Adult Female ADHD Symptoms
Hyperactivity and impulsivity are characteristic features of ADHD in the early years of childhood, which can result in academic and behavioral issues. It is a lifelong condition however, children tend to outgrow their symptoms.
In adulthood, the symptoms of inattention persist and can cause issues at school or at work. These symptoms can be caused or worsened by hormone fluctuations during menstrual cycles and pregnancy, as well as menopausal.
Attentive Signs
Adults may find the signs of inattention ADHD annoying. They can hinder relationships, work productivity and school performance. For example, you may be easily distracted, often lose items, or have trouble following instructions. You might forget appointments or business meetings, leaving tasks not completed. You may feel overwhelmed by clutter at home or in the office and have trouble remembering important details about events that took place in your life. You may find it difficult to listen to others, and have what is called the "thousand-yard stare," where you look at people but don't really listen to them.
Adults with inattention ADHD may also have difficulty with their memory, especially during periods of hormonal changes such as pregnancy, menstrual cycles menopausal, perimenopausal and perimenopaus. This is particularly challenging for women who believe that their symptoms are being aggravated by these menstrual cycles.
You can make a difference in your life if you're diagnosed with inattentive ADHD. Set realistic goals. Planners, reminder apps and post-it notes to keep track of your appointments or deadlines. Break large projects down into smaller pieces and complete each one at a time. Take breaks regularly to move around and shift your attention.
You may also request accommodations from your school or employer that can help you manage your symptoms. For example, you could be allowed to work at home, given extra time to complete tests or assignments and offered notetaking assistance during meetings. Many organizations have policies that require them to offer these accommodations for individuals who have disabilities, including ADHD.
Women with ADHD may feel anger or frustrated if they don't get a diagnosis. They may blame their problems on themselves or believe that medical professionals or family members have ignored them. Many feel sadness and loss over the opportunities missed and damaged relationships because they didn't receive treatment for their condition.
symptoms of adhd suggests that, in comparison to males and females, girls and women with inattentive ADHD are not recognized and diagnosed. This is due to the fact their symptoms are often difficult to detect. They may appear like mood disorders or anxiety and cause doctors to not recognize the problem. They may also develop more effective coping strategies than men, which may cover up the underlying ADHD symptoms.
Hyperactive Signs and symptoms
In girls and women Hyperactive ADHD symptoms can manifest as a lack of rest or difficulty sitting still. They may be fidgety or constantly in motion and talkative or struggle to concentrate in class or at work. Girls can also be anxious and struggle to control their emotions. They are often challenged to meet societal expectations for a woman's behavior and this can lead to feelings of inadequacy and chronic stress.
While the symptoms of female ADHD are different from those of male ADHD however, it is still a lifelong disorder. It's estimated that just 30% of adults outgrow their ADHD, and women are less likely to do so than men. If you have a diagnosis of adult ADHD and you are suffering from it, it is possible that your symptoms worsen as you age and undergo hormonal changes.
You might be noticing that your ADHD symptoms are more severe in puberty, at the time of your menstrual cycle, and during perimenopause (the period that precedes menopausal). You may be noticing that you make more mistakes than usual, struggle with managing your deadlines and tasks or forget to make appointments.
If you have the inattentive-type of ADHD the symptoms may be more severe during perimenopausal and menopausal. This is because estrogen levels decrease around ovulation and during the middle of your menstrual cycle, which can increase your ADHD symptoms. These fluctuations could be the reason for why many women aren't diagnosed with ADHD in their early years, but instead go undiagnosed as they grow older.
When determining the diagnosis, doctors will use various methods, such as rating scales, interviews and other methods to determine if a patient suffers from ADHD. It is also crucial to think about the way you react and interpret your symptoms. For instance, girls and women may camouflage or hide their ADHD symptoms to avoid being judged, which could cause them to be mistakenly diagnosed with anxiety or a mood disorder. Males and females however are more likely be referred for ADHD because their behaviors are more disruptive. This is the reason that many of the initial ADHD studies were conducted with hyperactive boys and males.
Instinctive Symptoms
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 for you to think before acting which could cause issues at work or school when you must complete tasks or follow instructions without interruptions.
As you grow into adulthood, these trouble with impulse control and planning and organisational skills may be more internalized and less apparent than they were when you were a child. Hyperactivity can turn into an inner restlessness. Periods of organisation may occur in conjunction with periods of procrastination, and feeling overwhelmed.
Research shows that women tend to hide their ADHD symptoms more effectively than boys or men. This is partly because it is viewed as more socially acceptable for men and boys to exhibit ADHD-related behavior, especially hyperactive or impulsive symptoms. This can be a result of gender stereotypes, like the belief that boys are more boisterous and less organized than girls, which could reinforce a girl's tendency to hide her ADHD symptoms in order to fit in with other people.
The hormonal fluctuations that occur during menstrual cycles or pregnancy can also cause ADHD symptoms in females. This is because estrogen levels drop around ovulation and even more at the time of menstrual flow. This causes symptoms to flare. It is essential that women and girls with ADHD are evaluated by an expert in mental health or a health care professional when they exhibit these symptoms.
If you're suffering from ADHD it is possible to reduce your symptoms. A combination of medication, therapy and lifestyle changes can make a difference. Regular exercise can boost your mood and release neurotransmitters, as well as increase energy and focus. Try to do some aerobics, sports, or cardio exercises at your home or local gym.
Getting enough sleep is also important. A good night's rest can reduce fatigue, which is often a sign of ADHD. It is essential to eat well and avoid eating foods that cause ADHD symptoms.
Internalizing Symptoms
Women suffering from ADHD might have difficulties in different areas of their lives. They are more susceptible to inattentive symptoms, and are able to develop coping strategies like internalization. This can lead to poor self-esteem and a negative image of the body. It is important to diagnose and treat those who are adults. Receiving a diagnosis can be a moment of clarity for many. It provides them with an explanation to their struggles and allows them to accept themselves better (Waite 2010).
Symptoms can vary in intensity depending on hormone levels. These symptoms may improve during ovulation or pregnancy, but may worsen when approaching menopause. In this period women may be unable to handle everyday tasks and relationships, leading to feelings of discontent with their lives.
Insanity and forgetfulness can also affect relationships. The habit of forgetting birthdays, projects that aren't finished or not paying bills on time could make people feel like you're not interested, leading to conflict between people. People with ADHD are often highly sensitive to rejection and have trouble controlling their emotions. This can cause intense reactions even to perceived rejection or failure.
Women and girls who suffer from ADHD can be sexually active at a later age than their peers, due to impulsivity and the desire to be part of a group and feel loved. This puts them at increased risk of being victims of violence from intimate partners and STIs as they are less likely to use protection or make their partners do it. They are also more likely to have anxiety or depression that co-occurs and may have a tough to maintain friendships.
While more research is required to determine the impact ADHD has on different genders, it is clear that females are more likely not be diagnosed, and to have a distinct experience with the disorder. It is possible to receive a diagnosis and receive treatment that will improve your relationships and help you succeed at work or school. Your doctor may also recommend therapy, like cognitive behavioral therapy to assist you in managing your thoughts and emotions and replace negative thought patterns with more positive ones.