Adult Female ADHD Symptoms
ADHD in the early years is characterized by hyperactivity and impulsivity that can lead to academic and behavioral problems. It is a chronic condition, but children usually outgrow the symptoms.
In adulthood, the symptoms of inattention persist and cause problems at school or at work. These symptoms can also be triggered or exacerbated by hormone fluctuations during menstrual cycles, pregnancy, or menopausal.
Inattentional symptoms
The symptoms of inattention ADHD can be extremely frustrating for adults. They can impact relationships as well as productivity at work and school performance. You could be easily distracted, lose things frequently or have trouble following directions. You may forget meetings or appointments and leave unfinished work. You may feel overwhelmed by the mess at home or in the office and find it difficult to remember the important details of events that have occurred in your life. It might be difficult to listen to others, and have what is called the "thousand-yard stare," where you look at people but you don't hear them.
Adults who suffer from inattention ADHD may also experience difficulties with their memory, especially during times of hormonal changes such as menstrual cycles, pregnancy, perimenopause and menopause. This can be particularly difficult for women who believe that their symptoms are worsened due to these periods.
If you suffer from inattentive ADHD You can usually 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. 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 complete them one at a time. Take breaks regularly to move around and shift your attention.
You can also request your school or employer for accommodations that can help you manage your symptoms, like the ability to work from home, giving you extra time on tests or assignments or assisting with notetaking during meetings. A lot of places have policies that require them to make accommodations for people who have disabilities, including ADHD.
Women who suffer from ADHD may feel anger or frustrated if they don't get a diagnosis. They might blame their issues on themselves or believe that medical experts or family members have dismissed them. Some also feel a sense of sadness and loss for the opportunities they missed and the relationships that were damaged because they never received treatment for their disorder.
Research suggests that, compared to men and boys women and girls who suffer from inattention ADHD are often not diagnosed and recognized. This is primarily due the fact that their symptoms tend to be concealed. They can appear similar to mood disorders or anxiety and can cause clinicians to mistakenly diagnose the condition. They can also develop more effective strategies for coping than males, which could disguise the symptoms of ADHD.
Hyperactive Symptoms
Hyperactive ADHD symptoms in girls and women may manifest as restlessness, or difficulty being still. They might be fidgety, talking, or have trouble staying focused in classes or at work. Girls are also moody and have trouble regulating their emotions. They are unable to satisfy the societal expectations of the woman's behavior, which can lead them to feel inadequate and chronic stress.
While the symptoms of female ADHD differ from male ADHD however, it remains a chronic disorder. It's estimated that just 30% of adults outgrow their ADHD and women are less likely to be successful 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 age and undergo hormonal changes.
You may be aware that your ADHD symptoms are worse in puberty, at the time of your menstrual cycle as well as during perimenopausal (the period that precedes menopausal symptoms). You might be noticing that you make more mistakes than usual, have trouble managing your tasks and deadlines or forget to make appointments.
If you are suffering from the inattentive form of ADHD symptoms, they may be more severe during perimenopausal and menopausal. This is because estrogen levels decrease around Ovulation, and during the middle of your menstrual cycle. This can cause an increase in ADHD symptoms. These fluctuations may be the reason for why many women are not diagnosed with ADHD in their early years but are diagnosed as they grow older.
During the initial diagnostic process, doctors will use a combination of rating scales, interviews and other methods to determine if you suffer from ADHD. The way you perceive and react to your symptoms is also crucial. For signs of adult add , girls and women 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. Boys and men however are more likely to be diagnosed with ADHD due to their behaviors being more disruptive. This is the reason that many of the initial ADHD studies were conducted on hyperactive boys and males.
The symptoms of an impulse
ADHD can make it difficult to control impulsive behavior such as picking up objects 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 work or school when you are required to complete tasks or follow instructions without interruptions.
As you grow older as you get older, your issues with controlling your impulses ability to plan and organise may become internalized and less apparent than when you were a young person. Hyperactivity that is obvious could develop into an inner sense of restlessness, and periods of being organised might alternate with an inclination to delay or feeling overwhelmed.
Research suggests that women tend to conceal their ADHD symptoms more than men or boys. This is partly because it is seen as more socially acceptable for boys and men to exhibit ADHD-related behavior particularly impulsive or hyperactive symptoms. This may be a result of gender stereotypes, like the idea that boys are more boisterous and less organized than girls, which can make girls more likely to hide her ADHD symptoms in order to fit with the other kids.
The hormone fluctuations that happen during the menstrual cycle or pregnancy can also exacerbate ADHD symptoms in females. This is because estrogen levels decrease at the time of ovulation, and can increase at the time of menstrual flow. This causes symptoms to increase. This is the reason it's crucial for girls and women with ADHD to be evaluated by a health care professional or mental health professional if they experience these symptoms.
If you are suffering from ADHD it is possible to reduce your symptoms. A combination of medication, therapy and lifestyle adjustments can make a difference. Regular exercise is a great way to improve your mood and release neurotransmitters that improve focus and energy levels. Try participating in cardio or aerobic exercises at home, or in your local gym.
Sleeping enough is crucial. A restful night can reduce fatigue, which is often an indication of ADHD. Finally, it's essential to eat well and avoid eating foods that cause ADHD symptoms in you.
Internalizing Symptoms
Women who suffer from ADHD may experience particular difficulties throughout the various aspects of their lives. They are more likely to experience the inattentive symptoms and can develop coping mechanisms, such as internalization. This can lead to poor self-esteem and negative body image. It is essential to recognize and treat those who are adults. For many, the diagnosis could be a moment of clarity, providing an external explanation for the difficulties they've faced and helping them accept themselves more fully (Waite 2010).
The intensity of symptoms can differ based on hormone levels. These symptoms may improve during ovulation or pregnancy, but may worsen when approaching menopause. Women may experience difficulties to maintain relationships and handle everyday tasks during this period. This can result in feelings of discontent.
Relationships can be affected by forgetfulness and impulsive behaviors. Inadvertently forgetting birthdays, unfinished projects, or not paying your bills on time, can make people feel like you don't give a damn which can lead to conflict. People with ADHD are often highly sensitive to rejection and have difficulty controlling their emotions. This can lead to extreme reactions to rejection or failure.
Because of impulsivity, a desire to be part of something, and to be loved, women and girls with ADHD are likely to be more sexually active than their peers. They are more likely to be victims of abuse from intimate partners and STIs because they do not insist that their partners utilize protection. They are also more likely to have anxiety or depression co-occurring with it and may have a difficult time maintaining friendships.
While more research is needed to understand 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 is possible to receive a diagnosis and receive treatment which can improve relationships and prepare you to be successful at school or at work. Your doctor might also suggest therapy, like cognitive behavioral therapy, to aid you in managing your thoughts and emotions as well as replace negative thinking patterns with healthier ones.