Symptoms of ADHD in Adults Females
Adult females suffering from ADHD are often misdiagnosed or overlooked. But a proper diagnosis can help improve your quality of life including work and personal relationships.
Common symptoms include memory loss, trouble staying organized, impulsive behavior, poor emotional regulation, and difficulty interpreting social signals. Treatment options include medication and therapy.
Inattention or lack of Focus
ADHD is characterized by difficulties staying focused. People suffering from ADHD typically find it difficult to remain focused on task for more than two minutes, regardless of whether or not the activity is interesting to them. When they are enthralled by an activity, they could become a bit obsessed and forget other tasks or obligations. This symptom can lead to procrastination, delayed appointments, and a lack of completion of work assignments.
People suffering from ADHD can also have difficulty remembering instructions and retaining particulars. This can make it difficult to perform tasks at school or work, which can cause misunderstandings and frustration in relationships. It can also be a major factor in time management issues for example, not paying bills on time or not showing up for appointments on time or failing to show up altogether.
Women with ADHD are able to develop strategies to mask their symptoms. This can lead to them being perceived as chaotic or unfocused by other people. This could lead to feelings of guilt and shame which may affect their self-confidence and ability concentrate.
To help manage this symptom, try to use a planner or post-it notes to keep track of appointments and deadlines. Use a noise-cancelling headset to block distractions and listen to music for better concentration (make sure that the lyrics don't hinder your focus). Avoid drinking caffeine prior to bedtime since it can disrupt sleep patterns. Maintain a healthy sleep routine including establishing a regular bedtime routine and turning off your devices an hour before you go to bed. You can also use an oversized quilt as well as a warm bath or soothing music to soothe your mind before you sleep.
Attention
Women who have the inattentive ADHD subtype often have difficulty finishing tasks, recalling important dates and deadlines or even completing routine chores. They may also lose out on important details in conversations or get distracted by other activities around them. They are often guilty of making mistakes at work or school and forget to double-check their work before submitting. Additionally, they face difficulties planning and setting priorities.
Impulse and forgetfulness can cause confusion and frustration between lovers or family members, colleagues, or even teachers. This makes it difficult for these people to seek treatment for their issues. For example, if you frequently miss meetings or struggle to keep the track of your time it could lead others to assume that you don't care for them or lack commitment to the relationship. Your forgetfulness or inability of concentration can lead to misunderstandings with the people who live with you.
Certain women who suffer from ADHD have high-functioning symptoms which do not have an impact on their daily lives. This includes forgetting appointments, missing deadlines or postponing tasks. They also experience other signs such as 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.
Attention-deficit ADHD is among the most prevalent kinds of ADHD. A thorough assessment by a medical specialist is needed to diagnose ADHD. This can include a cognitive, behavioral or physical test as well as an interview with your physician. Note: Sex is a term used to describe biology - the chromosomal makeup, hormones and anatomy that determine whether someone is a man, woman, nonbinary, or a different gender and gender identity - an internal feeling of being a woman, man or of a different gender, and the social and cultural beliefs about roles, behaviours and expressions.
Impulsivity
Women who suffer from ADHD often struggle with impulse control which is the capacity to defer action or refrain from taking action based on thoughts. They may have difficulty self-restraining when they are in conversation, interrupt others without thinking and have difficulty understanding social boundaries. They have a hard time waiting for their turn and are generally impatient. These symptoms can cause issues at home, in the workplace, at school and with social relationships.
Adults suffering from ADHD might have difficulty to keep up with many tasks. This includes emails, phone conversations and meetings. In addition, they may be unable to remember names and their handwriting could be messy. They may also lack organizational skills and procrastinate with projects, which can affect their work performance and cause stress. In some instances, impulsive behaviors can cause unhealthy coping mechanisms such as alcohol or drugs.
Since many women suffering from ADHD are unaware that they have the condition and are not diagnosed. The symptoms of ADHD can be difficult to identify because they are often obscured by hormonal changes such as menopausal, puberty, or pregnancy.
At Salience Health, we help people with ADHD manage their symptoms using a combination of therapy and medication. ADHD in adult men symptoms can be extremely beneficial to treat impulse control. Contact us today to set up a consultation to learn more about the treatment options available to adults with ADHD.
Hyperactivity
Women who have ADHD may have trouble being still and calm for extended durations of time. Their flitting and restlessness can hinder their ability to focus on tasks at work or school. They also have trouble 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 remembering details of conversations and events they've attended.
They may also have difficulty keeping track of plans and commitments. As they age, many women with ADHD develop coping strategies to mask their symptoms to meet expectations and maintain relationships. This can lead to 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 could be interpreted as signs of depression by male coworkers and partners.
The symptoms of ADHD are different for men and women, but a thorough evaluation by a qualified health care professional is vital. A Salience Health provider can use tools like Creyos Cognitive Testing and Brainview Advanced testing to make a diagnosis and recommend treatment options.
A combination of medication and therapy is generally recommended for those suffering from ADHD, including adult women. Therapy techniques like cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and interpersonal skills training, and other therapies can help change negative thought patterns and behavior. Drugs such as stimulant and non-stimulant drugs can aid in managing the symptoms of ADHD in women who are adults. A health professional can prescribe the right medication for you based on symptoms, age, stage in life, primary responsibilities, and any other illnesses or conditions you may have.
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 lack of memory and impulsivity, as well as focus issues. This can lead to prolonged periods without a meaningful conversation or being late to appointments and being absent from social gatherings.
These social difficulties can cause difficulties at work, at school and in relationships. Inability to keep up on commitments or promises can cause feelings of being rejected and unloved by loved ones, coworkers and even peers. This can lead to depression and anxiety, as well as low self-esteem and a sense of being in a state of denial or losing control. In some instances, inappropriate social behaviors could lead to the separation from the relationship or marriage due to the fact that the spouse or partner doesn't have ADHD.
Women suffering from ADHD often mask their symptoms by changing their behavior to conform to social expectations and norms. This makes it harder for them to receive an diagnosis, since they may not be as open about their struggles. They might have developed a healthy repertoire of coping strategies to mask their symptoms.
For instance, they could use a calendar app to keep track of their schedules or set up phone reminders to make sure they pay their bills or attend important events. They might be able to deal with their inability of multitasking by focusing on more than one task at a time however, they may struggle with executive function or memory issues that hinder their ability to plan and handle time.
In addition, they might be unable to read between the lines or understanding the meaning of conversations with other people, which could be a contributing factor to social issues. Making sure you have a clear diagnosis is the first step to finding solutions and establishing stronger bonds with other people. There are a variety of solutions and resources available, such as treatments and medications.