Adult Female ADHD Symptoms
Women suffering from ADHD are often not diagnosed due to inattention or lack of evident symptoms, gender biases by healthcare professionals and symptom maskedness. Getting a diagnosis is important to improve relationships and set you up for success, and help you recognize 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. Check this checklist to identify these symptoms:
Hyperfocus
ADHD can cause people to become so focused on a specific activity that they lose track of the world around them. This happens even if the activity isn't productive. This is referred to as hyperfocus. While some people, such as writers, artists, and scientists make use of this skill to be successful in their profession however, hyperfocus that is not controlled can be a problem. 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 a challenge to stop, especially if you don't realize that it's taking place. Set a schedule for the day and prioritize daily tasks, such as brushing your teeth or taking a bath. If adult ADHD symptoms have a hard time keeping track of the time, use a clock or alarm to help you remain focused or have a friend be in touch with you at specific intervals. When working on a project, it's beneficial to move around and take frequent breaks.
Hyperfocus in children is sometimes seen as positive, as it allows them to be engaged in a fun and exciting activity like skateboarding or creating with Legos. Hyperfocus that is not controlled can lead to problems at school, lower productivity at work, and frayed relations between siblings and parents.
Hyperfocus can make it difficult to determine if your child suffering from a mental disorder, such as depression or anxiety. These are common in adolescents. It is crucial to seek medical attention in the event that your child's symptoms of ADHD are affecting her daily functioning.
The symptoms of ADHD can also increase at certain times in women's lives, such as when she is experiencing menstrual cycles or is pregnant. This can increase the intensity and frequency of emotional symptoms such as mood swings and irritability. It also increases the chance of a woman being misunderstood by her lover or colleagues.
The male-to-female ADHD ratio is approximately 2:1 during the early years of childhood. However, the imbalance is less apparent as women begin to receive more ADHD diagnoses after age 14. The good news is that there are plenty of resources available to assist women and girls manage their ADHD and improve their lives.
Procrastination
Procrastination can be a common ADHD symptom in adult women and can create issues both in your professional and personal life. This condition can make it difficult to complete tasks, particularly those that require self-regulation and executive functioning skills. Procrastinators often fall behind in important school or work assignments, which can damage their reputation and damage relationships.
Other signs of adult ADHD include forgetting appointments and missing deadlines. You might also forget important information during conversations or your own personal needs like paying your bills. You may find it difficult to focus in noisy or busy areas, which could lead you to miss opportunities at work or school. You could also be easily distracted by your phone or social media and find it difficult to stay focused when listening or reading 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 range of emotional challenges, from depression and anxiety to shifts in mood that can impact your life in a variety of ways. It can also make it difficult to handle confusion and frustration in the workplace and in personal relationships.
Women are better than men at hiding their ADHD symptoms which makes it more difficult to receive a diagnosis and receive treatment. This is particularly true for women with high-functioning ADHD as the inattention symptoms are less obvious and can be camouflaged by mood or anxiety symptoms. ADHD symptoms adults omit comments concerning relationship issues or social problems and focus on academic performance and behavior, which can cause under-diagnosis and mis-identification of women and girls with ADHD.
There are a variety of treatments for adult ADHD. These include medication, cognitive behavior treatment, and lifestyle modifications. Talk to your doctor about the best treatment plan that is right for you. Be aware that the goal of any treatment plan is to help manage your symptoms and improve your daily functioning. Be sure to discuss the benefits and side effects of any medication you're taking, as well any co-occurring conditions 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, the inattentive symptoms are very common and can affect work, school, and relationships.
Impulsivity is a symptom of the inattentive ADD/ADHD type and can result in poor decisions or reckless behavior. Symptoms of impulsivity can include blurting out answers before questions are asked, interrupting people in conversations, and buying things on impulse without thinking through the consequences. These impulsive behaviors can result in embarrassing situations in social situations, relationship issues and financial problems.
Emotional impulsivity is common in adult female ADHD. It can result in acting 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 with ADHD may have difficulties managing their emotions, leading to depression and anxiety. These negative emotions can affect the performance of a person at work, and can lead to absences from appointments or health problems. Women suffering from hyper-impulsive ADHD frequently struggle to make decisions or plan ahead. As a result, they may become dependent on others or may have a hard time keeping their commitments.
Women and girls with ADHD have a higher risk of engaging in sexually risky behavior throughout adolescence, and even into adulthood. This is in comparison to peers who do not have the disorder. This is because sexual activity is viewed as a sign of social acceptance. The risky sexual behaviors of young adults and teens with ADHD can contribute to higher rates of teenage, early or unplanned pregnancies among these groups.
There are many ways that you can decrease your impulsive behavior. It can be helpful to take a moment to think and record thoughts prior to acting. Meditation or mindfulness exercises can also be helpful in relaxing the body and mind, blocking out distractions, and reducing the urge to be impulsive. Diet plays a role in controlling the impulsiveness. A healthy diet, which includes vegetables, fruits, whole grains and high-quality proteins, can improve focus and help prevent the impulsive behavior. Sleep is another key factor in reducing impulsiveness. To get an improved night's sleep, try establishing a consistent bedtime routine, including a weighted blanket to calm the body and mind before going to bed, and limiting screen time in the hours before bed.
Emotional Dysregulation
The disorder of emotional regulation affects a lot of adults with ADHD. If you're not able control your emotions it can be difficult to navigate your daily life and relationships. This can lead to self-destructive behaviors like addictions or eating disorders. This can make it hard to manage a school, home or work life.
You may find it difficult to identify your emotions or understand what they mean. This can be especially challenging in the case of an emotional disorder like anxiety or depression. The signs of emotional dysregulation could include difficulty getting calm after a fight or having frequent outbursts. You may also find yourself being easily annoyed by minor problems and irritations. It is also possible to have difficulty getting past events out of your mind or holding onto grudges.
Females who suffer from 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 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.
In addition, girls with ADHD are often under more pressure than males and boys to live up to the expectations of society. This can be particularly difficult for teenage girls who have ADHD as they experience the hormonal changes associated with puberty and the transition into adolescence. Combined with their heightened awareness of academic and social pressures, these can be a recipe for emotional dysregulation.
If you're ADHD symptoms result in emotional dysregulation, treatment options can include medication or therapy. Medicine can help improve your mood and regulate your hormones, while therapy offers a safe place to work through feelings such as anger, sadness or rejection.
You can improve your sleep by implementing a routine before bed doing a meditation practice or listening to calming music prior to sleeping. This can be accomplished by following a daily routine before going to sleeping, practicing meditation, or listening to soothing music. Practicing good sleep hygiene can help you get more energy throughout the day.
Although every person's story is unique, it's important that you remember there are ways to manage ADHD symptoms and lead a fulfilling lifestyle. It's not unusual for people to experience an array of medications, therapies or lifestyle adjustments to discover the most effective treatment.