Symptoms of ADHD in Adults Females
The symptoms of ADHD in females who are adults are often misdiagnosed or missed. A proper diagnosis can improve your life, both professionally and personally.
Typical symptoms include forgetfulness, difficulty staying organized, impulsive behavior, poor emotional regulation, and difficulty interpreting social cues. Treatment options include therapy and medication.
Inattention and lack of Focus
A hallmark symptom of ADHD is the difficulty in maintaining focus. People suffering from ADHD often find it hard to stay on a task for more than two minutes, regardless of whether or not the subject interests them. In contrast, when they do find themselves attracted to something, they could become obsessed to the point of neglecting other tasks or responsibilities. This can lead to procrastination and missed appointments as well as a lack of completion of work projects.
People suffering from ADHD may also have trouble understanding instructions and recalling particulars. This could make it difficult to perform tasks at school or at work and can lead to miscommunications and anger in relationships. It could also be a major factor in time management issues for example, forgetting to pay bills or not showing up for appointments on time or missing them altogether.
Women suffering from ADHD can develop coping strategies to mask their symptoms. This can lead to them being perceived as disorganized or unfocused by other people. This could lead to them feeling shame and guilt, which can further impact their self-esteem and ability to focus.
Use a planner to manage this symptom. You can also make use of post-it notepads or a planner to appointments and deadlines. Use a headset that blocks out noise to block out distractions and listen to music for better concentration (make sure the lyrics don't distract your focus). Try to avoid caffeine before bedtime, since it can disrupt sleep cycles. Maintain a healthy sleep routine, such as setting a routine for bedtime and turning off screens an hour before you go to sleep. You can also make use of a weighted quilt or a warm bath, or soothing music to soothe your mind before you sleep.
Inattention
Women who suffer from the inattentive type of ADHD typically have difficulty to finish tasks, keep track of important deadlines and dates, remember appointments or complete routine chores. They might also be unable to remember particulars in conversations, or get distracted by other things going on around them. Many times, they make mistakes at school or at work and forget to check their work before making sure they submit it. They also have trouble organizing their time and setting priorities.
The impulsivity and forgetfulness of people can cause frustration and misunderstandings with romantic partners, friends, family members as well as teachers and coworkers, making it harder for them to seek treatment for their symptoms. For example, if you frequently miss meetings or struggle to keep your schedule it can lead people to think that you don't care about your partner or don't care about the relationship. Your inability to concentrate can lead to conflict and miscommunication with the people you share your life with.
Some women who suffer from ADHD have high-functioning symptoms which don't impact their lives. For instance, they might not remember appointments, fail to meet deadlines or delay tasks. They still experience other symptoms like restlessness and poor ability to organize.
Symptoms of adult ADHD may worsen during the menopausal perimenopausal period (perimenopause is the period leading up to menopause). Regular exercise and adequate sleep can help manage these symptoms.
Inattentive ADHD is one of the most common kinds of ADHD. To diagnose ADHD, a healthcare professional must conduct a thorough assessment. This could include a behavioral, cognitive or physical test as well as an interview with your doctor. Note: Sex is a part of biology that includes chromosomal makeup, hormones, and anatomy that determine if a person is a woman, man, or a nonbinary. Gender identity, on the other hand is a perception of who you are, which includes social and cultural beliefs.
Impulsivity
Women suffering from ADHD typically struggle with impulse control which is the capacity to delay action or stop from acting based on thought. They may be unable to self-restrain and interrupting others without thinking, and having difficulty understanding the boundaries of social interaction. They also have difficulty waiting for their turn and tend to be impatient in general. These issues can lead to problems at home, school at work, and in social relationships.
The task of keeping up with multiple tasks, phone calls, emails, and meetings can be particularly difficult for adults suffering from ADHD. combined ADHD symptoms in adults may also have difficulty remembering names and their handwriting could be messy. They may also lack organizational skills and stall on projects, which can affect their work performance and cause stress. In some instances, impulsive behaviors can cause unhealthy coping mechanisms like alcohol or drug use.
Many women with ADHD aren't diagnosed because they aren't aware of it. The symptoms of ADHD can be difficult to detect since they are often disguised by hormonal changes such as menopausal, puberty, or pregnancy.
At Salience Health, we help people with ADHD manage their symptoms through a combination of therapy and medication. The use of medication can be especially beneficial in the treatment of impulse control. To learn more about the treatment options available to adults suffering from ADHD, contact us today to schedule a consultation.
Hyperactivity
Women suffering from ADHD may find it difficult to sit still or be still for long periods of time. Their fidgeting and restlessness could hinder their ability to focus on their work or school. They have difficulty playing or doing leisure activities in silence. They could appear easily distracted and do not seem to care about what others think. They can also have trouble recalling the details of conversations and events they have attended.
They may also have difficulty keeping track of plans and commitments. As adults women with ADHD develop coping mechanisms to mask their symptoms, achieve their goals and maintain relationships. This can cause 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 can be confused by male partners and coworkers, which can result in feelings of loneliness and isolation.
Women and men experience different symptoms of ADHD and it is essential to have a thorough assessment by a certified healthcare professional. Salience Health providers can use tools such as Creyos Cognitive Testing or Brainview Advanced Testing to diagnose and recommend treatments.
A combination of medication and therapy is generally recommended for those who suffer from ADHD including adult women. Therapies like cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and interpersonal skills training and other therapies can aid in changing negative thinking patterns and behaviors. The use of stimulant and non-stimulant medication can assist in reducing the symptoms of ADHD among women of adulthood. A doctor can prescribe the right medication for you based on symptoms, age, 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 friends, coworkers, acquaintances and family members. They are unable to make new acquaintances and maintaining relationships due to their lack of memory and impulsivity, as well as focus issues. This can lead to lengthy periods of time without engaging in meaningful conversation and being late for appointments, and not attending social occasions.
These social problems can cause trouble in work, school and in relationships. Inability to keep promises and commitments can lead to feeling like you are being resentful and unloved. This can lead depression and anxiety, as well as low self-esteem and a feeling of failure or feeling of insecurity. In some instances, inappropriate behavior of a social group can lead to a breakup of an existing relationship or marriage due to the fact that the spouse or partner doesn't have ADHD.
Women with ADHD often hide their symptoms by changing their behavior to meet societal expectations and norms. This can make it difficult for them to get diagnosed because they may not be as open about their struggles. They may have developed a set of coping strategies to mask 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 focusing on more than one thing at a single time, but still struggle with executive function or memory deficits which limit their ability to plan and manage time.
Additionally, they may be unable to read between the lines or understanding the meaning of conversations with other people, which could be a contributing factor to social issues. Getting an accurate diagnosis is the first step to finding solutions and creating stronger connections with others. There are many resources and solutions available that can assist, including medication and therapy.