Signs and Symptoms of ADHD in Women
Women suffering from ADHD are often pushed to different expectations from society about how they can manage their family, careers and home life. This can cause you be embarrassed and frustrated when your symptoms hinder your life.
Research has proven that girls and women are frequently under-diagnosed for ADHD compared to boys and men. This could be because they conceal their symptoms or develop coping strategies to hide them, like:
1. Inattentiveness
One of the most common signs of adhd is difficulty paying attention at the classroom or at work. Women with this condition often miss important meetings, get behind on their work or become confused when trying to follow directions. They may also have trouble concentrating in noisy or crowded spaces. Some people who suffer from ADHD may experience "thousand-yard gazes" or zone out during conversation. These symptoms can lead to problems at work or with relationships.
Women and girls are more at risk of undiagnosed ADHD as they age. They develop coping strategies that disguise their symptoms and continue to do so until adulthood. They might even begin to view their symptoms as personal traits, which can make them less likely to seek assistance.
Many teachers do not suggest ADHD assessments as often for girls as they do for males. If a girl's numbness or ADHD is impacting her school performance or social interactions, then she should speak to an expert in health.
Being a bit inattentional ADHD can lead to an abundance of emotional stress. It can be frustrating when you feel you're not able to meet the expectations of friends or family members, as well as coworkers. It can be a bit depressing to feel like you're not able to get along well with your children or siblings. Inattention and impulsivity can increase anxiety and depression in some people with ADHD. In addition to seeking help, there are things that you can do to reduce the impact of these symptoms. Regular exercise can help release neurotransmitters which boost concentration and focus. adhd in adult women helps reduce anxiety and mood swings, which are common among those with ADHD.
2. Impulsivity
The impulse-driven symptoms of ADHD can be a challenge to manage. You might say things that you shouldn't or purchase items on impulse. You could also get arrested by the police because of your actions. It can be difficult to control your feelings and emotions. This could lead to self-harm, such as burning, cutting or scratching yourself. This can also result in alcohol or drug use.
People who are impulsive often have issues with relationships and school or work performance. You can control your impulsivity using medications prescribed by your doctor. You can increase your control over impulses with medicines like amphetamine dextroamphetamine, as well as the methylphenidate. Nonstimulant drugs like clonidine and guanfacine can also improve your ability to control yourself.
Women are more likely than men and boys to have a hyperactive/impulsive form of ADHD. However, this type of ADHD is more difficult to detect and can lead to underdiagnosis. Women can hide their symptoms to conform to societal norms and expectations. This masking can be especially difficult in adolescence and adulthood. Some women even employ unhealthy coping strategies that include drinking excessively and substance use, to conceal their ADHD issues.
Women with high-functioning ADHD may hide their symptoms by succeeding in specific areas of their lives, such as school or at work. This could create a false impression that everything is in order and cause you to feel overwhelmed. Ask your doctor about accommodations that you can make at work or in school to manage your ADHD symptoms. This is a great opportunity to educate your colleagues or professors of the challenges 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 and becoming oblivious during conversations can lead to frustration and make others feel at a loss or offended. The condition can make it difficult to keep track of tasks as well as manage schedules, finances and financial obligations. For instance, if struggle to remember 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 managing their the daily chores, homework assignments and even paying bills. The disorder can also lead to disorganized homes, messy workspaces and a tendency to hoard. People 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 project. Problems with time management can lead to feelings of shame or guilt when combined with difficulty staying organized.
While research suggests that girls and women are more likely to be diagnosed with ADHD than men and boys The symptoms can be concealed and undiagnosed. Women are often not diagnosed until they reach adulthood when their symptoms become more apparent. Additionally, social stigma and stereotypes may make it difficult for women to access the help and treatment they require.
Your doctor may prescribe medication to help you manage your ADHD symptoms. stimulants such as amphetamine or methylphenidate boost and balance neurotransmitters - the brain chemicals that communicate. Antidepressants and atomoxetine, which are non-stimulant drugs can also be used to treat ADHD. However they perform more slowly than stimulants. Your doctor could refer you to an expert in mental health, who can assist in developing a treatment program that is tailored to your specific needs.
4. Impulsiveness
Women suffering from ADHD may have trouble controlling their emotions, and might be more sensitive to rejection. The chemical imbalance associated with ADHD disrupts the communication between brain areas that regulate emotions, and also interpret how to deal with these emotions.
Moodiness and depression are common for people with ADHD and the combination of these symptoms with difficulty keeping track of obligations can cause problems with family and romantic relationships. Women who suffer from ADHD also be less confident in themselves and may have trouble forming friendships and managing social situations. They might go on tangents in conversations or have difficulty understanding what other people are saying, which can make it difficult for them to find their place within groups.
Women suffering from ADHD may find it difficult to keep themselves motivated to complete mundane or boring tasks such as washing dishes, cleaning, or doing laundry. This can cause them to develop unhealthy coping habits like binge-watching TV shows or consuming substances. These behaviors can be especially risky for girls in their teens 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 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 hide their ADHD symptoms because of the a myriad of expectations that society puts on them (managing the home and the family for instance). This makes it difficult for health professionals to see that there's an issue, particularly since the symptoms are more easily identified for men and boys.
5. Hyperactivity
Women who suffer from ADHD can find it difficult to manage their daily tasks. They may have trouble managing their lives, paying bills on time and keeping track of appointments or school/work requirements. In addition, emotional symptoms such as mood swings and difficulties managing their emotions, could make it difficult to get along with others and can cause difficulties in relationships between people.
People with ADHD are often unable to pick the social cues and reading body language. They can go off on a tangent within conversations or have trouble following the thread of conversation, which can cause problems with work or school performance and tension in relationships. Home may also have a difficult time making new friends or finding the right balance between work, home and social life.
The symptoms of ADHD are able to change throughout the day, and can be affected hormonally such as during menstruation, pregnancy or perimenopause. This can lead either to an incorrect diagnosis or the wrong medication being prescribed.
While everyone struggles with different challenges when they live with ADHD There are a few common signs and symptoms that can help you spot the disorder in yourself or a loved one. It is crucial to recognize these signs in order to get the treatment and assistance you require to manage your symptoms effectively.
The fact that you have ADHD does not mean that you don't have other mental health or physical conditions, so it's important that your doctor or therapist conducts a thorough assessment. They'll have to ask questions about your current and past actions and experiences, examine any medical history, and speak with you about how your ADHD symptoms affect you in a variety of situations.