Signs and Symptoms of ADHD in Women
Women who suffer from ADHD are often faced with different social expectations regarding how they should manage their careers as well as their family and home lives. This can cause you feel frustrated and ashamed when your symptoms hinder your life.
Research has shown that women and girls are consistently under-referred for ADHD as compared to boys and men. This could be due to the fact that they hide their symptoms or develop strategies to cover them.
1. Inattentiveness
One of the most prevalent symptoms of adhd is the difficulty in paying attention in school or at work. Women with adhd are more likely to miss important meetings or assignments or are misled by instructions. They may also have trouble concentration in noisy or crowded settings. People who suffer from ADHD may exhibit what's called "thousand-yard stares" and lose focus during conversations. These symptoms can lead to issues at work or in relationships.
Girls and women can be especially susceptible to being diagnosed with ADHD particularly as they age. They develop coping strategies that disguise their symptoms and continue to do so until adulthood. They might even begin to identify their symptoms as being personal attributes, which can make it harder for them to seek help.
Many teachers do not suggest ADHD assessments as often for girls as they do for males. If a girl's inattentive ADHD is impacting her school performance or social interactions, then she should speak to a health professional.
Inattention ADHD is a frequent reason for emotional stress. It can be difficult to feel like you're not able to meet the expectations of your colleagues, friends and family members. It can also be upsetting when you feel like you're unable to get along with your siblings or children. Certain people suffering from ADHD have anxiety and depression, which can be exacerbated by their impulsivity and inattention. You can reduce the severity of these symptoms by seeking out help and doing other things. Regular exercise can help release neurotransmitters that improve concentration and focus. It also helps reduce mood swings and anxiety, which are common in people with ADHD.
2. Impulsivity
ADHD symptoms can be difficult to manage. You may blurt out things you shouldn't, purchase something on impulse or get into trouble with the law due to your actions. In addition, it can be hard to manage your emotions and emotions. This can lead to self-injury, like cutting, burning or scratching yourself. This can lead to drug or alcohol use.
People who are impulsive usually have problems with relationships and work or school performance. Your doctor can help you manage your impulsivity with prescription medications. Drugs like amphetamine and dextroamphetamine (Adderall Ritalin, Adderall) or methylphenidate (Concerta, Daytrana, Methylin) can improve your control over impulses. Non-stimulant medications like clonidine or 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. But this type of ADHD is difficult to spot, which can result in underdiagnosis. Women may conceal their symptoms in order to conform to social expectations and norms. This is particularly problematic in the adolescent or early adulthood. Some women employ unhealthy coping strategies such as excessive drinking and substance use to cover up their ADHD issues.
Women who suffer from high functioning ADHD can mask their symptoms by achieving success in certain areas of their life like school or at work. This can give you feeling unsecure and make you feel overwhelmed by the demands of everyday life. Talk to your doctor about the accommodations that you can make at work or at school to manage your ADHD symptoms. This can be a great way to build awareness among your colleagues or professors of the challenges you might face.
3. Disorganization
If you have ADHD and you are unable to keep appointments or showing up late for work, not remembering dates and becoming oblivious during conversations can lead to frustration and leave others feeling unappreciated or offended. The disorder can also make it difficult to manage your finances and keep track of your schedule and complete tasks. If you aren't able to remember what you'll need for groceries, then you could miss out on meals, or spend too much on unnecessary things.
Women with ADHD often have a difficult to keep track of their everyday chores, homework and even paying bills. The disorder can also contribute 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 project. Combined with difficulty staying focused, issues with time management can lead to feelings of guilt and shame 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. attention deficit disorder in women aren't diagnosed until they reach the age of adulthood when their symptoms become more apparent. Social stigma and stereotypes may hinder women to access the care and support they require.
Your doctor may prescribe medication to help manage your ADHD symptoms. Stimulants like methylphenidate or amphetamine increase and balance neurotransmitters - the brain chemicals that communicate. Nonstimulant medicines like atomoxetine and antidepressants are also used to treat ADHD however they operate slower than stimulants. Your doctor may refer you to an expert in mental health, who can assist in developing a treatment program specific to your needs.
4. Impulsiveness
Women suffering from ADHD can have difficulty controlling their emotions, and they might be more sensitive to rejection. This is due to the fact that the pathway of communication between brain regions that regulate emotional reactions and interpret what to do with these feelings is disrupted by the chemical imbalance that's caused by ADHD.
Depression and moodiness are common for those with ADHD and the combination of these symptoms with difficulty keeping track of responsibilities can lead to trouble with family and romantic relationships. Women who suffer from ADHD also tend to be less confident in themselves and may struggle to form friendships and navigating social situations. They might go on tangents in conversations or have difficulty comprehending what other people are saying, which could make it difficult for them to determine their place in a group.
When managing their daily responsibilities, women with ADHD may struggle with finding motivation to complete routine or boring tasks like laundry, dishes, and cleaning. This could lead them to develop unhealthy coping methods that include binge-watching television shows or consuming substances. These habits can be particularly dangerous for young girls as well as adolescents with ADHD who are more likely to engage in risky sexual behavior, such as early beginning of sexual activity, having 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 conceal their ADHD because of the numerous expectations set by society (managing the household and children, for instance). It isn't always easy for doctors to identify that there is a problem since the symptoms are easy to recognize in both boys.
5. Hyperactivity
Women who suffer from ADHD may have difficulty managing their daily tasks. They may have trouble managing their time and paying their bills on time and keeping up with school/work requirements. Additionally, emotional issues like mood swings and difficulties controlling their emotions, can make it hard to get along with others and can cause difficulties in relationships between people.
People suffering from ADHD frequently have difficulty picking social cues or understanding body language. They may wander off on a tangent during conversations or struggle to follow the conversation, which can cause issues with school or work performance and strained relationships. They may also have difficulty 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 affected by hormone levels, such as those that occur during menstruation or pregnancy, or when they move through perimenopause (the run-up to menopause). This could lead to misdiagnosis or the wrong types of medications being used.
Although everyone faces different difficulties when dealing with ADHD, there are some typical signs and symptoms that can help you identify the condition in yourself or a loved one. It is crucial to be aware of these signs to receive the treatment and help you require to manage your symptoms effectively.
The fact that you have ADHD does not mean that you don't have any other physical or mental health issues It's crucial that your therapist or doctor conducts a thorough examination. They will ask you questions about your past and present behaviors, look over your medical history, and talk about how your symptoms affect you in various settings.