AdHD Symptoms in Women
Women with ADHD struggle to live up to society's expectations. This includes taking care of others while juggling work and home life, and managing 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 not recognize ADHD symptoms in women and girls.
1. Inattention and lack of Focus
One of the most common symptoms of adhd in women is having trouble in concentrating. This problem can manifest in different ways, such as missing appointments, not being able to finish work or having trouble concentrating when talking to others. It can make it difficult for women to manage their finances and can cause them to miss out on job or financial opportunities.
Women are more adept at masking ADHD symptoms than other women, making it harder for them as adults to be diagnosed and treated. Researchers don't know why this is, but they believe it could be due to gender roles and the expectation of girls and women to be more "restrained." Masking ADHD can result in poor performance at work or in school and stop them from seeking support and help.
In addition, lack of focus is a common symptom that can be confused with other ailments, including depression and anxiety. For instance, depression could affect your focus by making you more forgetful and unmotivated. People suffering from generalized anxiety disorder are unable to concentrate because they are often overwhelmed by their thoughts and emotions.
Treatment is the most effective way to improve concentration. This includes hiring a professional or therapist who has experience working with ADHD both in women and girls. You should also learn about the accommodations you can request from your employer or school for example, flexible working hours or working from home. A good night's sleep can also help you get more restful nights and become more focused during the day. This includes going to bed at the same time every evening, listening to calming music or an audiobook before sleeping and limiting time spent on screens.
2. Impulsivity
Women who suffer from ADHD often have impulsivity symptoms. These can include interrupting others or shifting topics during a conversation, taking quick decisions without thinking and taking risks that aren't beneficial to their health. They might also have difficulty understanding body language or picking up on social cues. Symptoms of impulsivity can worsen during perimenopause - the period prior to menopausal onset - 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 can cause health care professionals to miss ADHD in their patients, mistakenly diagnose them, or dismiss their symptoms as a result of anxiety or mood problems. undiagnosed adhd in women on ADHD focuses mainly on men and boys. This can lead to an imbalance in gender.
When children with ADHD are young, their parents and teachers occasionally notice the impulsive behavior of children. It's not unusual for children to be anxious or impatient at times. These behaviors tend to improve as children get older and begin to manage their symptoms.
Adults can experience impulsive and distractible symptoms of adhd can affect work, school and relationships. They can cause procrastination or forgetfulness and difficulty keeping promises. They can make it difficult to find and keep jobs, and can disrupt healthy eating habits.
Adult ADHD is typically treated by medication. Your doctor may recommend an array of treatments based on the specific symptoms you have and lifestyle, as well as other health conditions you might have. They may also suggest psychotherapy that includes cognitive behavioral therapy to help you identify and alter negative thought patterns and couples counseling if your relationship has been affected by your ADHD, or family therapy. Exercise can also aid in calming your brain and reduce symptoms, especially in the case of impulsivity and distractibility. Try activities like dancing, yoga and group exercises, such as swimming and running.
3. Anxiety
Anxiety disorders are common and can cause a variety of physical symptoms. These include dizziness, chest pain, headaches, heart palpitations and sweating. These symptoms can make someone think they are having an attack or that the world is about to end. Due to these physical signs, people who experience anxiety often get misdiagnosed with heart disease. This can result in an extended journey of medical treatments that do not treat the root cause. Fortunately, the majority of anxiety disorders respond well to psychotherapy alone or in combination with medications. Particularly, cognitive behavior therapy can help a person discover new ways of thinking and reacting that may 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 have mixed subtypes. Women should discuss their ADHD symptoms with their doctor and will ask them specific questions regarding the disorder.
Women with ADHD might have difficulty getting an accurate diagnosis because many of the diagnostic tools used for the disorder are geared towards male behavior. Additionally, women often try to conceal their symptoms to fit in with the society. They could be misdiagnosed and their ADHD treatment may be delayed. A trained professional like a psychiatrist, psychologist or advanced practice registered nurses, can diagnose ADHD. The professional will make use of an extensive medical history, a physical exam and the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Health Disorders to be able to assess the symptoms of a patient and determine if there are other conditions that might be contributing.
4. Disorganization
Women suffering from ADHD can experience disorganization which is a persistent issue that can affect the routine of school and work which can cause emotional stress and create tension in relationships, and can lead to financial difficulties. Disorganization is often characterized by the lack of organization skills that include not keeping track of bills or appointments, and difficulty making decisions. Most often, the disorder is linked to other issues, such as anxiety, traumatizing life event, or depression, and is often difficult to treat.
Some women with ADHD can function at a high level, and their symptoms do not affect their daily lives or relationships. The condition is known as "high-functioning ADHD." This does not mean that they don't suffer from certain symptoms. They may experience forgetfulness, trouble concentration or paying attention to tiny details.
Some people struggle with disorganization on a daily basis. They may be looking for lost items or delay important tasks. The disorder also affects the quality of their work, and could cause tension in relationships. It can also cause a variety of health issues, such as sleep disorders or anxiety.
Hormone fluctuations can further aggravate the disorganization of women with ADHD. Estrogen levels decrease during ovulation, in the middle of menstruation and at the conclusion, whereas progesterone levels are higher. These fluctuations can cause ADHD symptoms.
While biological differences between the genders could play a role, it's also possible that some of the disorganization and impulsivity associated with ADHD in women is due to social "norms." Young women and girls can be socialized to be reserved and quiet, which can lead them to hide or suppress their ADHD symptoms.
5. Inattention
Women are more likely than men to conceal their problems with attention, which can lead them to be wrongly diagnosed and receive delayed treatment. They may think that they are better at time management and concentration than they actually are. In reality, they are likely to lose things, forget appointments, or not pay bills on time. They also have trouble with issues with organization both at work and at home.
Women suffering from ADHD are more likely 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 issues staying silent and speak to themselves or make a variety of nonsensical sounds or phrases. However, they are less likely to experience these symptoms than men.
Medication is the primary treatment option for many adults with ADHD. high functioning adhd in women and amphetamine are usually prescribed, but nonstimulant medicines that focus on the way neurotransmitters interact with your brain are also available. These include atomoxetine and Guanfacine.
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) can be beneficial for women with ADHD. These treatments can help you recognize thoughts that are irrational or automatic and help you learn healthy ways to manage your moods and behaviors. In addition to medications, exercise and an appropriate diet can help manage ADHD symptoms like anxiety, impulsivity, and restlessness. For energy boosts Try activities such as yoga, dancing, or group classes such as aerobics or swimming and biking. Try to get at least 4 to 5 hours of exercise per week, lasting approximately 30 minutes per session. To boost your mood and concentration consume a variety of foods, including whole grains, vegetables and healthy fats.