Signs and Symptoms of ADHD in Women
Women suffering from ADHD are often subjected to different expectations from society regarding how they should manage family, careers and their home lives. This can cause you feel frustrated and ashamed if your symptoms get in the way.
Research has shown that girls are more likely to be diagnosed with ADHD than both males and females. This could be because they conceal their symptoms or use coping strategies to hide them, like:
1. Inattentiveness
One of the most common symptoms of adhd is difficulty paying attention in school or at work. People with adhd tend to forget important meetings or projects, or are misguided by the instructions. They may also have trouble concentrating in noisy or crowded spaces. Certain people who suffer from ADHD may experience "thousand-yard gazes" or a tendency to lose focus when they are talking. These symptoms can cause difficulties at work or in relationships.
Girls and women are more at chance of having undiagnosed ADHD as they grow older. They develop strategies to cope that mask their symptoms, and continue to do so until adulthood. They may even begin to see their symptoms as individual characteristics, which can make them less likely to seek assistance.
In addition, many teachers don't suggest ADHD assessments for girls as frequently as they do for boys. However should a girl's lack of attention ADHD symptoms have a negative effect on her school performance and social interactions, she should speak to a healthcare professional.
Inattentive ADHD is a frequent reason for emotional stress. It can be a frustrating experience to feel like you're not capable of meeting the expectations of your coworkers, friends and family members. It can be a bit depressing to feel as if you're unable to get along well with your siblings or kids. Some people with ADHD suffer from anxiety and depression, which can be exacerbated by their inattention and impulsivity. You can lessen the severity of these symptoms by seeking help and doing other things. Regular exercise can help release the neurotransmitters that boost concentration and attention. It can also reduce mood swings and anxiety, which are common among people who suffer from ADHD.
2. Impulsivity
ADHD symptoms can be difficult to manage. You might say things you shouldn't or buy something on impulse. You could also find yourself in trouble with the police due to your conduct. It can be difficult to control your feelings and emotions. This can lead to self-injury, such as burning, cutting or scratching yourself. This can lead to drug or alcohol abuse.
People with impulsivity can have issues with their relationships, school or work performance. You can control your impulsivity using medications prescribed by your doctor. You can increase your control over impulses by taking medications such as amphetamine, dextroamphetamine, and methylphenidate. Nonstimulant medications like clonidine or Guanfacine can also help to better control your impulses.
Women are more likely than men and boys to have a hyperactive/impulsive form of ADHD. This kind of ADHD can be difficult to detect, resulting in the wrong diagnosis. Women may hide symptoms in order to conform to social expectations and standards. This can be particularly problematic in the adolescent years and early adulthood. Some women use unhealthy ways of coping like excessive drinking and substance abuse, to cover up their ADHD problems.
Women who suffer from high functioning ADHD can mask their symptoms by achieving success in particular areas of their lives, such as at school or at work. This can lead to an illusion of security and can cause you to feel overwhelmed by the demands of daily life. Ask your healthcare provider for accommodations at school or at work to aid you in managing your ADHD symptoms. This is a great chance to inform your professors or colleagues of the challenges you are facing.
3. Disorganization
If you suffer from ADHD then avoiding appointments, arriving late for work, not remembering dates and zoning-out during conversations can result in frustration and make others feel snubbed or offended. The disorder can also make it difficult to manage finances manage schedules, keep track of appointments and keep track of tasks. For instance, if are having trouble remembering what you need to buy for groceries, you might be unable to eat or spend too much on unnecessary items.
Women with ADHD struggle to keep the track of their daily chores, bills and homework. The disorder can also lead to messy homes, messy workspaces and a tendency to accumulate. The "time blindness" that ADHD patients are prone to makes it difficult to know how long has been spent or how long they've worked on a specific task. Together with the difficulty of staying focused, issues with time management can lead to feelings of guilt and shame about being not organized.
Research shows that women, girls and boys are more likely than males to have ADHD. However, the symptoms can be misdiagnosed or masked. Many women are not diagnosed until they reach adulthood when their symptoms become more evident. In addition, social stigmas and stereotypes can make it harder for women to access the help and treatment they need.
Your doctor might recommend medication to help you manage your ADHD symptoms. Stimulants like methylphenidate or amphetamine boost and balance neurotransmitters - brain chemicals that talk to each other. Antidepressants and atomoxetine which are nonstimulant medications can also be used to treat ADHD. However, they work more slowly than stimulants. Your doctor may also refer you to a mental health specialist who will help you develop an individualized treatment plan that meets your specific requirements.
4. Impulsiveness
Women suffering from ADHD might have a difficult managing their emotions and often feel more sensitive to rejection. This is due to the fact that the communication trail between brain regions that regulate emotional responses and interpret what to do with those emotions is disrupted by the chemical imbalance that's connected to ADHD.
Depression and moodiness are typical for those with ADHD and the combination of these issues with difficulties in managing responsibilities can lead to trouble with relationships with loved ones and family. Women with ADHD also have a lower self-esteem and may have trouble forming friendships and navigating social situations. They might go off on tangents or struggle to comprehend what other people are saying. This makes it difficult for them to find a place within an organization.
Women with ADHD may find it difficult to motivate themselves to complete simple or boring tasks such as washing dishes, cleaning, or doing laundry. This can lead to unhealthy coping behaviors like binge watching television shows or consuming substances. These behaviors are especially dangerous for girls and adolescents with ADHD who are more likely than their peers to engage in risky behavior like early sexual activity and fewer partners who are protected and informal sex.
As adults, women with ADHD are more likely to go undiagnosed or be misdiagnosed than men because they tend to have inattentive symptoms instead of hyperactivity/impulsivity symptoms. Many women hide their ADHD due to the many expectations that society places on them (managing home and family for instance). This can make it difficult for health care professionals to recognize that there's a problem, especially because the symptoms are more readily recognized in boys and men.
5. Hyperactivity
For women who suffer from ADHD the daily chores can be difficult to handle. They may struggle with organizing their lives and paying their bills on time and keeping up with school/work requirements. Additionally, emotional signs, such as mood swings and trouble regulating their emotions, can make it difficult to connect with others and cause problems in relationships with family and friends.
People with ADHD frequently have difficulty picking the social cues and understanding body language. They may struggle to follow a conversation or going off on a tangent which can cause issues at school or at work and causing stress in relationships. They might also have trouble making new friends or finding the right balance between their home, work, and social life.
The symptoms of ADHD are able to change throughout the day, and may be affected by hormones like during menstrual cycles and pregnancy, or during perimenopausal perimenopausal cycles. This can lead to misdiagnosis, or the wrong types of medications being prescribed.
There are certain signs and symptoms that are typical of ADHD that can aid you or someone you love to identify the disorder. Recognizing these symptoms is a great first step towards getting the help and treatment you need to manage your symptoms effectively.
It is important to remember that ADHD does not mean that you are immune to other physical or mental conditions. Your therapist or doctor should perform a thorough assessment. They will need to ask questions about your past and present behaviors and experiences, examine any medical history, and speak with you about how your ADHD symptoms affect your life in a variety of settings.