AdHD Symptoms in Women
Women with ADHD struggle to meet society's expectations. This includes caring for others, balancing work and home life, and navigating relationships.
Female ADHD symptoms are more likely to be inattentive-type symptoms than hyperactive/impulsive symptoms. Gender bias can also cause health care professionals to not recognize ADHD in women and girls or misdiagnose them.
1. Inattention and lack of Focus
One of the most common symptoms of adhd in women is the difficulty of in concentrating. It can manifest in different ways, from not remembering appointments to being unable to finish tasks at work to zoning out during conversations and making people feel ignored. It can make it difficult for women to manage their finances and often result in them missing out on financial or job opportunities.
add symptoms in women that some women are more adept at hiding their ADHD symptoms, which could make it harder for them to be diagnosed and treated as adults. Researchers aren't sure why, but they believe it could be due to gender roles and the expectation of girls and women to be more "restrained." The act of masking ADHD could lead to underperformance at work or at school and prevent them from seeking support and help.
The lack of focus can be misinterpreted as other signs like anxiety or depression. For instance, depression could affect your concentration by making you forgetful and unmotivated. People with generalized anxieties trouble concentrating as they tend to be overwhelmed by their thoughts and emotions.
The best way to increase your concentration is to manage your ADHD symptoms through treatment. This involves seeking out a therapist or a clinician who has experience working with ADHD in women and girls. It is also important to know about the options for accommodations from your employer or school that allow for flexible working hours or working at home. Practicing good sleep hygiene can also help you get more restful nights and be more focused during the day, including going to bed at the same time every night, listening to relaxing music or an audiobook prior to going to bed and limiting your screen time.
2. Impulsivity
Women with ADHD frequently exhibit impulsivity signs. They may be prone to interrupting others or shifting topics during conversations, making snap decisions without thinking and taking risks that are not in their best interests. They may also have difficulty reading body language or interpreting social cues. The symptoms of impulsivity are often worse during perimenopausal, the period before menopausal and when hormone levels start 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 can cause health professionals to overlook ADHD in them, not diagnosing them correctly or ignore their symptoms as mood or anxiety problems. Gender bias can be a factor, as research on ADHD is mostly focused on men and boys.
When children with ADHD are young, parents and teachers often observe impulsive behavior. It's not unusual for children to be irritable or irritable at times. However, these behaviors tend to improve over time as kids grow older and learn to manage their problems.
In adults, impulsive and distractible symptoms of adhd can negatively impact work, school and relationships. They can lead to procrastination and forgetfulness, as well as difficulty staying on track with commitments. They can also make finding and keeping a job difficult and interfere with healthy eating.
Treatment for adult ADHD usually involves medication. Your doctor may recommend a combination of treatments based on your symptoms, lifestyle, and any other health conditions. They may also recommend psychotherapy, such as cognitive behavior therapy, which can help you to recognize and change negative thought patterns and couples counseling when your relationship is impacted by ADHD, or even family therapy. Physical exercise can aid in calming your brain and reduce symptoms, particularly in the case of distraction and impulsivity. Try activities such as dancing, yoga, and group exercises like swimming and running.
3. Anxiety
Anxiety disorders are common and can cause a wide array of physical symptoms. Dizziness, headaches, palpitations and sweating are just a few of the symptoms. They can also make a person feel as if they are suffering from an attack of the heart or that the world is coming to an end. People who suffer from anxiety are often misdiagnosed as having a heart problem because of these physical symptoms. This can lead to a long odyssey of medical treatments that do not treat the root cause. Fortunately, many anxiety disorders respond well to psychotherapy alone or in combination with medication. Cognitive behavioral therapy, in particular it can help people develop new ways of thinking or reacting to situations that could 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 be diagnosed with mixed subtypes. It's important for women to discuss their ADHD symptoms with their doctor, who will perform a thorough physical exam and ask questions about how the disorder affects their lives.
Women with ADHD might have difficulty getting a correct diagnosis, as the majority of diagnostic tools are geared towards male behavior. Additionally, women often try to hide their ADHD to fit into society. As a result, they could be overlooked and receive delayed treatment for their ADHD. A trained professional such as a psychiatrist, psychologist or advanced practice registered nurses can diagnose ADHD. The professional will conduct a thorough history, physical exam and the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Health Disorders to analyze the symptoms of an individual and determine if there are any other conditions that could be the cause of their symptoms.
4. Disorganization
Women suffering from ADHD may experience disordered behavior. This is a constant problem that can cause disruptions in school and work emotional stress, strain relationships, and financial issues. Disorganization can be caused by a lack of organizational skills like forgetting to pay bills or make appointments, and having difficulty making decisions. Disorganization can be caused by other issues such as anxiety, a traumatizing experience in life, or depression. It can be difficult to treat.
Some women who suffer from ADHD have a high level of functioning and their symptoms do not have a significant impact on their daily interactions and relationships. This is referred to as "high-functioning ADHD." However, this doesn't mean that they don't have the common symptoms. These include difficulty staying focused or paying attention to particulars, feeling uneasy and in a state of forgetfulness.
For some, disorder is a daily struggle, and it's common for people suffering from ADHD to be prone to searching for lost items or put off important tasks. It can also lead to poor work performance and tension in relationships. It can also cause many health problems, such as anxiety and sleep disorders.
Another issue that can cause disorder in women suffering from ADHD is hormonal fluctuations. Estrogen levels decrease during ovulation, the middle of menstrual cycle, and at the end the cycle, while progesterone levels are higher. These fluctuations can exacerbate ADHD symptoms.
It's possible that, although biological differences can play a part, some of the disorder or impulsivity in women suffering from ADHD is due to social "norms." Young women and girls can be conditioned to be quiet and reserved and this can cause them to hide or suppress their ADHD symptoms.
5. Attention
Women are often able to conceal their attention issues than men which can lead to undiagnosed problems and delayed treatment. In reality, they might even believe they have better concentration and time-management abilities than they do. In reality, these people tend to lose things and forget appointments, or not pay their bills on time. They also face disorganization both at work and at home.
Women with ADHD tend 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 silent, and may even talk to themselves or make nonsensical sounds or phrases. However, they are less likely to suffer from these symptoms than males.
Medication is the primary treatment option for many adults with ADHD. The stimulants methylphenidate and amphetamine are often prescribed, however nonstimulant medications that target the way that neurotransmitters interact with your brain are also available. They include atomoxetine and the guanfacine.
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is also beneficial for women suffering from ADHD. These therapies can help you identify your automatic or irrational thoughts, and also learn healthy ways to regulate your emotions and behavior. Exercise and a healthy diet along with medication can help you manage ADHD symptoms such as restlessness, impulsivity, and distractibility. For energy boosts, try activities like yoga, dancing, classes in groups such as cycling or swimming, and aerobics. Make sure you get four to five sessions of exercise every week for around 30 minutes each session. To boost your mood and attention take a varied diet of foods, including whole grains, vegetables and healthy fats.