Adult Female ADHD Symptoms
ADHD in childhood is characterized by impulsivity and hyperactivity. This causes academic and behavioral difficulties. It is a lifelong condition but children usually overcome their symptoms.
In adulthood, the symptoms of inattention persist and cause problems at school or at work. These symptoms can be triggered or worsened by hormonal fluctuations during menstrual cycle, pregnancy or menopause.
Inattentional symptoms
Adults may find the symptoms of inattention ADHD frustrating. They can hinder relationships, work productivity and school performance. For instance, you might get distracted easily, frequently lose things, or have trouble following directions. You may forget appointments or business events, leaving tasks not completed. You might be overwhelmed by clutter in your home or office, and have difficulty remembering important details of events that happened in your life. You might find it difficult to listen to other people, and you may have what’s called the “thousand-yard stare,” where you look at people but you don’t listen to them.
Adults who have inattention ADHD may also suffer from memory issues, particularly when hormonal changes occur, such as during menstrual cycle, pregnancy, perimenopause, and menopause. This can be particularly difficult for women, who may find that their symptoms are exacerbated by these times of change.
When you have inattentive ADHD You can usually improve your life by learning to recognize and manage your key symptoms of adhd. It is important to set realistic goals for yourself and plan ahead. You can use apps for reminders such as planners, post-it notes and planners to keep the track of appointments or deadlines. Try breaking large projects into smaller tasks and work on them one at a time. Take regular breaks to move around and refocus your focus.
You can also ask your employer or school for accommodations that could aid in managing your symptoms, such as allowing you to work from home, giving you additional time to complete assignments or tests, or providing notetaking assistance during meetings. Many organizations have policies that require them to provide these accommodations to people with disabilities, including adhd symptoms diagnosis.
Women with ADHD who do not receive a diagnosis could end up feeling frustrated or angry. They may blame their problems on themselves, or believe that medical experts or family members have brushed aside them. Many people feel sorrow and loss over the opportunities missed and damaged relationships because they were not treated for their disorder.
Research suggests that, as compared to boys and men women and girls with inattention ADHD are not recognized and diagnosed. This is due to the fact that their symptoms can be difficult to recognize. They can look like mood disorders or anxiety, which leads clinicians to not recognize the problem. They may also develop more effective coping strategies than men, which may cover up the root cause of ADHD symptoms.
Hyperactive Signs and symptoms
Hyperactive ADHD symptoms in girls and women may manifest as restlessness or trouble sitting still. They might be fidgety, talkative, or have difficulty focus in classes or at work. Girls are also susceptible to mood swings, and have difficulty regulating their emotions. They often struggle to conform to the expectations of society regarding a woman’s behavior which can cause feelings of inadequacy and chronic stress.
Although the symptoms of female ADHD differ from those of male ADHD however, it is still a lifelong disorder. It’s estimated that only about 30% of adults can overcome their ADHD, and women are less likely to achieve this than men. If you’ve been diagnosed of adult ADHD, your symptoms might get worse as you age and undergo hormonal changes.
For example, you might discover that your ADHD symptoms are more severe during puberty, at or around the time of your menstrual cycle, and in menopausal perimenopause, which is the period that lead to menopausal symptoms. You might be noticing that you make more mistakes than usual, have difficulty staying on top of deadlines and assignments or you forget appointments.
If you suffer from the inattentive type of ADHD, your symptoms might be heightened during perimenopausal or menopause. This is due to the fact that estrogen levels decrease at the time of ovulation, and in the middle of your menstrual cycle which can cause an increase in your ADHD symptoms. It’s possible that these fluctuations explain why many women do not receive an ADHD diagnosis during childhood, and are instead left undiagnosed as adults.
In the initial diagnosis process, doctors use an array of ratings scales, interviews and other methods to determine whether you suffer from ADHD. The way you perceive and react to your symptoms is also vital. For instance, women and girls may camouflage or hide their ADHD symptoms to avoid being judged which could lead them to be mistakenly diagnosed with anxiety or a mood disorder. Males and males are more likely than women to be diagnosed with ADHD due to their unpredictable behavior. This is why many of the first ADHD studies were conducted on hyperactive males and females.
Impulsive Symptoms
A condition known as ADHD can make it hard to control impulsive behaviors such as hitting your fist against the wall or picking up something off the floor. It also makes it harder to think before you act, which can lead to trouble at school or work where you may be required to follow instructions or complete tasks without interruptions.
As you reach adulthood, the issues with impulse control, organizational skills could be more internalized and less apparent as they were as young. Hyperactivity that is obvious could develop into an inner feeling of restlessness, and periods of being organized could be accompanied by a propensity for procrastination or feeling overwhelmed.
Research shows that girls and women tend to hide their ADHD symptoms more often than boys and men do. It is partly because men and boys are more likely to be accepted by society for the way they behave especially impulsive or hyperactive ones. This is often due to gender stereotypes, such as the idea boys are more boisterous than girls and less organized. This could cause girls to conceal her ADHD symptoms to fit in.
Female ADHD symptoms can be made worse by hormone fluctuations during menstruation or pregnancy. This is due to the fact that estrogen levels decrease during ovulation and decreases even more during the start of menstruation and causes symptoms of adhd burnout to flare up. This is why it’s essential for girls and women with ADHD to be evaluated by a health care professional or mental health professional if they are experiencing these symptoms.
If you’re struggling with ADHD, it’s possible to reduce your symptoms. Combining therapy, medication and lifestyle changes can make a significant changes. Regular exercise is a great way to boost your mood and release neurotransmitters that improve concentration, attention and energy levels. Consider participating in cardio or aerobic exercises at home or your local gym.
It is also essential to get enough sleep. A restful night can help reduce fatigue, which is often an indication of ADHD. Finally, it’s important to eat healthy and avoid eating foods that can trigger ADHD symptoms in you.
Internalizing Symptoms
Women with ADHD might have difficulties in a variety of areas of their life. They are more likely to suffer from symptoms of inattention and develop coping strategies such as internalization. This can lead to poor self-esteem and a negative image of the body. This is why it’s essential that patients are diagnosed and receive treatment as adults. For many, the diagnosis could be a moment of clarity that provides a rationale for the issues they’ve been having and helping them accept themselves more fully (Waite, 2010).
The intensity of symptoms can vary based on the hormone levels. Symptoms can be improved during ovulation or pregnancy, but may worsen when approaching menopause. Women may have difficulty to maintain relationships and manage daily tasks during this time. This can result in feelings of unsatisfaction.
Impulsive and forgetful behavior can also impact relationships. Forgetting birthdays, unfinished projects or not paying bills on time can leave people feeling like you’re not paying attention, which can lead to conflict between people. People with ADHD are often afflicted by rejection sensitivity and have trouble controlling their emotions which can cause intense reactions to even perceived failure or rejection.
Because of impulsivity, a desire to be part of something, and to be loved, women and girls with ADHD may develop sexually active earlier than their peers. They are more likely to become victims of intimate partner abuse and STIs since they do not insist that their partners use protection. They are also more likely to suffer from co-occurring depression or anxiety and may have a hard to maintain friendships.
While more research is required to better understand the impact adhd adult symptoms affects different genders, it is clear that females are more likely be undiagnosed, and to have a different experience with the disorder. It is, however, possible to be diagnosed and receive treatment which can improve relationships and position you for success at work or school. Your doctor may also recommend therapy, like cognitive behavioral treatment, to assist you in managing your emotions and thoughts while replacing negative thinking patterns with more positive ones.