Adult Female ADHD Symptoms
![psychology-today-logo.png](https://www.iampsychiatry.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/psychology-today-logo.png)
ADHD in childhood is characterised by impulsivity and hyperactivity. This can lead to academic and behavioral issues. It's a condition that can last for a lifetime but children usually overcome their symptoms.
In adulthood, the symptom of inattention persists and can cause problems with work or school. These symptoms can also be caused or worsened by hormone fluctuations during menstrual cycles, pregnancy, or menopausal.
Inattentional symptoms
The symptoms of inattention ADHD can be extremely frustrating for adults. They can thwart relationships, work productivity, and school performance. For example, you may be easily distracted, often lose things, or have trouble following directions. You may forget appointments or business meetings or leave tasks unfinished. Your office or home may be cluttered and you may have trouble recalling important details of the events of your life. It might be difficult to hear other people, and you may be suffering from what's known as the "thousand-yard stare," where you look at people but don't really hear them.
Adults with inattention ADHD may also suffer from memory problems, especially when hormonal changes take place like during pregnancy, menstrual cycle, perimenopause, and menopause. This is particularly challenging for women who may feel that their symptoms are worsened by these periods.
You can improve your life if you've been diagnosed with inattentive ADHD. Plan ahead and set realistic goals. You can make use of reminder apps such as planners, post-it notes and planners to keep on top of deadlines or appointments. Try breaking large projects into smaller tasks and tackle them one at a. Make sure to take regular breaks to move around and redirect your focus.
You can also request your school or employer for accommodations that could aid in managing your symptoms, such as the ability to work from home, allowing you extra time on assignments or tests or even providing notetaking assistance during meetings. A lot of places have policies that require them to provide these accommodations to people with disabilities, including ADHD.
Women who suffer from
untreated adhd in female adults symptoms might feel frustrated or angry if they don't get a diagnosis. They might blame their issues on themselves, or believe that medical professionals or family members have dismissed them. Many also feel sadness and regret for the opportunities they missed and the relationships that were damaged due to the fact that they did not receive treatment for their disorder.
According to research, girls and women who suffer from inattention ADHD have been under-diagnosed compared to men and boys. This is due to the fact that their symptoms are often hidden. They may appear to be anxiety or mood-related, leading clinicians to miss-diagnose them. They also have better coping strategies than males, which may mask the underlying symptoms of ADHD.
Hyperactive symptoms
In women and girls, hyperactive ADHD symptoms may appear as restlessness or trouble sitting still. They may be fidgety or constantly in motion, be very talkative, or find it hard to concentrate in class or at work. Girls are also anxious and struggle to control their emotions. They are unable to satisfy the social expectations of a woman's behaviour and this can cause them to feel unsatisfied and chronic stress.
While the symptoms of female ADHD are different than those of male ADHD, the condition is a lifelong condition. It's estimated that just 30% of adults overcome their ADHD and women are less likely to achieve this than men. If you have a diagnosis of adult ADHD and you are suffering from it, it is possible that your symptoms get worse as you get older and experience hormonal changes.
For instance, you could find that your
adhd behavior symptoms symptoms are more severe during puberty, in the middle and near the time of your menstrual cycle, and also in the perimenopausal years, which are the ones leading up to full-blown menopause. You may notice that you're making more mistakes, having trouble staying on top of deadlines and tasks, or forgetting appointments.
If you have the
inattentive adhd symptoms in women-type of ADHD symptoms, they may be heightened during perimenopausal or menopause. This is because estrogen decreases around ovulation and during the middle of your menstrual cycle, which can increase your ADHD symptoms. These fluctuations could be the reason why many women aren't diagnosed with ADHD in childhood, but instead go undiagnosed when they become adults.
During the initial diagnostic procedure, doctors will employ a combination of rating scales, interviews and other methods to determine if you suffer from ADHD. It is also essential to take note of how you react and perceive your symptoms. Women and girls may conceal or camouflage their ADHD symptoms in order to avoid being considered a victim. This can lead to being mistakenly diagnosed with anxiety or mood disorders. Males and males are more likely than women to be diagnosed with ADHD due to their disruptive behaviors. This is why many of the initial ADHD studies were conducted on hyperactive boys and men.
The symptoms of an impulse
ADHD can make it difficult to control impulse-driven 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 problems at work or school where you may be required to follow directions or complete tasks without interruptions.
As you reach adulthood, the issues with impulse control, ability to plan and organise be more internalized and less apparent than they were as when you were a child. Hyperactivity may become an inner turmoil. The periods of organization may occur in conjunction with periods of procrastination or feeling overwhelmed.
Research suggests that women tend to conceal their ADHD symptoms more than men or boys. This is due to the fact that it is considered more socially acceptable for boys and men to exhibit ADHD-related behaviors particularly impulsive or hyperactive symptoms. This could be due to gender stereotyping, such as the idea boys are more impulsive than girls and less organized. This may cause girls to conceal her ADHD symptoms to fit in with.
Female ADHD symptoms can be exacerbated by hormonal fluctuations during menstruation or pregnancy. This is due to the fact that estrogen levels decrease around ovulation and even more during the beginning of menstruation. This causes symptoms to flare. This is the reason it's crucial for girls and women with ADHD to be evaluated by a health care provider or mental health professional when they are experiencing these symptoms.
If you are suffering from ADHD it is possible to learn to manage your symptoms. Combining therapy, medication and lifestyle modifications can make a big difference. Regular exercise is a fantastic method to improve your mood and release neurotransmitters to improve focus, attention and energy levels. Try participating in cardio or aerobic exercises at home or at your local gym.
It's also crucial to get enough sleep. A good night's sleep can help reduce fatigue which is often a sign of ADHD. It is also important to eat healthy and try to avoid foods that trigger
adhd emotional symptoms symptoms in you.
Internalizing Symptoms
Women with ADHD may experience particular difficulties in all 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 low self-esteem and a negative image of the body. It is crucial to identify and treat these issues as adults. Receiving a diagnosis is a moment of clarity for many. It gives them an explanation to their struggles and allows them to accept themselves more fully (Waite 2010).
The severity of symptoms can vary depending on hormone levels. These symptoms may improve during pregnancy or ovulation and can worsen as you approaching menopausal. Women may find it difficult to maintain relationships and handle daily tasks during this time. This could lead to feelings of dissatisfaction.
The quality of relationships can be affected by impulsive and forgetful behavior. Not remembering birthdays or projects that aren't finished or not paying your bills on time, can make people feel as if you don't give a damn, leading to conflicts. People with ADHD are often highly sensitive to rejection and have trouble controlling their emotions. This can cause extreme reactions to rejection or failure.
Girls and women with ADHD can be sexually active at a later age than their peers because of impulsivity and a desire to be part of a group and feel loved. This can put them at a higher risk of becoming victims of violence from intimate partners and STIs due to the fact that they are less likely to take protection or insist their partners do it. They are more likely to suffer from anxiety or depression and may find it difficult to maintain friendships.
While more research is needed to understand the impact of ADHD on different genders, it is evident that women tend to be more likely to go undiagnosed and experience different experiences with the disorder. It is possible to get an diagnosis and receive treatment that will improve your relationships and help you succeed at work or school. In addition to medications the doctor may also recommend therapy like cognitive behavioral therapy, which can help you learn to manage your thoughts and feelings while swapping out negative thinking patterns for healthier ones.