Signs and Symptoms of ADHD in Women
Women with ADHD are often subjected to different expectations from society on how they should manage families, careers, and home life. This can result in feelings of shame and frustration when your symptoms are causing you to get out of control.
Research has proven that girls and women are frequently under-diagnosed for ADHD compared to boys and men. This could be due to the fact that they conceal their symptoms or develop strategies to hide the symptoms.
1. Inattentiveness
Having trouble paying attention at work or school is one of the main indicators of adhd. Women with adhd are more likely to miss important meetings or assignments or are misled by the instructions. signs of add in adult women may be unable to concentrate in noisy or busy environments. Some people who suffer from ADHD may have "thousand-yard gazes" or lose focus when they are talking. These symptoms can lead to issues at work or in relationships.
Girls and women are at greater chance of having undiagnosed ADHD as they age. They typically develop coping strategies that cover up their symptoms and use these coping methods until they reach adulthood. They might even begin to view their symptoms as individual characteristics, which can make them less likely to seek help.
In addition, a lot of teachers don't recommend 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 or social interactions, she should speak to a medical professional.
Being inattentional ADHD can cause a lot of emotional stress. It can be difficult to feel as if you're not able to meet the expectations of your coworkers, friends and family members. It can also be frustrating when you feel that you are not able to get along with your children or siblings. Certain people with ADHD suffer from anxiety and depression, which can be exacerbated by their inattention and impulsivity. You can decrease the severity of these symptoms by seeking out help and doing other activities. Regular exercise can help release the neurotransmitters which boost concentration and attention. It also helps reduce anxiety and mood swings which are common among those who suffer from ADHD.
2. Impulsivity
The impulsive symptoms of ADHD can be a challenge to manage. You might say things you shouldn't, or purchase something on impulse. You could also get arrested by the police because of your behavior. In addition, it can be hard to control your emotions and feelings. Self-injury can manifest from burning, cutting, or scratching oneself. This can also result in alcohol or drug use.
People who are impulsive often have issues with relationships and work or school performance. You can manage your impulsivity using medications prescribed by your doctor. Medications like amphetamine and dextroamphetamine (Adderall Ritalin) or methylphenidate (Concerta, Daytrana, Methylin) can help you improve your impulse control. 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. But this type of ADHD is more difficult to detect, which can result in underdiagnosis. Women may conceal their symptoms to conform to societal expectations and standards. This can be particularly challenging during adolescence or early adulthood. Some women use unhealthy ways of coping that include excessive drinking and drug abuse, to hide their ADHD challenges.
Women who have high-functioning ADHD may hide their symptoms by succeeding in certain areas of their lives, like school or work. This can create a false sense of security and can cause you to feel overwhelmed by the demands of everyday life. 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 opportunity to raise awareness among your professors or colleagues of the difficulties you are facing.
3. Disorganization
If you suffer from ADHD and you are unable to keep appointments or showing up late for work, forgetting dates, or snoring during conversations can cause frustration and make others feel at a loss or offended. The condition can make it difficult to keep track of tasks, manage finances and schedules. For example, if you are having trouble remembering what you need to buy for groceries, you might miss out on meals or spend money on unnecessary purchases.
Women suffering from ADHD are unable to keep track of their daily chores, bills and homework. The disorder can also lead to disorganized workspaces, messy homes, and a tendency to hoard. People who suffer from ADHD suffer from a condition known as "time blindness," which makes it difficult to determine how long it has taken and how long you've been working on a task. Combined with difficulty staying focused, time management problems can lead to feelings of guilt and shame about being not organized.
While research has shown that women and girls are more likely to be diagnosed with ADHD than boys and men the symptoms can be hidden and underdiagnosed. Women are often not diagnosed until they reach adulthood when their symptoms become more apparent. Social stigma and stereotypes may make it difficult for women to receive the treatment and support they require.
Your doctor may prescribe medication to manage your ADHD symptoms. Stimulants such as methylphenidate and amphetamine are able to boost and balance levels of neurotransmitters. These are the brain chemicals that communicate with one another. Nonstimulant medicines like antidepressants and atomoxetine can also be used to treat ADHD however they operate slower than stimulants. Your doctor may refer you to an expert in mental health who can help create a treatment plan that is tailored to your specific requirements.
4. Impulsiveness
Women who suffer from ADHD can have difficulty controlling their emotions, and they are more prone to rejection. This is because the communication pathway between key brain areas that regulate emotional responses and interpret what to do with those feelings is disrupted due to the chemical imbalance connected to ADHD.
Depression and moodiness are typical for people with ADHD, and the combination of these symptoms with difficulties in managing obligations can cause problems with family and romantic relationships. Women with ADHD also tend to be less confident in themselves and may have trouble forming friendships and navigating social situations. They may go off on tangents or struggle to comprehend what other people 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 have trouble finding motivation to complete routine or boring tasks like dishes, laundry, and cleaning. This can cause unhealthy coping habits like binge watching TV shows or using substances. These habits can be particularly risky for young girls as well as adolescents with ADHD, who are more likely to engage in risky sexual actions, such as early initiation of sexual activity, fewer protected sexual partners, and more casual sex 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 are unable to recognize their ADHD because of the numerous expectations placed on them by society (managing home and family, for instance). This makes it difficult for health care professionals to recognize that there's an issue, especially since the symptoms are more easily recognized in males and females.
5. Hyperactivity
For women who suffer from ADHD the daily chores can be difficult to handle. They may have trouble managing their lives, making payments on time and keeping track of appointments or school/work requirements. The emotional symptoms, such as mood swings and trouble controlling emotions, may make it difficult to connect with others and create 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 going off on a tangent causing difficulties at school or at work and straining relationships. They may also have a difficult time making new friends or achieving 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, pregnancy or perimenopause. This can result in an incorrect diagnosis or the wrong medication being prescribed.
Everyone faces their own unique difficulties when dealing with ADHD there are a few typical signs and symptoms that can help you recognize the disorder in yourself or a loved one. Recognizing these signs is the first step to getting the support and treatment you need to effectively manage your symptoms.
It is important to remember that ADHD does not mean you are free of other physical or mental disorders. Your therapist or doctor must conduct a thorough examination. They will need to inquire about your present and past behavior and experiences, look at any medical history, and talk with you about how your symptoms impact you in a variety of situations.