Female ADHD Symptoms Explained In Fewer Than 140 Characters
Adult Female ADHD Symptoms
ADHD in childhood is characterised by hyperactivity and impulsivity that can lead to academic and behavioral difficulties. It's a chronic illness, but children usually outgrow the symptoms.
In adulthood, inattentive symptom persists and may cause problems in school or work. These symptoms can also be caused or worsened by hormone fluctuations during menstrual cycles, pregnancy, or menopausal.
Attention-deficit Symptoms
The signs of inattention ADHD can be very frustrating for adults. They can thwart relationships, work productivity and school performance. For instance, you might get distracted easily, frequently lose things, or have trouble following directions. You may miss appointments or business meetings, leaving tasks unfinished. You may feel overwhelmed by clutter in your home or office and have trouble remembering the important details of events that have happened in your life. You might find it difficult to concentrate on other people, and you may have what is called the "thousand-yard stare," where you look at people with a wide eye, but don't really hear them.
Adults with inattentive ADHD might also have issues with their memory, particularly during times of hormonal changes, such as pregnancy, menstrual cycles, perimenopause and menopause. This is particularly difficult for women, who might find that their symptoms are made worse by these periods of change.
If you suffer from inattention ADHD it is possible to improve your life by being able to recognize and manage your symptoms. It's important to set realistic goals for yourself and set a plan of action. Planners as well as reminder apps, and post-it notes to keep track of appointments or deadlines. Break big projects into smaller pieces and complete them one by one. Make sure to take regular breaks to move around and refocus your attention.
You can also ask your employer or school for accommodations that might help you manage your symptoms, such as the ability to work from home, allowing you additional time to complete tests or assignments or even providing notetaking assistance during meetings. Many organizations have policies that require them to offer these accommodations to people with disabilities, including ADHD.
Women with ADHD who do not receive a diagnosis could end up feeling angry or frustrated. They might blame themselves for their difficulties, or they might believe that they were dismissed by doctors or other friends and family members. Many feel a sense of sadness and loss for the opportunities missed and the relationships damaged because they were not given treatment for their disorder.
According to research, girls and women with inattentive ADHD are not diagnosed as often to boys and men. This is due to the fact that their symptoms are often hidden. They can appear similar to anxiety or mood disorders and can cause clinicians to misdiagnose the condition. They also have more effective coping mechanisms than men, which could cover up the underlying ADHD symptoms.
Hyperactive symptoms
In girls and women both genders, hyperactive ADHD symptoms can manifest as restlessness or trouble sitting still. They may be fidgety or constantly in motion, be very talkative, or find it hard to concentrate at school or work. Girls are also moody and have trouble regulating their emotions. They have to work hard to meet the societal expectations of women's behavior which can cause women to feel inadequate and chronic stress.
While the symptom-profile of females with ADHD is different than those of males, the condition is a long-lasting disorder. It's estimated that just 30% of adults overcome their ADHD, and women are less likely to do so than men. If you've been diagnosed as having adult ADHD You may discover that your symptoms worsen as you age or go through hormonal changes.
You may notice that your ADHD symptoms are more intense during puberty, around your menstrual cycle, and during perimenopausal (the period leading up to menopause). You might be noticing that you make more mistakes than usual, have trouble managing your deadlines and assignments, or forget appointments.
If you have the inattentive-type 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, which can cause an increase in your ADHD symptoms. It's possible that these fluctuations are the reason many women do not receive an ADHD diagnosis in childhood and instead are left undiagnosed when they become adults.
In the initial diagnosis process, doctors use a mix of ratings scales, interviews and other methods to determine whether you suffer from ADHD. The way you respond to your symptoms is also crucial. Girls and women may hide or disguise their ADHD symptoms in order to avoid being considered a victim. This could result in being mistakenly diagnosed with anxiety or mood disorders. Males and females, on the other hand are more likely be diagnosed with ADHD because their behavior is more disruptive. This is the reason why a lot of the initial ADHD studies were conducted on hyperactive boys and men.
Instinctive Symptoms
ADHD can make it difficult to control impulsive behaviors like picking up things off the floor or hitting your fist against the wall. It can also make it difficult to think before you act and can cause problems at work or school where you are required to follow directions or complete tasks without interruptions.
As you enter adulthood, the issues with impulse control and planning and organisational skills may become more internalized and less apparent than they were as young. Hyperactivity may become an inner restlessness. The periods of organization may alternate with periods of procrastination or feeling overwhelmed.
Research shows that women and girls tend to mask their ADHD symptoms more frequently than males and boys do. This is partly because it is viewed as more acceptable in the social context for boys and men to display ADHD-linked behaviors particularly impulsive or hyperactive symptoms. This can be a result of gender stereotypes, like the notion that boys are more raunchy and less organized than girls, which can encourage girls to conceal her ADHD symptoms in order to fit with the other kids.
The hormone fluctuations that happen during menstrual cycles or pregnancy can exacerbate ADHD symptoms in females. This is due to the fact that estrogen levels decrease around ovulation and even more during the beginning of menstruation. This causes symptoms to flare. This is why it's essential for women and girls with ADHD to be examined by a health care provider or mental health professional if they're experiencing these symptoms.
You can learn to manage the symptoms of ADHD. Combining therapy, medication and lifestyle adjustments can make significant changes. Regular exercise is an excellent way to boost your mood and release neurotransmitters to improve focus, attention and energy levels. Try participating in sports, aerobic or cardio exercises at home or at your local gym.
Getting enough sleep is also essential. adult adhd symtoms can reduce fatigue which is often an indication of ADHD. It's important to eat healthy and avoid foods that could cause ADHD symptoms.
Internalizing Symptoms
Women with ADHD can experience unique difficulties across the different facets of their lives. They are more vulnerable to inattentive symptoms, and can develop strategies for coping like internalization. This can result in lower self-esteem and a negative image of the body. It is crucial to identify and treat these issues as adults. Receiving a diagnosis is an opportunity for clarity for many. It provides them with an explanation of their difficulties and allows them to accept themselves better (Waite 2010).
Symptoms can vary in intensity depending on hormone levels. The symptoms can improve when pregnant or ovulation occurs however, they can become more severe when approaching menopause. In this period women may find it difficult to manage the demands of daily life and relationships, which can lead to feelings of unsatisfaction with their lives.
The quality of relationships can be affected by impulsive and forgetful behavior. Inattention to birthdays, incomplete projects or not paying bills on time could make people feel like you're not interested, leading to interpersonal conflict. People with ADHD tend to be extremely sensitive to rejection and have a difficult time controlling their emotions. This can lead to extreme reactions to rejection or failure.
Women and girls with ADHD can be sexually active at a younger age than their peers, due to impulsivity and the desire to feel included and loved. They are more likely to be victims of abuse from intimate partners and STIs since they do not insist on their partners using protection. They are more likely to be suffering from anxiety or depression, and may have difficulty to maintain friendships.
While more research is needed to understand the impact of ADHD on the different genders, it's evident that women tend to be more likely to go undiagnosed and have a different experience with the disorder. However, it's possible to be diagnosed and benefit from treatment, which can improve relationships and position you for success in work or school. In addition to medications the doctor may also recommend therapy such as cognitive behavioral therapy which will help you manage your emotions and thoughts while reversing negative thoughts for more positive ones.