Signs and Symptoms of ADHD in Women
Women suffering from ADHD are often pushed to different expectations from society regarding how they should manage careers, families and home life. adhd symptoms in women adults can cause you feel frustrated and ashamed if your symptoms hinder your life.
Research has proven that girls and women are consistently under-referred for ADHD as compared to males and boys. This could be due to the fact that they conceal their symptoms or develop coping strategies to hide them, like:
1. Inattentiveness
One of the most common symptoms of adhd is the difficulty in paying attention in school or at work. Women with adhd often forget important meetings or tasks, or are misguided by instructions. They might also have difficulty focusing or concentrate in situations that are noisy or busy. Certain people with ADHD may experience "thousand-yard gazes" or a tendency to lose focus when they are talking. These symptoms can lead to problems at work or with relationships.
Women and girls are at greater chance of having undiagnosed ADHD as they get older. They develop strategies to cover up their symptoms and continue to do so until adulthood. They may even start to identify their symptoms as being particular to them, which could make it more difficult to seek help.
In addition, a lot of teachers do not recommend ADHD assessments for girls as often as they do for boys. If a girl's lack of attention to ADHD is affecting her school performance or social interactions it is recommended that she consult a health professional.
Being inattentional ADHD can create an abundance of emotional stress. It can be a frustrating experience when you feel like you're not meeting the expectations of friends or family members, as well as coworkers. It can be difficult to feel like you're unable to get along with your siblings or kids. Some people with ADHD experience depression and anxiety, which can be exacerbated by their inattention and impulsivity. You can reduce the severity of these symptoms by seeking help and doing other things. Regular exercise can help release the neurotransmitters that boost concentration and attention. It can also reduce anxiety and mood swings, which are common among people who suffer from ADHD.
2. Impulsivity
The unpredictable symptoms of ADHD can be a challenge to manage. You may utter things you shouldn't, buy things on impulse, or be a target for the law because of your behavior. Impulsivity can make it difficult to control your thoughts and emotions. Self-injury could result, such as cutting, burning or scratching yourself. It can also lead to drinking and drug abuse.
People with impulsivity often have problems with relationships and school or work performance. Your doctor can help manage your impulsivity by prescribing medication. Drugs like amphetamine and dextroamphetamine (Adderall Ritalin, Adderall) or methylphenidate (Concerta, Daytrana, Methylin) can help you improve your control over impulses. Non-stimulant medications like clonidine or Guanfacine can improve your ability to control yourself.
Women are more likely than men and boys to have a hyperactive/impulsive form of ADHD. But this type of ADHD is harder to notice and can lead to underdiagnosis. Women may hide their symptoms to comply with social expectations and norms. This can be particularly problematic in adolescence and early adulthood. Women may employ unhealthy coping strategies, like excessive drinking and substance use, to conceal their ADHD problems.
Women who have high-functioning ADHD might conceal their symptoms by excelling in particular areas of their lives, like work or school. This can create feeling unsecure and cause you to feel overwhelmed by the demands of life. Talk to your doctor about the accommodations that you can make at work or at school to manage your ADHD symptoms. This is a great chance to inform your professors or colleagues of the challenges you are facing.
3. Disorganization
If you have ADHD and you are unable to keep appointments or being late for work, not remembering dates and becoming oblivious during conversations can cause frustration and make others feel ignored or offended. The condition can also make it difficult to manage your finances manage schedules, keep track of appointments and complete tasks. If you can't remember what you'll need for groceries, you may not be able to cook your meals or spend excessively on unnecessary items.
Women suffering from ADHD have difficulty keeping the daily chores, homework, and bills. The disorder can also lead to disorganized homes, messy workspaces and a tendency to pile up. People with ADHD suffer from a condition called "time blindness," which makes it difficult to know the amount of time that has passed and how long you've been working on a project. Together with the difficulty of staying focused, issues with time management can lead to feelings of guilt and shame about being not organized.
Although research shows that women and girls are more likely to have ADHD than men and boys the symptoms can be hidden and not recognized. Women are often not given a diagnosis until adulthood, when their symptoms are more obvious. Additionally, social stigma and stereotypes could hinder women to receive the help and treatment they require.
Your doctor may prescribe medication to help manage your ADHD symptoms. The stimulants methylphenidate and amphetamine increase and balance neurotransmitters - brain chemicals that talk to each other. Nonstimulant medications such as atomoxetine and antidepressants are also used to treat ADHD, but they work slower than stimulants. Your doctor might refer you to an expert in mental health who can assist in creating a treatment plan tailored to your needs.
4. Impulsiveness
Women who suffer from ADHD may have a difficult to control their emotions and are often more vulnerable to rejection. This is due to the fact that the pathway of communication between brain regions that regulate emotional responses and interpret what to do with those emotions is disrupted by the chemical imbalance associated with ADHD.
People with ADHD are prone to depression and moodiness. This, along with the difficulty of managing their obligations and obligations, can create problems for romantic and family relationships. Women who suffer from ADHD are also more likely to have a lower self-esteem and may have trouble forming friendships and managing social situations. They may wander off on tangents in conversations or have difficulty understanding what other people are saying, which could make it difficult for them to find their place in a group.
Women with ADHD might find it difficult to get motivated to finish simple or boring tasks like washing dishes cleaning, or doing laundry. This could lead them to develop unhealthy coping habits that include binge-watching television shows or consuming substances. These habits can be particularly dangerous for young girls and adolescents with ADHD, who are more likely to engage in sexually dangerous behaviors, including early initiation of sexual activities, fewer sexual partners who are protected, and more casual sex than their peers.
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 women often hide their ADHD symptoms due to the multitude of expectations society puts on them (managing the family home and household for instance). This can make it difficult for health professionals to identify an issue, particularly since the symptoms are more readily recognized for men and boys.
5. Hyperactivity
Women who suffer from ADHD can have difficulty managing their daily tasks. They may have difficulty organizing their lives and paying their bills on time, and juggling work and school obligations. The emotional symptoms, such as mood swings and difficulties in controlling emotions, may make it difficult to connect with other people and cause problems in personal relationships.
People with ADHD struggle to read body language or social cues. They may struggle to follow a conversation or going off on a tangent creating issues at school or at work and causing stress in relationships. They may also have trouble making new friends or achieving the right balance between their work, home and social life.
Symptoms of ADHD can be different throughout the day and can be influenced by hormone levels, like those that occur during menstruation or pregnancy, or when they transition through perimenopausal (the run-up to menopause). This can result in a misdiagnosis or the wrong type of medication being prescribed.
Although everyone faces different challenges when they live with ADHD, there are some typical symptoms and signs that can help you spot the disorder in yourself or a loved one. Recognizing these symptoms is a good first step to getting the support and treatment you require to manage your symptoms effectively.
The fact that you have ADHD doesn't mean you don't have other physical or mental health issues and it's essential that your therapist or doctor conducts a thorough examination. They'll have to inquire about your past and present behavior and experiences, examine any medical history, and discuss with you about how your symptoms impact your life in a variety of situations.