Blog entry by Elinor Caudill
Adult Female ADHD Symptoms
Impulsivity and hyperactivity are the characteristics of ADHD in childhood, which can lead to academic and behavioral issues. It's a condition that can last for a lifetime but children often outgrow their symptoms.
In adulthood, the inattention symptom persists and can cause problems at school or at work. These symptoms can be triggered or aggravated by hormonal fluctuations during menstrual cycles, pregnancy, or menopausal.
Attention-deficit Symptoms
The signs and symptoms of adhd in women of inattention ADHD can be very frustrating for adults. They can thwart relationships, work productivity and school performance. You might be easily distracted, lose items frequently or have trouble following directions. You might forget appointments or business events and leave work not completed. You may be overwhelmed by the clutter in your home or office, and have difficulty remembering important details of events that happened in your life. You might find it difficult to concentrate on others, and you might have what's called the "thousand-yard stare," where you look at people but you don't listen to them.
Adults who have inattention ADHD may also experience memory problems, especially when hormonal changes occur, such as during menstrual cycle, pregnancy menopausal, perimenopausal, and menopausal. This can be particularly difficult for women who feel that their symptoms are aggravated due to these periods.
If you suffer from inattention ADHD You can usually improve your life by being able to recognize and manage your symptoms. It is important to establish realistic goals for yourself and plan ahead. You can make use of reminder apps or planners, as well as post-it notes to keep the track of appointments or deadlines. Try breaking up large projects into smaller tasks and tackle them one at a. Make sure to take regular breaks and move around to help refocus.
You can also ask your employer or school for accommodations that can assist you in managing your symptoms, for example, permitting you to work from home, giving you extra time for tests or assignments or assisting with notetaking during meetings. Many places have policies requiring that they provide accommodations for people who have disabilities, such as ADHD.
Women suffering from ADHD who aren't given a diagnosis may be left with anger or frustration. They may blame their troubles on themselves or believe that medical experts or family members have brushed aside them. Many people feel sorrow and loss over the missed opportunities and damaged relationships because they didn't receive treatment for their disorder.
According to research, women and girls 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 difficult to detect. They can look like mood disorders or anxiety, which leads clinicians to not recognize the problem. They also have better strategies to cope than males, which can conceal the true symptoms of ADHD.
Hyperactive symptoms
Hyperactive ADHD symptoms for women and girls may manifest as restlessness or difficulty sitting still. They may feel tense or constantly on the go or be extremely talkative or find it hard to focus in class or work. Girls are also susceptible to mood swings, and have difficulty regulating their emotions. They are unable to satisfy the societal expectations of a woman's behaviour, which can lead them to feel inadequate and suffer from chronic stress.
Although the symptoms of female ADHD differ than those of Male Adhd Symptoms ADHD but the condition is a lifelong condition. It's estimated that just 30% of adults outgrow their ADHD and women are less likely to achieve this than men. If you've been diagnosed of adult ADHD, your symptoms might worsen as you age and go through hormonal changes.
You might notice that your ADHD symptoms are worse during puberty, around your menstrual cycle and during perimenopausal (the period that precedes menopausal symptoms). You may find yourself making more mistakes than usual, have difficulty staying on top of deadlines and tasks or you forget appointments.
If you suffer from the inattentive type of ADHD symptoms of adhd in older adults, they may be more severe during perimenopausal and menopause. This is due to the fact that estrogen levels decrease around ovulation and in the middle of your menstrual cycle which can cause an increase in your ADHD symptoms. These fluctuations could be the reason why many women are not diagnosed with ADHD in their early years but are diagnosed when they become adults.
During the initial diagnostic process, doctors use a combination of interviews, rating scales as well as other methods to determine whether you suffer from ADHD. How you respond to your symptoms is also vital. Girls and women may hide or disguise their ADHD symptoms to avoid being judged. This could lead to them being misdiagnosed as having anxiety or mood disorders. Males and females, on the other hand are more likely to be diagnosed with ADHD because their behavior is more disruptive. This is why many of the initial ADHD studies were conducted on hyperactive males and females.
Impulsive Symptoms
Having add adhd symptoms in women can make it hard to stop impulsive behaviours like hitting your fist against the wall or picking something off the floor. It also makes it harder to think before acting, which can lead to trouble at school or work where you may be required to follow instructions or complete tasks with no interruptions.
As you reach adulthood, the issues with impulse control, planning and organisational skills may be more internalized and less apparent than they were as young. Obvious hyperactivity could turn into an inner sense of restlessness, and periods of being organised might alternate with the tendency to procrastinate or feeling overwhelmed.
Research shows that girls and women tend to hide their ADHD symptoms more than males and boys do. This is due to the fact that it is viewed as more socially acceptable for men and boys to exhibit adhd in adults symptoms quiz-related behavior including hyperactive or impulsive symptoms. This could be due to gender stereotypes, like the belief that boys are more raunchy and less organized than girls. This can encourage girls to hide her ADHD symptoms in order to fit into the crowd.
Female ADHD symptoms can be aggravated by hormonal fluctuations during menstruation and pregnancy. This is due to the fact that estrogen levels decrease during ovulation and then increase at the time of menstrual flow. This causes symptoms to flare. It is essential that women and girls with ADHD are assessed by a mental health professional or a health care professional when they exhibit these symptoms.
If you're suffering from ADHD, it's possible to control your symptoms. Combining therapy, medication and lifestyle changes can make a a big difference. Regular exercise is a great way to improve your mood and release neurotransmitters to improve focus, attention and energy levels. Try to do some aerobics, sports, or cardio exercises in your home or local gym.
Getting enough sleep is also important. A good night's sleep can help reduce fatigue, which is often an indication of ADHD. It is also important to eat healthy and try to avoid foods that can trigger ADHD symptoms in you.
Internalizing Symptoms
Women suffering from ADHD may experience particular difficulties throughout the various aspects of their lives. They are more prone to inattentive symptoms, and may develop strategies for coping such as internalization. This can lead to low self-esteem and negative body image. It is crucial to identify and treat these issues as adults. For many, getting the diagnosis could be a moment of clarity, providing an external explanation for the struggles they've had and allowing them to accept themselves more fully (Waite, 2010).
The intensity of symptoms may vary based on the hormone levels. The symptoms can improve during ovulation or pregnancy and can worsen as you approaching menopause. Women may experience difficulties to maintain relationships and manage everyday tasks during this period. This can result in feelings of discontent.
Relationships can be affected by forgetfulness and impulsive behaviors. Forgetting birthdays or unfinished projects or not paying your bills on time can make people feel as if you don't give a damn which can lead to conflict. People with ADHD often struggle with sensitive to rejection and have difficulty managing their emotions that can trigger extreme reactions to failure or rejection.
Due to impulsivity, a desire to belong, and to be loved, women and girls with ADHD might become sexually active earlier than their peers. They are more likely to become victims of intimate partner abuse and STIs since they do not insist that their partners utilize protection. They are also more likely to have co-occurring depression or anxiety and may have a tough keeping friendships.
While more research is needed to better understand the impact ADHD has on different genders it's clear that females are more likely to be undiagnosed and to have a distinct experience with the disorder. It is possible to receive diagnosis and receive treatment that can improve your relationships and help you achieve success at work or in school. Your doctor might also suggest therapy, like cognitive behavioral therapy to help you manage your thoughts and emotions while replacing negative thinking patterns with more positive ones.