Symptoms of ADHD in Adults Females
The symptoms of ADHD in adults females are often overlooked or misdiagnosed. A correct diagnosis can make a difference in your life, both professionally and personally.
Typical symptoms include forgetfulness, difficulties in staying organized, impulsive behavior, poor emotional regulation, and difficulty interpreting social cues. Treatment could include therapy or medication.
Inattention or lack of Focus
ADHD is characterized by difficulty staying focused. People suffering from ADHD often find it hard to stay on a task for more than an hour, regardless of whether or not the subject is interesting to them. In contrast, when they do become interested in something, they could become hyperfocused to the point of neglecting other tasks or tasks. This can lead to procrastination and missed appointments and even incomplete work projects.
In addition, people who suffer from ADHD might have difficulty following instructions and remembering details. This can make it difficult to complete tasks at school or at work and can lead to miscommunications and anger in relationships. It could also be a major factor in problems with time management like not paying bills on time or not showing up for appointments on time or even failing to show up altogether.
Women with ADHD are able to develop strategies to mask their symptoms. This could result in them being perceived as chaotic or unfocused by other people. This can lead to them feeling shame and guilt and can affect their self-confidence and ability to concentrate.
To help manage this symptom try using a planner or post-it notes to keep track of deadlines and appointments. Use a noise cancelling headset to block distractions and listen to music for better concentration (make sure the lyrics don't hinder your focus). Avoid drinking alcohol before bedtime because it can disrupt sleep patterns. A good sleep hygiene routine includes setting the routine of bedtime and turning off screens at least an hour before going to sleep. You can also use a weighted quilt, a warm bath or soothing music to calm your mind before sleeping.
Attention
Women who suffer from the inattentive type of ADHD often find it difficult to complete tasks and stay on top of important dates and deadlines, remember appointments or complete routine chores. They might also be unable to remember important details in conversations, or get distracted by other activities going on around them. They are often guilty of making mistakes at work or at school and do not check their work prior to submitting. They also have difficulty organizing their time and setting priorities.
The impulsivity and forgetfulness of people can cause the frustration and miscommunications between romantic partners and family members, friends as well as teachers and coworkers and make it more difficult for these individuals to seek out treatment for their issues. If you are often late for meetings, or struggle to keep your schedule People may conclude that you do not care about them or are not committed to the relationship. Your forgetfulness or inability to concentrate can also cause conflict and miscommunication with the people you live with.
Some women with ADHD have high-functioning symptoms which don't impact their daily lives. They may forget about appointments, missing deadlines or putting off tasks. However, they may have other issues, such as restlessness and poor organization skills.
Symptoms of adult ADHD can become more severe during the menopausal phase (perimenopause is the period leading up to menopause). ADHD in adults women symptoms and adequate sleep can help manage these symptoms.
Attention-deficit ADHD is among the most prevalent types of ADHD. A thorough assessment by a medical professional is required to diagnose ADHD. This can include a cognitive, behavioral or physical test, as well as an interview with your physician. *Note: Sex refers to biology - the chromosomal makeup, hormones and anatomy that determine whether one is a man, woman, non-binary or another gender and gender identity - an internal perception of being a woman, man or of a different gender, and the associated cultural and social beliefs about roles, behaviors, expressions and characteristics.
Impulsivity
Women with ADHD frequently struggle with impulse control that is the ability to defer action or refrain from acting based on thought. They may have trouble self-restraining when they are in conversation, interrupt others without thinking and have difficulty understanding the boundaries of social interaction. They may also have trouble waiting for their turn and tend to be irritable in general. These signs can cause problems at school, home at work, and in social relationships.
The task of keeping up with multiple tasks including phone calls, emails and meetings can be especially difficult for people with ADHD. They may also have difficulty remembering names and their writing can be messy. They may also lack organizational skills and procrastinate with tasks, which can impact their job performance and cause stress. In some instances, impulsive behaviors can lead to unhealthy coping mechanisms such as alcohol or drugs.
Many women with ADHD aren't diagnosed as they don't know they have it. The symptoms of ADHD can be difficult to detect because they are often obscured by hormonal changes such as those associated with puberty, menopause, or pregnancy.
Salience Health helps people with ADHD manage their symptoms by using a combination therapy and medication. The use of medication can be particularly beneficial in treating the issue of issues with impulse control. To find out more about the treatment options available to adults with ADHD contact us today to set up a consultation.
Hyperactivity
Women suffering from ADHD may find it difficult to sit still or remain quiet for long periods of time. Their flitting and restlessness can interfere with their ability focus on school or at work. They also have difficulty playing or engaging in leisure activities quietly. They may appear to be easily distracted and do not seem to care about what other people want. They might also have trouble remembering the specifics of conversations or events they have attended.
They might also have issues following through with plans and commitments. As they age, many women with ADHD come up with strategies to disguise their symptoms to keep up with 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 can be misinterpreted as a sign of depression by male colleagues and partners.
The symptoms of ADHD are different for both genders however a thorough assessment by an experienced health professional is crucial. A Salience Health provider can use tools like Creyos Cognitive Testing and Brainview Advanced testing to establish diagnose and suggest treatments.
A combination of therapy and medication is usually recommended for those with ADHD, including adult women. Therapy techniques such as cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and training in interpersonal skills can help change negative thoughts and behaviors. Drugs such as stimulant and non-stimulant drugs can help manage the symptoms of ADHD among women of adulthood. A doctor can recommend the appropriate medication for you based on symptoms and age, your stage in life, primary responsibilities, and any other illnesses or conditions you suffer from.
Social Skills
Many people suffering from ADHD are lonely, despite having many family members, friends, coworkers and acquaintances. They have difficulty making new acquaintances and maintaining relationships because of their forgetfulness and focus issues, as well as impulsivity. This can result in long periods of time with no a meaningful discussion and being late for meetings and being absent from social gatherings.
These social difficulties can cause difficulties at work, at school, and in relationships. The inability to follow through on commitments or promises can cause feelings of being rejected and unloved by family members, coworkers and friends. This can lead to depression anxiety, depression, low self-esteem and a feeling of being in a state of denial or feeling of insecurity. In some cases, inappropriate social behaviors can lead to a break-up in an existing relationship or marriage due to the fact that the spouse or partner is not suffering from ADHD.
Women who suffer from ADHD may mask their symptoms by changing their behavior to conform to social norms and expectations. This makes it harder for them to receive an diagnosis, since they may not be as open about their difficulties. They may also have built up a repertoire of coping strategies that can mask the impact of their symptoms.
They might, for example use a calendar app to keep their schedules in order or set up reminders for their phones so they can pay bills or attend important occasions. They might be able to cope with their inability to multitask by focusing on more than one thing at a single time but struggle with executive function or memory limitations that limit their ability to plan and manage time.
They may also have difficulty understanding the language or understanding subtexts when listening to other people which could lead to social problems. Getting an accurate diagnosis is the first step to finding solutions and building stronger connections with others. There are many options and solutions to help in the treatment and medication process.