Watch Out: How Female ADHD Symptoms Is Taking Over And What You Can Do About It

Adult Female ADHD Symptoms

ADHD in childhood is characterised by hyperactivity and impulsivity that leads to behavioral and academic difficulties. It's a chronic illness, but children usually outgrow the symptoms.

In adulthood, the inattention symptom persists and can cause problems in school or work. These symptoms can be triggered or aggravated by hormonal fluctuations during menstrual cycles, pregnancy, or menopausal.

Attention-deficit Symptoms

Adults can find the symptoms of inattention ADHD frustrating. They can impact relationships, productivity at work and school performance. You might be easily distracted, lose things often or have difficulty following directions. You might miss appointments or business meetings, leaving tasks not completed. You may feel overwhelmed by the mess at home or in the office and have trouble remembering the important details of events that have took place in your life. You may find it difficult to be attentive to others and have what's called the thousand-yard stare, in which you look at people but you don't listen to them.

Adults who have inattention ADHD can also have memory problems, especially when hormonal changes occur, such as during menstrual cycle, pregnancy menopausal, perimenopausal, and menopausal. This can be particularly difficult for women who believe that their symptoms are worsened due to these periods.

If you suffer from inattention ADHD, you can often improve your life by learning to recognize and manage your symptoms. It is essential to set realistic goals for yourself and plan ahead. You can use reminder apps or planners, as well as post-it notes to keep on top of deadlines or appointments. Break large projects down into smaller pieces and complete each one at a time. Take breaks regularly and move around to refocus.

You may also request your school or employer for accommodations that can help you manage your symptoms, such as the ability to work from home, offering you extra time on assignments or tests, or providing notetaking assistance during meetings. Many workplaces have policies that require that they provide accommodations for those with disabilities, for example ADHD.

Women suffering from ADHD who don't receive an assessment may end up feeling frustrated or angry. They may blame themselves for their troubles or think that they were dismissed by doctors or other friends and family members. Many people feel sorrow and loss over the opportunities missed and strained relationships due to the fact that they didn't receive treatment for their disorder.

According to research, women and girls with inattentive ADHD have been under-diagnosed compared to boys and men. This is due to the fact that their symptoms are often hidden. They may appear to be anxiety or mood-related, causing doctors to mistakenly diagnose them. They can also develop better coping strategies than males, which could conceal the true symptoms of ADHD.

Hyperactive Symptoms

In women and girls, hyperactive ADHD symptoms can manifest as a sense of agitation or difficulty sitting still. They may feel tense or constantly on the move and talkative or find it hard to focus in class or work. Girls are also susceptible to mood swings and have difficulty controlling their emotions. They are unable to satisfy the social expectations of women's behavior which can cause women to feel inadequate and chronic stress.

Although the symptoms of female ADHD differ than those of male ADHD however, it is a lifelong condition. It's estimated that only about 30% of adults overcome their ADHD and women are less likely to achieve this than men. If you have a diagnosis of adult ADHD and you are suffering from it, it is possible that your symptoms worsen as you age and undergo hormonal changes.

For example, you might notice that your ADHD symptoms are more severe during puberty at or around the time of your menstrual cycle, and also in perimenopause, the years leading up to full-blown menopause. You may notice that you are making more mistakes, have trouble staying on top of deadlines and assignments or ignoring appointments.

If you suffer from the inattention-based type of ADHD, symptoms may also increase during menopausal or perimenopausal. This is due to the fact that estrogen levels decrease around ovulation and in the middle of your menstrual cycle which can cause an increase in your ADHD symptoms. These fluctuations could be the reason for why many women are not diagnosed with ADHD in their early years, but instead go undiagnosed as they grow older.

When determining the diagnosis, doctors use a variety of methods, including interviews, rating scales and other methods to determine if a patient has ADHD. How you perceive and react to your symptoms is also important. Women and girls may conceal or camouflage their ADHD symptoms to avoid being assessed. This can lead to them being misdiagnosed as having anxiety or mood disorders. Males and females however, are more likely to be referred for ADHD due to their behaviors being more disruptive. This is the reason why a lot of the original ADHD studies were conducted on men and boys who were hyperactive.

Impulsive Symptoms

Being diagnosed with ADHD can make it difficult to stop impulsive behavior like hitting your fist against the wall or picking up things off the floor. It can also make it difficult to think before acting and can create problems at school or work when you are required to finish tasks or follow directions without interruptions.

As you grow older as you get older, your issues with control of your impulses ability to plan and organise may become internalized and less obvious than when you were a kid. Hyperactivity may become an inner turmoil. Periods of organisation may be accompanied by periods of procrastination and feeling overwhelmed.

Research shows that girls and women tend to hide their ADHD symptoms more often than males and boys do. It's partly due to the fact that males and boys are more likely to be accepted by society for displaying ADHD-related behaviors particularly impulsive or hyperactive ones. This is often due to gender stereotypes for example, like the notion that boys are more boisterous than girls and less organized. This could make it easier for girls to hide her ADHD symptoms to fit in with.

Female ADHD symptoms can be aggravated by hormonal fluctuations during menstruation or pregnancy. This is due to the fact that estrogen levels decrease during ovulation and decreases even more during the start of menstruation, causing symptoms to become more severe. This is the reason it's crucial for girls and women with ADHD to be assessed by a health care professional or mental health professional if they are experiencing these symptoms.

You can manage the symptoms of ADHD. A combination of medication, therapy and lifestyle adjustments can make a difference. Regular exercise can improve your mood and release neurotransmitters, as well as improve your energy levels and focus. Try participating in sports, aerobic or cardio exercises at home or at your local gym.

It's also important to get enough sleep. A restful night can reduce fatigue, which is often an indication of ADHD. It's important to eat healthy and avoid foods that could cause ADHD symptoms.

Internalizing Symptoms

Women with ADHD may have issues in a variety of areas of their lives.  signs of adhd  are more prone to inattentive symptoms, and can develop strategies to cope like internalization. This can lead to poor self-esteem and a negative body image. It is essential to recognize and treat those who are adults. Receiving a diagnosis can be a moment of clarity for many. It gives them an explanation for their struggles and allows them to accept themselves better (Waite 2010).

The severity of symptoms can vary depending on hormone levels. The symptoms can improve during pregnancy or ovulation and can worsen as you approaching menopause. Women may find it difficult to maintain relationships and handle daily tasks during this time. This can result in feelings of dissatisfaction.

Impulsive and forgetful behavior can also impact relationships. Forgetting birthdays or unfinished projects or not paying your bills on time can make people feel like you don't give a damn which can lead to conflict. People suffering from ADHD frequently struggle with the sensitivity to rejection and have trouble controlling their emotions which can cause extreme reactions to failure or rejection.

Girls and women with ADHD are likely to become sexually active earlier in age than their peers because of impulsivity and a desire to belong and be loved. This puts them at a higher risk of being victims of intimate partner violence and STIs, because they are less likely to take protection or make their partners do so. They are more likely to suffer from depression or anxiety, and may have difficulty to maintain friendships.

While more research is required to determine the impact of ADHD on different genders, it is evident that women are more likely to go undiagnosed and have a different experience with the disorder. It is possible to get diagnosis and receive treatment that will improve your relationships and help you succeed at work or school. Your doctor might also suggest therapy, such as cognitive behavioral therapy, to assist you in managing your emotions and thoughts as well as replace negative thinking patterns with healthier ones.