Adult Female ADHD Symptoms
ADHD in childhood is characterised by impulsivity and hyperactivity that can lead to academic and behavioral difficulties. It's a chronic illness, but children usually outgrow the symptoms.
In adulthood, the symptoms of inattention persist and can cause problems at work or school. These symptoms can be caused or worsened by hormonal fluctuations during menstrual periods or during pregnancy, or menopausal.
Inattentive Symptoms
The symptoms of inattention ADHD can be very frustrating for adults. They can thwart relationships, productivity at work and school performance. You could be easily distracted, lose items frequently or have difficulty following instructions. You may forget business meetings or appointments and leave unfinished work. You may feel overwhelmed by the mess in your office or home, and have difficulty remembering the important details of events that have took place in your life. It might be difficult to be attentive to others and you may be prone to the thousand-yard stare, in which you look at people but do not hear them.
Adults with inattention ADHD might also have issues with their memory, especially during times of hormonal changes such as menstrual cycle, pregnancy as well as perimenopausal and menopausal changes. This is particularly challenging for women who feel that their symptoms are being aggravated by these periods.
adhd symptoms can make a difference in your life if you're diagnosed with inattentive ADHD. It is important 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 big projects into smaller pieces and complete them one at a time. Make sure to take regular breaks and move around to help refocus.
You may also ask for accommodations from your employer or school that can help you manage your symptoms. For example, you could be allowed to work at your home, given extra time to finish assignments or tests and offered notestaking assistance during meetings. Many places have policies requiring them to offer accommodations for people with disabilities, such as ADHD.
Women with ADHD who aren't given a diagnosis could end up with anger or frustration. They may blame themselves for their problems or think that they were dismissed by medical professionals or family and family members. Many people are sad and depressed over the lack of opportunities and damaged relationships because they were not treated for their disorder.
According to research, girls and women with inattentive ADHD are not diagnosed as often to men and boys. This is due to the fact that their symptoms are often difficult to identify. They may appear like anxiety or mood disorders and can cause clinicians to mistakenly diagnose the condition. They may also develop better coping strategies than males, which may conceal the true symptoms of ADHD.
Hyperactive symptoms
Hyperactive ADHD symptoms in women and girls can manifest as restlessness or difficulty being still. They might be fidgety or talking, or have trouble focusing in classes or at work. Girls are also anxious and struggle to control their emotions. They often struggle to meet societal expectations for a woman's behavior and this can lead to feelings of inadequacy and constant stress.
While the symptom profile of females with ADHD is different than that of men, the condition is a lifelong disorder. It's estimated that just 30% of adults overcome their ADHD and women are less likely to do so than men. If you have a diagnosis of adult ADHD the symptoms could worsen as you get older and experience hormonal changes.
For instance, you could notice that your ADHD symptoms are more severe in puberty, during and around the 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 trouble keeping up with tasks and deadlines or forget to make appointments.
If you are suffering from the inattention-based type of ADHD symptoms can rise during menopausal perimenopausal. This is because estrogen levels decrease after the time of ovulation and also in the middle of your period. This can increase ADHD symptoms. These fluctuations could be the reason for why many women aren't diagnosed with ADHD during their childhood but are diagnosed when they reach adulthood.
When determining the diagnosis, doctors will use a variety of methods, such as rating scales, interviews and other methods, to determine if a patient is suffering from ADHD. It is also important to take note of how you react to and interpret your symptoms. For example, women and girls might conceal or disguise their ADHD symptoms to avoid being judged, which could cause them to be mistakenly diagnosed with anxiety or a mood disorder. Males and females on the other hand, are more likely to be diagnosed with ADHD because their behaviors are more disruptive. This is why many of the first ADHD studies were conducted on hyperactive boys and men.
Impulsive Symptoms
ADHD can make it difficult to control impulsive behaviors such as picking up objects off the floor or striking your fist against the wall. It also makes it more difficult to think before you act and can cause trouble at school or work where you are expected to follow instructions or complete tasks without interruptions.
As you get older as you get older, your issues with controlling your impulses and planning abilities may become invisible and less noticeable than when you were a kid. Hyperactivity can turn into an inner turmoil. Periods of organisation may be accompanied by periods of procrastination and feeling overwhelmed.
Research has shown that women tend to conceal their ADHD symptoms more than men or boys. It is partly because men and boys are more likely to be accepted by society for displaying ADHD-related behaviors particularly impulsive or hyperactive ones. This can be a result of gender stereotypes, such as the notion that boys are more raunchy and less organized than girls. This can reinforce a girl's tendency to conceal her ADHD symptoms to fit with the other kids.
Female ADHD symptoms can be aggravated by hormone fluctuations during menstruation or pregnancy. This is due to the fact that estrogen levels decrease during ovulation and then increase at the time of menstrual flow. This causes symptoms to flare. It is crucial that girls and women with ADHD are evaluated by an expert in mental health or a health care professional when they exhibit these symptoms.
You can manage the symptoms of ADHD. Combining therapy, medication and lifestyle changes can make a significant changes. Regular exercise is a great way to improve your mood and release neurotransmitters that improve focus and attention levels as well as energy levels. Try taking part in aerobic or cardio exercises at home, or in your local gym.
It's also crucial to get enough sleep. A good night's rest can help reduce fatigue which is often a sign of ADHD. It is also important to eat healthy and avoid eating foods that trigger ADHD symptoms in you.
Internalizing Symptoms
Women suffering from ADHD can experience unique difficulties throughout the various aspects of their lives. 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 body image. It is crucial to identify and treat them as adults. For many, getting an diagnosis can be a moment of clarity giving an external explanation for the struggles they've had and helping them accept themselves more fully (Waite 2010).
The severity of symptoms can vary based on the hormone levels. They can be improved when pregnant and ovulation occurs, and can become more severe as they approach menopause. In this period, women can struggle with everyday tasks and relationships, leading to feelings of unsatisfaction with their lives.
Relationships can be affected by impulsive or forgetful behaviors. Forgetting birthdays, unfinished projects or not paying bills on time can make people feel as if you're not paying attention, which can lead to interpersonal conflict. People with ADHD are often highly sensitive to rejection and have a difficult time controlling their emotions. This can result in extreme reactions to rejection or failure.
Due to an impulsive nature, a desire to belong, and to be loved, women and girls with ADHD might develop sexually active earlier than their peers. This puts them at a higher chance of being victims of intimate partner violence and STIs, because they are less likely to take protection or insist their partners to do so. They are also more likely to have co-occurring depression or anxiety and may have a tough keeping friendships.
While more research is required to determine the impact of ADHD on different genders, it's clear that women are more likely to be undiagnosed and experience different experiences with the disorder. It is possible to receive diagnosis and receive treatment to improve your relationships and help you succeed at work or school. Alongside medication your doctor may suggest therapy, like cognitive behavior therapy which can help you manage your thoughts and emotions as well as swapping negative thoughts for more positive ones.