Symptoms of ADHD in Adults Females
Adult females suffering from ADHD are often misdiagnosed or overlooked. However, a proper diagnosis can enhance your quality of life, including your personal and professional relationships.
Common symptoms include forgetfulness, difficulty staying organized or in a controlled manner, impulsive behavior, poor emotional regulation, and difficulty interpreting social signals. Treatment may include therapy and medication.
Inattention and lack of Focus
A hallmark symptom of ADHD is difficulty with sustained focus. People with ADHD struggle to concentrate on a job for longer than a few minutes regardless of how exciting the task is. However, when they do become attracted to something, they can get hyperfocused to the point of neglecting other tasks or responsibilities. This could lead to procrastination and missed appointments and even incomplete work projects.
People with ADHD are also prone to having difficulty remembering instructions and retaining specifics. This can make it difficult to complete tasks at school or at work, which can cause misunderstandings and frustration in relationships. It could also play part in time management issues like not paying bills on time or missing appointments.
Women with ADHD may develop coping mechanisms to disguise their symptoms, which could result in them being perceived as disorganized or spacey by other people. This could lead to feelings of guilt and shame and can affect their self-esteem and ability to concentrate.
Use a planner to help you manage this issue. You can also make use of post-it notepads or a planner to keep track deadlines and appointments. Use a headset that blocks out noise to block out distractions and listen to music to improve your concentration (make sure the lyrics don't hinder your focus). Avoid caffeine before bedtime as it can disrupt sleep patterns. Good sleep hygiene includes establishing a regular routine for time to go to bed and removing screens at least an hour before going to bed. You can also take your bath in a warm tub and listening to soothing music, or using a weighted blanket to relax your mind prior to sleeping.
Attention!
Women who have the inattentive ADHD subtype typically have trouble finishing tasks, remembering important deadlines and dates or even completing routine chores. They might also be unable to remember important details in conversations, or become distracted by other activities happening around them. They frequently make mistakes at work or at school and forget to check their work prior to submitting. Additionally, they face difficulty planning and setting priorities.
Inattention and forgetfulness can increase the frustration and miscommunications between romantic partners and family members, friends as well as teachers and coworkers which makes it difficult for these individuals to seek treatment for their symptoms. For instance, if are often late for meetings or are having trouble keeping track of your schedule it can lead people to believe that you don't care for them or aren't committed to the relationship. Your forgetfulness or inability of focus can lead to misunderstandings with those who reside with you.
Some women who suffer from ADHD suffer from high-functioning symptoms that don't significantly impact their lives. They may forget about appointments, not meeting deadlines or delaying tasks. However, they may suffer from other signs such as anxiety and poor ability to organize.
Adult symptoms of ADHD may worsen during the menopausal perimenopausal period (perimenopause is the period preceding menopausal). Regular exercise and adequate sleep can help to manage these symptoms.
Inattention ADHD one of the most prevalent types of ADHD, is a condition that manifests when a person is not paying attention. A thorough evaluation by a healthcare specialist is needed to diagnose ADHD. Iam Psychiatry can include a behavioral, cognitive or physical test as well as an interview with your doctor. *Note: Sex is biology which refers to chromosomal makeup hormones, anatomy, and physiology, that determines whether someone is a woman, man, or nonbinary. Gender identity is, on the other hand is a personal sense of who you are, including social and cultural beliefs.
Impulsivity
Women suffering from ADHD typically struggle with impulse control that is the ability to delay action or stop from taking action based on thoughts. They may struggle with self-control during conversations, interrupt others without thinking and have a difficult time understanding social boundaries. They have a hard time waiting for their turn and are generally impatient. These symptoms can cause problems at home, school, work and in social relationships.
It can be difficult to keep up with a variety of tasks, emails, phone calls, and meetings can be particularly challenging for adults with ADHD. Additionally, they might have difficulty remembering names and their handwriting could be messy. They may also be lacking in organizational skills and stall on projects, which could affect their job performance and lead to stress. In some instances an impulsive behaviour can lead to unhealthy coping strategies like alcohol or drugs.
Many women suffering from ADHD aren't diagnosed because they aren't aware of it. The symptoms of ADHD are difficult to detect because they are often masked by hormonal changes such as menopausal, puberty, or pregnancy.
At Salience Health, we help those suffering from ADHD manage their symptoms through a combination of therapy and medication. The use of medication can be especially beneficial in treating impulse control. To learn more about treatment options for adults suffering from ADHD Contact us today to set up a consultation.
Hyperactivity
Women with ADHD might have difficulty sitting still or be still for long periods of time. Their fidgeting and restlessness often interferes with their ability to concentrate on tasks at school or work. They also have difficulty playing or engaging in leisure activities quietly. They may appear to be disoriented and not concerned about what other people think. They might also have a difficult time recalling details of conversations or events they have attended.
They might also have issues following through with plans and commitments. As adults, many women with ADHD develop strategies to hide their symptoms in order to meet expectations and maintain relationships. This can cause feeling like they are 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 misinterpreted as a sign of depression by male colleagues and partners.
The symptoms of ADHD are different for both genders, but a thorough evaluation by a qualified health care professional is essential. A Salience Health provider can use tools such as Creyos Cognitive Testing and Brainview Advanced testing to make diagnose and suggest treatment options.
A combination of medication and therapy is generally recommended for those with ADHD including adult females. Therapies like cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and training in interpersonal skills can help change negative thoughts and behaviors. The use of stimulant and non-stimulant drugs can assist in reducing the symptoms of ADHD among women of adulthood. A doctor can prescribe a drug that is appropriate for you based on your symptoms, your age stage, stage of life and primary responsibilities, and any other conditions or illnesses you may have.
Social Skills
Many people with ADHD struggle to connect with others and feel lonely despite having a large number of coworkers, friends, acquaintances and family members. They are unable to make new friends or maintaining relationships because of their forgetfulness and focus issues, as well as an impulsive nature. This can lead to lengthy periods of time without engaging in meaningful conversation and being late for appointments, and not attending social events.
These social issues can lead to problems at school, work and in relationships. Failure to fulfill promises and commitments can result in a feeling that you are being ignored and unloved. This can lead to depression, anxiety, low-self-esteem, and a feeling of being in a state of denial or feeling of being out of control. In some cases, inappropriate social behaviors can cause a breakup of a marriage or relationship due to the fact that the spouse or partner does not have ADHD.
Women suffering from ADHD often mask their symptoms by altering their behavior to meet societal expectations and norms. This can make it harder for them to receive diagnosed because they may not be as open about their struggles. They might have developed a healthy repertoire of coping strategies to disguise their symptoms.
For instance, they could keep track of their appointments in a calendar app or set phone reminders to pay bills or attend important events. They might also be able to cope with their inability to multitask by performing more than one task at the same time However, they might struggle with memory and executive function issues that limit their ability to plan and manage their time.
They might also have trouble in reading between the lines or comprehending subtexts while listening to others, which can contribute to social issues. Getting an accurate diagnosis is the first step towards finding solutions and building more connections with others. There are a variety of resources and solutions available to help with therapy and medication.