Signs and Symptoms of ADHD in Women
Women suffering from ADHD are often pushed to different expectations from society on how they can manage their family, careers and home life. This can result in feelings of guilt and anger when your symptoms are getting impeding your progress.
Research has shown that women and girls are frequently under-diagnosed for ADHD compared to boys and men. This could be due to the fact that they hide their symptoms or develop coping strategies to hide them, like:
1. Inattentiveness
One of the most common symptoms of adhd is the difficulty in paying attention in the classroom or at work. Women with adhd often miss important meetings or assignments or are misled by directions. They might also find it difficult to concentrate in noisy or busy environments. People who suffer from ADHD might experience "thousand-yard gazes" or lose focus when they are talking. These symptoms can lead to problems at work or in relationships.
Girls and women are more at risk of undiagnosed ADHD as they grow older. They develop strategies to cover up their symptoms and continue to do so into adulthood. They may even start to view their symptoms as personal traits, which can make them less likely to seek help.
Teachers are not recommending ADHD evaluations as often for girls as they do for males. If a girl's numbness or ADHD is affecting her school performance or social interactions, then she should speak to a medical professional.
Inattention ADHD is a frequent cause of emotional stress. It can be frustrating when you feel that you're not meeting the expectations of your friends or family members as well as colleagues. It can be frustrating to feel like you're not able to get along well with your kids or siblings. Inattention and impulsivity can exacerbate depression and anxiety in some people suffering from ADHD. In addition to seeking assistance there are a few things you can do to lessen the effects of these symptoms. Regular exercise can help release neurotransmitters to improve attention and concentration. It can also reduce mood swings, anxiety and other symptoms that are common among people with ADHD.
2. Impulsivity
The unpredictable symptoms of ADHD can be difficult to manage. You may blurt out things you shouldn't, purchase things on impulse, or even get in trouble with the law because of your behavior. The urge to be impulsive can make it difficult to control your feelings and emotions. This could lead to self-harm, like cutting, burning or scratching yourself. This can cause alcohol or drug abuse.
People with impulsivity can have problems with their relationships, work or school performance. adhd symptoms in women can help you manage your impulsivity by prescribing medications. The use of amphetamine, dextroamphetamine (Adderall, Ritalin) or methylphenidate (Concerta, Daytrana, Methylin) can enhance your impulse control. Non-stimulant drugs 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 type of ADHD can be difficult to detect, resulting in an incorrect diagnosis. Women may conceal their symptoms to conform to societal norms and expectations. This masking can be especially problematic in adolescence and early adulthood. Some women resort to unhealthy coping mechanisms like excessive drinking and drug abuse, to cover up their ADHD challenges.
Women with high-functioning ADHD might conceal their symptoms by excelling in particular areas of their lives, such as school or at work. This could create a false impression that everything is in order and make you feel overwhelmed. Talk to your doctor about the accommodations that you can make at work or in school to manage your ADHD symptoms. This is an excellent opportunity to create awareness among your colleagues or professors of the challenges you may encounter.
3. Disorganization
If you suffer from ADHD, missing appointments or showing up late for work, not remembering dates, and zoning out during conversations can lead to frustration, and leave others feeling unappreciated or offended. The disorder can make it difficult to keep track of your tasks, manage finances and schedules. If you can't remember what you need to get for groceries, you could miss out on meals or spend too much on unnecessary things.
Women who suffer from ADHD have difficulty keeping the daily chores, homework, and bills. The disorder can also contribute to messy workspaces, messy homes, and a tendency to hoard. People who suffer from ADHD experience a concept called "time blindness," which makes it difficult to know how long it has taken and how long you've been working on a particular task. Together with the difficulty of staying focused, problems with time management can cause feelings of guilt and shame over being not 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. Women are often not given a diagnosis until adulthood, when their symptoms are more apparent. In addition, social stigmas and stereotypes can hinder women to receive the help and treatment they need.
Your doctor may recommend medication to help manage your ADHD symptoms. stimulants like methylphenidate and amphetamine can boost and regulate levels of neurotransmitters, which are the brain chemicals that communicate with each other. Nonstimulant medications such as antidepressants and atomoxetine are also used to treat ADHD however they operate slower than stimulants. Your doctor may also recommend you to a mental health specialist, who can help develop an individualized treatment plan that is tailored to your specific needs.
4. Impulsiveness
Women with ADHD may have a hard managing their emotions, and are often more vulnerable to rejection. This is due to the fact that the communication pathway between key brain areas that regulate emotional reactions and interpret what to do with those feelings is affected due to the chemical imbalance associated with ADHD.
Moodiness and depression are common for people with ADHD and the combination of these issues with difficulties in managing obligations can cause problems with relationships with loved ones and family. Women with ADHD might also suffer from low self-esteem and have difficulty in forming relationships and managing social situations. They might wander off in conversations or have difficulty understanding what other people are saying, which could make it difficult for them to find their place in groups.
Women with ADHD might find it difficult to motivate themselves to complete mundane or boring tasks like washing dishes cleaning, or doing laundry. This can result in unhealthy coping strategies like binge watching TV shows or using substances. These types of behaviors are particularly dangerous for young girls as well as adolescents with ADHD who are more likely to engage in risky sexual behaviors, including early initiation of sexual activity, having fewer sexual partners who are protected and more casual sexual activity than their peers.
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. Additionally many women conceal their ADHD symptoms due to the long list of expectations that society places on them (managing the family home and household, for example). It isn't easy for doctors to determine if there is a problem, as the symptoms are easy to detect in men and boys.
5. adhd in women suffering from ADHD can struggle to handle their daily tasks. They may have difficulty managing their lives, paying their bills on time, and keeping up with school/work requirements. A variety of emotional symptoms, including mood swings and difficulty managing emotions, can make it difficult to get along with other people and cause problems in personal relationships.
People with ADHD often have trouble picking up on social cues and understanding body language. They may wander off on a tangent during conversations or struggle to follow the thread of conversation, leading to difficulties with school or work performance and tension in relationships. They may also be having difficulty making new friends or finding a balance between work, home and social activities.
The symptoms of ADHD can vary throughout the day and can be affected by hormone levels, for instance those during menstrual cycles or pregnancy, or when they move through perimenopausal (the menopausal transition). This could lead to confusion or the wrong type of medication being prescribed.
There are a few symptoms and signs common to ADHD that can aid you or a loved one recognize the condition. It is crucial to be aware of these signs to get the treatment and support you require to manage your symptoms effectively.
Being diagnosed with ADHD does not mean that you don't have any other mental health or physical conditions It's crucial that your doctor or therapist performs a thorough evaluation. They will ask you questions regarding your past and current behavior, review your medical history, and talk about how your symptoms affect you in different situations.