Adult Female ADHD Symptoms

ADHD in childhood is characterised by impulsivity and hyperactivity that can lead to academic and behavioral problems. It is a lifelong condition however, children tend to outgrow their symptoms.

In adulthood, symptoms of inattention persist and can cause issues at school or work. These symptoms can be caused or worsened by hormonal fluctuations during menstrual cycle and pregnancy, as well as menopausal.

Attentive Signs and symptoms

Symptoms of inattentive ADHD can be very frustrating for adults. adhd adults symptoms can affect relationships, productivity at work and school performance. For example, you may be easily distracted, often lose items, or have trouble following instructions. You might forget appointments or business events, leaving tasks not completed. You may be overwhelmed by clutter in your office or home and have trouble remembering important details of events that occurred in your life. It might be difficult to listen to others and may have what's known as the"thousand-yard stare," where you look at people but you don't listen to them.

Adults with inattentive ADHD may also suffer from memory problems, especially when hormonal changes occur, such as during pregnancy, menstrual cycle, perimenopause, and menopause. This can be particularly difficult for women who believe that their symptoms are aggravated due to these periods.

When you have inattentive ADHD, you can often improve your life by being able to recognize and manage your symptoms. It is essential to set realistic goals for yourself and set a plan of action. You can make use of reminder apps such as planners, post-it notes and planners to keep on top of deadlines or appointments. Break large projects down into smaller parts and complete them one at a time. Take regular breaks to move around and refocus your focus.

You may also request your school or employer for accommodations that might aid in managing your symptoms, for example, the ability to work from home, offering you additional time to complete tests or assignments, or providing notetaking assistance during meetings. Many places have policies that require them to provide these accommodations for individuals who have disabilities, including ADHD.


Women with ADHD who don't receive an assessment may end up with anger or frustration. They may blame their troubles on themselves, or believe that medical professionals or family members have ignored them. Many feel sadness and loss over the opportunities missed and damaged relationships because they did not receive treatment for their condition.

Research suggests that, as compared to boys and men women and girls who suffer from inattentive ADHD are often not diagnosed and recognized. This is due to the fact their symptoms are difficult to recognize. They may appear like mood disorders or anxiety, which leads clinicians to mistakenly diagnose the condition. They also have more effective coping mechanisms than men, which could conceal the root cause of ADHD symptoms.

Hyperactive Symptoms

In women and girls, hyperactive ADHD symptoms can manifest as a lack of rest or difficulty sitting still. They might be fidgety or talkative, or have difficulty focusing in class or at work. Girls can also be susceptible to mood swings, and have difficulties controlling their emotions. They have to work hard to meet the societal expectations of a woman's behaviour which can cause them to feel inadequate and suffer from chronic stress.

While the symptoms of female ADHD are different from male ADHD however, it remains a chronic disorder. Only 30 percent of adults are believed to outgrow ADHD. Women are less likely than men to experience this. If you've been diagnosed as having adult ADHD you might find that your symptoms worsen as you age or undergo hormonal changes.

You may be noticing that your ADHD symptoms are worse in puberty, at the time of your menstrual cycle as well as during perimenopausal (the period that precedes menopausal symptoms). You might notice that you are making more mistakes, having difficulty managing deadlines and assignments or ignoring appointments.

If you are suffering from the inattention type of ADHD symptoms can rise during menopausal perimenopausal. This is due to the fact that estrogen levels decrease around ovulation and during the middle of your menstrual cycle, which can cause an increase in your ADHD symptoms. These fluctuations may be the reason why many women aren't diagnosed with ADHD in their early years but are diagnosed when they become adults.

In the initial diagnosis, doctors will employ various methods, including interviews, rating scales and other methods, to determine if a patient is suffering from ADHD. The way you respond to your symptoms is also vital. For instance, girls and women might conceal or disguise their ADHD symptoms to avoid being judged, which can cause them to be misdiagnosed with anxiety or a mood disorder. Males and females on the other hand are more likely be diagnosed with ADHD because their behavior is more disruptive. This is why many of the original ADHD studies were conducted on hyperactive males and females.

The symptoms of an impulse

Having ADHD can make it hard to stop impulsive behavior like hitting your fist against the wall or picking up things off the floor. It can also make it difficult to think before you act, which can cause problems at work or in school, when you are required to finish tasks or follow directions without interruptions.

As you reach adulthood, these trouble with impulse control and planning and organisational skills may be more internalized and less apparent as they were as young. Obvious hyperactivity could turn into an inner feeling of anxiety, and the time spent being organised might alternate with a propensity for procrastination or feeling overwhelmed.

Research has shown that girls and women tend to hide their ADHD symptoms more than boys and men do. This is partly because it is seen as more acceptable socially for boys and men to exhibit ADHD-related behaviors, especially hyperactive or impulsive symptoms. This can be due to gender stereotyping, such as the idea boys are more boisterous than girls and less organized. This can make it easier for girls to hide her ADHD symptoms in order to fit in with.

Female ADHD symptoms can be aggravated by hormone fluctuations during menstruation or pregnancy. This is due to the fact that estrogen levels decrease around ovulation, and it increases even more at menstrual cycle's beginning and causes symptoms to flare up. It is important that women and girls with ADHD are assessed by a mental health professional or a health care professional when they exhibit these symptoms.

You can manage the symptoms of ADHD. Combining therapy, medication and lifestyle modifications can make a big difference. Regular exercise is a great method to improve your mood and release neurotransmitters to improve concentration, attention and energy levels. Try taking part in aerobic or cardio exercises at home or at your local gym.

It's also crucial to get enough sleep. A good night's rest can help reduce fatigue, which is often a sign of ADHD. It is essential to eat well and avoid eating foods that trigger ADHD symptoms.

Internalizing Symptoms

Women with ADHD may have issues in different areas of their life. They are more likely to have the inattentive symptoms and can develop coping strategies such as internalization. This can result in low self-esteem and a negative image of the body. It is crucial to identify and treat them as adults. For many, getting an diagnosis can be a moment of clarity giving an external explanation for the struggles they've had and helping them accept themselves more fully (Waite 2010).

The intensity of symptoms can vary depending on the hormone levels. They may improve during ovulation and pregnancy and may worsen as women approach menopausal. Women may have difficulty to maintain relationships and manage daily tasks during this time. This can result in feelings of dissatisfaction.

Relationships can be impacted by forgetfulness and impulsive behaviors. The habit of forgetting birthdays, projects that aren't finished or not paying bills on time can make people feel like you're not interested, leading to conflict between people. People with ADHD tend to be extremely sensitive to rejection and have trouble controlling their emotions. This can cause extreme reactions to rejection or failure.

Due to the impulsivity, desire to be part of something, and to be loved, women and girls with ADHD are likely to become sexually active earlier than their peers. They are more likely to be victims of intimate partner abuse and STIs because they don't insist that their partners utilize protection. They are more likely to suffer from anxiety or depression and may have difficulty to keep friendships.

While more research is required to better understand the effects of ADHD on the different genders, it's evident that women tend to be more likely to go undiagnosed and have different experiences with the disorder. However, it's possible to receive a diagnosis and receive treatment which can improve relationships and set you up for success at school or at work. Your doctor might also suggest therapy, like cognitive behavioral therapy, to assist you in managing your emotions and thoughts and replace negative thought patterns with more positive ones.