Symptoms of ADHD in Adults Females
The symptoms of ADHD in adults females are often overlooked or misdiagnosed. However, a proper diagnosis can help improve your life quality, including your personal and professional relationships.
Common symptoms include memory loss, trouble staying organized, impulsive behavior, poor emotional regulation and trouble reading social signals. Treatment options include therapy and medication.
Insufficient Focus
ADHD is characterized by difficulties keeping focus. People with ADHD often find it hard to stay on task for more than an hour, regardless of whether or not the activity interests them. However, when they do get attracted to something, they can get focused to the point of neglecting other tasks or responsibilities. This symptom can lead to procrastination, delayed appointments, and a lack of completion of work projects.
People with ADHD can also have difficulty following instructions and remembering particulars. This can make it difficult to perform tasks in the workplace or at school which can result in misunderstandings and frustrations between people. It can be a major cause in time management issues for example, not paying bills on time or showing up at appointments on time or even missing them altogether.
Women with ADHD are able to develop strategies to disguise their symptoms. This can result in them being perceived as disorganized or unfocused by others. This can result in feelings of guilt and shame, which can further impact their self-confidence and ability to concentrate.
To manage this condition, try to use a planner or post-it notes to track deadlines and appointments. Use a noise cancelling headset to block out distractions and listen to music for improved concentration (make sure the lyrics don't hinder your concentration). Avoid caffeine before bedtime as it can disturb sleep patterns. ADHD hyperactivity symptoms in adults involves establishing an established routine for the time you go to bed and shutting off your devices one hour before going to bed. You can also try taking your bath in a warm tub and listening to soothing music, or using a blanket with weights to help calm your mind before sleeping.
Inattention
Women who have the inattentive ADHD subtype often have difficulty working through tasks, recalling important deadlines and dates or even completing routine chores. They might also be unable to remember details in conversations, or get distracted by the other things happening around them. Most often, they make naive mistakes at school or at work and don't check their work prior to sending it. They also have difficulty making plans and establishing priorities.
Inattention and forgetfulness can increase frustration and misunderstandings with romantic partners and family members, friends, co-workers or teachers which makes it difficult for them to seek treatment for their ailments. For instance, if you are often late for meetings or are having trouble keeping 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 inability to concentrate can also cause conflict and miscommunication with the people you share your life with.
Women who suffer from ADHD suffer from high-functioning symptoms which don't have any significant impact on their daily lives. This includes forgetting appointments, not meeting deadlines or putting off tasks. However, they still have other issues, such as restlessness and a lack of organization skills.
Symptoms of adult ADHD can become more severe during the perimenopause (perimenopause is the time that precedes menopausal). Regular exercise and adequate sleep can ease the symptoms.
Inattentive ADHD, one of the most well-known types of ADHD is a disorder that occurs when a person isn't paying attention. A thorough assessment by a medical professional is required to diagnose ADHD. This may include a cognitive, behavioral or physical test, as well as an interview with your physician. Note: Sex refers to biology and the chromosomal makeup of hormones and anatomy that determine whether you are either a woman or a man; nonbinary or other gender and gender identity, an internal feeling of being a woman, man or of a different gender, and the associated cultural and social beliefs about roles, behavior, expressions and characteristics.
Impulsivity
Women with ADHD have difficulty controlling their impulses and have the capability to delay action or refrain from acting based on thoughts. They may be unable to self-restrain or interrupting other people without thinking, and having difficulty understanding the boundaries of social interaction. They have a hard waiting to be the first and are generally impatient. These symptoms can cause issues at home, at the workplace, at school and with social relationships.
Adults suffering from ADHD might have difficulty to keep track of multiple tasks. This includes emails, phone conversations and meetings. They may also have difficulty remembering names and their handwriting can be messy. They might also lack organization skills and delay projects, which could affect their job performance and create stress. In certain instances, impulsive behaviors can lead to unhealthy coping mechanisms such as alcohol or drugs.
Many women suffering from ADHD aren't diagnosed because they don't realize they have it. The symptoms of ADHD are difficult to recognize because they are often obscured by hormonal changes, such as those associated with menopausal, puberty, or pregnancy.
Salience Health helps people with ADHD manage their symptoms with the use of a combination therapy and medication. The use of medication can be extremely beneficial in the treatment of the problem of impulse control. Contact us today to schedule a consultation to learn more about the treatment options available to adults suffering from ADHD.
Hyperactivity
Women suffering from ADHD may have difficulty sitting still or remain still for long periods of time. Their flittering and restlessness frequently interferes with their ability concentrate during school or work. They are unable to play or engaging in things in silence. They can appear easily distracted and not care about what other people want. They might also have trouble remembering details of conversations and events they've attended.
In addition, they might have difficulty following through on commitments and plans. As they age many women with ADHD develop coping strategies to hide their symptoms in order to meet expectations 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 colleagues and spouses.
The symptoms of ADHD are different for men and women, but a thorough evaluation by a qualified health care provider is essential. A Salience Health provider can use tools like Creyos Cognitive Testing and Brainview Advanced testing to determine an assessment and suggest treatments.
Adult women with ADHD are usually treated with an array of therapies and medication. Therapy techniques such as cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and training in interpersonal skills can assist to change negative thinking patterns and behaviors. The use of stimulant and non-stimulant medication can aid in managing the symptoms of ADHD in women who are adults. A health professional can recommend the appropriate medication for you based on your symptoms, age, stage in life, your primary responsibilities, and any other conditions or illnesses you suffer from.
Social Skills
Many people with ADHD feel isolated, despite having many family members, friends, coworkers and acquaintances. They have trouble making new acquaintances and maintaining relationships due to their forgetfulness and focus issues, as well as impulsivity. This can result in lengthy periods of time without having an interesting conversation and being late to meetings and missing social events.
These social problems can create difficulties at work, at school and in relationships. Inability to keep promises and commitments can cause feelings of being resentful and unloved. This can cause depression, anxiety, low self-esteem, and a feeling of being in a state of denial or losing control. In some instances it may result in divorce or breakups in relationships because the unruly behavior is too excessive for the partner or spouse who is not suffering from ADHD.
Women with ADHD might hide their symptoms by altering their behavior to conform to societal norms and expectations. This can make it more difficult to get an diagnosis, since they might not be as forthcoming about their difficulties. They might have developed a healthy repertoire of coping strategies to disguise their symptoms.
They could, for instance utilize a calendar application to keep track of their schedules or set up reminders for their phones so they can pay bills or attend important events. They might also be able to cope with their inability to multitask, by doing more than one thing at a time, but they can still struggle with executive function and memory issues that limit their ability to plan and manage their time.
In addition, they can be unable to read between the lines or understanding the subtext of other people, which could be a contributing factor to social issues. Finding out the cause is the first step toward finding solutions and establishing stronger connections with others. There are numerous solutions and resources that can assist, including medication and therapy.