Adult Female ADHD Symptoms
Women with ADHD often go undiagnosed because of inattentive or less obvious symptoms, gender bias by healthcare professionals, and the concealing of symptoms. Getting a diagnosis is important to improve your relationships and set you up for success, and help 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. Use this checklist to look for these signs:
Hyperfocus
ADHD can cause people to become too focused on one particular task that they lose sight of the world outside. This happens even if the activity isn't productive. Hyperfocus is what this is. Unrestrained hyperfocus, although useful for some people such as writers, scientists and artists, can be a problem for others. It can lead you to be late for appointments, suffer setbacks at school or work and can cause tension with family and friends.
Hyperfocus can be extremely difficult to stop, especially when you don't know it's taking place. The best way to break out of an ADHD hyperfocus phase is to create a schedule and prioritize tasks for the day, which includes routine chores like brushing your teeth or taking shower. Utilize an alarm clock or alarm to help you keep track of time. You can also ask a friend or family member to check on you regularly. It is also helpful to move around and take frequent breaks when working on a task.
Hyperfocus in children is often thought of as positive, since it allows them to be engaged in an activity like skateboarding or creating with Legos. However, uncontrolled hyperfocus can cause problems at school, lower productivity at work, and frayed relationships between siblings and parents.
Hyperfocus may make it harder to see the signs that a child is suffering from a mental illness such as depression or anxiety that is common among adolescents. This makes it important to seek medical attention if your daughter exhibits symptoms of ADHD that interfere with her daily life.
ADHD symptoms may be more apparent during certain phases of a woman's pregnancy or menstrual cycles. This can increase the severity and frequency of emotional symptoms such as irritability or mood fluctuations. It also increases the possibility that a female is misunderstood by her spouse or colleagues.
The male-to-female ratio for diagnosed ADHD is 2:1 in the early years of childhood but this disparity becomes less pronounced after age 14, when more women receive a diagnosis. There are many sources that can aid girls and women in managing their ADHD and improve their lives.
Procrastination
Procrastination can be a common ADHD symptom in adult women and can create problems in your professional and personal life. This condition causes difficulty to begin and complete tasks, particularly those that require self-regulation or executive function abilities. People who delay their work often miss out on important work or school assignments, which could damage their reputation and relationships.
Other signs of adult ADHD include not remembering appointments and ignoring deadlines. You could also be susceptible to forgetting important information in conversations, or even your own personal needs, like paying bills. You may find it difficult to concentrate in busy or noisy environments, which can lead to missed opportunities at school or work. You could also be easily distracted by your smartphone 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 cause many emotional problems, from depression and anxiety to shifts in mood that affect your life in different ways. ADHD symptoms in adult men can also make it difficult to manage frustration and misunderstandings in workplace and personal relationships.
Women are more adept at hiding their ADHD symptoms than men, which could cause difficulty in finding a diagnosis and getting treatment. This is particularly relevant for women who have high-functioning ADHD, where the inattentive symptoms aren't so obvious and can be camouflaged by anxiety or mood symptoms. School reports tend to concentrate on academic performance and behavior, but not on issues with relationships or social. This can lead to girls and women with ADHD to be under-identified and under-diagnosed.
There are a variety of treatment options for adults suffering from ADHD which include medication, cognitive behavioral therapy, and lifestyle changes. Consult your physician about the best treatment plan for you. Keeping in mind that the purpose of any treatment plan is to help manage your symptoms and improve your daily functioning. Make sure you discuss the benefits and effects of any medications you're taking as well any co-occurring conditions 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 inattentive symptoms are very frequent, and can lead to problems at work, school or in relationships.
It is one of the traits of the inattentive subtype of ADD/ADHD. It can be a cause of concern when it leads to poor choices or risky behavior. Impulsivity can be characterized by a tendency to answer questions prior to being asked, interrupting conversations and buying things without considering the consequences. These impulsive behaviors can lead to embarrassing situations at the social level, problems with relationships, and financial struggles.
Emotional impulsivity is another common sign of adult female ADHD. It can cause an impulsive reaction to anger or frustration. This impulsivity can also lead to mood fluctuations that make it difficult to maintain supportive and healthy relationships.
Women with ADHD might have trouble managing their emotions, which can lead to depression and anxiety. These negative emotions can affect the performance of a person at work, and can cause missed appointments or health issues. Women who suffer from an impulsive ADHD have trouble making decisions or planning ahead. In the process, they may become a bit dependent on others, or have a hard time keeping their commitments.
In the adolescent years and into adulthood, girls and women with ADHD are more likely to engage in sexually risky actions than those without the disorder. This is because sexual activity is valued for social acceptance. Sexually risky behavior in adolescents and young adults with ADHD is a risk factor that contributes to a higher rate of unplanned, teenage or early pregnancies.
The good news is that there are a variety of ways to curb impulsive behavior. It is beneficial to learn to pause and record your thoughts prior to making a decision. Meditation or mindfulness exercises can be beneficial in calming the mind and body, blocking out distractions, and controlling impulsiveness. Diet plays a role in managing impulsiveness. A balanced diet that contains lots of fruits and vegetables, whole grains, and high-quality protein can improve focus and prevent the impulsive behavior. Sleep is a key factor in the reduction of the tendency to be impulsive. Try establishing a consistent sleep routine, utilizing a thick blanket to relax your body and mind, and limiting your use of screens in the hours before going to bed.
Emotional Dysregulation
Emotional dysregulation is a common issue that is often experienced by adults with ADHD. When you're unable to manage your emotions it is difficult to deal with everyday challenges and relationships. It can result in self-destructive behaviours like addictions and eating disorders. This can make it difficult for people to maintain an occupation, school or even your home life.
ADHD symptoms in adult men can be difficult to identify your emotions or understanding what they mean. This can be especially challenging when you suffer from a mood disorder like depression or anxiety. Emotional dysregulation is characterized by difficulties in slowing down after an argument, frequent outbursts, or becoming easily annoyed by small inconveniences. It is also possible to have trouble in letting go of past events or putting off grudges.
Females who suffer from ADHD are more prone to emotional dysregulation. The reason for this is that their symptoms tend to be internalized, and they're less likely than males and females to be 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.
In addition, girls who suffer from ADHD are typically under greater pressure than males and boys to meet societal expectations. This can be particularly challenging for teenagers with ADHD as they go into the hormonal changes that accompany puberty and the transition to adolescence. In addition, their increased susceptibility to academic and social pressures, these can be the cause of emotional dysregulation.
If your ADHD symptoms cause you to experience emotional dysregulation, treatment options could include medication or therapy. Medicine can help regulate your hormones and improve your mood while therapy can offer a safe space to deal with emotions of sadness, anger and anxiety, as well as rejection.
You can enhance your sleep by implementing a routine before bed doing a meditation practice or listening to soothing music before sleeping. You can achieve this by following a bedtime routine, practicing meditation or listening to soothing music before you go to sleep. Good sleep hygiene practices will also help you to have more energy throughout the day.
While every person's experience with ADHD is unique, it's important to remember that there are solutions to manage the symptoms and live an enjoyable life. It's common for people to experiment with a combination or therapies and medications, or lifestyle changes to find the best solution.