AdHD Symptoms in Women
Women with ADHD struggle to meet societal expectations. This includes taking care of others as well as balancing work and family life, and navigating relationships.
Female ADHD symptoms are more likely to be inattentive-type symptoms than hyperactive/impulsive symptoms. The gender bias can cause health care professionals to not recognize ADHD in women and girls or misdiagnose them.
1. Inattention and lack of Focus
Having trouble concentrating is one of the most prevalent symptoms of adhd in women. It's a condition that can show up in many different ways, ranging from forgetting appointments to not being able to finish tasks at work, or snoring during conversations, making people feel ignored. It's also a common symptom that can make it hard for women to keep track of their finances. It's often the reason why they do not get jobs or financial opportunities.
It's possible that some women are more adept at hiding their ADHD symptoms, which may make it more difficult to be diagnosed and treated as adults. Researchers aren't sure why that is, but they speculate that it could be related to traditional gender roles and the notion that women and girls should be more "restrained." The act of masking ADHD symptoms could lead to poor performance at school or work and may hinder them from seeking the help and support they need.
The lack of focus can be mistaken for other conditions like anxiety or depression. For instance, depression may influence your concentration by making you forgetful and irritable. People suffering from generalized anxiety disorder are unable to concentrate because they are often overwhelmed by their thoughts and emotions.
The best way to increase your ability to concentrate is to control your ADHD symptoms with treatment. That means finding a clinician or therapist with experience in ADHD for girls and women. It's also an excellent idea to find out about accommodations that you can ask your employer or school for, such as flexible hours or working at home. Good sleep hygiene will also aid you in having more restful nights, and to be more focused throughout the day. This includes going to bed each night at the same time, and listening to soothing music or an audiobook and limiting your screen time.
2. Impulsivity
Women who suffer from ADHD often have impulsivity symptoms. This can be as simple as interrupting other people or changing topics during a conversation, making quick decisions without thinking and taking risks that are not in their best interests. They might also have difficulty understanding body language or interpreting social cues. The signs of impulsivity may increase during perimenopausal - the time prior to menopausal symptoms - and also when hormone levels begin to decrease.
Girls and women with ADHD are more likely to have inattentive-type symptoms, which can be harder to notice than hyperactive/impulsive symptoms. This could cause health professionals to miss ADHD in these individuals, or mistakenly diagnose them or ignore their symptoms as a result of anxiety or mood problems. The gender bias could also play a role as research on ADHD is predominantly focused on men and boys.
When children with ADHD are young, teachers and parents sometimes observe the impulsive behavior of children. It's normal for kids to be impatient, restless or even impulsive in certain instances. These behaviors are likely to improve as children age and learn to manage their symptoms.
Adults can experience impulsive and distractible symptoms of adhd can impact school, work and relationships. They can lead to delays, forgetfulness, and trouble following through on commitments. They can also make it difficult to find and keep jobs and can interfere with healthy eating habits.
Treatment for adults with ADHD usually involves medication. Your doctor will recommend various treatments based on your particular symptoms as well as your lifestyle and other health conditions you might have. Psychotherapy may also be recommended that includes cognitive behavioral therapy to help you recognize and change negative thoughts patterns and couples counseling when your relationship has been impacted by your ADHD, or family therapy. Exercise can calm your mind, reduce symptoms and assist you in staying focused. This is especially true for impulsivity and distraction. Try activities such as yoga, dancing and group exercises, such as running and swimming.
3. Anxiety
Anxiety disorders can lead to various physical symptoms. These include dizziness, chest pain and heart palpitations, headaches and sweating. These symptoms can make someone believe they are suffering from stroke or that the world is close to ending. People who experience anxiety are often misdiagnosed as having a heart issue because of these physical symptoms. This can result in a long medical treatment without addressing the root cause. Psychotherapy is effective for most anxiety disorders, whether it's used on its own or in conjunction with medications. Cognitive behavioral therapy, specifically can help someone to develop new ways of thinking or responding to situations that can reduce anxiety.
Unlike men and boys, who are more likely to have hyperactive/impulsive ADHD, women are more likely to have the inattentive subtype of the disorder. Women may also be more likely to suffer from a mixed subtype. Women should talk to their doctor about their ADHD symptoms with their doctor and will ask them specific questions about the disorder.
Women suffering from ADHD might have difficulty getting an accurate diagnosis due to the fact that many of the diagnostic tools used for the disorder are biased towards male behavior. Women might also hide their symptoms to fit in with society. As a result, they could be overlooked and receive delayed treatment for their ADHD. A trained professional, such as a psychiatrist, psychologist or advanced registered nurses can diagnose ADHD. The provider will use thorough medical background, physical examination, and the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Health Disorders to evaluate the symptoms of a person and determine if there are other conditions that could be contributing to them.
4. Disorganization
Women who suffer from ADHD might experience disorganization, which is a constant issue that can cause disruption to work and schoolwork habits as well as cause emotional stress. It can strain relationships and contribute to financial issues. Disorganization is often characterized by a lack of organization for example, not paying bills or keeping appointments, or having difficulty making decisions. Disorganization can be caused by other issues like anxiety, traumatizing event in life, or depression. It is difficult to treat.
Certain women with ADHD are able to perform at a high degree and their symptoms don't significantly impact their daily life or relationships. This condition is referred to as "high-functioning ADHD." However it doesn't mean they don't experience some of the usual symptoms. These include forgetfulness, difficulty concentration, or paying attention to tiny details.
For some, disorder is a constant battle and it's normal for people with ADHD to spend a lot of time looking for lost items or put off important tasks. It can also result in poor work performance and tension in relationships. It can also cause various health problems, such as anxiety and sleep disorders.
Another cause of disorganization in women with ADHD is hormonal fluctuations. Estrogen levels are lower during ovulation and at the middle of the menstrual cycle, while progesterone is more abundant and these fluctuations can make ADHD symptoms worse.
While biological differences between the genders may play a part however, it's also possible that some of the disorganization and impulsivity associated with ADHD in women is linked to social "norms." Young women and girls can be socialized to be reserved and quiet and can cause them to hide or suppress their ADHD symptoms.
5. Attention
Women are often able to hide their attention issues than men do and can result in being underdiagnosed and delayed treatment. In reality, they might even believe they have better focus and time-management abilities than they actually do. In reality, they're likely to lose things or forget appointments, pay bills on time and have trouble coordinating their work and home.
adhd in adult women test suffering from ADHD are more likely to develop the inattentive type of the disorder. They're less likely to have the hyperactive/impulsive or mixed symptoms, which must be present in at least two settings for six months to qualify as an ADHD diagnosis. They may also have trouble speaking to themselves or make a variety of nonsensical sounds or phrases. However, they're less likely to suffer from these symptoms than men.
Medication is the first treatment option for many adults with ADHD. Stimulants like methylphenidate or amphetamine are usually prescribed, but nonstimulant medications that target the way neurotransmitters interact with your brain are also available. They include atomoxetine and guanfacine.
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) can be beneficial for women suffering from ADHD. These treatments can help you recognize the irrational or automatic thinking that is present and help you learn healthy ways to manage your mood and behavior. A healthy diet and exercise, in addition to medication, can help control ADHD symptoms like restlessness, impulsivity and disorientation. To boost your energy levels try activities such as yoga, dancing, group classes such as aerobics or swimming and biking. Try to exercise for at minimum four to five times every week, each lasting about 30 minutes. To support your mood and focus take a varied diet of vegetables, whole grains and healthy fats.