Signs and Symptoms of ADHD in Women
Women with ADHD are often pushed to different expectations from society regarding how they should handle their careers, families and their home lives. This can result in feelings of guilt and anger if your symptoms are getting out of control.
Research has proven that girls and women are consistently under-referred for ADHD compared to boys and men. This could be because they mask their symptoms or use strategies to cope with the signs, for example:
1. Inattentiveness
Finding it difficult to focus at work or school is one of the main signs of adhd. Women with adhd are more likely to forget important meetings or tasks, or are misguided by the instructions. They may also have trouble concentration in noisy or crowded environments. People with ADHD may experience "thousand-yard gazes" or lose focus during conversations. These symptoms can lead to problems at work or with relationships.
Women and girls are more at chance of having undiagnosed ADHD as they grow older. They typically develop coping strategies that mask their symptoms and then continue to use these coping methods until they reach adulthood. They might even begin to see their symptoms as personal traits, which can make them less likely to seek assistance.
Many teachers do not suggest ADHD evaluations as often for girls as they do for males. If a girl's inattentive ADHD is impacting her school performance or social interactions she should talk to a health professional.
Having inattentive ADHD can cause lots of emotional stress. It can be a frustrating experience when you feel you're not able to meet the expectations of friends or family members as well as colleagues. It can also be upsetting when you feel you are not able to connect with your children or siblings. Inattention and impulsivity can cause anxiety and depression in certain people with ADHD. women and adhd can decrease the severity of these symptoms by seeking out help and doing other activities. Regular exercise can release neurotransmitters that boost concentration and attention. It can also reduce mood swings, anxiety and other symptoms that are common among people with ADHD.
2. Impulsivity
ADHD symptoms can be difficult to manage. You may say things you shouldn't or buy something on impulse. You could also get arrested by the police because of your actions. It can also make it hard to manage your emotions and emotions. This can lead to self-injury such as burning, cutting or scratching yourself. This could also result in alcohol or drug abuse.
People who are impulsive often have issues with relationships as well as school or work performance. You can manage your impulsivity using medications prescribed by your doctor. Drugs like amphetamine and dextroamphetamine (Adderall Ritalin) or methylphenidate (Concerta, Daytrana, Methylin) can help you improve your ability to control your impulses. Non-stimulant drugs such as clonidine and Guanfacine can also enhance your ability to manage yourself.
Women are more likely than men and boys to have a hyperactive/impulsive form of ADHD. This kind of ADHD can be difficult to detect, resulting in an incorrect diagnosis. Women may conceal their symptoms to conform to societal standards and expectations. This masking is especially problematic in the adolescent or early adulthood. Women may employ unhealthy coping strategies that include drinking excessively and drug use to cover up their ADHD issues.
Women who suffer from high functioning ADHD might cover up their symptoms by achieving success in particular areas of their life like school or at work. This can make you believe that everything is going well 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 can be a great way to build awareness among your colleagues or professors about the challenges you may encounter.
3. Disorganization
If you suffer from ADHD then you may be unable to attend appointments, arriving late for work, forgetting dates, or avoiding conversations can result in frustration and make others feel ignored or offended. The disorder can also make it difficult to manage finances manage schedules, keep track of appointments, and follow through on tasks. If you can't remember what you need to get for food, you could miss out on meals or spend too much on unnecessary things.
Women with ADHD are unable to keep track of their daily chores, homework, and bills. The disorder can also lead to messy homes, messy workspaces and a tendency to pile up. The "time blindness" that ADHD patients have makes it difficult for them to determine how long has passed or how long they've worked on a specific task. Time management issues can cause feelings of guilt or shame when combined with difficulty staying organized.
Research has shown that girls, women and boys are more likely than men to suffer from ADHD. However, high functioning adhd in women can be misdiagnosed or masked. Women are often not given an diagnosis until they reach adulthood when their symptoms become more evident. Social stigma and stereotypes can hinder women to access the treatment and support they need.
Your doctor may prescribe medication to help manage your ADHD symptoms. The stimulants methylphenidate or amphetamine can boost and regulate levels of neurotransmitters. These are the brain chemicals which communicate with one another. Nonstimulant medicines like atomoxetine and antidepressants are also used to treat ADHD however they operate slower than stimulants. Your doctor might refer you to a specialist in mental health who will assist in creating a treatment plan specific to your needs.
4. Impulsiveness
Women suffering from ADHD may have a hard to control their emotions and are often more sensitive to rejection. The chemical imbalance that is associated with ADHD disrupts the communication between brain areas that regulate emotions and interpret how to deal with these emotions.
Depression and moodiness are common for people with ADHD, and the combination of these with difficulties in managing obligations can cause problems with relationships with loved ones and family. Women who suffer from ADHD are also more likely to have lower self-esteem and may struggle to form friendships and navigating social situations. They might go off on tangents or struggle to comprehend what other people are saying. This can make it hard for them to find a spot within the group.
Women with ADHD may have difficulty to keep themselves motivated to complete mundane or boring tasks such as washing dishes, cleaning, and washing laundry. This can cause them to develop unhealthy coping strategies like binge-watching TV shows or abusing substances. These behaviors are especially dangerous for teens and girls with ADHD who are more likely than other kids to engage in risky activities such as early sexual activity, fewer protected partners, and casual sex.
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. In addition many women conceal their ADHD symptoms because of the a myriad of expectations society puts on them (managing the home and the family, for example). This can make it difficult for health care professionals to recognize that there's an issue, especially since the symptoms are more easily identified in boys and men.
5. Hyperactivity
For women who suffer from ADHD, everyday tasks can be difficult to handle. They may have difficulty organizing their lives, paying their bills on time and keeping up with school/work requirements. Additionally, emotional issues like mood swings and trouble regulating their emotions, can make it difficult to be a good friend and can cause difficulties in relationships between people.
People with ADHD are unable to discern body language or social cues. They can go off on a tangent during conversations or have trouble following the thread of conversation, causing problems with work or school performance as well as strained relationships. They might also have trouble making new friends or finding the right balance between home, work, and social life.
Symptoms of ADHD can be different throughout the day and can be influenced by hormone levels, like those during menstrual cycles, pregnancy, or as they progress through perimenopausal (the menopausal phase). This can lead to misdiagnosis, or the wrong type of medications being used.
While everyone struggles with different issues when it comes to ADHD there are a few typical symptoms and signs that can help you recognize the condition in yourself or a loved one. Recognizing these symptoms is a great first step towards getting the support and treatment you require to effectively manage your symptoms.
Having ADHD does not mean that you don't have other physical or mental health issues It's crucial that your therapist or doctor performs a thorough evaluation. They'll need to ask questions about your past and present behaviors and experiences, look at any medical history, and talk with you about how your symptoms affect you in a variety of settings.