Adult Female ADHD Symptoms
Women who suffer from ADHD are often underdiagnosed because of inattention to symptoms that are less obvious, gender bias between healthcare professionals and symptom-masking. It is crucial to be diagnosed to improve your 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 for these signs:
Hyperfocus
Many people who suffer from ADHD can focus in on an event to the point that they are unable to think about the outside world, even if the activity isn't productive. This is referred to as hyperfocus. Unrestrained hyperfocus, while useful for some people like scientists, writers, and artists, can be a hindrance. It can cause you to be late for appointments, suffer difficulties at work or at school, and strain relationships with your family and friends.
Hyperfocus can be extremely difficult to stop, particularly if you don't realize that it's happening. The best way to break out of an ADHD hyperfocus phase is to establish a routine and prioritize tasks for the day, including routine chores like brushing your teeth or taking shower. If you have a hard time keeping track of the time, use a clock or alarm clock to help keep track of your time or ask a trusted friend to check in with you at regular intervals. When working on an assignment, it's also helpful to move around a lot and take frequent breaks.
Hyperfocus in children is sometimes seen as positive, as it allows them to be highly engaged in a fun activity, such as skateboarding, or building with Legos. However, uncontrolled hyperfocus can lead to setbacks in school, a decrease in productivity at work, and strained relationships between parents and siblings.
Hyperfocus can make it difficult to discern the signs that your child is experiencing emotional issues such as depression or anxiety which are prevalent among adolescents. It is essential to seek medical assistance if your daughter's symptoms of ADHD are hindering her daily functioning.
Symptoms of ADHD can also increase at certain times in the life of a woman, such as when she is experiencing menstrual cycles or is pregnant. This can increase the intensity and frequency of emotional symptoms, such as irritability and mood swings. It can also increase the possibility that a female will be misunderstood or misinterpreted by her spouse or colleagues.
While the male-to-female ratio of diagnosed ADHD is 2:1 in the early years of childhood the imbalance is less apparent after age 14, when more females receive a diagnosis. There are a variety of resources that can assist girls and women manage their ADHD and improve their lives.
Procrastination
Procrastination is an atypical adult female ADHD sign and can cause issues in your personal and professional life. This symptom can make it difficult to complete tasks, particularly those that require self regulation and executive functioning abilities. People who are prone to procrastination are often in a bind with important work or school assignments and can harm their reputations and relationships.
Other symptoms of adult ADHD include forgetting appointments and missing deadlines. You may also forget important details during conversations or your own personal needs, such as paying bills. You might have difficulty focusing in noisy or busy environments, which could result in missed opportunities at school or work. You can also become easily distracted by your phone or social media and find it difficult to stay focused when listening to or reading.
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 a range of emotional challenges that range from anxiety and depression to shifts in mood that can impact your life in a variety of ways. It can also make it difficult to deal with frustration and misunderstandings in personal and work relationships.
Women are better at masking their ADHD symptoms than men, which could cause difficulty in getting a diagnosis and accessing treatment. This is particularly true for women who have high-functioning ADHD. The symptoms of inattention are less apparent, and are often concealed by mood disorders or anxiety. School reports tend to concentrate on academic performance and behavior, but not on issues with relationships or social. This can cause girls and women with ADHD to be overlooked and under-diagnosed.
There are a variety of treatment options for adult ADHD, including medication and cognitive behavioral therapy and lifestyle adjustments. Talk with your doctor about which treatment plan is best for you. Remember that the goal of the treatment plan is to improve your daily functioning and assist you to manage your symptom. Be sure to discuss the benefits and side consequences of any medication you're taking, as well as any co-occurring conditions that 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 symptom set is very common and can interfere with school, work, and relationships.
Impulsivity is one of the traits of the inattentive ADD/ADHD subtype and can be a cause of concern when it causes reckless choices or risky behavior. Impulsivity can be characterized by an inability to answer questions prior to being asked, interrupting conversations, and buying things without considering the consequences. These actions of impulsivity can lead to embarrassing situations at the social level, problems with relationships, and financial struggles.
Emotional impulsivity can also be a common symptom 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 swings, which makes it difficult to maintain healthy and supportive relationships.
Women suffering from ADHD may find it difficult to manage their emotions, leading to anxiety and low self-esteem. These negative emotions can negatively impact work performance and lead to delayed appointments and health problems. Women suffering from an impulsive ADHD have a hard time making decisions or planning ahead. In the process, they may become dependent on others or struggle to keep their commitments.
In the adolescent years and into adulthood, women and girls with ADHD are more likely to engage in risky sexual behavior than peers who do not suffer from the disorder. This is usually due to a recognition of the value of sexual activities for social acceptance. Risky sexual behavior in adolescents and young adults with ADHD is a risk factor that can lead to a higher rate of teenage, unplanned or early pregnancy.
The good news is that there are many ways to decrease the impulsivity of your behavior. It can be helpful to take a step back and record your thoughts prior to acting. Mindfulness or meditation practices can also help in calming the mind and body, blocking out distractions, and reducing the urge to be impulsive. Diet can also play a role in managing the impulsiveness. A balanced diet, which includes vegetables, fruits and whole grains, as well as high-quality protein, can improve concentration and reduce the risk of the impulsive behavior. Sleep is another key factor in reducing impulsivity. Set up a regular sleeping routine, utilizing a thick blanket to calm your mind and body, and limiting your screen time in the hours before going to bed.
Emotional Dysregulation
Emotional dysregulation affects many adults with ADHD. If you're not able manage your emotions, it can be difficult to navigate daily challenges and relationships. It can cause self-destructive behavior such as eating disorders and addictions. This could make it difficult to keep the demands of school, work or even a home life.
ADHD symptoms in adults males may have difficulty identifying your emotions or figuring out what they mean. This can be particularly challenging if you have a mood disorder such as anxiety or depression. The signs of emotional dysregulation could include difficulty calming down after an argument, having frequent outbursts or becoming easily annoyed by minor problems and irritations. It could also be difficult in letting go of past events or repressing grudges.
Females with ADHD are more susceptible to emotional dysregulation. The reason for this is because their symptoms 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.
Girls who suffer from ADHD are often under greater pressure to conform to social norms than both boys and men. This can be especially challenging for teenagers with ADHD as they transition into the hormonal changes of puberty and adolescence. In addition, their increased sensitivity to social and academic pressures, these can be an ideal recipe for emotional dysregulation.
If you're ADHD symptoms cause you to experience emotional dysregulation, treatment options include therapy or medication. The use of medication can boost your mood and regulate your hormones while therapy can provide a secure environment to explore feelings such as anger, sadness and rejection. It can also help with anxiety.
Whether you choose medication or therapy the best way to treat emotion dysregulation is to implement steps to improve your sleep. This can be achieved by following a bedtime routine, practicing meditation or listening to soothing music prior to bed. Good sleep hygiene practices can also help you have more energy throughout the day.
While everyone's experience is unique, it's important to remember that there are ways to manage ADHD symptoms and live an enjoyable life. It's not uncommon for people to encounter a combination of therapies, medications or lifestyle adjustments to find what works best.