Adult Female ADHD Symptoms
Hyperactivity and impulsivity are the hallmarks of ADHD in childhood, and can cause academic and behavioral issues. It's a condition that can last for a lifetime but children often outgrow their symptoms.
In adulthood, inattentive symptom persists and can cause issues with work or school. These symptoms can be triggered or worsened by hormonal fluctuations during menstrual cycle, pregnancy or menopause.
Inattentive Signs
Adults may find the signs of inattention ADHD frustrating. They can hinder relationships, work productivity and school performance. You might be easily distracted, lose things frequently, or have difficulty following instructions. You might forget appointments or business events or leave tasks not completed. Your office or home may be cluttered, and you may have trouble recalling important details of things that happen 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 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 menopausal, perimenopausal, and menopausal. This can be particularly difficult for women, who might think that their symptoms are exacerbated due to these changes.
When you have inattentive ADHD it is possible to improve your life by being able to recognize and manage your symptoms. Set goals and plan ahead. goals. You can use reminder apps, planners and post-it note to keep the track of appointments or deadlines. Break big projects into smaller parts and complete them one at a time. Make sure to take regular breaks to move around and shift your focus.
You could also ask your employer or school for accommodations that could aid in managing your symptoms, such as the ability to work from home, offering you extra time for tests or assignments, or providing notetaking assistance during meetings. Many places have policies that require them to offer accommodations for people with disabilities, such as ADHD.
Women suffering from ADHD who don't receive an assessment may end up with anger or frustration. They may blame their problems on themselves, or believe that medical experts or family members have ignored them. Many people feel sorrow and loss over the lack of opportunities and damaged relationships because they didn't receive treatment for their condition.
Research suggests that, as compared to boys and men women and girls with inattentive ADHD are often not diagnosed and recognized. This is due to the fact that their symptoms tend to camouflage. They can appear to be anxiety or mood-related, causing doctors to miss-diagnose them. They may also develop better strategies to cope than males, which could mask the underlying symptoms of ADHD.
Hyperactive symptoms
In women and girls both genders, hyperactive ADHD symptoms may appear as restlessness or trouble sitting still. They may feel tense or constantly on the go, be very talkative, or struggle to concentrate in class or at work. Girls can also be moody and have trouble regulating their emotions. They often struggle to meet the expectations of society regarding a woman's behavior which can cause feelings of inadequacy and constant stress.
While the symptom-profile of females with ADHD is different than men, the condition is a long-lasting disorder. Only 30 percent of adults are believed to 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 worsen as you age or go through hormonal changes.
For example, you might discover that your ADHD symptoms are more severe in puberty, in the middle and near the time of your menstrual cycle, and in the perimenopausal years, which are the ones leading up to full-blown menopause. You may notice that you are making more mistakes, having trouble staying on top of deadlines and assignments, or forgetting appointments.
If you suffer from the inattention type of ADHD, symptoms may also increase during menopausal or perimenopausal. This is due to the fact that estrogen levels decrease around ovulation and during the middle of your menstrual cycle which can lead to an increase in ADHD symptoms. It's possible that these fluctuations explain why many women do not receive an ADHD diagnosis as children and instead go undiagnosed as adults.
During the initial diagnosis, doctors will use different methods, such as rating scales, interviews and other methods to determine if a patient suffers from ADHD. The way you perceive and react to your symptoms is also important. For instance, girls and women may conceal or cover up their ADHD symptoms to avoid being judged which could cause them to be misdiagnosed with anxiety or a mood disorder. Boys and men, on the other hand are more likely to be referred for ADHD because their behavior is more disruptive. This is the reason that many of the initial ADHD studies were conducted with hyperactive males and girls.
Instinctive Symptoms
ADHD can make it difficult to control impulsive behavior like picking up things off the floor or striking your fist against the wall. It can also make it difficult to think before you act and can create problems at school or work when you must finish tasks or follow directions without interruptions.
As you grow into adulthood, the problems with impulse control, planning and organisational skills may be more internalized and less obvious than they were as when you were a child. Hyperactivity can turn into an inner agitation. Periods of organisation may be accompanied by periods of procrastination or feeling overwhelmed.
Research has shown that women and girls tend to hide their ADHD symptoms more frequently than men and boys do. This is due to the fact that men and boys are more likely to be accepted by society for their ADHD-related behavior especially impulsive or hyperactive ones. This could be because of gender stereotypes for example, like the notion that boys are more impulsive than girls, and less organized. This could encourage a girl to hide her ADHD symptoms 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 can increase at the time of menstrual flow. This causes symptoms to increase. This is why it's essential for women and girls with ADHD to be assessed by a medical professional or mental health professional if they are experiencing these symptoms.
You can manage the symptoms of ADHD. A combination of medication, therapy and lifestyle changes can make a difference. Regular exercise can improve your mood and release neurotransmitters, as well as improve your energy levels and focus. Consider participating in aerobic or cardio exercises at home or your local gym.
It is also essential to get enough sleep. A good night's rest can help reduce fatigue which is often an indication of ADHD. In addition, it is vital to eat well and avoid eating foods that can trigger ADHD symptoms in you.
Internalizing Symptoms
Women suffering from ADHD may have issues in different areas of their life. They are more prone to inattentive symptoms, and can develop strategies for coping such as internalization. This can lead to low self-esteem and a negative body image. This is why it's especially important that they get diagnosed and receive treatment as adults. Being diagnosed is an important moment for many. It gives them an explanation for their struggles and helps them accept themselves more fully (Waite 2010).
The intensity of symptoms can vary depending on the hormone levels. The symptoms can improve during pregnancy or ovulation however, they can become more severe when approaching menopause. In this period women may struggle with daily tasks and relationships, leading to feelings of unsatisfaction with their lives.
Insanity and forgetfulness can also impact relationships. Forgetting birthdays or unfinished projects or not paying your bills on time can make people feel that you're not worth it which can lead to conflict. People suffering from ADHD are often afflicted by the sensitivity to rejection and have trouble controlling their emotions that can trigger intense reactions to even perceived failure or rejection.
Women and girls with ADHD are likely to become sexually active earlier in age than their peers, because of impulsivity and a desire to be part of a group and feel loved. This can put them at chance of being victims of intimate partner violence and STIs, because they are less likely to use protection or make their partners do so. They are also more likely to suffer from co-occurring depression or anxiety and may have a difficult to maintain friendships.
While more research is needed to understand the impact ADHD has on different genders it is clear that females are more likely be undiagnosed and to have a different experience with the disorder. However, adult adhd symptom is possible to be diagnosed and receive treatment which can improve relationships and prepare you for success in school or at work. In addition to medication your doctor may recommend therapy like cognitive behavior therapy which will help you manage your thoughts and emotions while reversing negative thoughts for more positive ones.