Adult Female ADHD Symptoms
Women suffering from ADHD are often underdiagnosed due to symptoms that may be less evident, gender biases in healthcare professionals and symptom masked. It is crucial to receive an diagnosis to improve your relationships, set yourself up for success, and understand 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 for these signs:
Hyperfocus
ADHD can cause people to be so focused on a particular activity that they lose track of the world outside. This happens even if the activity is not productive. Hyperfocus is the term used to describe this. While certain individuals, such as scientists, artists and writers make use of this skill to do their best work however, hyperfocus that is not controlled can be a problem. It can cause you to delay appointments, experience problems at work or school, and strain relationships with family and friends.
Hyperfocus is hard to stop if you're not aware of it taking place. Make a plan for your day and prioritize daily tasks such as brushing your teeth or taking bath. If you have a hard time keeping track of the time, use a clock or alarm to help you stay on task or ask a trusted friend to be in touch with you at regular intervals. When working on a project, it's beneficial to move around frequently and take frequent breaks.
Hyperfocus in children is often seen as positive, as it allows them to be engaged in a fun activity, such as skateboarding, or building with Legos. However, uncontrolled hyperfocus could lead to setbacks in school, lost productivity at work, and damaged relationships with parents or siblings.
Hyperfocus can make it difficult to determine if your child is suffering from a mental illness such as anxiety or depression. These are very common among adolescents. This makes it important to seek medical attention if your child exhibits symptoms of ADHD that impact her daily functioning.
ADHD symptoms can be more apparent in certain times of pregnancy or menstrual cycle. This can increase the severity and frequency of emotional symptoms, such as irritability or mood fluctuations. It also increases the chance that a woman will be misunderstood by her spouse or colleagues.
While the male-to-female ratio of diagnosed ADHD is 2:1 in childhood but this disparity becomes less apparent after age 14 when more women receive a diagnosis. There are many resources to aid girls and women in managing their ADHD and improve their lives.
Procrastination
Procrastination is a common adult female ADHD sign, and it can cause issues in your personal and professional life. This condition can make it difficult to complete tasks, particularly those that require self-regulation and executive functioning abilities. Procrastinators are often late in important school or work assignments, which can damage their reputation and damage relationships.
The inability to remember appointments and the failure to meet deadlines are a few other typical signs of adult ADHD among women. You might also be prone to forgetting important details 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 cause you to miss opportunities at school or at work. You could also get distracted by your phone or social media, and have difficulty staying focused while listening to or reading a book 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 various emotional issues ranging from depression and anxiety as well as mood fluctuations that can have a significant impact on your life. It can also make it hard to manage conflicts and miscommunications in your personal and professional relationships.
Women are better than males in hiding their ADHD symptoms, which can make it more difficult to get an accurate diagnosis and get treatment. This is particularly the case for women who suffer from high-functioning ADHD. The symptoms of inattention are less apparent, and can be hidden by depression or anxiety. School reports tend to focus on academic performance and behavior, and not on issues with relationships or social. This can lead to girls and women with ADHD to be overlooked and under-diagnosed.
There are a variety of treatments for adults with ADHD. These include medication, cognitive behavior treatment, and lifestyle changes. Consult your physician about the best treatment plan for you. Remember that the goal of a treatment plan is to improve your daily functioning and assist you to manage your symptom. Make sure you discuss the benefits and side effects of any medication you're taking, as any co-occurring conditions you suffer from.
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 symptoms of inattention are common, and can cause issues at school, work or in relationships.
Impulsivity is a characteristic of the inattentive subtype of ADD/ADHD. It can cause problems when it causes reckless choices or risky behavior. It is characterized by the tendency to respond to questions before they are asked, interrupting conversations, or purchasing things without thinking about the consequences. These behaviors that are impulsive can lead to embarrassing situations in social situations, relationships, and financial problems.
Emotional impulsivity is another common characteristic of female adult ADHD. It can cause impulsive behavior in response to anger or frustration. This impulsivity can cause mood swings, making it difficult to maintain healthy and supportive relationships.
Women with ADHD might have trouble managing their emotions, which can lead to anxiety and low self-esteem. These negative emotions can impact the performance of a person at work and cause absences from appointments and health issues. Women suffering from an impulsive ADHD frequently struggle to make decisions or plan ahead. They can become dependent on others, or have trouble staying on track with their commitments.
Throughout adolescence and into adulthood, girls and women with ADHD are more likely to engage in risky sexual behaviors than their peers without the disorder. This is usually due to an appreciation of the importance of sexual activities for social acceptance. The risky sexual behavior of young adults and teens with ADHD can contribute to the higher rate of teenage, early or unplanned pregnancies among these populations.
There are many ways you can reduce impulsive behavior. Making sure to pause before doing something and to write down thoughts that could be impulsive could help. Meditation or mindfulness can also help to calm the body and mind, and eliminate distractions. Diet plays a role in controlling impulses. A healthy diet that includes plenty of vegetables and fruits, whole grains, and high-quality protein can improve focus and prevent impulsive behaviors. Sleep is a key factor in decreasing impulsiveness. To ensure an improved night's sleep you should establish a regular bedtime routine, including an oversized blanket to relax the body and mind before sleeping, and limiting screen time in the hours before bed.
Emotional Dysregulation
Emotional dysregulation is a common issue that typically affects adults suffering from ADHD. It can be difficult to manage everyday challenges and relationships when you are not able to manage your emotions. It could cause self-destructive behavior like addictions and eating disorders. This can make it hard to manage a school, home or work life.
You may have difficulty identifying your emotions or understanding what they mean. This can be especially challenging when you suffer from a mood disorder such as anxiety or depression. Emotional dysregulation is defined as difficulties in calm after an argument, frequent outbursts, or being easily frustrated by small annoyances. It is also possible to have trouble letting go of old experiences or holding grudges.
Females who suffer from ADHD are more prone to emotional dysregulation. The reason for this is that the symptoms of ADHD tend to be internalized and they're less likely than boys and men 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 men and boys to conform to social norms. This can be particularly difficult for teenage girls who have ADHD because they are going through the hormonal changes that accompany puberty and the transition into adolescence. With their increased susceptibility to academic and social pressures, they can create an ideal recipe for emotional dysregulation.
If your ADHD symptoms result in emotional dysregulation, treatment options include therapy or medication. The use of medication can aid in regulating your hormones and improve your mood while therapy can offer the space to process feelings of anger, sadness, anxiety or rejection.
Whether you opt for therapy or medication, the best way to treat emotion dysregulation is to adopt steps to improve your sleep. You can achieve this by following a bedtime routine, practicing meditation or listening to soothing music prior to bed. Good sleep hygiene practices will also help you to have more energy throughout the day.
While adult female ADHD symptoms with ADHD is different it is important to recognize that there are solutions to manage symptoms and lead an enjoyable life. It's not uncommon for people to encounter the combination of therapies, medications or lifestyle adjustments to find the most effective treatment.