to seek medical attention in the event that your child's symptoms of ADHD are affecting her daily functioning.
ADHD symptoms may be more apparent during certain phases of pregnancy or menstrual cycles. This can increase the severity and frequency of emotional symptoms such as irritability or mood fluctuations. It also increases the likelihood of a female being misinterpreted by her partner in love, or coworkers.
The male-to-female ADHD ratio is approximately 2:1 during childhood. However, the disparity is less apparent as women begin to receive more ADHD diagnoses after the age of 14. The good news is that there are plenty of options to assist women and girls manage their ADHD, and improve their lives.
symptoms for ADHD in adults is a common adult female ADHD sign that can lead to issues in your personal and professional life. This condition can make it difficult to begin and complete tasks, especially those that require self-regulation and executive function abilities. People who are prone to procrastination often end up in a bind with important assignments or work and this can hurt their reputations and relationships.
Forgetting appointments and missing deadlines are other common symptoms of adult ADHD for women. You might also forget important details during conversations or your own personal needs like paying bills. You may find it difficult to concentrate in busy or noisy environments, which could cause you to miss opportunities at school or at work. You can also become easily distracted by social media or your phone and find it difficult to stay focused when listening 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 that range from anxiety and depression, to mood changes that can have a major impact on your life. It can also make it difficult to handle anger and miscommunications in your workplace and personal relationships.
Women are more adept at hiding their ADHD symptoms than men, which can make it more difficult for them to being diagnosed and obtaining treatment. This is especially true for women with high-functioning ADHD as the inattention symptoms aren't as evident and are often disguised by mood or anxiety symptoms. School reports tend to focus on academic performance and behavior and not social or relationship issues. This can lead to girls and women with ADHD to be misdiagnosed and under-diagnosed.
There are a variety of treatments for adults with ADHD which include medication as well as cognitive behavioral therapy and lifestyle modifications. Consult your physician about the best treatment plan that is right for you. Keeping in mind that the purpose of any treatment plan is to help you manage your symptoms and improve your daily functioning. Make sure you discuss the benefits and effects of any medication you're taking, as well with any co-occurring issues you may 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. The symptoms of inattention are common and can cause difficulties at school, at work, or with relationships.
The tendency to be impulsive is one of the traits of the inattentive subtype of ADD/ADHD. It can cause problems when it causes unsafe choices or reckless behavior. Symptoms of impulsivity can include blurting out answers before questions are asked, interrupting others in conversations, or buying things on impulse, without thinking through the consequences. These actions of impulsivity can result in embarrassing social situations, relationship problems, and financial struggles.
Emotional impulsivity can also be a common symptom in adult female ADHD. It can cause impulsive behavior in reaction to anger or frustration. This impulsivity can cause mood swings, making it difficult to maintain healthy and supportive relationships.
Women with ADHD might have trouble managing their emotions, leading to depression and anxiety. These negative emotions can impact work performance and lead to absences from appointments and health issues. Women with an impulsive ADHD have trouble making decisions or planning ahead. As a result, they may become dependent on others or have a hard time keeping their commitments.
Girls and women with ADHD have a higher risk of engaging in risky sexual behavior throughout their adolescence, and even into adulthood. This is in comparison with their peers who do not suffer from the disorder. This is because sexual activity is viewed as a sign of social acceptance. Risky sexual behavior in adolescents and young adults with ADHD is a factor that is responsible for an increased rate of teenage, unplanned or early-stage pregnancies.
There are many ways you can reduce the impulsive behavior. Learning to pause before you act and to write down thoughts that may be impulsive can help. Mindfulness or meditation practices can also be helpful in relaxing the body and mind by blocking out distractions and reducing impulsiveness. Diet can also play a role in managing impulsiveness. A balanced diet that contains plenty of fruits and vegetables as well as whole grains and high-quality protein can increase focus and reduce impulse-driven behaviors. Sleep is another key factor in reducing impulsiveness. Make sure you have a regular sleep routine, utilizing a thick blanket to calm your body and mind, and limiting your use of screens prior to bed.
Emotional Dysregulation
The disorder of emotional regulation affects a lot of adults with ADHD. If you're not able control your emotions, it is difficult to deal with everyday challenges and relationships. It can cause self-destructive behavior like addictions and eating disorders. ADHD and adults symptoms can make it difficult to maintain a job, school or even your home life.
You might find it difficult to identify your emotions or to understand what they mean. This can be especially challenging if you suffer from a mood disorder like anxiety or depression. Emotional dysregulation is characterized by the difficulty of slowing down after an argument, frequent outbursts, or being easily upset by minor inconveniences. You may also have trouble let go of past experiences or retaining grudges.
Females suffering from ADHD may be particularly vulnerable to emotional dysregulation. This is because 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.
Girls who suffer from ADHD typically feel more pressure to conform to social norms than boys and men. This can be particularly difficult for teenage girls with ADHD as they go into the hormonal changes associated with puberty and adolescence. Combined with their heightened awareness of academic and social demands, this can be a recipe for emotional dysregulation.
If you're ADHD symptoms cause you to experience emotional dysregulation, treatment options include therapy or medication. The use of medication can aid in regulating your hormones and improve your mood while therapy can offer the space to deal with feelings of anger, sadness, anxiety or rejection.
You can enhance your sleep by implementing a routine before bed doing a meditation practice or listening to calming music before sleeping. This can be achieved by implementing a routine prior to going to bed, practicing meditation or listening to relaxing music. Practicing good sleep hygiene can also help you have more energy throughout the day.
While every person's experience with ADHD is different it is important to recognize that there are ways to manage symptoms and lead a fulfilling life. It's not uncommon for people to experience the combination of therapies, medications or lifestyle changes to determine the most effective treatment.