Symptoms of ADHD in Adults Females
Adult females with ADHD are often misdiagnosed or overlooked. But a proper diagnosis can help improve your quality of life including work and personal relationships.
Common symptoms include forgetfulness, difficulty staying organized, impulsive behavior, poor emotional regulation and trouble reading social cues. Treatment may include medication and therapy.
Inattention and lack of Focus
ADHD is characterized by difficulties staying focused. People suffering from ADHD struggle to concentrate on a task for longer than a few minutes regardless of how fascinating the task is. If they are interested in an activity, they could be absorbed in the task and neglect other tasks or responsibilities. This symptom can lead to procrastination, missed appointments and incomplete work projects.
Additionally, those with ADHD might have difficulty keeping track of instructions and remembering specifics. This can make it difficult to perform tasks in the workplace or at school, which can lead to confusion and anger between colleagues. It also plays an important role in problems with time management that include not paying bills on time or missing appointments.
Women suffering from ADHD are able to develop strategies to mask their symptoms. This can result in being viewed as unorganized or unfocused by others. This can lead to feelings of guilt and shame and can affect their self-confidence and ability to concentrate.
Use a planner to help you manage this symptom. 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 also listen to music to increase concentration (be sure the music doesn't have lyrics that compete with your focus). Avoid drinking caffeine prior to bedtime since it can disrupt sleep patterns. A healthy sleep routine involves establishing a regular routine for bedtime and turning off screens an hour prior to going to sleep. You can also try an oversized quilt or a warm bath, or soothing music to relax your mind before going to bed.
Attention
Women who are inattention ADHD subtype typically have trouble working through tasks in the morning, not being able to remember important dates and deadlines, or even completing routine chores. They may also miss out on important details in conversations or get distracted by other activities around them. They often make careless errors at work or at school and forget to double-check their work prior to making submissions. They also have difficulty organizing their time and setting priorities.
Forgetfulness and impulse can result in confusion and frustration between romantic partners or colleagues, family members, or even teachers. This makes it difficult for these people to seek treatment for their issues. For example, if you frequently miss meetings or struggle to keep track of your schedule it could lead others to assume that you aren't interested in them or aren't committed to the relationship. Your forgetfulness or inability to concentrate can lead to conflicts and misunderstandings with those you live with.
Certain women with ADHD experience high-functioning symptoms, that do not have a significant impact on their everyday lives. For instance, they could not remember appointments, fail to meet deadlines or delay tasks. They still experience other symptoms such as restlessness and poor ability to organize.
Adult symptoms of ADHD can worsen during perimenopause which is the time leading to menopausal symptoms. A good night's sleep and exercise can ease the symptoms.
Inattentive ADHD is one of the most prevalent types of ADHD. A thorough assessment by a medical specialist is needed to diagnose ADHD. This can include an examination of your body, cognitive or behavioral test and an interview with your physician of your family. Note: Sex is a part of biology that includes chromosomal makeup, hormones, and anatomy which determines if someone is a woman, man, or nonbinary. Gender identity is, on the other hand, is an internal feeling of who you are, including cultural and social beliefs.
Impulsivity
Women with ADHD have trouble controlling their impulses and have the capability of delaying action or refraining from acting based upon thought. They may have trouble self-restraining during conversations, interrupt others without thinking and have difficulty understanding social boundaries. They have a difficult time waiting for their turn and are generally impatient. These signs can cause problems at school, home, work and in social relationships.
Adults suffering from ADHD may find it difficult to keep track of many tasks. This includes emails, phone conversations, and meetings. In addition, they may struggle to remember names and their handwriting might be messy. They may also experience an inability to organize their lives and tend to put off projects, which can affect their job performance and cause stress. In some instances the impulsive behavior can lead to unhealthy coping strategies such as drinking or taking drugs.
Many women suffering from ADHD aren't diagnosed as they don't know they have it. The symptoms of ADHD are difficult to recognize because they are often obscured by hormonal changes, such as those associated with puberty, menopause, or pregnancy.
At Salience Health, we help patients with ADHD manage their symptoms using a combination of therapy and medication. The use of medications can be especially beneficial in treating the issue of impulse control. To learn severe ADHD symptoms adults about treatment options for adults with ADHD contact us today to set up a consultation.
Hyperactivity
Women suffering from ADHD might find it difficult to sit still or be quiet for long periods of time. Their flittering and restlessness frequently interferes with their ability concentrate during school or at work. They are unable to play or doing leisure activities in silence. It could appear that they aren't interested in the things that others are interested in, and they are easily distracted. They may also have difficulty remembering details of conversations or events they've been to.
In addition, they might be unable to stick to commitments and plans. As adults, many women who have ADHD come up with strategies to disguise their symptoms in order to meet expectations and maintain relationship. This can lead to feelings of being out of control and overwhelmed. It is especially difficult for women who have the hyperactive/impulsive type of ADHD, which can cause mood swings. These mood swings are often confused by male partners and coworkers, which can cause feelings of loneliness and isolation.
The symptoms of ADHD are different for men and women However, a thorough examination by an experienced health professional is crucial. A Salience Health provider can use tools like Creyos Cognitive Testing and Brainview Advanced testing to make diagnose and suggest treatment options.
Adult women with ADHD are usually treated with an array of therapies and medication. Therapies like cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) as well as interpersonal skills training and other therapies can help change negative thought patterns and behavior. The use of stimulant and non-stimulant medication can aid in managing the symptoms of ADHD among women of adulthood. A doctor can prescribe a drug that is right for you, based on your symptoms, your age, stage of life and primary responsibilities, and any other illnesses or conditions you have.
Social Skills
Many people with ADHD are lonely despite having a large number of family members, friends, colleagues and acquaintances. They have difficulty making new friends or maintaining relationships due to their lack of memory and problems with focus as well as the tendency to be impulsive. This can lead to prolonged periods without a meaningful conversation and being late for appointments and being absent from social occasions.
These social difficulties can cause difficulties at school, work and relationships. Failure to fulfill promises and commitments can cause feeling like you are being ignored and unloved. This can lead to depression, anxiety, low-self-esteem, and a feeling of failure or lack of control. In some cases, the inappropriate behavior of a social group can cause a breakup of a marriage or relationship because the spouse or partner is not suffering from ADHD.
Women who suffer from ADHD often mask their symptoms by changing their behavior to conform to social expectations and norms. This can make it harder for them to get a diagnosis because they may not be as forthcoming about their struggles. They may also have built up a set of coping strategies that can mask the impact of their symptoms.
For instance, they might keep track of their appointments in a calendar app or set phone reminders to pay bills or attend important events. They may be able to deal with their inability to multitask, by doing more than one activity at a time, but they can still struggle with executive function and memory deficits that limit their ability to plan and manage their time.
They might also have trouble understanding the language or understanding subtexts when listening to others, which can contribute to social issues. A clear diagnosis is the first crucial step to finding solutions and establishing relationships with others. There are many solutions and resources, including treatments and medications.