Signs and Symptoms of ADHD in Women
Women suffering from ADHD are often subjected to different expectations from society on how they should handle their careers, families and their home lives. This can lead you to feel frustrated and ashamed when your symptoms hinder your life.
Research shows that girls are more likely to be diagnosed with ADHD than men and boys. This could be due to the fact that they cover up their symptoms or develop coping mechanisms to hide their symptoms.
1. Inattentiveness
Finding it difficult to focus at school or at work is among the primary symptoms of adhd. Women with adhd often forget important meetings or tasks, or are misguided by the instructions. They may also have difficulty staying focused in noisy or crowded environments. Certain people who suffer from ADHD are prone to what's called "thousand-yard stares" and zone out during conversations. These symptoms can lead to problems at work or in relationships.
Women and girls are particularly susceptible to undiagnosed ADHD especially as they grow older. They often develop coping mechanisms that hide their symptoms and continue to utilize these methods of coping throughout their adulthood. They may even start to see their symptoms as personal traits, which can make them less likely to seek assistance.
In addition, many teachers don't recommend ADHD evaluations for girls as often as they do for men. If a girl's lack of attention to ADHD is impacting her school performance or social interactions she should talk to a health professional.
Being inattentional ADHD can cause lots of emotional stress. It can be a frustrating experience when you feel that you're not able to meet the expectations of your friends, family members and co-workers. It can also be frustrating when you feel like you're not able to get along with your children or siblings. Some people with ADHD have anxiety and depression and anxiety, which can be made worse by their impulsivity and inattention. In addition to seeking assistance there are a few things you can do to decrease the effects of these symptoms. Regular exercise can help release the neurotransmitters which boost concentration and attention. It can also reduce anxiety, mood swings and other symptoms that are common among people with ADHD.
2. Impulsivity
ADHD symptoms can be difficult to manage. You may utter things you shouldn't say, buy things on impulse, or get into trouble with the law due to your actions. Impulsivity can also make it difficult to control your emotions and emotions. This could lead to self-harm, such as burning, cutting, or scratching yourself. adhd in women adult could also lead to drug and alcohol abuse.
People with impulsivity often have issues with relationships as well as work or school performance. You can manage your impulsivity with medication prescribed by your physician. You can increase your control over impulses with medications like amphetamine, dextroamphetamine, and methylphenidate. Non-stimulant drugs such as clonidine and Guanfacine can also enhance 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 difficult to spot and could result in underdiagnosis. Women may hide symptoms to conform to social expectations and standards. This masking can be especially problematic in the adolescent years and early adulthood. Some women even use unhealthy strategies for coping such as excessive drinking and drug use to hide their ADHD problems.
Women who suffer from high functioning ADHD might cover up their symptoms by having the success they desire in certain areas of their life like at school or at work. This could give you a false sense that everything is going well and cause you to feel overwhelmed. Consult your doctor about accommodations at work or school that will assist you in managing your ADHD symptoms. More methods is a great way to inform your professors or colleagues of the difficulties you are facing.
3. Disorganization
If you have ADHD, missing appointments or being late to work, forgetting dates, or snoring during conversations can cause frustration and leave others feeling ignored or offended. The disorder can also make it difficult to manage your finances and keep track of your schedule and complete tasks. If you don't know what you need to get for groceries, then you might not be able to cook your meals, or spend excessively on unnecessary items.
Women suffering from ADHD have difficulty keeping the daily chores, bills and homework. The disorder can also lead to disorganized homes, messy workspaces and a tendency to hoard. People who suffer from ADHD are affected by a phenomenon known as "time blindness," which makes it hard to see the amount of time that has passed and the length of time you've spent on a task. In addition to being unable to stay focused, issues with time management can result in feelings of guilt and shame about being unorganized.
While research has shown that women and girls are more likely to be diagnosed with ADHD than boys and men the symptoms can be hidden and underdiagnosed. Women are often not given a diagnosis until the age of adulthood when their symptoms become more apparent. Social stigma and stereotypes may make it difficult for women to get the treatment and assistance they require.
Your doctor may recommend medication to help you manage your ADHD symptoms. The stimulants methylphenidate and amphetamine increase and balance neurotransmitters - brain chemicals that talk to each other. Non-stimulant drugs like antidepressants and atomoxetine are also used to treat ADHD, but they work slower than stimulants. Your doctor might also refer you to a mental health specialist, who can help develop an individualized treatment plan that meets your particular needs.
4. Impulsiveness
Women suffering from ADHD may have a hard managing their emotions and often feel more vulnerable to rejection. The chemical imbalance associated with ADHD disrupts the communication between brain areas that regulate emotions, and also interpret how to handle them.
Depression and moodiness are common for those with ADHD, and the combination of these issues with difficulties in managing the demands of life can cause issues with family and romantic relationships. Women who suffer from ADHD also be less confident in themselves and may struggle to form friendships and managing social situations. They might go on tangents during conversations or have trouble understanding what others are saying, which could make it difficult for them to figure out their place within groups.
When it comes to managing their daily responsibilities, women with ADHD may struggle with finding motivation to complete mundane or monotonous tasks, like washing dishes, laundry, or cleaning. This can lead to unhealthy coping behaviors like binge-watching television shows or consuming substances. These behaviors can be especially dangerous for young girls and teens with ADHD who are more likely to engage in sexually dangerous behavior, such as early beginning of sexual activity, having fewer protected sexual partners, and more casual sexual activity 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. Many women hide their ADHD due to the numerous expectations that society places on them (managing home and family, for instance). It isn't always easy for doctors to determine if there is a problem, as the symptoms are easy to detect in men and males.
5. Hyperactivity
For women who suffer from ADHD daily tasks can be overwhelming. They may have trouble organizing their lives, paying bills on time and keeping track of appointments or school/work requirements. A variety of emotional symptoms, including mood swings and trouble managing emotions, can make it difficult to get along with others and create difficulties in relationships with family and friends.
People with ADHD frequently have difficulty picking the social cues and understanding body language. They might have trouble following conversations or wander off on a tangent, creating problems at work or school and causing stress in relationships. They may also have difficulty making new friends or achieving the right balance between work, home and social life.
The symptoms of ADHD are able to change throughout the day and can be affected hormonally like during menstrual cycles or pregnancy, or even perimenopausal. This could lead to misdiagnosis or the wrong kinds of medication being taken.
While everyone struggles with different issues when it comes to ADHD There are a few common signs and symptoms that can help you identify the disorder in yourself or a loved one. Recognizing these symptoms is a great first step to getting the support and treatment you need to manage your symptoms effectively.
Being diagnosed with ADHD doesn't mean you don't have any other physical or mental health issues and it's essential that your therapist or doctor conducts a thorough assessment. They will ask you questions about your past and current behavior, review your medical history, and talk about how your symptoms affect you in various settings.