Adult Female ADHD Symptoms
Impulsivity and hyperactivity are the characteristic features of ADHD in childhood, and can lead to behavioral and academic issues. It is a lifelong condition but children usually overcome their symptoms.
In adulthood, symptoms of inattention persist and cause problems at work or school. These symptoms can be triggered or worsened by hormone fluctuations during menstrual cycles, pregnancy, or menopause.
Attentive Signs and symptoms
The signs of inattention ADHD can be very depressing for adults. They can cause problems with relationships, productivity at work and school performance. For example, you may get distracted easily, frequently lose things, or have difficulty following instructions. You might forget business appointments or meetings or leave work unfinished. You might be overwhelmed by the clutter in your office or home, and have difficulty remembering important details of events that took place 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 people in the eye but don't actually hear them.
Adults with inattention ADHD might also have issues with their memory, especially during times of hormonal changes, such as pregnancy, menstrual cycles as well as perimenopausal and menopausal changes. This can be particularly difficult for women who may feel that their symptoms are worsened due to these periods.
When you have inattentive ADHD, you can often improve your life by learning to recognize and manage your symptoms. It is essential to set realistic goals for yourself and set a plan of action. You can use planners or reminder apps as well as post-it notes to keep track of your appointments or deadlines. Break large projects down into smaller pieces and finish them one at a time. Make sure to take regular breaks and move around to refocus.
You may also request accommodations from your school or employer that can assist you in managing your symptoms. For instance you may be able to work at home, given extra time to finish assignments or tests and given notetaking assistance during meetings. A lot of places have policies that require them to offer these accommodations to people with disabilities, such as ADHD.
Women with ADHD who don't receive a diagnosis could end up feeling angry or frustrated. They may blame their problems on themselves, or believe that medical experts or family members have dismissed them. Many people feel sorrow and loss over the lack of opportunities and strained relationships due to the fact that they were not treated for their disorder.
According to research, women and girls who suffer from inattention ADHD have been under-diagnosed as compared to men and boys. This is due to the fact that their symptoms are difficult to identify. They may appear to be anxiety - or mood-related, leading clinicians to mistakenly diagnose them. They may also develop more effective coping mechanisms than men, which can cover up the underlying ADHD symptoms.
Hyperactive Symptoms
Hyperactive ADHD symptoms for women and girls may manifest as restlessness, or difficulty being still. They might be fidgety, noisy, or have difficulty staying focused in class or at work. Girls may also be prone to mood swings and have difficulty regulating their emotions. They are often challenged to meet the expectations of society regarding a woman's behavior and this can lead to feelings of unworthiness and stress.
Although the symptom profile of females with ADHD is different than that of men, the condition is a lifelong disorder. Only 30% of adults are believed to have overcome ADHD. Women are less likely than men to do so. If you've been diagnosed as having adult ADHD You may discover that your symptoms become more severe as you age or go through hormonal changes.
You might be noticing that your ADHD symptoms are more severe in puberty, at the time of your menstrual cycle and during perimenopausal (the period leading up to menopause). You may notice that you're making more mistakes, have trouble managing deadlines and assignments, or forgetting appointments.
If you suffer from the inattention-based type of
adhd and bpd symptoms, symptoms may also rise during menopausal perimenopausal. This is because estrogen levels decrease around ovulation and during the middle of your menstrual cycle which can lead to an increase in ADHD symptoms. These fluctuations could be the reason for why many women aren't diagnosed with ADHD in childhood and are instead left undiagnosed as they grow older.
During the initial diagnosis, doctors will use a variety of methods, such as interviews, rating scales and other methods, to determine if a patient is suffering from ADHD. How you respond to your symptoms is also vital. Women and girls may conceal or cover up their ADHD symptoms in order to avoid being judged. This could result in being misdiagnosed with anxiety or mood disorders. Boys and men on the other hand, are more likely to be diagnosed with ADHD because their behaviors are more disruptive. This is why many of the initial ADHD studies were conducted with males and boys who were hyperactive.
The
hidden symptoms of adhd in adults of an impulse
ADHD can make it difficult to control impulse-driven behaviors like picking up things off the floor or hitting your fist against the wall. It also makes it more difficult to think before you act and can cause problems at work or school where you may be required to follow instructions or complete tasks without interruptions.
As you enter adulthood, the problems with controlling your impulses and organizational skills could become more internalized and less obvious than they were as a child. Hyperactivity can become an inner agitation. The periods of organization may occur in conjunction with periods of procrastination or feeling overwhelmed.
Research has shown that women and girls tend to cover up their ADHD symptoms more than men and boys do. It is partly because men and boys are more likely to be socially accepted for their ADHD-related behavior, particularly hyperactive or impulsive ones. This can be a result of gender stereotypes, such as the belief that boys are more boisterous and less organized than girls. This can encourage girls to conceal her ADHD symptoms to blend with the other kids.
Female
adhd in adults women symptoms symptoms can be aggravated by hormonal fluctuations during menstruation and pregnancy. This is because estrogen levels drop at the time of ovulation, and can increase during the beginning of menstruation. This causes symptoms to flare. It is crucial that women and girls suffering from ADHD are assessed by an expert in mental health or health care provider when they experience these symptoms.
If you're suffering from ADHD it is possible to control your symptoms. Combining medication, therapy and lifestyle modifications can make significant changes. Regular exercise can improve your mood, release neurotransmitters and increase energy and focus. Try to do some sports, aerobics or cardio exercises in your local gym or at home.
Sleeping enough is important. A good night's sleep can reduce fatigue, which is often an indication of ADHD. It is essential to eat well and avoid foods that could cause ADHD symptoms.
Internalizing Symptoms
Women who suffer from ADHD may experience difficulties in different areas of their life. They are more prone to inattentive symptoms, and can develop coping strategies such as internalization. This can result in low self-esteem and a negative body image. Because of this, it's crucial to be diagnosed and treated as adults. For many, getting an diagnosis can be a moment of clarity, providing an external explanation for the issues they've been having and allowing them to accept themselves more fully (Waite, 2010).
The intensity of symptoms can vary depending on hormone levels. These symptoms may improve during ovulation or pregnancy however, they can become more severe when approaching menopausal. In this period, women can be unable to handle daily tasks and relationships, which can lead to feelings of unsatisfaction with their lives.
Forgetfulness and impulsive behavior can also affect relationships. Forgetting birthdays or unfinished projects or not paying your bills on time, can make people feel as if you're not worth it and can cause conflict. People with ADHD often struggle with sensitive to rejection and have difficulty regulating emotions, which can lead to extreme reactions to failure or rejection.
Women and girls who suffer from ADHD are likely to become sexually active at a younger age than other people due to impulsivity and a desire to be part of a group and feel loved. This puts them at increased risk of becoming victims of violence from intimate partners and STIs as they are less likely to take protection or insist their partners do it. They are more likely to be suffering from depression or anxiety, and may find it difficult to maintain friendships.
While more research is needed to determine the impact of ADHD on the different genders, it's evident that women are more likely to go undiagnosed and have different experiences with the disorder. However, it's possible to be diagnosed and receive treatment which can improve relationships and set you up for success at school or at work. Alongside medication your doctor may suggest therapy, like cognitive behavior therapy which can help you manage your thoughts and emotions while swapping out negative thinking patterns for better ones.
