ADHD Symptoms in Women
Adult women with ADHD face unique challenges. If left untreated, the symptoms can create havoc in relationships and at work life.
The gender bias and the tendency for girls and women to camouflage their symptoms make it difficult to diagnose. However, increased awareness means more adults are getting the help they require. ADHD symptoms in women differ from those of men, and are often aggravated by hormonal fluctuations during the menstrual cycle, pregnancy and menopause.
Inattentive Type Symptoms
Women with inattentive ADHD might have trouble keeping on track in completing tasks and making mistakes. They might also be unable to comprehend or make mistakes that are not their fault. They may be unable to keep the track of their obligations, such as paying bills, returning calls, or even sending birthday cards. They may also forget appointments and are often late for social or work occasions or show up late to meetings.
The symptoms of inattentive type ADHD are less noticeable than hyperactivity-impulsivity symptoms in boys and men, so it's possible that women and girls who have these symptoms don't receive a diagnosis until adulthood. Patients who don't seek help for their symptoms can experience emotional stress. This can lead to poor relationships, or co-occurring disorders such as anxiety and depression.
The challenges of living with ADHD that isn't properly treated can be overwhelming. For some, it leads to self-blame and unhealthy coping habits like excessive drinking and substance abuse. Others resort to unhealthy habits like eating too much and dieting. Teenagers and young girls might self-injure themselves to alleviate their frustration over not being able to meet social expectations. This may take the form of cutting or burning.
Because of signs of adhd in adults 's no surprise that women suffering from inattentive ADHD are prone to anxiety and depression and anxiety, which makes it more difficult to manage their ADHD symptoms. In addition women with these conditions may also have low self-esteem, which makes it difficult to realize that their issues are caused by mental health issues rather than being their fault.
Girls with inattention ADHD may also have trouble understanding social cues, which can make them appear distant or unobservant to other people. They may miss jokes or misread body language and be accused of being rude or offensive. They may also have difficulties with impulse control, which means they could disrupt others or utter insulting words.
To increase their concentration, it's essential for women with inattentive type ADHD to get enough sleep every night and avoid caffeine, nicotine and stimulants. They should also exercise regularly, which helps raise neurotransmitters that help with concentration and can help reduce mood swings.
Symptoms of Hyperactive/Impulsive Type
Women and adolescent girls with the hyperactive/impulsive type of ADHD can find it hard to concentrate or organize. This can result in an unorganized home and difficulties paying bills on time. They may also forget their appointments or the names and faces of their family members and friends. They are easily distracted or bored and can't wait to be heard. They are less likely to show the internalizing symptoms of depression or anxiety, which tends to be more prevalent in boys and men.
It can be harder to identify and diagnose hyperactive/impulsive ADHD in women than in boys or men. Because these symptoms are more prevalent in boys and men healthcare professionals may not recognize these symptoms in women and girls or might ignore them, putting them down to mood issues or gender stereotypes. ADHD rating scales also tend to be skewed towards male behavior, making these symptoms difficult to measure and identify in women.
The good news is that there are options to manage ADHD as an adult woman and this includes taking medication. Finding a therapist or clinician who is skilled in treating ADHD among girls and women is key. The kind of treatment suggested will be based on the signs and the lifestyle. It may include cognitive behavioral therapies to confirm your experience and assist you to change negative thinking patterns, family psychoeducation or support group work.
Some people can lessen their symptoms by following an established schedule of sleep exercise regularly, and eating a balanced diet. For others, stimulant medications like dextroamphetamine/amphetamine (Adderall), methylphenidate (Ritalin) or lisdexamfetamine (Vyvanse) may be required.
During menopause, when hormone levels drop, many symptoms of ADHD get worse. During this period, try to maintain a close eye on your health, schedule doctor's appointments, track your symptoms, and adhere to your treatment plan carefully. You can also consult your doctor to modify the type or dosage of your medications if required. Talk with your counselor or therapist about the difficulties you face in managing your symptoms and how they impact you at work, at home, and in relationships. They may also suggest ways to improve your communication with others and your partner.
Mixed Type Symptoms
Women who have mixed type ADHD often have difficulty in work and school however they do not exhibit the hyperactive or impulsive signs of the other subtypes. They may forget appointments and documents, or lose important documents or pay bills, and have difficulty finishing tasks at home. Symptoms of this form of the disorder could include interrupting others, blurting out answers, and speaking without thinking. Women who suffer from this type of the disorder also experience difficulty maintaining relationships and friendships and may find it difficult to be a self-sufficient person.
In a lot of cases, family friends, teachers, or even family members are the only ones who can notice the inattentive symptom of ADHD. In the end, young women and girls suffering from ADHD are not diagnosed. The gender bias and the tendency of those with ADHD to camouflage their symptoms also contributes to underdiagnosis.
Symptoms of this type of ADHD are influenced by hormone fluctuations that occur during puberty, and during pregnancy and menopause. In these times hormone levels decrease, and progesterone increases. This makes ADHD symptoms more apparent and exacerbates them. Furthermore, the symptoms tend to vary day-to-day, depending on the levels of progesterone and estrogen. This could result in misdiagnosis, and in the wrong or inadequate treatment.
In addition to medication, psychotherapy can be used to manage symptoms of the combined type. This includes cognitive behavior therapy, which assists change negative thoughts and behaviors and psychoeducational counseling. Both are accessible online and through local mental clinics.
Getting regular physical activity, such as swimming, walking or running can help improve focus and attention. It also helps release neurotransmitters that boost brain function and decrease feelings of stress or anxiety, which are common in those suffering from ADHD. Making sure to take regular breaks, establishing daily routines and using strategies for organization are also ways to better manage ADHD. Support groups can be beneficial in learning about lifestyle changes and strategies for coping. For some professionals, an ADHD coach is an excellent option for individualized, individual guidance. Some people with this disorder also benefit from cognitive or interpersonal therapy. Therapists can help the person to become aware of how their behavior impacts others and help them develop communication skills.
Symptoms of Adult Type
Women who suffer from ADHD are likely to exhibit different symptoms than men. Diagnosing and treating the condition in women is complicated by gender-based expectations. This makes it difficult for teachers or parents to determine if girls are having issues with her attention or hyperactivity. It can also be concealed by depression or mental health issues which makes it difficult to recognize. The symptoms can also change in response to hormones, such as those that occur during menstrual cycles or during menopausal pregnancy.
Women with ADHD are more likely to suffer from inattention symptoms. You tend to forget things, have trouble remembering details, and become distracted by other people or your thoughts. Your inattention ADHD can impact your schoolwork, work as well as marriages and other relationships. You might have difficulty paying bills, following directions or keeping an eye on appointments. Your family and friends may be aware. Your boss or teacher may observe that you are having trouble getting tasks completed on time or have difficulty staying focused during meetings.
If you have the hyperactive/impulsive type of ADHD, your symptoms are more noticeable than inattentive ones. You're always in motion, you disrupt other people, talk excessively or make up nonsense without considering what you're saying. You're unable to wait for your turn or keep eye contact. You may be irritable and suffer from mood swings that can be difficult for your family and friends to tolerate.
It can be difficult to manage your emotions, particularly when you're dealing with stress and trauma. You might react more strongly to criticism or even start fights even if the situation is not serious. It may be easier to deal with these feelings by engaging in self destructive actions like drug and alcohol consumption, or unhealthy eating patterns.
The appropriate treatment can help women suffering from ADHD improve their lives. You might consider working with a life coach or joining an online ADHD support group. You could also seek assistance from a professional counselor who has had experience working with women suffering from this disorder. You might want to talk to a psychiatrist who can help you better understand how your genes or brain activity may impact your ADHD symptoms.