Adult Female ADHD Symptoms<br /><br />Impulsivity and hyperactivity are the characteristic features of ADHD in childhood, and can lead to academic and behavioral issues. It is a chronic condition, but children usually outgrow the symptoms.<br /><br />In adulthood, the symptoms of inattention persist and can cause issues at school or work. These symptoms can be caused or worsened by hormone fluctuations during menstrual cycles, pregnancy or menopause.<br /><br />Inattentional symptoms<br /><br />Symptoms of inattentive ADHD can be very depressing for adults. They can impact relationships as well as productivity at work and school performance. For instance, you might be easily distracted, frequently lose things, or have trouble following directions. You may forget meetings or appointments, leaving unfinished tasks. You may feel overwhelmed by clutter in your office or home, and have difficulty remembering important details of events that happened in your life. It might be difficult to listen to others and you may be prone to the thousand-yard stare, where you look at people, but do not hear them.<br /><br />Adults who suffer from inattention ADHD might also have issues with their memory, particularly during periods of hormonal changes such as menstrual cycles, pregnancy as well as perimenopausal and menopausal changes. This is particularly challenging for women who may feel that their symptoms are aggravated by these periods.<br /><br />If you suffer from inattentive ADHD it is possible to improve your life by being able to recognize and manage your symptoms. It's important to set realistic goals for yourself and set a plan of action. You can use planners or reminder apps as well as post-it notes to keep track of appointments or deadlines. Break down large projects into smaller pieces and finish each one at a time. Take breaks regularly to move around and refocus your attention.<br /><br />You could also ask your employer or school for accommodations that might aid in managing your symptoms, for example, the ability to work from home, giving you additional time to complete tests or assignments or even providing notetaking assistance during meetings. Many organizations have policies that require them to offer accommodations for those who have disabilities, such as ADHD.<br /><br />Women suffering from ADHD who do not receive a diagnosis may be left feeling frustrated or angry. They might blame themselves for their troubles, or they might believe that they were ignored by doctors or other friends and family members. Many feel sadness and loss over the opportunities missed and damaged relationships because they didn't receive treatment for their disorder.<br /><br />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 difficult to detect. They can appear to be anxiety - or mood-related, causing doctors to mistakenly diagnose them. They can also develop more effective coping mechanisms than men, which may cover up the root cause of ADHD symptoms.<br /><br />Hyperactive Signs and symptoms<br /><br />Hyperactive ADHD symptoms for women and girls may manifest as restlessness or trouble being still. They may feel tense or constantly in motion or be extremely talkative or have difficulty being able to focus in class or work. Girls are also moody and have trouble regulating their emotions. They often struggle to conform to the expectations of society for women's behavior and this can lead to feelings of unworthiness and stress.<br /><br />Although the symptom profile of females suffering from ADHD is different than that of men, the condition is a chronic disorder. Only 30% of adults are believed to overcome ADHD. Women are less likely than men to do so. If you have a diagnosis of adult ADHD, your symptoms might get worse as you get older and experience hormonal changes.<br /><br />For example, you might discover that your ADHD symptoms are more severe during puberty during and around the menstrual cycle, and also in the perimenopausal years, which are the ones that lead to menopausal symptoms. You might be noticing that you're making more mistakes, having trouble keeping up with deadlines and tasks or forgetting appointments.<br /><br />If you are suffering from the inattentive form of ADHD symptoms, they may be heightened during perimenopausal or menopause. This is due to estrogen levels decrease around Ovulation, and during the middle of your menstrual cycle. This can lead to an increase in ADHD symptoms. It's possible that these fluctuations are why many women don't get an ADHD diagnosis as children and instead go undiagnosed as adults.<br /><br /><br /><br />During the initial diagnostic process, doctors will use a combination of interviews, rating scales and other methods to determine whether you suffer from ADHD. It is also essential to think about how you react to and interpret your symptoms. For instance, girls and women may camouflage or hide their ADHD symptoms to avoid being judged which can cause them to be misdiagnosed as having anxiety or a mood disorder. Men and boys on the other hand are more likely to be referred for ADHD because their behaviors are more disruptive. <a href="https://www.iampsychiatry.uk/adhd-symptoms-in-adults/">adhd in adults symptoms I Am Psychiatry</a> is why many of the initial ADHD studies were conducted on males and boys who were hyperactive.<br /><br />The symptoms of an impulse<br /><br />ADHD can make it difficult to control impulse-driven behaviors such as picking up objects off the floor or striking your fist against the wall. It also makes it more difficult to think before you act and could lead to trouble at school or work where you may be required to follow instructions or complete tasks with no interruptions.<br /><br />As you age as you age, your issues with controlling your impulses ability to plan and organise could become more internalized and less apparent than when you were a kid. Obvious hyperactivity could turn into an inner feeling of insecurity, and times of being organized could be accompanied by an inclination to delay or feeling overwhelmed.<br /><br />Research has shown that girls and women tend to hide their ADHD symptoms more often than boys and men do. This is due to the fact that it is considered more socially acceptable for boys and men to display ADHD-linked behaviors, especially hyperactive or impulsive symptoms. This can be a result of gender stereotypes, like the idea that boys are more raunchy and less organized than girls, which can reinforce a girl's tendency to hide her ADHD symptoms in order to blend into the crowd.<br /><br />The hormonal fluctuations that occur during menstrual cycles or pregnancy can also exacerbate ADHD symptoms in females. This is because estrogen decreases at the time of ovulation, and decreases even more during the start of menstruation, causing symptoms to flare up. It is crucial that women and girls with ADHD are assessed by a mental health professional or health care provider when they experience these symptoms.<br /><br />If you are suffering from ADHD it is possible to control your symptoms. Combining therapy, medication and lifestyle changes can make a significant changes. Regular exercise can improve your mood and boost neurotransmitters. It can also improve your energy levels and focus. Try taking part in sports, cardio or aerobic exercises at home, or in your local gym.<br /><br />It's also important to get enough sleep. A good night's rest can help reduce fatigue, which is often an indication of ADHD. It is also vital to eat well and avoid eating foods that can trigger ADHD symptoms in you.<br /><br />Internalizing Symptoms<br /><br />Women who suffer from ADHD might have difficulties in different areas of their life. They are more likely to suffer from the symptoms of inattention and develop coping strategies such as internalization. This can result in low self-esteem and negative image of the body. Because of this, it's especially important that they get diagnosed and treated as they grow older. Receiving a diagnosis is an important moment for many. It provides them with an explanation to their struggles and allows them to accept themselves more fully (Waite 2010).<br /><br />The severity of symptoms can vary depending on hormone levels. They can be improved during ovulation and pregnancy and may worsen as women approach menopausal. Women may find it difficult to maintain relationships and handle everyday tasks during this period. This could lead to feelings of dissatisfaction.<br /><br />The quality of relationships can be affected by impulsive or forgetful behaviors. Forgetting birthdays or unfinished projects, or not paying your bills on time, can make people feel that you're not worth it which can lead to conflict. People suffering from ADHD often struggle with sensitive to rejection and have difficulty controlling their emotions that can trigger intense reactions to even perceived failure or rejection.<br /><br />Girls and women with ADHD are likely to become sexually active at a later age than their peers due to impulsivity and a desire to be part of a group and feel loved. They are more likely to be victimized by abuse from intimate partners and STIs because they do not insist that their partners use protection. They are more likely to be suffering from anxiety or depression and may have difficulty to maintain friendships.<br /><br />While more research is needed to better understand the impact ADHD affects different genders, it's evident that females are more likely be undiagnosed, and to have a distinct experience with the disorder. It is possible to receive a diagnosis and receive treatment that can improve your relationships and allow you to succeed at work or in school. Your doctor might also suggest therapy, like cognitive behavioral therapy, to help you manage your emotions and thoughts and replace negative thought patterns with healthier ones.<br /><br />