Symptoms of ADHD in Adults Females<br /><br />The signs of ADHD in females who are adults are often missed or misdiagnosed. <a href="https://www.iampsychiatry.com/adult-adhd-symptoms">ADHD symptoms in women adults</a> can make a difference in your life, both professionally and personally.<br /><br />Symptoms include forgetfulness and inability to keep track of time as well as impulsiveness, insufficient emotional regulation, and difficulties reading social cues. Treatment could include therapy or medication.<br /><br />Insufficient Focus<br /><br />One of the most prominent symptoms of ADHD is a lack of sustained focus. People with ADHD typically find it difficult to stay on task for more than an hour regardless of whether or not the activity interests them. When they do get attracted to something, they may become hyperfocused to the point of neglecting other tasks or obligations. This symptom can result in procrastination, unscheduled appointments, and incomplete work projects.<br /><br />People suffering from ADHD are also prone to having difficulty understanding instructions and recalling specifics. This can make it hard to accomplish tasks at school or at work which can result in misunderstandings and frustrations between people. It could be a major cause in issues with time management like not paying bills or showing up at meetings on time, or missing them altogether.<br /><br />Women who suffer from ADHD might develop coping strategies to hide their symptoms, which could cause them to be perceived as unorganized or sloppy by others. This could lead to them feeling shame and guilt, which can further impact their self-esteem and ability to concentrate.<br /><br /><br /><br />Use a planner to help you manage this issue. You can also make use of post-it notepads or a planner to keep track deadlines and appointments. Use a noise-canceling headset to block out any distractions, as well as listen to music to improve concentration (be sure that the music doesn't have lyrics that compete with your focus). Try to stay away from caffeine prior to bedtime, as it can alter sleep patterns. Practice good sleep hygiene by establishing a regular bedtime routine and turning off your devices an hour before going to bed. You can also try a weighted quilt, a warm bath or soothing music to soothe your mind before going to bed.<br /><br />Attention<br /><br />Women who have the inattentive type of ADHD are often unable to finish tasks and keep track of important dates and deadlines, remember appointments or even complete routine chores. They may also miss out on important details in conversations or get distracted by other things happening around them. Most often, they make naive mistakes at work or school and don't check their work prior to sending it. They also have difficulty organizing their time and setting priorities.<br /><br />Inattention and forgetfulness can lead to anger and miscommunications between romantic partners and family members, colleagues, or teachers. This makes it difficult for these people to seek treatment for their issues. For instance, if you frequently miss meetings or are having trouble keeping your schedule it can lead people to assume that you don't care for them or aren't committed to the relationship. Inability to remember or focus can also lead to misunderstandings and conflicts with those you share your life with.<br /><br />Certain women with ADHD have high-functioning symptoms which do not have an impact on their everyday lives. This includes forgetting appointments, not meeting deadlines or delaying tasks. They also experience other signs such as restlessness and poor organization skills.<br /><br />Adult symptoms of ADHD may become more severe during perimenopause (perimenopause is the time leading up to menopause). Getting enough sleep and exercising can help with these symptoms.<br /><br />Inattentive ADHD is one of the most well-known types of ADHD, is a condition that occurs when a person is not paying attention. A thorough assessment by a medical 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 physician of your family. *Note: Sex refers to biology which is the chromosomal makeup, hormones and anatomy that determine if one is either a woman or a man; nonbinary or other gender; and gender identity - an internal feeling of being a woman, a man or another gender, including the social and cultural beliefs about roles, behaviours, expressions and characteristics.<br /><br />Impulsivity<br /><br />Women with ADHD struggle to control their impulses and have the capability of delaying action or refraining from acting based upon thought. They may have difficulty self-restraining during conversations, interrupting others without thinking, and have difficulty understanding the boundaries of social interaction. They have a hard waiting to be the first, and are generally impatient. These signs can cause problems at home, at the workplace, at school and even in social interactions.<br /><br />Adults with ADHD may find it difficult to keep up with numerous tasks. This includes phone calls, emails and meetings. Additionally, they might have difficulty remembering names and their handwriting could be messy. They may also lack organizational skills and procrastinate with projects, which can affect their job performance and lead to stress. In some instances the impulsive behavior can lead to unhealthy coping strategies, such as alcohol or drugs.<br /><br />Since many women suffering from ADHD are unaware that they suffer from the disorder and therefore, they are often not diagnosed. Their symptoms can be difficult to detect because they are often obscured by the hormonal changes of puberty, pregnancy, as well as menopausal changes.<br /><br />Salience Health helps people with ADHD manage their symptoms by using a combination therapy and medication. The use of medications can be extremely beneficial in the treatment of the problem of impulse control. Contact us today to schedule an appointment to talk with us about the treatment options for adults with ADHD.<br /><br />Hyperactivity<br /><br />Women with ADHD may have difficulty staying still and quiet for extended durations of time. Their fidgeting and restlessness could affect their ability to concentrate on tasks at work or school. They also have trouble playing or engaging in leisure activities at a relaxed pace. They could appear easily distracted and not care about what others think. They can also have trouble remembering details of conversations and events they have attended.<br /><br />Additionally, they may struggle to keep commitments and plans. As they age women who suffer from ADHD develop coping strategies to mask their symptoms in order to keep up with expectations and maintain relationships. This can lead to 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 may be misinterpreted as a sign of depression by male colleagues and partners.<br /><br />The symptoms of ADHD are different for women and men however a thorough assessment by a qualified health care professional is vital. Salience Health providers can use tools such as Creyos Cognitive Testing or Brainview Advanced Testing to diagnose and recommend treatment options.<br /><br />A combination of medication and therapy is typically recommended for people who suffer from ADHD including adult women. Therapy techniques such as cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and training in interpersonal skills can assist to change negative thinking patterns and behaviors. Drugs such as stimulant and non-stimulant medications can help manage the symptoms of ADHD in women who are adults. A health care professional can prescribe a medication suitable for you, according to your symptoms, your age and stage of life, primary responsibilities, and any other medical conditions or diseases you have.<br /><br />Social Skills<br /><br />Many people suffering from ADHD struggle to connect with others and feel isolated despite having a large number of coworkers, friends, acquaintances and family members. They are unable to make new acquaintances and maintaining relationships due to their lack of memory, focus problems and impulsivity. This can lead to long periods without having a meaningful conversations, being late to appointments and being absent from social gatherings.<br /><br />These social issues can lead to difficulties at school, work and relationships. The inability to follow through on commitments or promises can cause feelings of being rejected and not loved by family members, friends and even peers. This can lead to depression anxiety, depression, low self-esteem, and a feeling of being unworthy or losing control. In some cases, it can even result in separation or divorce because the unruly behavior can be too much for the partner or spouse who does not have ADHD.<br /><br />Women with ADHD often hide their symptoms by altering their behavior to meet societal expectations and norms. This makes it harder to get an diagnosis, since they might not be as open about their struggles. They might have developed a healthy collection of strategies to hide their symptoms.<br /><br />For instance, they could, use a calendar app to keep their schedules in order or set up reminders for their phones to make sure they pay their bills or attend important occasions. They may be able cope with their inability to multitask by focusing on more than one thing at a time, but still struggle with memory or executive function issues that hinder their ability to plan and manage time.<br /><br />They might also have trouble in reading between the lines or understanding subtexts when listening to other people which can lead to social issues. Getting an accurate diagnosis is the first step toward finding solutions and building stronger bonds with other people. There are numerous resources and solutions available to help in the treatment and medication process.<br /><br />