Symptoms of ADHD in Adults Females
The symptoms of ADHD in females of adulthood are often misdiagnosed or missed. A correct diagnosis can make a difference in your life both professionally and personally.
The most common symptoms are forgetfulness, difficulty staying organized and impulsive behavior, insufficient emotional regulation, and difficulty interpreting social signals. Treatment options include therapy and medication.
Inattention and lack of Focus
ADHD is characterized by difficulties keeping focus. People suffering from ADHD have trouble being able to concentrate on a job for more than a few seconds regardless of how fascinating the task is. When they become interested in an activity, they could become hyper-focused and neglect other tasks or obligations. This condition can lead to procrastination, delayed appointments, and a lack of completion of work projects.
People with ADHD are also prone to having difficulty remembering instructions and retaining particulars. This can make it hard to complete tasks at school or at work, which can lead to confusion and anger between people. It can also be a major factor in time management issues for example, forgetting to pay bills or not showing up for meetings on time, or not showing up at all.
Women with ADHD may develop coping mechanisms to mask their symptoms, which can result in them being seen as disorganized or spacey by other people. This could lead to feelings of guilt and shame which may affect their self-confidence and ability concentrate.
Use an organizer to help manage this issue. You can also make use of post-it notes or a planner to track deadlines and appointments. Use a noise-canceling headset block out distractions, and listen to music to improve concentration (be sure the music does not contain lyrics that interfere with your focus). Avoid drinking alcohol before bedtime because it can disturb sleep patterns. Practice good sleep hygiene by creating a regular bedtime routine and turning off your devices an hour before you go to bed. You can also use the weighted quilt, a warm bath or soothing music to calm your mind before going to bed.
Inattention
Women who have the inattentive type of ADHD typically have difficulty to complete tasks and keep track of important dates and deadlines, remember appointments or even complete routine chores. They might also be unable to remember details in conversations, or become distracted by other things happening around them. They are often guilty of making mistakes at school or work and do not double-check their work before they submit. Additionally, they face difficulties planning and setting priorities.
Impulse and forgetfulness can lead to frustration and misunderstandings between romantic partners and colleagues, family members or teachers. This makes it difficult for those with this condition to seek treatment for their ailments. For instance, if you frequently miss meetings or have trouble keeping the track of your time it could lead others to believe that you aren't interested in them or lack commitment to the relationship. Your forgetfulness or inability of focus can also lead you to miscommunications with people who live with you.
Women who suffer from ADHD experience high-functioning symptoms, that do not have any significant impact on their daily lives. These include forgetting about appointments, missing deadlines or postponing tasks. There are ADHD symptoms female adults like anxiety and lack of organization skills.
Adult symptoms of ADHD can become more severe during perimenopausal which is the time leading to menopausal symptoms. A good night's sleep and exercise can help to manage these symptoms.
Inattention ADHD one of the most common forms of ADHD is a disorder that occurs when a person isn't paying attention. A thorough examination by a medical professional is required to diagnose ADHD. This may include a cognitive, physical or behavioral test and an interview with your doctor of your family. *Note: Sex is biology which refers to chromosomal makeup, hormones, and anatomy which determines if someone is a woman, a man, or a nonbinary. Gender identity however is a personal perception of who you are, including social and cultural beliefs.
Impulsivity
Women suffering from ADHD have difficulty controlling their impulses and are capable to delay action or refrain from acting based on thoughts. They may have trouble self-restraining in conversations, or interrupting others without thinking, and have difficulty understanding the boundaries of social interaction. They have a hard waiting to be the first and are generally irritable. These symptoms can cause problems at school, home as well as in social interactions.
Keeping up with multiple tasks including phone calls, emails, and meetings can be particularly difficult for adults suffering from ADHD. They may also have trouble remembering names and their handwriting could be messy. They may also experience a lack of organizational skills and a tendency to delay projects, which can impact their work performance and create stress. In some instances the impulsive behavior can lead to unhealthy coping mechanisms like alcohol or drugs.
Since many women suffering from ADHD do not realize they suffer from the disorder and are not diagnosed. Their symptoms can be difficult to recognize because they can be masked by hormonal changes caused by puberty, pregnancy, as well as menopausal changes.
At Salience Health, we help people with ADHD manage their symptoms through a combination of medication and therapy. The use of medications can be extremely beneficial in the treatment of the problem of impulse control. To find out more about the treatment options available to adults with ADHD Contact us today to arrange an appointment.
Hyperactivity
Women suffering from ADHD might have difficulty sitting still or remain still for long periods of time. Their flitting and restlessness can interfere with their ability focus on work or school. They also have difficulty playing or engaging in leisure activities at a relaxed pace. They may seem like they don't care about the things that other people are interested in, and are easily distracted. They might also have trouble recalling details of conversations or events they attended.
They can also have trouble keeping track of plans and commitments. As they age women with ADHD develop strategies to mask their symptoms, achieve their goals and maintain relationships. This can lead to feelings of being overwhelmed and out of control. It is especially difficult for women who have the hyperactive/impulsive type of ADHD, which can cause mood swings. These mood swings may be interpreted as signs of depression by male coworkers and partners.
Women and men experience different symptoms of ADHD, but an extensive evaluation is required by a certified healthcare professional. A Salience Health provider can use tools like Creyos Cognitive Testing and Brainview Advanced testing to determine a diagnosis and recommend treatment options.
Adult women with ADHD are usually treated with the combination of therapy and medication. Techniques for therapy like cognitive behavior therapy (CBT), interpersonal skills training, and other therapies can aid in changing negative thinking patterns and behaviors. Medication such as stimulant and non-stimulant drugs can assist in reducing the symptoms of ADHD in women who are adults. A health care provider can prescribe the best medication for you based on your symptoms and age, your stage in life, primary responsibilities and any other conditions or illnesses you have.
Social Skills
Many people with ADHD struggle to connect with others and feel lonely despite having many coworkers, friends, acquaintances and family members. They are unable to make new friends or sustaining relationships due to their forgetfulness and problems with focus as well as the tendency to be impulsive. This can result in prolonged periods without a meaningful conversations or being late for appointments, and missing social events.
These social issues can lead to problems at school, work and relationships. Inability to keep up on commitments or promises can cause a feeling of being disregarded and not appreciated by loved ones, coworkers and friends. This can lead to depression anxiety, depression, low self-esteem, and a feeling of failure or loss of control. In some cases, the improper social behavior could lead to the separation from the relationship or marriage due to the fact that the spouse or partner doesn't have ADHD.
Women suffering from ADHD may mask their symptoms by altering their behavior to conform to social norms and expectations. This makes it more difficult for them to get an assessment because they might not be as open about their struggles. ADHD symptoms adult female could also have built up a set of healthy coping strategies to cover up the effects of their symptoms.
For instance, they could use a calendar app to keep their schedules in order or set up reminders for their phones to make sure they pay their bills or attend important occasions. They might be able to deal with their inability of multitasking by doing more than one thing at a time however, they may struggle with executive function or memory limitations that limit their ability to plan and handle time.
In addition, they might have problems with reading between the lines or understanding the meaning of conversations with others, which can also contribute to social problems. Getting an accurate diagnosis is the first step toward finding solutions and creating more connections with other people. There are numerous resources and solutions available to help with therapy and medication.