AdHD Symptoms in Women
Women who suffer from ADHD struggle to live up to society's expectations. This includes caring for 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. The gender bias can make health professionals not recognize ADHD in women and girls or misdiagnose them.
1. Inattention and lack of Focus
One of the most prevalent symptoms of adhd in women is difficulty concentrating. It can show up in many different ways, from forgetting appointments to not being able to complete tasks at work, to losing focus when talking to others and making them feel unimportant. It's also a typical symptom that can make it difficult for women to manage their finances, and is often the reason why they miss out on jobs or financial opportunities.
Women may be more adept in masked ADHD symptoms than others and this makes it harder for them 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 for women and girls to be more "restrained." Masking ADHD could lead to underperformance at work or at school, and hinder them from seeking support and help.
In addition, lack of focus is a common symptom that can be confused with other ailments such as anxiety and depression. Depression can affect concentration by making you irritable and forgetful. People with generalized anxiety disorder often experience difficulty focusing due to the fact that they are more likely to become overwhelmed by their thoughts and feelings.
The best method to increase your ability to concentrate is to manage your ADHD symptoms through treatment. That means finding a clinician or therapist who is experienced in treating ADHD for girls and women. You should also learn about the kinds of accommodations you can request from your school or employer for example, flexible working hours or working from home. A healthy sleep routine will help you to have more restful nights, and to be more focused throughout the day. This includes getting to bed every night at the same time, listening to relaxing music or audiobooks, and limiting the time you spend on your computer.
2. Impulsivity
Women with ADHD are often driven. This can be as simple as interrupting other people or shifting topics during conversations, making snap decisions without thinking, and taking risks that aren't beneficial to their health. adhd in adult women might also have trouble understanding body language or social cues. The symptoms of impulsivity are often worse during perimenopause, the period that comes before menopause 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 professionals to overlook ADHD in their patients, not diagnosing them correctly, or ignore their symptoms as anxiety or mood problems. Gender bias may also play a role because research on ADHD is mostly focused on males and females.
Teachers and parents may observe the impulsive behavior of children who suffer from ADHD. It's normal for kids to be irritable, restless, or impulsive at times. However, those behaviors tend to improve as children grow up and learn how to manage their symptoms.
Adults with adhd can be prone to impulsive behavior and distraction that can impact their work, relationships, and school. They can lead to procrastination, forgetfulness as well as difficulty following through with commitments. They can also make finding and maintaining a job difficult and interfere with healthy eating.
Treatment for adults with ADHD typically involves medication. Your doctor may recommend an array of treatments based on the specific symptoms you have and lifestyle, as well as other health issues you might have. They may also suggest psychotherapy that includes cognitive behavioral therapy to help you identify and change negative thoughts patterns and couples counseling in the event that your relationship has been impacted by your ADHD or family therapy. Exercise can help calm your brain and help reduce symptoms. It can also assist you in staying focused. This is particularly true for people who have a tendency to be distracted and impulsive. Try activities such as yoga, dancing, or group workouts such as running and swimming.
3. Anxiety
Anxiety disorders can trigger various physical symptoms. These include dizziness, chest pain, headaches, heart palpitations and sweating. These symptoms can make someone think they are having stroke or that the world is close to ending. People who experience anxiety are often misdiagnosed as having a heart issue because of these physical symptoms. This could result in lengthy medical treatments without addressing the root cause. Psychotherapy is effective for the majority of anxiety disorders, regardless of whether it's used alone or in conjunction with medication. Cognitive behavioral therapy, specifically, can help a person discover new ways of thinking and responding to situations that can 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 may also be more likely to be a mixed subtype. Women should talk to their doctor about their ADHD symptoms with their doctor. will ask them detailed questions regarding the disorder.
Women who suffer from ADHD might have difficulty getting a correct diagnosis, as many diagnostic tools are geared toward male behavior. Women may also hide their symptoms in order to blend with society. They may be misdiagnosed, and their ADHD treatment may be delayed. A trained professional such as a psychologist, psychiatrist or advanced practice registered nurses can diagnose ADHD. The professional will conduct a thorough history, physical examination and the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Health Disorders to analyze a person's symptoms and determine if there are other conditions contributing to them.
4. Disorganization
Women suffering from ADHD can experience disordered behavior. This is a persistent issue that can lead to disruptions in school and work, emotional stress, strain relationships, and financial difficulties. Disorganization can be caused by a poor organizational skill for example, not paying bills on time or keep appointments, and a difficulty in making decisions. The disorder can be caused by other issues such as anxiety, a traumatizing experience in life, or depression. It can be difficult to treat.
Some women with ADHD are able to perform at a high degree and their symptoms don't affect their daily lives or relationships. This condition is known as "high-functioning ADHD." However it doesn't mean they don't suffer from the common symptoms. These include difficulty staying focused or paying attention to particulars, feeling uneasy, and being in a state of forgetfulness.
For some, a lack of organization is a daily struggle, and it's common for people suffering from ADHD to spend a lot of time looking for lost items or put off important tasks. The disorder can affect the quality of their work and may lead to strained relationships. It can also cause several health issues like insomnia or anxiety.
Hormone fluctuations can also contribute to the disorganization of women with ADHD. Estrogen levels are lower during ovulation and at the middle of the menstrual cycle, while progesterone is higher and these fluctuations could make ADHD symptoms worse.
It's possible, though biological differences can be a factor, some of the disorganization or impulsivity among women with ADHD is due to social "norms." Young women and girls are typically socialized to be quiet and reserved, so they might suppress or hide their ADHD symptoms.
5. Inattention
Women are more likely than men to mask their attention issues, which can result in them being incorrectly diagnosed and receiving delayed treatment. In reality, they might even think that they have better focus and time-management abilities than they actually do. In reality, they're more likely to misplace things, forget appointments or pay bills on time, and struggle with a lack of organization at work and home.
Women with 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 trouble in calming down and may talk to themselves constantly or use in a nonsensical manner or make sounds, but they're less likely to have these symptoms than males are.
Medication is the primary treatment option for many adults with ADHD. The stimulants methylphenidate and amphetamine are often prescribed, however nonstimulant drugs that target the way neurotransmitters interact with your brain are also available. These include atomoxetine, guanfacine and Guanfacine.
Women with ADHD can also benefit from cognitive behavior therapy (CBT). These therapies can help identify automatic or irrational thinking and help you learn healthy ways to control your emotions and behaviors. Alongside medication exercise and a balanced diet can help manage ADHD symptoms like restlessness, impulsivity and distractibility. Try activities such as yoga, dancing, group classes like swimming or aerobics, as well as cycling to boost your energy levels. Try to do at least 4 to 5 sessions of exercise each week of about 30 minutes per session. Make sure you take a variety of fresh vegetables, whole grains, healthy fats, and protein to boost your focus and mood.