Denese Tafoya
Blog entry by Denese Tafoya
Women suffering from ADHD are often not diagnosed due to inattentive symptoms that may be less obvious, gender bias between healthcare professionals, and symptom masking. It is crucial to be diagnosed to improve your relationships and prepare you for success, and help recognize your behavior.
To be diagnosed with ADHD, you need to have at least five ongoing symptoms of inattention and/or hyperactive/impulsive symptoms that interfere with daily life. Check this checklist to identify these symptoms:
Hyperfocus
ADHD can cause people to be so focused on a particular activity that they lose track of the outside world. This is even when the activity isn't productive. Hyperfocus is what this is. While some people, such as writers, artists, and scientists utilize this ability to be successful in their profession, unrestrained hyperfocus can be a problem. It can cause you be late for appointments, suffer setbacks at school or work and cause problems with your family and friends.
Hyperfocus can be difficult to stop if unaware that it is taking place. Make a plan for your day and prioritize daily tasks such as brushing your teeth or taking bath. If you're having a difficult time keeping track of your time then use a timer or alarm clock to help stay on task or have a friend check in with you at regular intervals. It is also helpful to move around and take frequent breaks when working on a project.
Hyperfocus in children is sometimes considered to be positive because it allows them to be engaged in an activity, such as skateboarding, or making things with Legos. However, uncontrolled hyperfocus can lead to problems at school, lower productivity at work, and frayed relations between siblings and parents.
Hyperfocus can make it difficult to determine if your child suffering from a mental illness such as anxiety or depression. These are common in adolescents. This makes it important to seek medical attention if you suspect your child has symptoms of ADHD that affect her daily functioning.
symptoms of add and adhd in adults of ADHD can also increase during certain times in women's lives, such as when she is menstruating or pregnant. This can increase the intensity and frequency of emotional symptoms like irritability and mood swings. It also increases the chance that a woman will be misunderstood by her spouse or colleagues.
The male-to-female ADHD ratio is approximately 2:1 during the early years of childhood. However, the imbalance is less apparent as women begin to receive more ADHD diagnoses after the age of 14. The good news is that there are plenty of options to help girls and women manage their ADHD, and improve their lives.
Procrastination
Procrastination is an atypical adult female ADHD symptom and can cause difficulties in your professional and personal life. This symptom can make it difficult to complete tasks, especially those that require self-regulation and executive functioning skills. People who are prone to procrastination are often in a bind with important school or work assignments and this can hurt their reputations and relationships.
Other symptoms of adult severe adhd symptoms adults include the inability to remember appointments and missing deadlines. You may also be prone to forgetting important details in conversations, or even your own personal needs like paying bills. You may find it difficult to focus in noisy or busy areas, which could lead you to miss opportunities at school or work. You may also be easily distracted by the internet or your phone and may have difficulty staying focused while listening or reading.
People with the hyperactive/impulsive type of ADHD typically have a harder time controlling their emotions than those with the inattentive type. This can result in a variety of emotional challenges ranging from depression and anxiety and mood changes which can have a profound impact on your life. It can also make it difficult to deal with frustration and misunderstandings in the workplace and in personal relationships.
Women are better than males at hiding their ADHD symptoms, which can make it harder to obtain a diagnosis and receive treatment. This is particularly the case for women who suffer from high-functioning ADHD. The signs of inattention are less apparent, and can be concealed by mood disorders or anxiety. School reports tend to focus on academic performance and behavior and not on issues with relationships or social. This can cause girls and women with ADHD to be misdiagnosed and undiagnosed.
There are a variety of treatment options for adults suffering from ADHD which include medication, cognitive behavioral therapy, and lifestyle changes. Speak to your doctor about the best treatment plan for you. Keeping in mind that the purpose of any treatment plan is to help manage your symptoms and improve your daily functioning. Discuss the side effects and benefits of every medication you are taking along with any co-occurring disorders.
Impulsivity
Women and girls with ADHD are more likely to have inattentive symptoms than men and boys, but they're less likely to have the hyperactive/impulsive or mixed subtypes of ADHD. However, the inattention symptoms are very frequent and can cause problems with work, school, and relationships.
Impulsivity is a signification of the inattentive ADD/ADHD type and can result in poor decisions or reckless behavior. It is characterized by an inability to respond to questions prior to being asked, interrupting conversations and purchasing things without thinking about the consequences. These impulsive behaviors can lead to embarrassing situations in social situations, relationship issues and financial problems.
Emotional impulsivity is another common sign of adult adhd symptoms female ADHD. It can cause the impulsive behavior that occurs in response to anger or frustration. The impulsivity of this behavior can also trigger mood swings, which makes it difficult to maintain healthy and supportive relationships.
Women who suffer from ADHD can find it challenging to manage their emotions, which can lead to low self-esteem and anxiety. These negative emotions can negatively impact work performance and lead to missed appointments and health issues. Women suffering from impulsive ADHD often have difficulty making decisions or plan ahead. They might become too dependent on others or have trouble keeping their commitments.
Women and girls with ADHD are more likely of engaging in sexually risky behavior throughout their adolescence, and even into adulthood. This is in contrast to their peers who do not suffer from the disorder. This is due to the fact that sexual activity is valued for social acceptance. Sexual risky behavior among adolescents and young adults with ADHD is a risk factor that can lead to a higher rate of unplanned, teenage or early-stage pregnancies.
There are a variety of ways you can reduce the impulsive behavior. Making sure to pause before doing something and writing down thoughts that may be impulsive could help. Mindfulness or meditation practices can also be helpful in calming the mind and body and removing distractions and controlling impulsiveness. Diet plays a role in managing the impulsiveness. A balanced diet that includes vegetables, fruits and whole grains, as well as high-quality proteins, can improve focus and help prevent an impulsive behaviour. Sleep is a key factor in the reduction of the risk of impulsiveness. Make sure you have a regular sleep routine, using a heavy blanket to calm your mind and body and limiting your screen time during the time before you go to bed.
Emotional Dysregulation
Emotional dysregulation is a common issue that typically affects adults with ADHD. It can be difficult to manage daily challenges and relationships when you are unable to control emotions. It can also lead to self-destructive behaviors like addictions and eating disorders. This can make it difficult to maintain a home, work or school life.
It can be difficult to identify your feelings or understanding what they mean. This can be particularly challenging in the case of a mood disorder, such as anxiety or depression. Symptoms of emotional dysregulation can include difficulty in getting calm after a fight and having frequent outbursts, or getting easily frustrated by small problems and irritations. It is also possible to have difficulty letting go of past experiences or holding grudges.
Females who suffer from ADHD are more susceptible to emotional dysregulation. This is because their symptoms are internalized and they are less likely to be diagnosed with ADHD than boys or men. Symptoms may also be harder to notice because many teachers miss subtle hyperactive-impulsive symptoms in girls, and rating scales for ADHD are still skewed toward male behavior symptoms.
In addition girls with ADHD are often under more pressure than males and boys to conform to social norms. This can be especially difficult for teenage girls who have ADHD because they are going through the hormonal changes that come with puberty and adolescence. Combined with their heightened sensitivity to social and academic pressures, these can be a recipe for emotional dysregulation.
If you are experiencing emotional dysregulation due to ADHD symptoms therapy or medication could be the best option for treatment. Medicine can help regulate your hormones and improve your mood, while therapy can provide the space to deal with emotions of sadness, anger or anxiety.
Whether you choose medication or therapy the best method to treat the issue of emotion dysregulation is to implement steps to improve your sleep. This can be achieved by implementing a routine prior to going to going to bed, doing a meditation routine, or listening to soothing music. A good night's sleep can help you get more energy throughout the day.
Although everyone's experience with ADHD is different It's important to keep in mind that there are ways to manage symptoms and live a fulfilling life. It's not uncommon for people to encounter a combination of treatments, medications or lifestyle changes to determine the best solution.