An Intermediate Guide Towards Female ADHD Symptoms

inattentive adhd symptoms and hyperactivity are the characteristics of ADHD in childhood, which can cause behavioral and academic issues. It is a chronic condition that children typically overcome the symptoms. In adulthood, symptoms of inattention persist and can cause issues at school or at work. These symptoms can also be triggered or aggravated by hormonal fluctuations during menstrual cycles, pregnancy or menopause. symptoms of add of inattentive ADHD can be extremely frustrating for adults. They can thwart relationships, work productivity and school performance. You may be easily distracted, lose things often or have difficulty following instructions. You may forget meetings or appointments, leaving unfinished tasks. Your office or home could be cluttered, and you might have trouble remembering important details about events in your life. It might be difficult to concentrate on others, and have what's called the “thousand-yard stare,” where you look at people but you don't hear them. Adults with inattentive ADHD might also have issues with their memory, especially during times of hormonal changes, such as pregnancy, menstrual cycles, perimenopause and menopause. This is particularly challenging for women who believe that their symptoms are aggravated due to these periods. You can live a better life if you've been diagnosed with inattention ADHD. Plan ahead and set realistic goals. You can make use of reminder apps such as planners, post-it notes and planners to keep on top of deadlines or appointments. Try breaking large projects into smaller tasks and tackle them one at a time. Take breaks regularly to move around and refocus your attention. You may also request accommodations from your school or employer to aid in managing your symptoms. For example you may be permitted to work at home, given extra time to complete tests or assignments and given notestaking assistance during meetings. Many places have policies requiring them to offer accommodations for those with disabilities, such as ADHD. Women with ADHD who don't receive a diagnosis may be left feeling angry or frustrated. They might blame their issues on themselves, or believe that medical professionals or family members have dismissed them. Many feel sadness and loss over the lack of opportunities and damaged relationships because they were not treated for their condition. According to research, girls and women with inattentive ADHD have been under-diagnosed as compared to boys and men. This is due to the fact that their symptoms are often difficult to identify. They can look like mood disorders or anxiety, which leads clinicians to misdiagnose the condition. They can also develop more effective coping mechanisms than men, which may conceal the root cause of ADHD symptoms. Hyperactive symptoms In girls and women Hyperactive ADHD symptoms can manifest as restlessness or trouble sitting still. They may be fidgety or constantly on the go and talkative or have difficulty being able to concentrate at school or work. Girls can also be susceptible to mood swings, and have difficulties controlling their emotions. They are unable to satisfy the expectations of society regarding a woman's behaviour and this can cause women to feel inadequate and enduring stress. While the symptom-profile of females with ADHD is different than those of males however, it is a chronic disorder. Only 30% of adults are believed to outgrow ADHD. Women are less likely than men to experience this. If you've been diagnosed with adult ADHD You may discover that your symptoms worsen as you age or undergo hormonal changes. For example, you might discover that your ADHD symptoms are more severe during puberty, at or around the menstrual cycle, and in menopausal perimenopause, which is the period leading up to full-blown menopause. You may be noticing that you make more mistakes than usual, have difficulty keeping up with tasks and deadlines or you forget appointments. If you have the inattentive-type of ADHD symptoms, they may also intensify during perimenopause and menopausal. This is because estrogen decreases around ovulation and during the middle of your menstrual cycle which can lead to an increase in ADHD symptoms. It's possible that these fluctuations are the reason many women don't receive an ADHD diagnosis during childhood, and instead are left undiagnosed when they become adults. In the initial diagnosis process, doctors will use a mix of interviews, rating scales as well as other methods to determine if you have ADHD. It is also important to take note of how you react to and interpret your symptoms. For instance, women and girls may conceal or cover up their ADHD symptoms to avoid being judged which could lead them to be misdiagnosed with anxiety or a mood disorder. Men and boys are more likely than women to be diagnosed with ADHD because of their disruptive behavior. This is why many of the first ADHD studies were conducted on hyperactive males and girls. Instinctive Symptoms ADHD can make it difficult to control impulse-driven behaviors like picking up things off the floor or striking your fist against the wall. It can also make it difficult to think before you act which could cause issues at work or school when you must complete tasks or follow instructions without interruptions. As you grow older as you age, your issues with control of your impulses, planning and organisational abilities may become internalized and less apparent than when you were a kid. The obvious hyperactivity can turn into an inner feeling of anxiety, and the time spent being organised could coincide with the tendency to procrastinate or feeling overwhelmed. Research has shown that girls and women tend to cover up their ADHD symptoms more often than males and boys do. This is due to the fact that it is seen as more acceptable in the social context for men and boys to display ADHD-linked behaviors particularly impulsive or hyperactive symptoms. This could also be due to gender stereotypes, for instance the belief that boys are more boisterous and less organized than girls. This can encourage girls to conceal her ADHD symptoms in order to fit with the other kids. Female ADHD symptoms can be made worse by hormone fluctuations during menstruation or pregnancy. This is because estrogen levels drop during ovulation and then increase during the beginning of menstruation. This causes symptoms to become more severe. This is why it's important for girls and women with ADHD to be examined by a health care provider or mental health professional when they experience these symptoms. You can master the symptoms of ADHD. Combining medication, therapy and lifestyle modifications can make an enormous difference. Regular exercise can boost your mood and release neurotransmitters, as well as increase energy and focus. Try doing some aerobics, sports or cardio exercises in your local gym or at home. It's also important to get enough rest. A good night's sleep can reduce fatigue which is often a sign of ADHD. Finally, it's vital to eat well and avoid eating foods that can trigger ADHD symptoms in you. Internalizing Symptoms Women suffering from ADHD may experience particular difficulties throughout the various aspects of their lives. They are more prone to inattentive symptoms, and are able to develop coping strategies such as internalization. This can result in low self-esteem and negative image of the body. Because of this, it's essential to be diagnosed and receive treatment as adults. For many, receiving the diagnosis could be a turning point giving an external explanation for the difficulties they've had and helping them accept themselves more fully (Waite, 2010). The intensity of symptoms may vary based on the hormone levels. Symptoms can be improved during pregnancy or ovulation and can worsen as you approaching menopausal. Women may have difficulty to maintain relationships and perform everyday tasks during this period. This can lead to feelings of dissatisfaction. Forgetfulness and impulsive behavior can also affect relationships. Inattention to birthdays, incomplete projects or not paying bills on time can make people feel like you're not paying attention, which can lead to interpersonal conflict. People with ADHD are often afflicted by rejection sensitivity and have trouble controlling their emotions which can cause intense reactions to failure or rejection. Because of impulsivity, a desire to be part of something, and to be loved, girls and women with ADHD might develop sexually active earlier than their peers. They are more likely to become victimized by abuse from intimate partners and STIs because they don't insist on their partners using protection. They are also more likely to suffer from anxiety or depression co-occurring with it and may have a difficult keeping friendships. While more research is needed to understand the impact ADHD has on different genders, it's clear that females are more likely to not be diagnosed, and to have a distinct experience with the disorder. It is, however, possible to get a diagnosis and receive treatment which can improve relationships and set you up for success in the workplace or at school. Your doctor may also recommend therapy, such as cognitive behavioral therapy, to assist you in managing your emotions and thoughts and replace negative thought patterns with healthier ones.