Symptoms of ADHD in Adults Females
Adult females with ADHD are often misdiagnosed or overlooked. But a proper diagnosis can enhance your quality of life, including work and personal relationships.
Common symptoms include memory loss, trouble staying organized or in a controlled manner, impulsive behavior, poor emotional regulation and difficulty in recognizing social cues. Treatment may include medication and therapy.
Lack of Focus
One of the most prominent symptoms of ADHD is the difficulty in maintaining focus. People with ADHD tend to find it difficult to focus on a task for more than an hour regardless of whether or not the task is interesting to them. If they are interested in an activity, they could be absorbed in the task and neglect other tasks or responsibilities. This condition can cause procrastination and delayed appointments, and a lack of completion of work projects.
People suffering from ADHD are also prone to having difficulty following instructions and remembering particulars. This can make it difficult to perform tasks in the workplace or at school which can result in miscommunication and frustration between colleagues. It can also be a major factor in problems with time management for example, forgetting to pay bills or showing up at appointments on time or missing them altogether.
Women with ADHD have strategies for coping to hide their symptoms. This could result in them being perceived as disorganized or unfocused by other people. This can lead to feelings of guilt and shame which may affect their self-confidence and ability to focus.
Use a planner to help you manage this issue. You can also use post-it notes or a planner to appointments and deadlines. Use a noise-cancelling headset to block out distractions and listen to music for improved concentration (make sure the lyrics don't distract your concentration). Avoid drinking alcohol before bedtime because it can disrupt sleep patterns. Full Piece of writing including creating a regular bedtime routine and turning off your devices an hour before going to bed. You can also try a weighted quilt or a warm bath, or soothing music to calm your mind before going to bed.
Inattention
Women who suffer from the inattentive type of ADHD typically have difficulty to finish tasks and keep track of important dates and deadlines and remember appointments, or complete their daily chores. They may also miss important details in conversations, or become distracted by other things going on around them. Many times, they make mistakes at work or school and don't check their work prior to submitting it. In addition, they experience difficulties planning and setting priorities.
Inattention and forgetfulness can increase tension and confusion with romantic partners, friends, family members colleagues, teachers or coworkers and make it more difficult for those with these issues to seek out treatment for their symptoms. If you are often late for meetings, or struggle to keep the track of your time people might conclude that you are not concerned about them, or are not committed to the relationship. Your forgetfulness or inability of concentration can lead to misunderstandings with those who live with you.
Women who suffer from ADHD have high-functioning symptoms which don't have any significant impact on their everyday lives. These include forgetting about appointments, missing deadlines or putting off tasks. However, they still experience other symptoms like restlessness and poor ability to organize.
The symptoms of adult ADHD are more severe during perimenopausal which is the period leading up to menopause. Regularly sleeping and exercising can help manage these symptoms.
Inattentive ADHD, one of the most well-known types of ADHD is a condition that develops when a person isn't paying attention. A thorough examination by a healthcare specialist is needed to diagnose ADHD. This can include an examination of your body, cognitive or behavioral test as well as an interview with your family physician. Note: Sex refers to biology - the chromosomal makeup, hormones and anatomy that determine if you are male, female, nonbinary, or a different gender and gender identity - an internal feeling of being a woman, man or another gender, including the associated cultural and social beliefs about roles, behavior, expressions and characteristics.
Impulsivity
Women suffering from ADHD have difficulty controlling their impulses and are capable of delaying action or refraining from acting based on thoughts. They may have difficulty self-restraining in conversations, or interrupting others without thinking and have a difficult time understanding social boundaries. They have a tough time waiting for their turn and are generally impatient. These issues can lead to problems at home, school, work and in social relationships.
Adults suffering from ADHD may find it difficult to manage many tasks. This includes emails, phone conversations, and meetings. They may also have difficulty remembering names and their handwriting may be messy. They might also lack organizational skills and stall on projects, which could affect their work performance and lead to stress. In some cases, impulsive behavior leads to unhealthy coping strategies like alcohol or using drugs.
Many women with ADHD aren't diagnosed as they aren't aware of it. The symptoms of ADHD are difficult to identify because they are often masked by hormonal changes, such as those associated with puberty, menopause, or pregnancy.
At Salience Health, we help patients with ADHD manage their symptoms using a combination of medication and therapy. The use of medication can be particularly beneficial in treating the issue of issues with impulse control. Contact us today to arrange a an appointment to talk with us about the treatment options for adults with ADHD.
Hyperactivity
Women suffering from ADHD might find it difficult to sit still or be quiet for long periods of time. Their fidgeting and restlessness could hinder their ability to focus on work or school. They have a difficult time playing or doing things in silence. They could appear disoriented and not concerned about what other people want. They may also have difficulty remembering details of conversations and events they have attended.
They might also have issues following through with plans and commitments. As adults, many women who have ADHD develop coping mechanisms to mask their symptoms, achieve their goals and maintain relationships. This can result in 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 misinterpreted as a sign of depression by male colleagues and even spouses.
Women and men have different symptoms of ADHD and a thorough evaluation is necessary by a qualified healthcare provider. Salience Health providers can use tools such as Creyos Cognitive Testing or Brainview Advanced Testing to identify and suggest treatment options.
A combination of therapy and medication is typically recommended for people suffering from ADHD, including adult women. Therapies like cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and training in interpersonal skills can help change negative patterns of thinking and behavior. Medication such as stimulant and non-stimulant drugs can aid in managing the symptoms of ADHD in women who are adults. A medical professional can prescribe a drug that is suitable for you, depending on your symptoms, your age stage, stage of life and primary responsibilities, as well as any other illnesses or conditions you may have.
Social Skills
Many people suffering from ADHD feel isolated despite having a large number of family members, friends, colleagues and acquaintances. They have trouble making new acquaintances and maintaining relationships due to their forgetfulness and impulsivity, as well as focus issues. This can result in lengthy periods of time without a meaningful discussion and being late for meetings, and missing social events.
These social problems can create problems at work, in school and in relationships. The inability to follow through on commitments or promises can cause the feeling of being judged and not loved by loved ones, coworkers and even peers. This can lead to depression, anxiety, low self-esteem and a feeling of being in a state of denial or losing control. In some instances it could cause marriage or relationship breakups because the inappropriate social behavior is too excessive for the partner or spouse who does not have ADHD.
Women who suffer from ADHD tend to hide their symptoms by changing their behavior to meet societal expectations and norms. This can make it more difficult to get a diagnosis because they may not be as forthcoming about their struggles. They might have developed a healthy set of coping strategies to hide their symptoms.
They might, for example, use a calendar app to keep track of their schedules or set up phone reminders so they can pay bills or attend important events. They may be able cope with their inability to multitask by focusing on more than one thing at a single time however, they may struggle with executive function or memory limitations that limit their ability to plan and handle time.
In addition, they can be unable to read between the lines and understanding the meaning of conversations with other people, which could also contribute to social problems. Getting an accurate diagnosis is the first step toward finding solutions and building more connections with other people. There are a variety of solutions and resources available, such as medication and therapies.