AdHD Symptoms in Women
Women with ADHD struggle to meet society's expectations. Women who suffer from ADHD are often struggling to meet societal expectations, including caring for others while juggling 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 make health professionals not recognize ADHD in girls and women or misdiagnose them.
1. Inattention and lack of Focus
Concentration issues are one of the most frequent adhd symptoms in women. It can show up in many different ways, ranging from forgetting appointments to being unable to complete tasks at work to zoning out during conversations and making people feel disregarded. It can also make it difficult for women to manage their finances and often result in them not being able to take advantage on job or financial opportunities.
It's possible that women are better at masking their ADHD symptoms, which could make it harder to be diagnosed and treated as adults. Researchers aren't sure why that is, but they theorize that it could be due to gender stereotypes and the expectation that women and girls be more "restrained." Masking ADHD symptoms could lead to poor performance at school or work, and it might make it difficult for them to seek the help and assistance they require.
Lack of focus is also a common symptom and can be confused with other conditions like anxiety and depression. Depression can affect 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 ability to concentrate is to manage your ADHD symptoms with treatment. That means finding a clinician or therapist with experience in ADHD for girls and women. It's also a good idea to learn about the kinds of accommodations you can request your employer or school for, such as flexible hours or working at home. Practicing good sleep hygiene can help you have more restful sleep and be more focused during the day. It can include going to bed at the same time every night, listening to calming music or an audiobook before going to bed and limiting time spent on screens.
2. Impulsivity
Women who suffer from ADHD typically exhibit impulsivity symptoms. These can include interrupting others or switching topics during a conversation, taking quick decisions without thinking, and taking risks that aren't in their best interests. They may also have trouble understanding body language or recognizing social signals. The symptoms of impulsivity can get worse during perimenopausal - the time prior to menopausal symptoms - and also 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 professionals to overlook ADHD in these individuals, or mistakenly diagnose them, or dismiss their symptoms as anxiety or mood problems. Research on ADHD is focused on males and females. This may cause an imbalance in gender.
Teachers and parents may observe the impulsive behavior of children with ADHD. It's not uncommon for children to be anxious or irritable at times. These behaviors can improve as children get older and become more adept at managing their symptoms.
Adults can experience impulsive and distractible symptoms of adhd can negatively impact work, school, and relationships. They can lead to delay, forgetfulness, and trouble staying on track with commitments. They can also make finding and keeping jobs difficult and interfere with healthy eating.
Adult ADHD is typically treated by medication. Your doctor might recommend a combination of treatments based on your symptoms, lifestyle, and any other health issues. They may also suggest psychotherapy, including cognitive behavioral therapy to help you recognize and change negative thoughts patterns, couples counseling when your relationship has been impacted by your ADHD or family therapy. Exercise can calm your brain and reduce symptoms, as well as help you focus. This is particularly true for impulsivity and distraction. You can take on activities such as dancing, yoga, and group exercises like swimming and running.
3. Anxiety
Anxiety disorders can lead to various physical symptoms. These include dizziness, chest pain and heart palpitations, headaches and sweating. These symptoms can make someone think they are having a stroke or the world is close to ending. adhd in women adult to these physical signs, people who experience anxiety are often misdiagnosed as having heart disease. This can result in lengthy medical treatments without addressing the root of the issue. Psychotherapy is a great treatment for many anxiety disorders, whether used alone or in conjunction with medication. Cognitive behavioral therapy, in particular can help someone develop new ways of thinking and 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 suffer from mixed subtypes. Women should discuss their ADHD symptoms and their doctor will ask them questions about the disorder.
Women who suffer from ADHD may have trouble getting an accurate diagnosis, since many diagnostic tools are geared towards male behavior. Women may also hide their symptoms to fit in with the rest of society. This means that they may not be diagnosed and receive delayed treatment for their ADHD. A trained professional, such as a psychiatrist, psychologist or advanced practice registered nurses, can diagnose ADHD. The doctor will take an in-depth medical history, a physical exam and the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Health Disorders to be able to determine the severity of a patient's symptoms and determine if there are other conditions that might be contributing.
4. Disorganization
Women suffering from ADHD may experience disorganization. This is a chronic issue that can lead to disruptions in school and work and emotional stress, as well as strain on relationships, and financial issues. Disorganization is defined as an inability to organize that include not keeping track of bills or appointments, or having difficulty making decisions. Most often, the disorder is linked to other issues, such as anxiety, traumatizing a life event, or depression and is often difficult to treat.
Some women with ADHD have a high level of functioning and their symptoms do not significantly affect their day-to-day activities and relationships. This condition is known as "high-functioning ADHD." However it doesn't mean they don't experience some of the common symptoms. This includes difficulty in concentrating or paying attention to details, feeling restless and in a state of forgetfulness.
Some people struggle with disorganization on a regular basis. Suggested Web site may spend time looking for lost items or delay important tasks. It can also result in poor work performance and tension in relationships. It can also cause a number of health problems such as anxiety or sleep disorders.
Hormone fluctuations can further aggravate the disorder of women suffering from ADHD. Estrogen levels are lower when ovulating and in the middle of menstrual cycle while progesterone is more abundant and these fluctuations could make ADHD symptoms worse.
It's possible, though biological differences could be a factor, some of the disorder or impulsivity in women with ADHD is due to social "norms." Girls and young women are typically viewed as quiet and reserved, which is why they may hide or minimize their ADHD symptoms.
5. Attention
Women are more likely than men to hide their attention issues, which can result in them being incorrectly diagnosed and receiving delayed treatment. In fact, they may even believe they have better focus and time-management skills than they do. In reality, they tend to lose things and miss appointments, or pay bills on time. They also struggle with issues with organization both at work and at home.
Women who suffer from ADHD tend to develop the inattentive form 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 might also have difficulty staying silent and speak to themselves or make nonsensical noises or phrases. However, they're less likely to experience these symptoms than men.
Medication is the primary treatment option for a lot of adults suffering from ADHD. Stimulants like methylphenidate or amphetamine are typically prescribed, but nonstimulant medicines that focus on how neurotransmitters communicate with your brain are also available. These include atomoxetine, guanfacine and guanfacine.
Women suffering from ADHD can also benefit from cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). These therapies can help you identify automatic or irrational thoughts and learn healthy ways to regulate your mood and behavior. In addition to medications exercising and a balanced diet can help control ADHD symptoms like restlessness, impulsivity and distractibility. For energy boosts try activities such as yoga, dancing, group classes such as swimming or aerobics, and biking. Try to get at least 4 to 5 sessions of exercise each week of about 30 minutes per session. To improve your mood and attention take a varied diet of foods, including whole grains, vegetables and healthy fats.