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 to feel frustrated and ashamed when your symptoms hinder your life.
Research shows that girls are more likely to be diagnosed with ADHD than both males and females. This could be due to the fact that they hide their symptoms or develop strategies to cope with them, like:
1. Inattentiveness
Having trouble paying attention at work or school is among the most common signs of adhd. People with adhd tend to forget important meetings or projects, or are misguided by the instructions. They may also have difficulties concentrating in noisy or crowded environments. People who suffer from ADHD might experience "thousand-yard gazes" or lose focus during conversation. These signs can cause problems at work or in relationships.
Women and girls are particularly at risk for undiagnosed ADHD especially as they grow older. They frequently develop coping mechanisms that hide their symptoms and continue to use these coping methods throughout their adulthood. They might even begin to consider their symptoms 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 lack of attention to ADHD is affecting her school performance or social interactions, she should talk to an expert in health.
Inattentive ADHD is a frequent cause of emotional stress. It can be difficult to feel as if you're not able to meet the expectations of your friends, co-workers and family members. It can also be frustrating when you feel like you're unable to get along with your siblings or children. Certain people suffering from ADHD suffer from anxiety and depression and anxiety, which can be made worse by their impulsivity and inattention. You can reduce the severity of these symptoms by seeking help and doing other things. Regular exercise can help release neurotransmitters which boost concentration and focus. It can also help reduce anxiety and mood swings, which are common among people who suffer from ADHD.
2. Impulsivity
ADHD symptoms can be difficult to manage. You might make comments you shouldn't, or purchase something on impulse. You could also get in trouble with the police due to your conduct. Impulsivity can also make it difficult to manage your emotions and emotions. This can lead to self-injury like cutting, burning or scratching yourself. It can also lead drug and alcohol abuse.
People with impulsivity can have difficulties with their relationships, their work or school performance. You can control your impulsivity by taking medication prescribed by your doctor. Medications like amphetamine and dextroamphetamine (Adderall Ritalin) or methylphenidate (Concerta, Daytrana, Methylin) can improve your ability to control your impulses. Non-stimulant drugs like clonidine or guanfacine could also help to control your impulses.
Women are more likely than men and boys to have a hyperactive/impulsive form of ADHD. But this kind of ADHD is difficult to spot and could result in underdiagnosis. Women might hide their symptoms to comply with social expectations and norms. This type of masking can be particularly difficult in adolescence and adulthood. Women may use unhealthy strategies for coping such as excessive drinking and drug use to cover up their ADHD problems.
Women who suffer from high functioning ADHD may mask their symptoms by having success in particular areas of their life, such as at school or at work. This can create feeling unsecure and can cause you to feel overwhelmed by the demands of daily life. Consult your doctor about the accommodations you can receive at work or school that can aid you in managing your ADHD symptoms. This is an excellent opportunity to create awareness with your coworkers or professors about the challenges you might face.
3. Disorganization
If you suffer from ADHD, missing appointments or being late for work, forgetting dates, or snoring during conversations can cause frustration, and leave others feeling unappreciated or offended. The disorder can make it difficult to keep track of your tasks, manage finances and schedules. For instance, if you are having trouble remembering what you'll need for groceries, you might not be able to cook your meals or spend money on unnecessary purchases.
Women who suffer from ADHD are unable to keep the track of their daily chores, bills and homework. The disorder may also contribute to messy workspaces, messy homes and a tendency to accumulate. The "time blindness" that ADHD sufferers have makes it difficult for them to determine how long has been passed or how much time they've been working on a particular task. Problems with time management can lead to feelings of shame or guilt when they are combined with a struggle to stay organized.
Research shows that girls, women and boys are more likely than males to suffer from ADHD. However, the signs can be misdiagnosed or masked. A lot of women don't receive an diagnosis until they reach adulthood and their symptoms become more apparent. In addition, social stigmas and stereotypes could make it difficult for women to get the support and treatment they need.
Your doctor may prescribe medication to manage your ADHD symptoms. The stimulants methylphenidate or amphetamine are able to boost and regulate levels of neurotransmitters. These are the brain chemicals which communicate with one another. Nonstimulant medicines like antidepressants and atomoxetine are also used to treat ADHD, but they work slower than stimulants. Your doctor may refer you to a specialist in mental health who can help create a treatment plan that is tailored to your specific needs.
4. Impulsiveness
Women who suffer from ADHD are more likely to struggle with controlling their emotions, and they are more prone to rejection. The chemical imbalance associated with ADHD interferes with brain's communication between the areas that regulate emotions, and also interpret how to deal with them.
People suffering from ADHD are more prone to moodiness and depression. This, in conjunction with a difficulty in keeping track of their responsibilities can lead to problems with relationships with family and romantic partners. adhd in women adults with ADHD may also have low self-esteem and have difficulties forming relationships and navigating social situations. They may wander off in a tangent or have difficulty understanding what other people are saying. This could make it difficult for them to find a spot within the group.
Women with ADHD might find it difficult to keep themselves motivated to complete simple or boring tasks like washing dishes cleaning, or doing laundry. This could lead them to develop unhealthy coping strategies, such as binge-watching TV shows or taking drugs. These types of behaviors are particularly dangerous for young girls and teens with ADHD, who are more likely to engage in sexually dangerous actions, such as early initiation of sexual activity, 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. Many women hide their ADHD due to the numerous expectations placed on them by society (managing home and family for example). This makes it difficult for health care professionals to see that there's a problem, especially because symptoms are more easily recognized in males and females.
5. Hyperactivity
Women suffering from ADHD might struggle to handle their daily tasks. They may have difficulty organizing their lives, paying bills on time, and keeping up with appointments or school/work requirements. A variety of emotional symptoms, including mood swings and trouble controlling emotions, may make it difficult to interact with other people and cause issues in relationships between people.
People with ADHD often have trouble picking up on social cues and understanding body language. They can go off on a tangent in conversations or have trouble following the thread of conversation, causing problems with work or school performance and strained relationships. They may also have difficulty making new friends or balancing work, family, and social life.
The symptoms of ADHD can change throughout the day and can be affected hormonally like during menstrual cycles or pregnancy, or even perimenopausal. This can lead to misdiagnosis, or the wrong type of medication being taken.
Everyone faces their own unique challenges when they live with ADHD there are a few typical signs and symptoms that can help you spot the condition in yourself or a loved one. It is important to recognize these signs in order to get the treatment and support you require to manage your symptoms effectively.
It is important to understand that ADHD does not mean you are immune to other physical or mental conditions. Your doctor or therapist should perform a thorough assessment. They'll ask questions regarding your past and current behaviors, review your medical history, and talk about the impact of your symptoms in different situations.