Symptoms of ADHD in Adults Females
Symptoms of ADHD in females of adulthood are often overlooked or misdiagnosed. However, a correct diagnosis can improve your quality of life, including your personal and professional relationships.
Typical symptoms include memory loss, trouble staying organized or in a controlled manner, impulsive behavior, poor emotional regulation, and difficulty interpreting social signals. Treatment options include therapy and medication.
Inattention and lack of Focus
ADHD is characterized by difficulties staying focused. People suffering from ADHD often find it hard to stay on a task for longer than an hour regardless of whether or not the activity is something that interests them. When they become interested in a task, they may be absorbed in the task and neglect other tasks or responsibilities. This can result in procrastination, delayed appointments, and a lack of completion of work assignments.
People suffering from ADHD may also have trouble following instructions and remembering particulars. This can make it difficult for them to complete tasks at work or school, which can cause misunderstandings and frustration in relationships. It could also play an important role in issues with time management like not paying bills on time or not making appointments.
Women who suffer from ADHD may develop coping mechanisms to mask their symptoms, which can result in them being seen as unorganized or sloppy by other people. This can lead to them feeling shame and guilt which may affect their self-confidence and ability to concentrate.
Use a planner to help you manage this issue. You can also make use of post-it notes or a planner to keep appointments and deadlines. Use a noise cancelling headset to block out distractions and listen to music for improved concentration (make sure that the lyrics don't hinder your concentration). Avoid drinking alcohol before bedtime because it can disturb sleep patterns. Make sure you practice good sleep hygiene including setting a routine for bedtime and turning off screens an hour before going to sleep. You can also make use of the weighted quilt as well as a warm bath or soothing music to calm your mind before you sleep.
Inattention
Women with the inattentive ADHD subtype typically have trouble finishing tasks such as remembering important deadlines and dates or even finishing routine chores. They might also be unable to focus on specifics in conversations or get distracted by other things happening around them. Often, what is ADHD symptoms in adults make careless 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 tension and confusion with romantic partners or family members, friends, co-workers or teachers and make it more difficult for them to seek out treatment for their ailments. If you're often late for meetings, or are having trouble keeping track of your time, people may assume that you do not care about them or are not committed to the relationship. Inability to remember or concentrate can lead to conflicts and misunderstandings with those you live with.
Certain women with ADHD have high-functioning symptoms which don't impact their lives. For instance, they might not remember appointments, fail to meet deadlines or put off tasks. But, they also experience other symptoms like restlessness and poor ability to organize.
The symptoms of adult ADHD may become more severe during menopausal phase (perimenopause is the period preceding menopausal). Exercise and getting enough sleep can help to manage these symptoms.
Attention-deficit ADHD is one of the most frequent kinds of ADHD. A thorough evaluation by a medical professional is required to diagnose ADHD. This may include a physical, cognitive or behavioral test, as well as an interview with your physician of your family. *Note: Sex is biology that includes chromosomal makeup hormones, anatomy, and hormones that determine if a person is a woman, man, or a nonbinary. Gender identity, on the other hand, is an internal sense of what you're about, as well as cultural and social beliefs.
Impulsivity
Women who suffer from ADHD frequently struggle with impulse control which is the capacity to delay action or refrain from acting based on thought. They may have trouble self-restraining during conversations, interrupting others without thinking and have difficulty understanding the boundaries of social interaction. They have a difficult time waiting for their turn, and are generally impatient. These issues can lead to problems at home, in school, at work and even in social interactions.
Keeping up with multiple tasks including phone calls, emails and meetings can be particularly challenging for adults with ADHD. They may also have trouble remembering names, and their handwriting could be messy. They might also lack organization skills and delay projects, which could affect their work performance and cause stress. In some instances an impulsive behaviour can lead to unhealthy coping strategies, such as alcohol or using drugs.
Because many women with ADHD do not realize they have the condition and therefore, they are often not diagnosed. The symptoms of ADHD can be difficult to identify because they are often obscured by hormonal changes caused by puberty, pregnancy, and menopause.
At Salience Health, we help those suffering from ADHD manage their symptoms using a combination of medication and therapy. The use of medication can be especially beneficial in the treatment of the issue of impulse control. Contact us today to set up an appointment to talk with us about the treatment options available to adults suffering from ADHD.
Hyperactivity
Women who suffer from ADHD may have difficulty staying still and quiet for long periods of time. Their fidgeting and restlessness could hinder their ability to focus on their school or at work. They also have difficulty playing or taking part in leisure activities with a calm attitude. They may seem like they don't care about things that other people are interested in, and are easily distracted. They may also have difficulty recalling specifics of conversations or events they attended.
In addition, they might be unable to stick to plans and commitments. As adults, many women with ADHD come up with strategies to disguise their symptoms in order to keep up with expectations and keep relationships. This can lead to feeling 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 fluctuations are often confused by male partners and coworkers, which can contribute to feelings of loneliness and isolation.
Men and women experience different symptoms of ADHD, but an extensive evaluation is required by a licensed healthcare professional. Salience Health providers can use tools like Creyos Cognitive Testing or Brainview Advanced Testing to diagnose and recommend treatments.
Adult women suffering from ADHD are typically treated using a the combination of therapy and medication. Therapies like cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and training in interpersonal skills can assist to change negative thoughts and behaviors. The use of stimulant and non-stimulant medication can aid in managing the symptoms of ADHD among adult women. A medical professional can prescribe a medication right for you, according to your symptoms, your age and stage of life, primary responsibilities, as well as 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, problems with focus and the tendency to be impulsive. This can lead to lengthy periods of time without engaging in meaningful conversations and being late for appointments, and missing social gatherings.
These social difficulties can cause problems at work, in school and in relationships. Failure to fulfill promises and commitments can lead to feeling like you are being disregarded and not appreciated. This can lead to depression and anxiety, as well as low self-esteem, and a feeling of being in a state of denial or losing control. In some instances, inappropriate behavior of a social group can cause a separation from an existing relationship or marriage because the spouse or partner does not have ADHD.
Women who suffer from ADHD may mask their symptoms by altering their behavior in order to conform to societal norms and expectations. This can make it difficult for them to get an assessment because they might not be as open about their struggles. They could also have built up a set of healthy coping strategies to cover up the effects of their symptoms.
They could, for instance 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 may also be able to cope with their inability to multitask, by doing more than one activity at once however, they may struggle with executive function and memory issues that limit their ability to plan and manage their time.
They may also have difficulties understanding the language or interpreting subtexts when listening to other people, which can contribute to social issues. Making sure you have a clear diagnosis is the first step to finding solutions and building stronger bonds with others. There are numerous options and solutions to help in the treatment and medication process.