Get Rid Of Female ADHD Symptoms: 10 Reasons Why You Don't Have It
Adult Female ADHD Symptoms
Hyperactivity and impulsivity are characteristics of ADHD in the early years of childhood, which can result in academic and behavioral issues. It is a chronic disorder, but children usually outgrow the symptoms.
In adulthood, the symptoms of inattention persist and can cause problems at school or work. These symptoms can be caused or worsened by hormonal fluctuations during menstrual cycle or during pregnancy, or menopausal.
Inattentional symptoms
The symptoms of inattention ADHD can be extremely frustrating for adults. They can hinder relationships, productivity at work and school performance. For instance, you could be easily distracted, often lose things, or have difficulty following instructions. You may miss appointments or business meetings, leaving tasks unfinished. You may feel overwhelmed by clutter 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 other people and may have what's known as the thousand-yard stare, in which you look at people, but do not hear them.
Adults who have inattention ADHD may also experience memory problems, especially when hormonal changes occur like during pregnancy, menstrual cycle, perimenopause, and menopause. This can be especially difficult for women who believe that their symptoms are aggravated due to these periods.
If you suffer from inattention ADHD, you can often improve your life by becoming aware of and managing your symptoms. Set realistic goals. Planners or reminder apps as well as post-it notes to keep track of appointments or deadlines. Break big projects into smaller parts and complete each one at a time. Take breaks regularly and move around to refresh.
You could also ask your employer or school for accommodations that could aid in managing your symptoms, like allowing you to work from home, giving you extra time for assignments or tests or assisting with notetaking during meetings. Many places have policies that require them to offer accommodations for people who have disabilities, including ADHD.
Women who suffer from ADHD might be frustrated or angry if they don't get a diagnosis. They may blame their problems on themselves, or believe that medical experts or family members have dismissed them. Many feel sadness and sorrow for the opportunities missed and the relationships damaged due to the fact that they did not receive treatment for their condition.
According to research, women and girls who suffer from inattention ADHD have been under-diagnosed compared to boys and men. This is due to the fact that their symptoms can be difficult to recognize. They can look like anxiety or mood disorders, which leads clinicians to mistakenly diagnose the condition. They also have better strategies to cope than males, which can mask the underlying symptoms of ADHD.
Hyperactive Symptoms
Hyperactive ADHD symptoms for women and girls may manifest as restlessness or difficulty sitting still. They might be fidgety or talkative, or have difficulty focusing in class or at work. Girls can also be susceptible to mood swings, and have difficulty regulating their emotions. They struggle to meet the societal expectations of a woman's behaviour, which can lead them to feel unsatisfied and suffer from chronic stress.
Although the symptoms of female ADHD differ from male ADHD, the condition is a lifelong condition. Only 30 percent of adults are believed to overcome ADHD. Women are less likely than men to do so. If you've been diagnosed with adult ADHD, you may find that your symptoms get worse as you age or go through hormonal changes.
You might be aware that your ADHD symptoms are worse during puberty, around your menstrual cycle as well as during perimenopause (the period that precedes menopause). You may notice that you make more mistakes than usual, have trouble keeping up with tasks and deadlines or you forget appointments.
If you are suffering from the inattention type of ADHD symptoms can rise during menopausal perimenopausal. This is because estrogen decreases at the time of ovulation, and in the middle of your menstrual cycle which can increase your ADHD symptoms. These fluctuations may be the reason that many women are not diagnosed with ADHD in their early years and are instead left undiagnosed as they grow older.
In the initial diagnosis procedure, doctors will employ a mix of ratings scales, interviews, and other methods to determine if you suffer from ADHD. It is also essential to consider how you react to 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 misdiagnosed with anxiety or a mood disorder. Boys and men on the other hand are more likely to be referred for ADHD due to their behaviors being more disruptive. This is the reason why a lot of the first ADHD studies were conducted on men and boys who were hyperactive.
Impulsive Symptoms
Having ADHD can make it difficult to stop impulsive behaviours like hitting your fist against the wall or picking objects from the floor. It also makes it harder to think before acting and can cause trouble at school or work where you might be expected to follow instructions or complete tasks with no interruptions.
As you reach adulthood, the problems with controlling your impulses and planning and organisational skills may become more internalized and less apparent as they were as young. Hyperactivity can turn into an inner turmoil. Periods of organization could alternate with periods of procrastination and feeling overwhelmed.
Research has shown that girls and women tend to mask their ADHD symptoms more than men and boys do. This is due to the fact that men and boys are more likely to be socially accepted for displaying ADHD-related behaviors especially impulsive or hyperactive ones. This could be a result of gender stereotypes, such as the notion that boys are more boisterous and less organized than girls, which can reinforce a girl's tendency to hide her ADHD symptoms to fit into the crowd.
Female ADHD symptoms can be exacerbated by hormone fluctuations during menstruation or pregnancy. This is because estrogen levels decrease around ovulation and even more during the beginning of menstruation. This causes symptoms to flare. It is crucial that girls and women with ADHD are evaluated by a mental health professional or a health care professional when they are experiencing these symptoms.
You can learn to manage the symptoms of ADHD. A combination of therapy, medication and lifestyle adjustments can make a difference. Regular exercise can improve your mood and release neurotransmitters, as well as improve your energy levels and focus. Try participating in cardio or aerobic exercises at home or at your local gym.
Getting enough sleep is also crucial. A good night's sleep can help reduce fatigue which is often a sign of ADHD. It is essential to eat well and avoid foods that could trigger ADHD symptoms.
Internalizing Symptoms
Women with ADHD can experience unique difficulties throughout the various aspects of their lives. They are more vulnerable to inattention-deficiency symptoms, and can develop strategies to cope such as internalization. This can cause low self-esteem and negative image of the body. It is important to diagnose and treat them as adults. Receiving a diagnosis can be an important moment for many. It provides them with an explanation of their difficulties and helps them accept themselves better (Waite 2010).
The intensity of symptoms can differ based on hormone levels. These symptoms may improve during pregnancy or ovulation, but may worsen when approaching menopause. During this time women may find it difficult to manage everyday tasks and relationships, which can lead to feelings of dissatisfaction with life.
Insanity and forgetfulness can affect relationships. The habit of forgetting birthdays, projects that aren't finished or not paying bills on time could make people feel as if you're not paying attention, which can lead to conflict between people. People suffering from ADHD frequently struggle with the sensitivity to rejection and have trouble controlling their emotions that can trigger extreme reactions to failure or rejection.
Girls and women with ADHD can be sexually active at a younger age than other people because of impulsivity and a desire to belong and be loved. They are more likely to be victims of intimate partner abuse and STIs because they do not insist that their partners use protection. They are also more likely to have anxiety or depression that co-occurs and may have a hard time maintaining friendships.
While more research is needed to determine the impact ADHD affects different genders, it's clear that females are more likely to not be diagnosed, and to have a distinct experience with the disorder. However, adhd symptoms for women to be diagnosed and receive treatment which can improve relationships and prepare you for success at work or school. Alongside medication, your doctor might recommend therapy like cognitive behavioral therapy that can help you manage your thoughts and emotions while reversing negative thinking patterns for better ones.