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Adult Female ADHD Symptoms Hyperactivity and impulsivity are characteristics of ADHD in the early years of childhood, which can cause academic and behavioral issues. It is a lifelong condition however, children tend to outgrow their symptoms. In adulthood, the symptoms of inattention persist and can cause problems at work or school. These symptoms can be triggered or exacerbated by hormone fluctuations during menstrual cycles, pregnancy or menopause. Inattentive symptoms Adults can find the symptoms of inattention ADHD frustrating. They can affect relationships as well as productivity at work and school performance. You might be easily distracted, lose things often, or have difficulty following instructions. You might forget business meetings or appointments, leaving unfinished tasks. You might be overwhelmed by the clutter at home or in the office and have trouble remembering important details of events that occurred in your life. It might be difficult to listen to other people and you may be prone to the thousand-yard stare, in which you look at people but don't hear them. Adults with inattention ADHD may also experience difficulties with their memory, especially during periods of hormonal changes such as menstrual cycles, pregnancy, perimenopause and menopause. This can be particularly challenging for women, who might find that their symptoms are intensified by these times of change. If you suffer from inattentive ADHD, you can often improve your life by becoming aware of and managing your symptoms. It is important to establish realistic goals for yourself and plan ahead. Planners or reminder apps as well as post-it notes to keep track of appointments or deadlines. Break large projects down into smaller parts and complete them one at a time. Take regular breaks and move around to refresh. You may also request accommodations from your employer or school to aid in managing your symptoms. For instance you may be able to work from home, given additional time to complete assignments or tests and offered notetaking assistance in meetings. Many organizations have policies that require them to offer these accommodations for individuals who have disabilities, including ADHD. Women suffering from ADHD who aren't given an assessment may end up feeling angry or frustrated. They might blame themselves for their troubles, or they might believe that they were ignored by doctors or other friends and family members. Some also feel a sense of sadness and regret for the opportunities they missed and the relationships damaged because they never received treatment for their disorder. Research suggests that, compared to males and females women and girls who suffer from inattentive ADHD are not recognized and diagnosed. This is primarily due the fact that their symptoms tend to camouflage. They may appear like anxiety or mood disorders and can cause clinicians to not recognize the problem. They can also develop better coping strategies than males, which could disguise the symptoms of ADHD. Hyperactive Signs and symptoms Hyperactive ADHD symptoms for women and girls may manifest as restlessness or difficulty sitting still. They might feel fidgety or constantly on the move and talkative or have difficulty being able to concentrate in class or at work. Girls are also emotional and have difficulty regulating their emotions. They have to work hard to meet the expectations of society regarding women's behavior, which can lead them to feel inadequate and enduring stress. While the symptoms of female ADHD are different from male ADHD, the condition is still a lifelong disorder. Only 30 percent of adults are believed to overcome ADHD. Women are less likely than men to achieve this. If you've been diagnosed as having adult ADHD, you may find that your symptoms become more severe as you age or go through hormonal changes. You may be noticing that your ADHD symptoms are more intense during puberty, around your menstrual cycle as well as during perimenopause (the period that precedes menopausal). You might find yourself making more mistakes than usual, have difficulty managing your tasks and deadlines, or forget appointments. If you suffer from the inattention type of ADHD, symptoms may also increase during perimenopause or menopause. This is because estrogen levels decrease around ovulation and in the middle of your menstrual cycle, which can cause an increase in your ADHD symptoms. It's possible that these fluctuations explain why many women do not receive an ADHD diagnosis during childhood, and are instead left undiagnosed as adults. When determining the diagnosis, doctors will employ various methods, including rating scales, interviews and other methods to determine if a patient has ADHD. The way you perceive and react to your symptoms is also crucial. Girls and women may hide or cover up their ADHD symptoms to avoid being assessed. This could lead to being misdiagnosed with anxiety or mood disorders. Males and males are more likely than women to be diagnosed with ADHD due to their disruptive behaviors. This is why many of the first ADHD studies were conducted on hyperactive males and females. Instinctive Symptoms Having ADHD can make it difficult to stop impulsive behaviours like hitting your fist against the wall or picking up objects from the floor. It can also make it difficult to think before you act which could cause issues at school or work when you must finish tasks or follow directions without interruptions. As you enter adulthood, the problems with controlling your impulses and organizational skills could become more internalized and less obvious than they were as a child. Hyperactivity can turn into an inner restlessness. The periods of organization may occur in conjunction with periods of procrastination, and feeling overwhelmed. Research shows that women tend to hide their ADHD symptoms more effectively than boys or men. This is due to the fact that it is seen as more acceptable in the social context for men and boys to exhibit ADHD-related behaviors, especially hyperactive or impulsive symptoms. This could be a result of gender stereotypes, like the idea that boys are more raunchy and less organized than girls, which can encourage girls to conceal her ADHD symptoms in order to fit with the other kids. Female ADHD symptoms can be exacerbated by hormonal fluctuations during menstruation or pregnancy. This is because estrogen decreases at the time of ovulation, and decreases even more during the menstrual cycle's start and causes symptoms to flare up. 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 manage the symptoms of ADHD. A combination of medication, therapy and lifestyle modifications can help. Regular exercise can improve your mood, release neurotransmitters and boost your energy and focus. Try participating in sports, aerobic or cardio exercises at home, or in your local gym. It's also important to get enough sleep. A good night's sleep can help reduce fatigue which is often a sign of ADHD. It's important to eat healthy and avoid foods that can trigger ADHD symptoms. Internalizing Symptoms Women suffering from ADHD may have issues in various areas of their life. They are more prone to inattention-deficiency symptoms, and are able to develop strategies to cope such as internalization. This can lead to low self-esteem and negative image of the body. For these reasons, it's especially important that they get diagnosed and receive treatment as adults. For many, getting an diagnosis can be a lightbulb moment, providing an external explanation for the issues they've been having and giving them the chance to accept themselves more fully (Waite 2010). Symptoms can vary in intensity depending on the level of hormones. They can be improved when pregnant and ovulation occurs, and can become more severe as women approach menopausal. Women may find it difficult to maintain relationships and perform everyday tasks during this period. This can result in feelings of unsatisfaction. Forgetfulness and impulsive behavior can also affect relationships. Forgetting birthdays or unfinished projects or not paying your bills on time, can make people feel like you're not paying attention and can cause conflicts. adhd signs in adults suffering from ADHD are often afflicted by rejection sensitivity and have trouble controlling their emotions, which can lead to intense reactions to even perceived rejection or failure. Due to impulsivity, a desire to be part of something, and to be loved, girls and women with ADHD may become sexually active earlier than their peers. This can put them at risk of being victims of violence from intimate partners and STIs due to the fact that they are less likely to take protection or make their partners to do so. They are also more likely to suffer from anxiety or depression that co-occurs and may have a hard keeping friendships. While more research is needed to determine the impact ADHD has on different genders it's evident that females are more likely be undiagnosed, and to have a different experience with the disorder. However, it is possible to receive a diagnosis and receive treatment which can improve relationships and position you for success in the workplace or at school. Your doctor may also recommend therapy, like cognitive behavioral treatment, to help you manage your emotions and thoughts, while replacing negative thinking patterns with more positive ones.