Signs and Symptoms of ADHD in Women
Women with ADHD are often pushed to different expectations from society about how they should manage families, careers, and home life. This can cause you feel frustrated and ashamed when your symptoms cause problems.
Research has proven that women and girls are frequently under-diagnosed for ADHD when compared to boys and men. This could be due to the fact that they hide their symptoms or develop coping mechanisms to cover their symptoms.
1. Inattentiveness
One of the most frequent symptoms of adhd is difficulty paying attention in school or at work. Women with adhd are more likely to forget important meetings or tasks, or are misguided by instructions. They may also have difficulty concentrating in noisy or crowded spaces. People who suffer from ADHD might experience "thousand-yard gazes" or lose focus during conversations. These symptoms can cause difficulties at work or in relationships.
Girls and women can be especially susceptible to being diagnosed with ADHD especially as they grow older. They often develop coping mechanisms that mask their symptoms and continue to use these coping methods throughout their adulthood. They might even begin to see their symptoms as personal characteristics, which could make them less likely to seek assistance.
A lot of teachers do not recommend ADHD evaluations as often for girls as they do for males. If a girl's lack of attention to ADHD is affecting her school performance or social interactions she should talk to an expert in health.
Being a bit inattentional ADHD can create lots of emotional stress. It can be difficult to feel like you're not capable of meeting the expectations of your friends, co-workers and family members. It can be frustrating to feel like you're unable to get along with your siblings or kids. Inattention and impulsivity can increase anxiety and depression in some people suffering from ADHD. You can lessen the severity of these symptoms by seeking out help and doing other things. Regular exercise can help release neurotransmitters that boost concentration and focus. It can also reduce anxiety, mood swings and other symptoms that are common among those suffering 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 because of your actions. It can also make it difficult to manage your emotions and feelings. Self-injury can manifest from cutting, burning or scratching oneself. It can also lead alcohol and drug abuse.
People with impulsivity can have difficulties with their relationships, their work or school performance. Your doctor can help you manage your impulsivity with prescription medications. The use of amphetamine, dextroamphetamine (Adderall, Ritalin) or methylphenidate (Concerta, Daytrana, Methylin) can enhance your ability to control your impulses. Non-stimulant drugs such as clonidine and Guanfacine can also enhance 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 can be difficult to recognize, leading to the wrong diagnosis. Women may conceal their symptoms in order to conform to social expectations and expectations. This masking can be especially problematic in the adolescent years and early adulthood. Women may employ unhealthy coping strategies, like excessive drinking and substance use to hide their ADHD problems.
Women with high-functioning ADHD might conceal their symptoms by excelling in particular areas of their lives, like school or work. This can 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 a great way to educate your colleagues or professors of the issues you have to face.
3. Disorganization
If you have ADHD then missing appointments, showing up late to work, forgetting dates and zoning-out during conversations can result in anger and make others feel unimportant or offended. The disorder can also make it difficult to manage your finances and keep track of your schedule and keep track of tasks. If you don't know what you need to get for food, you might be unable to eat, or spend too much on unnecessary things.
add in adult women who suffer from ADHD struggle to keep the daily chores, bills and homework. The disorder may also contribute to messy workspaces, messy homes, and a tendency to accumulate. People with ADHD suffer from a condition known as "time blindness," which makes it hard to see the amount of time that has passed and how long you've been working on a project. Combined with difficulty staying focused, problems with time management can cause feelings of guilt and shame over being not organized.
Research shows that women, girls and boys are more likely than men to have ADHD. However, symptoms may be misdiagnosed or concealed. Many women are not diagnosed until they reach the age of adulthood when their symptoms become more apparent. Social stigma and stereotypes can also hinder women to receive the care and support they require.
Your doctor may recommend medication to help manage your ADHD symptoms. stimulants like methylphenidate and amphetamine can boost and balance 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, but they work slower than stimulants. Your doctor might also recommend you to a mental health specialist, who can help develop an individual treatment plan that addresses your particular needs.
4. Impulsiveness
Women with ADHD may have trouble controlling their emotions, and might be more sensitive to rejection. The chemical imbalance associated with ADHD interferes with communication between brain areas that regulate emotions and interpret how to handle these emotions.
People suffering from ADHD are prone to depression and moodiness. This, in conjunction with the difficulty keeping track of their responsibilities can lead to problems with romantic and family relationships. Women who suffer from ADHD may also have a low self-esteem, and have difficulty forming relationships and navigating social situations. They may wander off in a tangent or struggle to comprehend what others are saying. This can make it hard for them to find a place within the group.
Women with ADHD may find it difficult to get motivated to finish routine or boring tasks, like washing dishes, cleaning, and doing laundry. This can cause them to develop unhealthy coping habits that include binge-watching television shows or consuming substances. These habits can be particularly risky for girls in their teens as well as adolescents with ADHD who are more likely to engage in sexually risky behavior, such as early beginning of sexual activities, fewer protected sex partners, 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. Many women hide their ADHD due to the many expectations that society places on them (managing home and family for example). It isn't always easy for doctors to determine if there is a problem because the symptoms are easy to detect in men and boys.
5. Hyperactivity
Women with ADHD may have difficulty managing their daily tasks. They may have trouble organizing their lives and paying their bills on time, and keeping up with work and school obligations. The emotional symptoms, such as mood swings and difficulties in controlling emotions, may make it difficult to get along with other people and cause issues in relationships between people.
People with ADHD are unable to discern body language or social cues. They may struggle to follow a conversation or go off on a tangent, causing difficulties at school or at work and causing tension in relationships. They can also have a difficult time making new friends or achieving the right balance between home, work, and social life.
Symptoms of ADHD can vary throughout the day and can be influenced by hormone levels, like those that occur during menstruation or pregnancy, or as they progress through perimenopausal (the menopausal phase). This can lead either to a misdiagnosis or a wrong type of medication being prescribed.
Everyone faces their own unique issues when it comes to ADHD there are a few typical signs and symptoms that can help you identify the condition in your loved one. It is crucial to identify these signs to receive the treatment and help you require to manage your symptoms effectively.
Having ADHD doesn't mean it doesn't mean you're not suffering from other physical or mental health conditions, so it's important that your therapist or doctor conducts a thorough examination. They'll need to inquire about your present and past behaviors and experiences, review any medical history, and discuss with you about how your symptoms impact you in various settings.