Adult Female ADHD Symptoms<br /><br />ADHD in childhood is characterised by impulsivity and hyperactivity that leads to behavioral and academic difficulties. It is a lifelong condition but children usually overcome their symptoms.<br /><br />In adulthood, inattentive symptom persists and can cause issues in school or work. These symptoms can also be caused or exacerbated by hormone fluctuations during menstrual cycles, pregnancy or menopause.<br /><br />Attentive Signs<br /><br />The signs of inattention ADHD can be very depressing for adults. They can affect relationships and productivity at work, as well as school performance. You could be easily distracted, lose things frequently, or have difficulty following directions. You may forget appointments or business meetings and leave work not completed. You may feel overwhelmed by the clutter at home or in the office and find it difficult to remember the important details of events that have took place in your life. You may find it difficult to listen to other people, and you may have what is called the "thousand-yard stare," where you look at people with a wide eye, but you don't hear them.<br /><br />Adults with inattention ADHD may also experience memory problems, especially when hormonal changes occur like during menstrual cycles, pregnancy or perimenopausal and menopausal cycles. This can be particularly difficult for women who feel that their symptoms are being aggravated by these periods.<br /><br />When you have inattentive ADHD it is possible to improve your life by becoming aware of and managing your symptoms. It's important to set realistic goals for yourself and set a plan of action. You can make use of reminder apps or planners, as well as post-it notes to keep track of deadlines or appointments. Try breaking up large projects into smaller tasks and tackle them in small chunks at a time. Make sure to take regular breaks and move around to refocus.<br /><br />You may also request your school or employer for accommodations that might assist you in managing your symptoms, like allowing you to work from home, giving you extra time for assignments or tests, or providing notetaking assistance during meetings. Many places have policies requiring that they provide accommodations for those who have disabilities, such as ADHD.<br /><br />Women suffering from ADHD who don't receive a diagnosis may be left feeling angry or frustrated. They might blame themselves for their difficulties, or they might believe that they were ignored by medical professionals or family and family members. Some also feel sadness and loss for the opportunities missed and the relationships damaged due to the fact that they did not receive treatment for their disorder.<br /><br />Research suggests that, as compared to men and boys women and girls with inattentive ADHD are under-identified and underdiagnosed. This is due to the fact their symptoms can be difficult to recognize. They may appear to be anxiety or mood-related, causing doctors to miss-diagnose them. They can also develop more effective coping mechanisms than men, which may mask the underlying ADHD symptoms.<br /><br />Hyperactive Symptoms<br /><br />Hyperactive ADHD symptoms for women and girls may manifest as restlessness, or difficulty being still. They may feel tense or constantly on the go, be very talkative, or struggle to concentrate at school or work. Girls can also be emotional and have difficulty regulating their emotions. They are often challenged to meet the expectations of society regarding a woman's behavior, which can lead to feelings of inadequacy and chronic stress.<br /><br />While the symptoms of female ADHD are different from male ADHD but the condition remains a chronic disorder. It is estimated that only 30% of adults outgrow their ADHD and women are less likely to be successful than men. If you've been diagnosed as having adult ADHD you might find that your symptoms get worse as you age or undergo hormonal changes.<br /><br />For example, you might find that your ADHD symptoms are more severe during puberty, at or around the menstrual cycle, as well as in menopausal perimenopause, which is the period that lead to menopausal symptoms. You may be noticing that you make more mistakes than usual, have difficulty managing your deadlines and assignments, or forget appointments.<br /><br />If you are suffering from the inattentive form of ADHD, your symptoms might be more severe during perimenopausal and menopausal. This is because estrogen levels decrease around ovulation and in the middle of your menstrual cycle, which can increase your ADHD symptoms. It's possible that these fluctuations explain why many women don't get an ADHD diagnosis during childhood, and instead are left undiagnosed when they become adults.<br /><br />When determining the diagnosis, doctors will use various methods, such as interviews, rating scales and other methods, to determine if a patient is suffering from ADHD. It is also essential to consider the way you react and interpret your symptoms. Girls and women may hide or camouflage their ADHD symptoms in order to avoid being considered a victim. This could lead to being misdiagnosed with anxiety or mood disorders. Males and males are more likely than women to be diagnosed with ADHD because of their disruptive behaviors. This is the reason why a lot of the initial ADHD studies were conducted on men and boys who were hyperactive.<br /><br />Impulsive Symptoms<br /><br />ADHD can make it difficult to control impulsive behaviors like picking up things off the floor or pounding your fist against the wall. <a href="https://www.iampsychiatry.uk/adhd-symptoms-in-adults/">signs of adult add</a> can make it difficult to think before you act which could cause issues at work or in school, when you are required to complete tasks or follow instructions without interruptions.<br /><br />As you grow into adulthood, the problems with impulse control and organizational skills could be more internalized and less obvious than they were when you were when you were a child. Hyperactivity can become an inner agitation. Periods of organization could occur in conjunction with periods of procrastination and feeling overwhelmed.<br /><br />Research suggests that women and girls tend to hide their ADHD symptoms more frequently than boys and men do. This is partly because it is seen as more acceptable socially for boys and men to display ADHD-linked behaviors particularly impulsive or hyperactive symptoms. This can be a result of gender stereotypes, such as the notion that boys are more boisterous and less organized than girls, which can reinforce a girl's tendency to hide her ADHD symptoms in order to fit with the other kids.<br /><br />Female ADHD symptoms can be exacerbated by hormonal fluctuations during menstruation and pregnancy. This is because estrogen decreases at the time of ovulation, and increases even more at the menstrual cycle's start which causes symptoms to flare up. It is essential that women and girls suffering from ADHD are examined by a mental health professional or health care provider when they exhibit these symptoms.<br /><br />If you're 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 boost your energy and focus. Try to do some aerobics, sports, or cardio exercises at your local gym or at home.<br /><br />It's also crucial to get enough rest. A restful night can reduce fatigue which is often a sign of ADHD. It is essential to eat well and avoid eating foods that trigger ADHD symptoms.<br /><br />Internalizing Symptoms<br /><br /><br /><br />Women who suffer from ADHD may have issues in various areas of their life. They are more vulnerable to inattentive symptoms, and are able to develop strategies to cope like internalization. This can lead to poor self-esteem and a negative image of the body. This is why it's especially important that they get diagnosed and receive treatment as they grow older. Receiving a diagnosis can be an opportunity for clarity for many. It gives them an explanation for their struggles and helps them accept themselves more fully (Waite 2010).<br /><br />Symptoms can vary in intensity according to the hormone levels. They can improve when pregnant and ovulation occurs, and may worsen when they reach menopausal. Women may find it difficult to maintain relationships and perform everyday tasks during this period. This can lead to feelings of dissatisfaction.<br /><br />Relationships can be affected by forgetfulness and impulsive behaviors. Inadvertently forgetting birthdays, unfinished projects or not paying your bills on time, can make people feel like you're not paying attention which can lead to conflict. People suffering from ADHD are often afflicted by sensitive to rejection and have difficulty regulating emotions that can trigger intense reactions to even perceived failure or rejection.<br /><br />Women and girls with ADHD can become sexually active at a younger age than other people because of 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 since they do not insist that their partners utilize protection. They are also more likely to have anxiety or depression that co-occurs and may have a hard keeping friendships.<br /><br />While more research is required to understand the impact ADHD has on different genders, it's clear that females are more likely to be undiagnosed, and to have a different experience with the disorder. It is possible to get a diagnosis and receive treatment to improve your relationships and allow you to succeed at work or school. Your doctor may also recommend therapy, like cognitive behavioral treatment, to assist you in managing your emotions and thoughts, while replacing negative thinking patterns with healthier ones.<br /><br />