Adult Female ADHD Symptoms
Women with ADHD are often undiagnosed because of inattentive or less obvious symptoms, gender biases by healthcare professionals and the concealing of symptoms. Getting a diagnosis is important to improve 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 determine these symptoms:
Hyperfocus
ADHD can cause people to become too focused on one particular activity that they lose track of the world outside. This happens even if the activity isn't productive. Hyperfocus is what it is. While certain people, like writers, artists, and scientists utilize this ability to excel in their work however, hyperfocus that is not controlled can be a problem. It can result in delayed appointments, disappointments at work or school and even strained relationships with family members and friends.
Hyperfocus can be difficult to stop if you are not aware of it occurring. The best method to get out of an ADHD hyperfocus phase is to make a plan and prioritize your tasks for the day, including daily chores such as brushing teeth or taking shower. Set an alarm or a clock to assist you in keeping track of time. You can also ask a friend or family member to check on you regularly. It can also help to move around and take frequent breaks while working on a project.
Hyperfocus in children is sometimes thought of as positive, since it allows them to be engaged in a fun activity, such as skateboarding, or building with Legos. However, excessive hyperfocus can cause problems in school, lost productivity at work and strained relationships with parents or siblings.
Hyperfocus can make it difficult to determine if your child suffering from a mental illness such as depression or anxiety. These are very common among adolescents. ADHD symptoms in adulthood is why it is crucial to seek medical attention if your daughter exhibits symptoms of ADHD that affect her daily activities.
ADHD symptoms may be more prevalent during certain phases of pregnancy or menstruation. This can increase the severity and frequency of emotional symptoms like irritability and mood swings. It can also increase the chance that a woman is misunderstood by her spouse or colleagues.
The male-to-female ADHD ratio is about 2:1 in childhood. However, the disparity becomes less pronounced as women receive more ADHD diagnoses after age 14. The good news is that there are many options to help women and girls manage their ADHD and improve their lives.
Procrastination
Procrastination can be a common ADHD symptom in adult women and can lead to problems in your personal and professional lives. This condition causes difficulty to begin and complete tasks, particularly those that require self-regulation and executive function skills. Procrastinators are often late in important school or work assignments, which can damage their reputation and relationships.
Forgetting appointments and missing deadlines are also common signs of adult ADHD among women. You may also forget important details in conversations or even your personal needs such as paying your bills. You may find it difficult to concentrate in busy or noisy environments, which can result in missed opportunities at work or school. You could also get 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 lead to many emotional problems, from depression and anxiety to shifts in mood that affect your life in a variety of ways. It can also make it hard to manage frustrations and misunderstandings within personal and professional relationships.
Women are more adept than men at hiding their ADHD symptoms and this can make it more difficult to get a diagnosis and receive treatment. This is especially true for women who have high-functioning ADHD. The signs of inattention aren't as obvious and can be concealed by mood disorders or anxiety. Reports on school typically do not include any comments regarding relationship or social issues and focus more on academic performance and behavior, which can cause under-diagnosis and mis-identification of women and girls suffering from ADHD.
There are many treatment options for adults with ADHD. These include medication, cognitive behavioral treatment, and lifestyle changes. Talk to your doctor about the best treatment plan that is right for you. Keep in mind that the purpose of any treatment plan is to help manage your symptoms and improve your daily functioning. Discuss the potential side effects and benefits of any medication you are taking, along with any co-occurring disorders.
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 interfere with work, school, and relationships.
Impulsivity is a characteristic of the inattentive subtype of ADD/ADHD. It can cause problems when it leads to reckless choices or risky behavior. Signs of impulsivity could include blurting out answers before questions are asked, interrupting other people in conversations, and buying items on impulse without taking into consideration the consequences. These impulsive actions can lead to embarrassing social situations, relationship problems and financial difficulties.
Emotional impulsivity is a typical sign of adult female ADHD. It can result in acting out in response to feelings of anger or frustration which can be difficult to control. This impulsivity could cause mood swings that make it difficult for people to maintain healthy and supportive relationships.
Women who suffer from ADHD might have trouble managing their emotions, leading to anxiety and low self-esteem. These negative emotions can impact the performance of a person at work, and can cause missing appointments or health issues. Women with impulsive ADHD have trouble making decisions or planning ahead. This is why they can become overly dependent on others or be unable to keep their commitments.
Girls and women who suffer from ADHD are at a higher risk of engaging in sexually risky behavior throughout their adolescence, and even into adulthood. This is in comparison to peers who don't have the disorder. This is usually due a recognition of the value of sexual activity for social acceptance. Sexually risky behavior of young adults and teens with ADHD are a major contributor to higher rates of teenage, early or unplanned pregnancies in these populations.
The good news is that there are plenty of ways to reduce impulsive behaviors. Making sure to pause before doing something and writing down thoughts that might be impulsive could help. Meditation or mindfulness practices can also help in calming the mind and body, blocking out distractions, and controlling the impulsiveness. ADHD symptoms in adulthood can play a part in reducing the impulsiveness. A healthy diet with lots of fruits and vegetables as well as whole grains and quality protein can improve focus and prevent impulse-driven behaviors. Sleep is also crucial to decreasing the risk of impulsiveness. To get more restful sleep, try establishing a consistent bedtime routine, utilizing the blanket with weight to settle your body and mind prior to sleeping, and limit screen time during the time before bed.
Emotional Dysregulation
Emotional dysregulation affects many adults with ADHD. If you're not able to control your emotions, it can be difficult to manage your daily life and relationships. This could lead to self-destructive behaviours such as addictions and eating disorder. This can make it difficult to keep an occupation, school or even a home life.
It can be difficult to identify your emotions or figuring out what they mean. This can be especially challenging in the case of a mood disorder, such as depression or anxiety. Emotional dysregulation is defined as difficulties in slowing down after an argument, frequent outbursts or being easily upset by small annoyances. It is also possible to have difficulty letting go of past experiences or holding onto grudges.
Females with ADHD may be particularly vulnerable 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.
Additionally, girls who suffer from ADHD are often subject to more pressure than males and boys to meet societal expectations. This can be particularly difficult for teenagers with ADHD because they are going through the hormonal changes that come with puberty and the transition to adolescence. In addition, their increased awareness of academic and social demands, this can be a recipe for emotional dysregulation.
If you're ADHD symptoms result in emotional dysregulation, treatment options include medication or therapy. Medicine can help improve your mood and regulate your hormones, while therapy can provide a secure environment to explore feelings like sadness, anger and rejection. It can also help with anxiety.
If you decide to take medication or therapy the best method to treat the issue of emotion dysregulation is to implement steps to improve your sleep. This can be accomplished by implementing a routine prior to going to going to bed, doing a meditation routine, or listening to soothing music. Good sleep hygiene can help you feel more refreshed throughout the day.
While every person's experience with ADHD is unique It's important to keep in mind that there are ways to manage symptoms and lead an enjoyable life. It's normal for people to try a combination or therapies and medications, or lifestyle changes to determine the best solution.