Adult Female ADHD Symptoms
Women suffering from ADHD often go undiagnosed due to inattention or lack of evident symptoms, gender bias by healthcare professionals and the concealing of symptoms. The need for a diagnosis is essential to improve 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. Check this checklist to identify these symptoms:
Hyperfocus
ADHD can cause people to be so focused on a particular task that they lose sight of the world outside. This happens even if the activity isn't productive. This is known as hyperfocus. Hyperfocus that is unrestricted, though beneficial for certain people such as writers, scientists and artists, can be a liability. It can cause you be late for appointments, suffer difficulties at work or at school and cause problems with family and friends.
Hyperfocus is difficult to stop if you're unaware of the fact that it is occurring. Create a schedule for the day and prioritize daily tasks, such as brushing your teeth or taking bath. Set an alarm or a clock to aid in keeping the time. You could also ask a friend or family member to check in on you at regular intervals. When working on a project, it's beneficial to move around frequently and take frequent breaks.
In children, hyperfocus is sometimes considered to be an advantage, as it allows kids to become completely engaged in an activity such as skating or building with Legos. Hyperfocus that is not controlled can cause problems at school, lower productivity at work, and frayed relationships between siblings and 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. This makes it important to seek medical attention if your child exhibits symptoms of ADHD that impact her daily life.
Symptoms of ADHD can also be more severe at certain times in the life of a woman for instance, when she is having menstrual cycle or pregnant. This can increase the frequency and severity of emotional symptoms, such as irritability and mood swings. It can also increase the possibility that a female will be misunderstood or misinterpreted by her romantic partner or coworkers.
The male-to-female ratio for diagnosed ADHD is 2:1 in childhood but this disparity becomes less apparent after age 14, when more females are diagnosed with ADHD. The good news is that there are a variety of resources available to help girls and women manage their ADHD, and improve their lives.
Procrastination
Procrastination is an atypical adult female ADHD symptom, and it can cause difficulties in your personal and professional life. This symptom causes difficulty to begin and complete tasks, especially those that require self-regulation or executive function abilities. People who are prone to procrastinating often find themselves behind on important work or school assignments and this can hurt their reputations and relationships.
Other signs of adult ADHD include forgetting appointments and missing deadlines. You may also be prone to forgetting important details in conversations, or even your own personal needs such as paying your bills. You may have trouble concentrating in busy or noisy environments, which could result in missed opportunities at school or work. You could also get distracted by your smartphone or social media and have difficulty staying focused while 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 manage confusion and frustration in the workplace and in personal relationships.
Women are better at concealing their ADHD symptoms than men, which may cause difficulty in finding a diagnosis and getting treatment. More Support is particularly the case for women with high-functioning ADHD, where the inattentive symptoms are less obvious and can be camouflaged by anxiety or mood symptoms. School reports typically omit comments about social or relationship difficulties and concentrate more on academic performance and behavior, which could cause under-diagnosis and mis-identification of women and girls with ADHD.
There are a variety of treatments for adults suffering from ADHD. These include medication, cognitive behavioral treatment, and lifestyle adjustments. Talk to your doctor about the best treatment plan that is right 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 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. Inattention symptoms are extremely common, and can cause problems at work, school or in relationships.
Impulsivity is a characteristic of the inattentive subtype of ADD/ADHD. It can cause trouble when it causes reckless choices or risky behavior. It is characterized by an inability to respond to questions before they are asked, interrupting conversations and buying things without thinking about the consequences. These impulsive behaviors can lead to embarrassing situations in social settings, relationship issues, and financial issues.
Emotional impulsivity is a frequent symptom of adult female ADHD. It can cause people to act out in reaction to feelings of anger or frustration which may be difficult to control. This impulsivity can also cause mood swings, making it difficult to maintain healthy and supportive relationships.
Women with ADHD may have difficulty managing their emotions, which can lead to depression and anxiety. These negative emotions can affect work performance and lead to absences from appointments and health issues. Women who suffer from an impulsive ADHD often struggle to make decisions or plan ahead. In the process, they can become overly dependent on others or be unable to keep their commitments.
In the adolescent years and into adulthood, women and girls with ADHD are more likely to engage in risky sexual behaviors than their peers without 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 can lead to the higher incidence of teenage, unplanned or early-stage pregnancies.
There are many ways you can reduce the risk of impulsive behavior. It is helpful to learn to pause and record your thoughts prior to making a decision. Meditation or mindfulness practices can also be helpful in relaxing the body and mind, blocking out distractions, and controlling impulsiveness. Diet can also play a role in managing impulsiveness. A healthy diet with plenty of vegetables and fruits along with whole grains and protein of high quality can help enhance focus and help prevent the impulsive behavior. Sleep is another important element in reducing impulsiveness. Set up a regular sleeping routine, with a heavy blanket to relax your mind and body and limiting your use of screens in the hours before bed.
Emotional Dysregulation
A lot of adults suffer from emotional dysregulation with ADHD. It is difficult to manage daily challenges and relationships when you are not able to manage your emotions. It can cause self-destructive behavior such as eating disorders and addictions. This can make it difficult to keep a job, school or even a home life.
You may have difficulty identifying your emotions or figuring out what they mean. This is especially difficult if you have an emotional disorder like depression or anxiety. symptoms of emotional dysregulation may include having trouble calming down after an argument and having frequent outbursts, or being easily annoyed by minor irritations and inconveniences. It is also possible to have difficulty letting go of past experiences or holding grudges.
Females with ADHD are more susceptible to emotional dysregulation. This is because their symptoms are internalized and they are less likely to be diagnosed with ADHD than boys or men. 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 with ADHD often feel more pressure to conform to social expectations than men and boys. This can be particularly difficult for teenage girls who have ADHD as they go through the hormonal changes that come with puberty and the transition to adolescence. With their increased susceptibility to academic and social pressures, they can create a recipe for emotional dysregulation.
If you're ADHD symptoms cause you to experience emotional dysregulation, treatment options could include therapy or medication. Medication can improve your mood and regulate your hormones, while therapy can provide a secure place to work through feelings like sadness, anger or rejection.
You can improve your sleep by implementing a routine before bed doing a meditation practice or listening to soothing music prior to sleeping. This can be achieved by following a daily routine before going to going to bed, doing a meditation routine or listening to calming music. A good night's sleep can make you feel more refreshed throughout the day.
While everyone's experience is unique, it's important to keep in mind that there are ways to manage ADHD symptoms and lead a fulfilling lifestyle. It's common for people to experiment with different therapies or medications or lifestyle changes to find the best solution.