Signs and Symptoms of ADHD in Women
Women suffering from ADHD are often subjected to different expectations from society about how they should manage family, careers and home life. This can result in feelings of shame and frustration when your symptoms are causing you to get in the way.
Research shows that girls and women are frequently under-diagnosed for ADHD compared to males and boys. This could be due to the fact that they hide their symptoms or develop coping mechanisms to conceal the symptoms.
1. Inattentiveness
Having trouble paying attention at school or at work is among the primary indicators of adhd. People with adhd tend to forget important meetings or projects or are misled by instructions. They may also have trouble staying focused in noisy or crowded settings. People with ADHD may experience "thousand-yard gazes" or zone out during conversations. These symptoms can cause issues at work or in relationships.
Women and girls are at a higher risk of developing undiagnosed ADHD as they grow older. They develop strategies to disguise their symptoms and continue to do so into adulthood. They might even begin to see their symptoms as being personal attributes, which can make it more difficult to seek help.
Additionally, many teachers don't recommend ADHD evaluations for girls as frequently as they do for males. If a girl's numbness or ADHD is affecting her school performance or social interactions, she should talk to a health professional.
Inattentive ADHD is a frequent cause of emotional stress. It can be frustrating when you feel you are not able meet the expectations of your friends or family members as well as colleagues. It can be frustrating to feel that you're not getting along with your children or siblings. Inattention and impulsivity can exacerbate anxiety and depression in certain people with ADHD. You can decrease the severity of these symptoms by seeking assistance and doing other things. Regular exercise can help release neurotransmitters that boost concentration and focus. It can also reduce mood swings and anxiety, which are common among people who suffer from ADHD.
2. Impulsivity
The impulse-driven symptoms of ADHD can be a challenge to manage. You might rant about things you shouldn't, buy something on impulse or even get in trouble with the law because of your actions. In addition, it can be difficult to manage your emotions and feelings. Self-injury could result, such as cutting, burning or scratching oneself. This can result in alcohol or drug abuse.
People with impulsivity often have issues with relationships and school or work performance. You can manage your impulsivity using medications prescribed by your doctor. You can improve your impulse-control with medications like amphetamine, dextroamphetamine and methylphenidate. Non-stimulant medications like clonidine or guanfacine can also improve your ability to manage yourself.
Women are more likely than men and boys to have a hyperactive/impulsive form of ADHD. This kind of ADHD is often difficult to detect, leading to an incorrect diagnosis. Women may conceal their symptoms in order to conform to social expectations and standards. This masking is especially problematic during adolescence or early adulthood. Some women resort to unhealthy coping mechanisms like excessive drinking and substance abuse to hide their ADHD challenges.
Women with high functioning ADHD can mask their symptoms by achieving success in certain areas of their life like school or at work. This could give you a false sense that everything is fine and make you feel overwhelmed. Consult your doctor about any adjustments that you can make at work or in school to manage your ADHD symptoms. This can be an excellent way to increase awareness with your coworkers or professors of the challenges you may face.
3. Disorganization
If you have ADHD then avoiding appointments, showing up late for work, forgetting dates and not paying attention to conversations can result in anger and make others feel unimportant or offended. The disorder can also make it difficult to manage finances and keep track of your schedule, and follow through on tasks. For instance, if are having trouble remembering what you'll need for groceries, you may miss out on meals or spend money on unnecessary purchases.
Women suffering from ADHD often have a difficult to keep track of their daily chores, homework and expenses. The disorder may also contribute to messy workspaces, unorganized homes and a tendency to accumulate. adhd symptoms in women with ADHD experience a concept called "time blindness," which makes it difficult to determine the amount of time that has passed and the length of time you've spent on a task. Time management issues can cause feelings of guilt or shame when they are combined with a struggle to stay organized.
While research suggests that women and girls are more likely to be diagnosed with ADHD than men and boys the symptoms can be hidden and not recognized. Many women don't receive a diagnosis until adulthood when their symptoms become more obvious. Social stigma and stereotypes can make it difficult for women to access the treatment and assistance they need.
Your doctor may prescribe medication to help manage your ADHD symptoms. The stimulants methylphenidate or amphetamine can increase and balance levels of neurotransmitters, which are the brain chemicals that communicate with one another. Antidepressants and atomoxetine, which are non-stimulant drugs are also used to treat ADHD. However they perform more slowly than stimulants. Your doctor might also refer you to a mental health specialist who will help you develop an individualized treatment plan that meets your individual needs.
4. Impulsiveness
Women with ADHD can have difficulty controlling their emotions, and might be more sensitive to rejection. The chemical imbalance that comes with ADHD affects the communication between brain areas that regulate emotions and determine how to handle them.
Moodiness and depression are common for people suffering from ADHD and the combination of these symptoms with difficulties in keeping track of the demands of life can cause issues with family and romantic relationships. Women who suffer from ADHD might also suffer from low self-esteem and have difficulty in forming relationships and managing social situations. They may go off on tangents or have trouble understanding what others are saying. This can make it hard for them to find a place within an organization.
When managing their daily responsibilities women with ADHD may struggle with finding motivation to complete routine or boring tasks like dishes, laundry, and cleaning. This can lead to unhealthy coping behaviors like binge-watching TV shows or taking drugs. These are particularly risky for girls and adolescents with ADHD who are more likely than their peers to engage in risky behaviors such as early sexual activity with fewer protected partners and casual sexual 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 conceal their ADHD due to the many expectations placed on them by society (managing the household and children for example). It isn't always easy for doctors to determine if there is a problem, as the symptoms are easy to recognize in both boys.
5. Hyperactivity
For women suffering from ADHD the daily chores can be overwhelming. They may struggle with managing their lives, paying bills on time, and keeping up with appointments or school/work obligations. Additionally, emotional signs like mood swings and trouble managing their emotions, could make it hard to get along with others and can cause difficulties in personal relationships.
People with ADHD are often unable to pick the social cues and reading body language. They may go off on a tangent in conversations or struggle to follow the thread of a conversation, which can cause issues with school or work performance and strained relationships. They may also have a difficult time making new friends or achieving the right balance between their work, home, and social life.
Symptoms of ADHD can vary throughout the day and be affected by hormone levels, for instance those during menstrual cycles or pregnancy, or as they progress through perimenopause (the menopausal phase). This could result in misdiagnosis or the wrong kinds of medications being used.
Everyone faces their own unique challenges when they live with ADHD, there are some typical indicators and signs that can help you recognize the disorder for yourself or a loved one. It is important to recognize these signs in order to get the treatment and help you need to manage symptoms effectively.
It is important to remember that ADHD does not mean that you are free of other mental or physical conditions. Your therapist or doctor should perform a thorough assessment. They'll ask questions regarding your past and current behaviors, review your medical history, and discuss the impact of your symptoms in different settings.