Adult Female ADHD Symptoms
Women suffering from ADHD often go undiagnosed due to inattention or lack of obvious symptoms, gender biases among healthcare professionals and the maskedness of symptoms. Getting a diagnosis is important to improve your relationships and prepare you for success, and help you 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 look for these symptoms:
Hyperfocus
ADHD can cause people to be so focused on a particular activity that they lose track of the world outside. This can happen even if the activity is not productive. Hyperfocus is what this is. While some people, such as writers, artists, and scientists make use of this skill to do their best work, unrestrained hyperfocus can be a liability. It can cause you miss appointments, have difficulties at work or at school, and strain relationships with family and friends.
Hyperfocus is hard to stop if you are not aware of it taking place. The best way to break out of an ADHD hyperfocus is to create a schedule and prioritize tasks for the day, such as everyday chores like brushing teeth or taking showers. Set an alarm or a clock to aid in keeping track of your time. You could also ask a friend or family member to check on you regularly. It also helps to move around and take frequent breaks while working on a project.
In children, hyperfocus is often thought of as a positive trait, because it allows kids to become completely engaged in an sport like skating or building with Legos. However, uncontrolled hyperfocus can lead to problems at school, decreased productivity at work, and frayed relations between siblings and parents.
Hyperfocus may make it difficult to discern if the child is suffering from a mental illness like anxiety or depression, which is common among adolescents. This is why it is important to seek medical attention if your daughter has symptoms of ADHD that interfere with her daily activities.
ADHD symptoms may be more apparent during certain phases of a woman's pregnancy or menstrual cycle. This can increase the intensity and frequency of emotional symptoms, such as irritability or mood swings. It can also increase the chance of a woman being misinterpreted by her romantic partner or coworkers.
The male-to-female ratio for diagnosed ADHD is at 2:1 in childhood the imbalance is less noticeable after age 14, when more women are diagnosed with ADHD. The good news is that there are a variety of resources available to assist women and girls manage their ADHD and improve their lives.
Procrastination
Procrastination is a typical adult female ADHD sign and can cause issues in your personal and professional life. This symptom causes difficulty to begin and complete tasks, particularly those that require self-regulation and executive functioning skills. 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, such as paying your bills. It can be difficult to concentrate in noisy or busy places, which can lead you to not take advantage of opportunities at school or work. You could also get easily distracted by your phone or social media and may have difficulty staying focused when reading or listening to others.
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 various emotional issues including anxiety and depression, to mood swings that can have a major impact on your life. It can also make it hard to manage tensions and miscommunications in personal and professional relationships.
Women are better than males in hiding their ADHD symptoms which makes it harder to obtain a diagnosis and receive treatment. This is particularly the case for women with high-functioning ADHD and inattention symptoms aren't as apparent and are more easily disguised by mood or anxiety-related symptoms. School reports tend to focus on academic performance and behavior, and not on issues with relationships or social. This can cause girls and women with ADHD to be under-identified and not diagnosed.
There are ADHD symptoms in adults quiz for adult ADHD, including medication and cognitive behavioral therapy 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 assist you manage your symptoms and improve your daily functioning. Discuss the side effects and benefits of any medication you are taking, as well as 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 inattention symptoms are quite common and can interfere with school, work, or relationships.
Impulsivity is a symptom of the inattentive ADD/ADHD type and can lead to poor decisions or reckless behavior. Impulsivity can be characterized by an inability to respond to questions prior to being asked, interrupting conversations, or buying things without thinking about the consequences. These impulsive behaviors can lead to embarrassing situations in relationships, social awkwardness, and financial struggles.
Emotional impulsivity may also be common in adult female ADHD. It can result in acting out in the face of anger or frustration, which can be difficult to control. This impulsivity can also cause mood changes that make it difficult for people to maintain healthy and supportive relationships.
Women with ADHD might have trouble managing their emotions, leading to anxiety and low self-esteem. These negative emotions can negatively impact work performance, and even cause absences from appointments or health problems. Women suffering from impulsive ADHD have a hard time making decisions or planning ahead. They might become too dependent on others or have trouble keeping their commitments.
In the adolescent years and into adulthood, women and girls with ADHD are more likely to engage in sexually risky behavior than peers who are not affected by the disorder. This is often due to the recognition of the importance of sexual activity to gain social acceptance. Sexually risky behaviors of young adults and adolescents with ADHD can contribute to the higher rate of teenage, early or unplanned pregnancy in these populations.
The good news is that there are plenty of ways to decrease the impulsivity of your behavior. It is beneficial to learn to pause and record your thoughts prior to making a decision. Meditation or mindfulness practices can also help in calming the mind and body and removing distractions and reducing impulsiveness. Diet plays a role in reducing impulsiveness. A balanced diet that contains lots of fruits and vegetables as well as whole grains and high-quality protein can enhance focus and help prevent impulse-driven behaviors. Sleep is another key factor in reducing impulsivity. To ensure an improved night's sleep, try establishing a consistent bedtime routine, including the blanket with weight to settle the mind and body prior to going to bed, and limiting screen time during the time leading up to sleep.
Emotional Dysregulation
Emotional dysregulation is a common issue that is often experienced by adults suffering from ADHD. It is difficult to manage daily stress and relationships when you are not able to control emotions. This can lead to self-destructive behavior such as addictions and eating disorders. This can make it hard to maintain a school, home or work life.
You may find it difficult to identify your feelings or comprehend what they mean. This can be particularly challenging when you suffer from a mood disorder, such as anxiety or depression. Emotional dysregulation is characterized by difficulties in calm after an argument, frequent outbursts or becoming easily annoyed by small annoyances. You might also have trouble let go of past experiences or retaining grudges.
Females with ADHD are more susceptible to emotional dysregulation. It's because the symptoms they experience 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.
Girls who suffer from ADHD often feel more pressure to conform to social expectations than both boys and men. This can be particularly challenging for teenage girls who have ADHD as they experience the hormonal changes that come with puberty and the transition to adolescence. This can cause emotional dysregulation, particularly combined with the increased sensitivity of girls with ADHD to academic and social pressures.
If your ADHD symptoms cause you to experience emotional dysregulation, treatment options could include therapy or medication. Medication can aid in regulating your hormones and improve your mood, while therapy can provide the space to process emotions of sadness, anger or anxiety.
You can enhance your sleep by following a bedtime routine, practicing meditation or listening to soothing music prior to bed. This can be accomplished by following a routine before sleeping, practicing meditation, or listening to soothing music. A good night's sleep can make you feel more energetic throughout the day.
While everyone's journey with ADHD is unique it is important to recognize that there are ways to manage the symptoms and live a fulfilling life. It's common for people to test various treatments or medications or lifestyle changes to determine the most effective solution.