AdHD Symptoms in Women
Women with ADHD often have difficulty meeting many societal expectations. This includes taking care of others as well as balancing work and family life, and navigating relationships.
Female ADHD symptoms are more likely to be inattentive-type symptoms than hyperactive/impulsive symptoms. A bias based on gender can cause health care professionals to misdiagnose or fail to recognize ADHD symptoms in girls and women.
1. adhd in women adults and lack of Focus
Having trouble concentrating is one of the most frequent adhd symptoms in women. This problem can manifest in a variety of ways, such as forgetting appointments, not being able finish work or zoning out when talking to others. It's also a typical symptom that can make it hard for women to keep up with their finances. It's often the reason why they aren't able to take advantage of jobs or financial opportunities.
Women may be more adept at masking ADHD symptoms than others and this makes it harder for them to be diagnosed and treated. Researchers don't know why, but they think it may be due to gender roles and the expectation for women and girls to be more "restrained." The act of masking ADHD could lead to underperformance at work or in school, and hinder people from seeking help and help.
Focus issues are also a common symptom and can be confused with other ailments, including depression and anxiety. Depression can affect your concentration by making you forgetful and unmotivated. People with generalized anxiety disorder usually have difficulty focusing due to the fact that they tend to be overwhelmed by their thoughts and emotions.
Treatment is the best method to increase your concentration. This includes finding a therapist or clinician who is experienced in treating ADHD both in women and girls. You should also learn about the kinds of accommodations you can request from your school or employer that allow for flexible working hours or at home. Practicing good sleep hygiene can help you have more restful nights and become more focused throughout the day, including sleeping at the same time each night, listening to calming music or an audiobook before sleeping and limiting time spent on screens.
2. Impulsivity
Women with ADHD are often impulsive. They may be prone to interrupting others or switching topics during a conversation, making quick decisions without thinking, and taking risks that are not the best for their interests. They might also have difficulty reading other people's body language or recognizing social cues. Symptoms of impulsivity can worsen during perimenopausal - the time before menopause - and when hormone levels begin to decline.
Girls and women with ADHD are more likely to have inattentive-type symptoms, which can be harder to notice than hyperactive/impulsive symptoms. This could lead to health care professionals missing ADHD in women and girls and misdiagnosing their symptoms, or dismissing their symptoms as being a mood or anxiety issue. Research on ADHD focuses mainly on men and boys. This could cause the perception of gender bias.
Teachers and parents might notice an impulsive behavior among children who suffer from ADHD. It's normal for kids to be restless, impatient or even impulsive in certain instances. However, these behaviors tend to improve over time as kids grow older and learn to manage their issues.
Adults can experience impulsive and distractible symptoms of adhd can impact work, school and relationships. They can lead to procrastination, forgetfulness, as well as difficulties following through with commitments. They can make it difficult to find and keep jobs. They also can disrupt healthy eating habits.
Adult ADHD is typically treated with medication. Your doctor will recommend a combination of treatments depending on your particular symptoms, your lifestyle, and other health conditions you might have. They may also suggest psychotherapy such as cognitive behavioral therapy, which helps you to recognize and change negative thought patterns, couples counseling, in the event that your relationship is affected by ADHD or family therapy. Exercise can also help to calm your mind and lessen symptoms, particularly in the case of distraction and impulsivity. You can take on activities such as yoga, dancing, and group workouts such as swimming and running.
3. Anxiety
Anxiety disorders are common and can cause a wide array of physical symptoms. These include dizziness and chest pain, heart palpitations, headaches and sweating. They can make people feel as if they are suffering from a heart attack or that the world is coming to an end. People who experience anxiety are often misdiagnosed as having a heart condition because of these physical symptoms. This could result in lengthy medical treatments without addressing the root cause. Fortunately, many anxiety disorders respond well to psychotherapy by itself or in combination with medications. Cognitive behavioral therapy, in particular, can help a person to develop new ways of thinking and responding to situations that can reduce anxiety.
Unlike men and boys, who are more likely to have hyperactive/impulsive ADHD, women are more likely to have the inattentive subtype of the disorder. Women are also more likely to suffer from mixed subtypes. Women should discuss their ADHD symptoms and their doctor will ask them detailed questions about the disorder.
Women suffering from ADHD may have difficulty obtaining the right diagnosis, as many diagnostic tools are geared towards male behavior. Women may also hide their symptoms to fit with society. In the end, they might be underdiagnosed and receive delayed treatment for their ADHD. A trained professional such as a psychiatrist, psychologist or advanced registered nurses can diagnose ADHD. The professional will conduct a thorough history, physical examination and the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Health Disorders to evaluate the symptoms of an individual and determine if they have other conditions that could be contributing to them.
4. Disorganization
Women who suffer from ADHD may experience disordered behavior. This is a constant issue that can lead to disruptions in school and work emotional stress, strain relationships, and financial difficulties. Disorganization is characterized by an inability to organize, such as not keeping track of expenses or appointments, and difficulty making decisions. It can be caused by other problems such as anxiety, a traumatic event in life, or depression. It is difficult to treat.
Some women who suffer from ADHD have a high degree of functioning, and their symptoms don't significantly affect their day-to-day interactions and relationships. This condition is known as "high-functioning ADHD." It doesn't mean they don't experience certain symptoms. They may experience forgetfulness, trouble concentrating, or paying attention to tiny details.
For some, disorder is a constant battle, and it's common for people suffering from ADHD to be prone to searching for lost objects or putting off important tasks. The disorder can affect the quality of their work, and could cause tension in relationships. It can also lead to various health problems, such as sleep disorders or anxiety.
Hormone fluctuations can further aggravate the disorganization of women with ADHD. Estrogen levels decrease during ovulation and in the middle of menstrual cycles, while progesterone is higher and these fluctuations could make ADHD symptoms worse.
It's possible, though biological differences could play a part, some of the disorder or impulsivity in women suffering from ADHD is due to social "norms." Young women and girls are typically socialized to be quiet and reserved, which is why they might suppress or hide their ADHD symptoms.
5. Inattention
Women are often able to mask their attention problems than men do and can result in being underdiagnosed and delayed treatment. They may think that they are better at managing their time and concentration than they are. In reality, these people are likely to lose things and miss appointments, or pay their bills on time. They also have trouble with problems with organization at work and at home.
Women who suffer from ADHD are more prone to develop the inattentive type of the disorder. They're less likely to have the hyperactive/impulsive or mixed symptoms, which must be present in at least two settings for six months to qualify as an ADHD diagnosis. They may also have trouble being quiet and can talk to themselves continuously or speak nonsensical phrases or sounds, though they're less likely to suffer from these symptoms than men are.
For many adults suffering from ADHD the first option for treatment is medication. Drugs that stimulate the brain, such as methylphenidate or amphetamine are commonly prescribed, but nonstimulant medicines that focus on how neurotransmitters interact with the brain could also be effective. These include atomoxetine and guanfacine.
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) can also be beneficial for women with ADHD. These therapies can help you identify automatic or irrational thinking patterns and teach you healthy ways to control your behavior and emotions. A healthy diet and exercise along with medication, can help control ADHD symptoms such as restlessness, impulsivity and disorientation. For energy-boosting, try activities like dancing, yoga, classes in groups such as swimming or aerobics, and biking. Make sure you get 4 to 5 hours of exercise each week of approximately 30 minutes per session. To support your mood and focus, eat a variety vegetables, whole grains and healthy fats.