Symptoms of ADHD in Adults Females
The signs of ADHD in females of adulthood are often missed or misdiagnosed. A correct diagnosis can make a difference in your life, both professionally and personally.
The signs include forgetfulness, inability to stay organized as well as impulsiveness, insufficient emotional regulation, and trouble in recognizing social cues. Treatment may include therapy and medication.
Inattention and lack of Focus
One of the most prominent symptoms of ADHD is difficulty with sustained focus. People with ADHD tend to find it difficult to focus on a task for longer than an hour regardless of whether or not the task interests them. However, when they do become attracted to something, they can get focused to the point that they neglect other tasks or responsibilities. This condition can lead to procrastination, delayed appointments, and a lack of completion of work assignments.
In addition, people who suffer from ADHD may have trouble keeping track of instructions and remembering specifics. This can make it difficult to accomplish tasks at school or at work which can result in miscommunication and frustration between individuals. It can be a major cause in problems with time management like forgetting to pay bills or not showing up for meetings on time, or not showing up at all.
Women with ADHD are able to develop strategies to disguise their symptoms. This can lead to them being perceived as disorganized or inattention by others. This could lead to them feeling shame and guilt and can affect their self-confidence and ability concentrate.
Use a planner to manage this issue. You can also make use of post-it notes or a planner to keep track deadlines and appointments. Use a noise-canceling headset to block out distractions, and also listen to music to increase concentration (be sure the music doesn't have lyrics that compete with your focus). Try to stay away from caffeine prior to bedtime, since it can disrupt sleep cycles. A good sleep hygiene routine includes setting an established routine for time to go to bed and removing screens at least an hour before going to bed. You can also take an ice-cold bath and listening to soothing music, or using a blanket with weights to relax your mind prior to sleeping.
Attention!
Women with the subtype of inattention ADHD typically have difficulty to complete tasks, keep track of important dates and deadlines, remember appointments or even complete routine chores. They might also be unable to remember important details in conversations, or be distracted by other activities happening around them. Many times, they make mistakes at school or at work and forget to check their work prior to submitting it. They also have trouble organizing their time and setting priorities.
Forgetfulness and impulsivity can heighten tension and confusion with romantic partners, friends, family members, co-workers or teachers which makes it difficult for them to seek treatment for their symptoms. For instance, if you are often late for meetings or are having trouble keeping your schedule it could lead others to think that you don't care about them or aren't committed to the relationship. Your inability to concentrate can lead to misunderstandings and conflicts with those you share your life with.
Certain women who suffer from ADHD suffer from high-functioning symptoms which don't impact their lives. These include forgetting about appointments, not meeting deadlines or delaying tasks. They still experience other symptoms like restlessness and poor ability to organize.
Adult symptoms of ADHD may become more severe during menopausal phase (perimenopause is the time leading up to menopause). Exercise and getting enough sleep can help manage these symptoms.
Inattentive ADHD is one of the most common types of ADHD. A thorough examination by a medical professional is necessary to determine ADHD. This may include a physical, cognitive or behavioral test and an interview with your physician of your family. Note: Sex is a biological phenomenon that includes chromosomal makeup hormones, anatomy, and physiology, that determines whether someone is a woman, a man, or nonbinary. Gender identity is, on the other hand is a perception of who you are, including social and cultural beliefs.
Impulsivity
Women suffering from ADHD struggle to control their impulses and are capable of putting off action or preventing from taking action based on thought. They may have trouble self-restraining when they are in conversation, interrupting others without thinking, and have a difficult time understanding social boundaries. They also have a difficult time waiting for their turn and are likely to be impatient in general. 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 such as emails, phone calls, and meetings can be difficult for adults suffering from ADHD. They may also have trouble remembering names, and their handwriting can be messy. They may also be suffering from an inability to organize their lives and tend to put off projects, which can affect their job performance and cause stress. In certain instances the impulsive behavior can lead to unhealthy coping mechanisms like alcohol or drug use.
Many women suffering from ADHD aren't diagnosed because they don't realize they have it. Their symptoms can be difficult to identify because they are often obscured by the hormonal changes of puberty, pregnancy, and menopausal changes.
At Salience Health, we help patients with ADHD manage their symptoms using a combination of therapy and medication. The use of medication can be particularly helpful in treating the issue of impulse control. Contact us today to set up a consultation to learn more about the treatment options available to adults with ADHD.
Hyperactivity
Women suffering from ADHD may have difficulty sitting still or be still for long periods of time. Their flittering and restlessness frequently hinders their ability to concentrate on tasks at school or at work. They are unable to play or doing leisure activities while in silence. They can appear easily distracted and not care about what others think. They might also have trouble remembering details of conversations or events they have attended.
Additionally, they may have difficulty following through on commitments and plans. As adults, many women with ADHD develop strategies to hide their symptoms to keep their promises and keep relationships. This can result in feeling like they are out of control and overwhelmed. 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 colleagues, which could result in feelings of loneliness and isolation.
Women and men have different symptoms of ADHD and it is essential to have a thorough assessment by a certified healthcare professional. A Salience Health provider can use tools like Creyos Cognitive Testing and Brainview Advanced testing to determine an assessment and suggest treatment options.
Adult women with ADHD are usually treated with the combination of therapy and medication. Techniques for therapy like cognitive behavior therapy (CBT), interpersonal skills training, and other therapies can assist in changing negative thought patterns and behavior. Drugs such as stimulant and non-stimulant medication can help manage the symptoms of ADHD among women of adulthood. A doctor can prescribe a drug that is right for you, based on your symptoms, age stage, stage of life and primary responsibilities, as well as any other illnesses or conditions you suffer from.
Social Skills
Many people with ADHD struggle to connect with others and feel lonely despite having a large number of coworkers, friends acquaintances, family members and acquaintances. They have difficulty making new friends or sustaining relationships because of their forgetfulness and focus issues, as well as impulsivity. This can result in lengthy periods of time with no an engaging conversation or being late for meetings and missing social events.
These social issues can lead to problems at school, work and in relationships. Failure to fulfill promises and commitments can lead to a feeling that you are being disregarded and not appreciated. This can lead to depression, anxiety, low self-esteem and a sense of failure or loss of control. In some instances it may cause marriage or relationship breakups because the unruly behavior can be too for the spouse or partner. spouse who doesn't have ADHD.
ADHD symptom test for adults suffering from ADHD may mask their symptoms by altering their behavior in order to conform to social norms and expectations. This makes it more difficult for them to receive an assessment because they might not be as forthcoming about their struggles. They may also have developed a set of coping strategies that cover up the effects of their symptoms.
For instance, they might keep track of their appointments in the calendar app or set phone reminders to pay bills or attend important events. They might be able to deal with their inability of multitasking by focusing on more than one thing at a single time however, they may struggle with memory or executive function deficits which limit their ability to plan and manage time.
They might also have trouble reading between the lines or comprehending subtexts while listening to others which could lead to social issues. An accurate diagnosis is the most crucial step to finding solutions and strengthening relationships with others. There are a variety of options and solutions that can assist with therapy and medication.