The Biggest Issue With Adult Female ADHD Symptoms, And How You Can Repair It
Adult Female ADHD Symptoms
Women who suffer from ADHD are often not diagnosed because of inattention to symptoms that are less evident, gender biases in healthcare professionals, and symptom masking. Getting a diagnosis is important to improve relationships and prepare you for success, and help 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 check for these symptoms:
Hyperfocus
Many people who have ADHD can focus on a particular event to the point that they completely forget about the external world, 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 risk. It can lead to delayed appointments, disappointments at school or at work and strained relationships with family members and friends.
Hyperfocus can be very difficult to stop, especially when you don't know it's happening. The best method to get out of an ADHD hyperfocus phase is to create a schedule and prioritize your tasks for the day, including everyday chores like brushing teeth or taking shower. If you have a difficult time keeping track of the time then use a timer or alarm clock to help you remain focused or ask a trusted friend to check in with you at specific intervals. When working on a project, it's also helpful to move around and take frequent breaks.
In children, hyperfocus is often thought of as positive, since it allows children to be highly engaged in an enjoyable sport like skating or creating with Legos. Hyperfocus that is not controlled can cause problems at school, lower productivity at work, and strained relations between siblings and parents.
Hyperfocus can make it difficult to determine if your child suffering from a mental illness such as depression or anxiety. These are common in adolescents. This makes it important to seek medical attention if you suspect your child is showing signs of ADHD that impact her daily activities.
ADHD symptoms may be more apparent during certain phases of a woman's pregnancy or menstruation. This can increase the intensity and frequency of emotional symptoms like irritability and mood swings. It can also increase the possibility that a female will be misunderstood by her spouse or colleagues.
While the ratio of males to females with diagnosed ADHD is 2:1 in childhood, this imbalance becomes less pronounced after age 14, when more females receive a diagnosis. There are a variety of resources that can help women and girls manage their ADHD and improve their lives.
Procrastination
Procrastination is an atypical adult female ADHD sign that can lead to problems in both your personal and professional life. This symptom can make it difficult to complete tasks, especially those that require self regulation and executive functioning abilities. Procrastinators often fall behind in important work or school assignments, which can harm their reputation and damage relationships.
Missing deadlines and forgetting appointments 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 such as paying your bills. You might have difficulty focusing in noisy or busy environments, which can lead to missed opportunities at school or at work. You may also be easily distracted by your smartphone or social media accounts and find it difficult to stay focused when 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 cause many emotional problems including anxiety and depression to mood swings that affect your life in a variety of ways. It can also make it difficult to manage tensions and miscommunications in personal and professional relationships.
Women are better at concealing their ADHD symptoms than men, which can contribute to the difficulty of finding a diagnosis and getting treatment. This is especially relevant for women with high-functioning ADHD. symptoms of ADHD in adults of inattention are less obvious, and are often 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 result in under-diagnosis and under-identification of women and girls suffering from ADHD.
There are a variety of treatments for adult ADHD, including medication as well as cognitive behavioral therapy and lifestyle changes. Talk to your doctor about which treatment plan is best for you. Keep in mind that the aim of any treatment plan is to help manage your symptoms and improve your daily functioning. Discuss the potential side effects and benefits of every 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 quite frequent and can cause problems with work, school, and relationships.
Impulsivity is a sign of the type of ADD/ADHD that is inattentive and can lead to bad choices or dangerous behaviors. Symptoms of impulsivity can include uttering answers before questions are asked, interrupting others in conversations, or buying items on impulse without considering the consequences. These actions of impulsivity can lead to embarrassing social situations, relationship problems, and financial struggles.
Emotional impulsivity may also be a common symptom in adult female ADHD. It can cause people to act out in reaction to feelings of anger or frustration, which can be difficult to manage. This impulsivity may also cause mood changes that make it difficult to keep healthy and positive relationships.
Women who suffer from ADHD may have difficulties managing their emotions, which can lead to anxiety and low self-esteem. These negative emotions can negatively impact productivity and may result in missed appointments or health issues. Women who suffer from hyper-impulsive ADHD frequently struggle to make decisions or plan ahead. They might become too dependent on others, or have trouble staying on track with their commitments.
Throughout adolescence and into adulthood, women and girls with ADHD are more likely to engage in risky sexual actions than those without the disorder. This is because sexual activity is valued for social acceptance. Risky sexual behavior in adolescents and young adults with ADHD is a factor that can lead to a higher rate of unplanned, teenage or early pregnancy.
The good news is that there are plenty of ways to decrease the impulsivity of your behavior. It is helpful to take a moment to think and write down thoughts before making a decision. Meditation or mindfulness exercises can also help in relaxing the body and mind and removing distractions and reducing the urge to be impulsive. Diet can also play an important role in controlling the impulsiveness. A balanced diet that contains lots of fruits and vegetables along with whole grains and protein of high quality can help increase focus and reduce the impulsive behavior. Sleep is another factor in reducing impulsivity. To get an improved night's sleep you should establish a regular bedtime routine, utilizing an oversized blanket to relax the body and mind before going to bed, and limiting screen time in the hours before bed.
Emotional Dysregulation
The disorder of emotional regulation affects a lot of adults with ADHD. It can be difficult to handle everyday challenges and relationships when you are not able to manage your emotions. It can also lead to self-destructive behaviors like addictions and eating disorders. This can make it difficult to maintain an occupation, school or even a home life.
You may be having difficulty identifying your emotions or understanding what they mean. This can be particularly challenging if you have a mood disorder, such as anxiety or depression. Emotional dysregulation is defined as the difficulty of calming down following an argument, frequent outbursts, or becoming easily annoyed by minor inconveniences. It is also possible to have difficulty let go of past experiences or holding grudges.
Females with ADHD are at risk to emotional dysregulation. This is because the symptoms of ADHD tend to be internalized and they are less likely than males and females to get 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 with ADHD are typically under greater pressure than boys and men to meet societal expectations. This can be especially difficult for teenage girls who have ADHD as they go through the hormonal changes that come with puberty and the transition into adolescence. With their increased sensitivity to social and academic pressures, these can be the cause of emotional dysregulation.
If you suffer from emotional dysregulation due to ADHD symptoms treatment or medication may be the best treatment option. Medicine can help regulate your hormones and improve your mood while therapy can provide an environment that allows you to process feelings of anger, sadness or anxiety.
You can improve your sleep by implementing a routine before bed, practicing meditation or listening to soothing music prior to sleeping. This can be achieved by implementing a routine prior to going to sleeping, practicing meditation or listening to calming music. A healthy sleep routine can help you feel more energized throughout the day.
Although everyone's journey is unique, it's important that you remember there are ways to manage ADHD symptoms and live a fulfilling lifestyle. It's not uncommon for people to experience a combination of treatments, medications or lifestyle changes to determine what works best.