Adult Female ADHD Symptoms
ADHD in the early years is characterized by hyperactivity and impulsivity that can lead to academic and behavioral problems. It's a chronic condition but children often outgrow their symptoms.
In adulthood, symptoms of inattention persist and can cause issues at school or at work. These symptoms can be triggered or aggravated by hormonal fluctuations during menstrual cycle, pregnancy or menopause.
Inattentive symptoms
Adults may find the signs of inattentive ADHD difficult. They can affect relationships and productivity at work, as well as school performance. For instance, you could be easily distracted, frequently lose things, or have trouble following instructions. You may forget appointments or business events or leave tasks unfinished. You might be overwhelmed by clutter at home or in the office and have trouble remembering important details about events that happened in your life. You might find it difficult to hear others, and have what is called the "thousand-yard stare," where you look people in the eye but you don't listen to them.
Adults with inattentive ADHD may also have difficulty with their memory, particularly during periods of hormonal changes such as pregnancy, menstrual cycles, perimenopause and menopause. This can be particularly difficult for women who think that their symptoms are made worse by these periods of change.
When you have inattentive ADHD, you can often improve your life by learning to recognize and manage your symptoms. Plan ahead and set realistic goals. You can use reminder apps or planners, as well as post-it notes to keep the track of appointments or deadlines. Break big projects into smaller pieces and finish them one by one. Take breaks regularly to move around and redirect your attention.
You can also request your school or employer for accommodations that might assist you in managing your symptoms, for example, allowing you to work from home, giving you extra time on assignments or tests or even providing notetaking assistance during meetings. Many organizations have policies that require them to provide accommodations for those with disabilities, for example ADHD.
Women suffering from ADHD might feel annoyed or angry when they don't get a diagnosis. They might blame themselves for their problems or think that they were ignored by doctors or other friends and family members. Many people are sad and depressed over the opportunities missed and strained relationships due to the fact that they didn't receive treatment for their condition.
Research suggests that, compared to boys and men women and girls with inattentive ADHD are not recognized and diagnosed. This is primarily due to the fact that their symptoms tend to camouflage. They may appear to be anxiety or mood-related, which can cause clinicians to misdiagnose them. adhd symptoms adults can also develop more effective coping strategies than men, which may cover up the underlying ADHD symptoms.
Hyperactive Signs and symptoms
Hyperactive ADHD symptoms in women and girls can manifest as restlessness, or difficulty being still. They might feel fidgety or constantly in motion, be very talkative, or have difficulty being able to concentrate in class or at work. Girls are also emotional and have difficulty regulating their emotions. They have to work hard to meet the social expectations of women's behavior and this can cause them to feel inadequate and enduring stress.
While the symptom-profile of females suffering from ADHD differs from that of men however, it is a long-lasting disorder. Only 30% of adults are believed to outgrow ADHD. Women are less likely than men to do so. If you have a diagnosis of adult ADHD, your symptoms might get worse as you age and go through hormonal changes.
You may notice that your ADHD symptoms are worse during puberty, around your menstrual cycle and during perimenopausal (the years leading up to menopausal symptoms). You might be noticing that you're making more mistakes, having difficulty staying on top of deadlines and tasks or forgetting appointments.
If you have inattention type of ADHD symptoms can increase during menopausal or perimenopausal. This is because estrogen decreases at the time of ovulation, and in the middle of your menstrual cycle, which can lead to an increase in ADHD symptoms. These fluctuations could be the reason why many women aren't diagnosed with ADHD in their early years, but instead go undiagnosed as they grow older.
In the initial diagnosis procedure, doctors will employ an array of ratings scales, interviews and other methods to determine if you suffer from ADHD. The way you react and perceive your symptoms is also crucial. For example, women and girls might conceal or disguise their ADHD symptoms to avoid being judged which could lead them to be misdiagnosed as having anxiety or a mood disorder. Men and boys, on the other hand are more likely be diagnosed with ADHD due to their behaviors being more disruptive. This explains why so many of the first ADHD studies were conducted on hyperactive males and females.
Impulsive Symptoms
ADHD can make it difficult to control impulsive behavior like picking up things off the floor or pounding your fist on the wall. It also makes it harder to think before you act and can cause difficulties at school or at work where you might be expected to follow instructions or complete tasks without interruptions.
As you age as you age, your issues with impulse control and planning abilities could become more internalized and less obvious than when you were a kid. The obvious hyperactivity can turn into an inner sense of anxiety, and the time spent being organised might alternate with an inclination to delay or feeling overwhelmed.
Research shows that women tend to hide their ADHD symptoms better than men or boys. This is due to the fact that men and boys are more likely to be socially accepted for the way they behave particularly impulsive or hyperactive ones. This could be due to gender stereotypes, such as the idea boys are more impulsive than girls, and less organized. This could encourage a girl to hide her ADHD symptoms in order to fit in with.
Female ADHD symptoms can be exacerbated by hormone fluctuations during menstruation or pregnancy. This is due to the fact that estrogen levels decrease at the time of ovulation, and decreases even more during the start of menstruation which causes symptoms to flare up. This is the reason it's crucial for girls and women with ADHD to be assessed by a medical professional or mental health professional when they are experiencing these symptoms.
If you're suffering from ADHD it is possible to control your symptoms. A combination of therapy, medication and lifestyle changes can make a difference. Regular exercise is a great way to improve your mood and release neurotransmitters to improve concentration and attention levels as well as energy levels. Consider participating in aerobic or cardio exercises at home or your local gym.
It's also crucial to get enough sleep. A good night's rest can help reduce fatigue which is often an indication of ADHD. In addition, it is essential to eat well and avoid eating foods that cause ADHD symptoms in you.
Internalizing Symptoms
Women suffering from ADHD might have difficulties in various areas of their life. They are more likely to suffer from symptoms of inattention and develop coping mechanisms, such as internalization. This can lead to poor self-esteem and a negative body image. This is why it's crucial that they get diagnosed and treated as they grow older. For many, an diagnosis can be a moment of clarity that provides a rationale for the issues they've had and helping them accept themselves more fully (Waite, 2010).
Symptoms can vary in intensity depending on hormone levels. They can be improved during ovulation and pregnancy and may worsen when they reach menopausal. During this time, women can struggle with daily tasks and relationships, resulting in feelings of dissatisfaction with life.
Forgetfulness and impulsive behavior can also impact relationships. Inattention to birthdays, incomplete projects or not paying bills on time could make people feel as if you're not paying attention, which can lead to conflict between people. People suffering from ADHD often struggle with rejection sensitivity and have trouble managing their emotions that can trigger intense reactions to even perceived rejection or failure.
Women and girls who suffer from ADHD are likely to become sexually active earlier in age than other people due to impulsivity and a desire to feel included and loved. They are more likely to become victims of intimate partner abuse and STIs since they do not insist on their partners using protection. They are more likely to be suffering from depression or anxiety, and may have difficulty to maintain friendships.
Although more research is needed to better understand the effects of ADHD on the different genders, it's evident that women tend to be more likely to go undiagnosed and have different experiences with the disorder. It is possible to get an diagnosis and receive treatment to improve your relationships and allow you to achieve success at work or in school. Alongside medication the doctor may also recommend therapy like cognitive behavioral therapy which can help you manage your thoughts and feelings as well as swapping negative thoughts for more positive ones.