AdHD Symptoms in Women
Women with ADHD struggle to live up to society's expectations. This includes 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. A bias based on gender can make health professionals not recognize ADHD in women and girls or misdiagnose them.
1. Lack of Focus
Having trouble concentrating is one of the most common symptoms of adhd in women. It can manifest in different ways, ranging from forgetting appointments to being unable to finish work, to losing focus during conversations and making people feel disregarded. It can also make it difficult for women to manage their finances and can result in them missing out on financial or job opportunities.
It's possible that some women are more adept at hiding their ADHD symptoms, which could make it difficult for them to be diagnosed and treated as adults. Researchers don't know why this is, however, they think it could be due to gender roles and the expectation of girls and women to be more "restrained." The act of masking ADHD can result in poor performance at work or in school and prevent them from seeking support and help.
Lack of focus is also a common symptom and can be confused with other ailments such as anxiety and depression. For instance, depression may affect your concentration by making you forgetful and unmotivated. People suffering from generalized anxiety disorder typically have trouble focusing because they tend to be overwhelmed by their thoughts and emotions.
Treatment is the best way to increase concentration. This means seeking out a therapist or a clinician who has experience working with ADHD both in women and girls. It is also important to know about the accommodations you can request from your school or employer for example, flexible working hours or working at home. A healthy sleep routine will assist you in having more peaceful nights and also help you stay focused throughout the day. This means going to bed each night at the same time, while listening to soothing music or an audiobook and limiting the time you spend on your computer.
2. Impulsivity
Women who suffer from ADHD are typically impulsive. They may interrupt others or alter the topic of the course of a conversation, make quick decisions without thinking about the consequences, and make decisions that are not in your best interests. They might also have difficulty understanding body language or interpreting social cues. Symptoms of impulsivity can worsen during perimenopausal - the time before menopause - and when hormone levels begin to drop.
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 them, not diagnosing them correctly or dismiss their symptoms as anxiety or mood problems. Gender bias can be a factor, since research on ADHD is mostly focused on males and females.
When children with ADHD are young, parents and teachers sometimes notice the impulsive behavior of children. It's normal for children to be impatient, restless or even impulsive in certain instances. However, those behaviors tend to improve as children grow up and learn to manage their symptoms.
In adults, impulsive and distractible symptoms of adhd can affect work, school, and relationships. They can lead to delay, forgetfulness, and trouble following through on commitments. They can make it difficult to find and keep jobs and can interfere with healthy eating habits.
Treatment for adult ADHD typically involves medication. Your doctor will recommend an array of treatments based on your specific symptoms, your lifestyle, and other health conditions you might have. They may also suggest psychotherapy like cognitive behavioral therapy, which helps you to identify and change negative thoughts, couples counseling, when your relationship is impacted by ADHD or family therapy. Exercise can calm your brain, reduce symptoms and assist you in staying focused. This is especially true for impulsivity and distraction. You can take on activities such as yoga, dancing, or group workouts like swimming and running.
3. Anxiety
Anxiety disorders are common and can cause a variety of physical symptoms. These include dizziness, chest pain and headaches, heart palpitations and sweating. They can make people feel as if they are suffering from an attack of the heart or that the world is ending. Due to these physical signs those who experience anxiety are often misdiagnosed as having heart disease. This can result in a long odyssey of medical treatment that fails to treat the root cause. Fortunately, many anxiety disorders respond well to psychotherapy alone or in combination with medications. Cognitive behavioral therapy, specifically it can help people 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 a mixed type. It's important for women to discuss their ADHD symptoms with their doctor, who will conduct an extensive physical exam and ask detailed questions about how the disorder affects their lives.
adhd in women signs with ADHD may have trouble getting the right diagnosis, as many diagnostic tools are geared towards male behavior. Women can also conceal their symptoms to fit in with the rest of society. In the end, they might be underdiagnosed and receive delayed treatment for their ADHD. A qualified professional like a psychiatrist psychologist or advanced practice registered nurses, can identify ADHD. The professional will make use of an extensive history, a physical examination and the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Health Disorders to be able to assess the symptoms of a patient and determine if other conditions might be contributing.
4. Disorganization
Women who suffer from ADHD are prone to experiencing disordered behavior. This is a constant issue that can cause disruptions in school and work and emotional stress, as well as strain on relationships, and financial problems. Disorganization is defined as the lack of organization skills like not keeping track of expenses or appointments, or having difficulty making decisions. Most often, the disorder is linked to other issues, such as anxiety, a traumatic life incident, or depression and is often difficult to treat.
Some women with ADHD have a high degree of functioning, and their symptoms don't significantly affect their day-to-day interactions and relationships. This condition is referred to as "high-functioning ADHD." However, this doesn't mean that they don't suffer from the typical symptoms. This includes difficulty in concentrating or paying attention to things, feeling anxious, and being in a state of forgetfulness.
Some people struggle with disorganization on a regular basis. They might spend their time looking for lost items or delaying important tasks. It can also cause poor work quality and strained relationships. It can also lead to many health issues, such as anxiety or sleep disorders.
Another cause of disorder in women suffering from ADHD is the fluctuation in hormone levels. Estrogen levels decrease during ovulation and at the middle of the menstrual cycle, while progesterone levels are higher, and these fluctuations can cause ADHD symptoms worse.
While biological differences between the genders could play a role, it's also possible that some of the disorder and impulsivity that is associated with ADHD in women is due to social "norms." Girls and young women may be conditioned to be reserved and quiet and can cause them to suppress or hide their ADHD symptoms.
5. Attention!
Women are more likely than men to mask their attention issues, which can cause them to be wrongly diagnosed and receive delayed treatment. They may even think they're better at time management and concentration than they are. In reality, these people tend to lose things and forget appointments, or fail to pay bills on time. They also face disorganization 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 may also have trouble staying quiet and may speak to themselves incessantly or say in a nonsensical manner or make sounds, but they're less likely to suffer from these symptoms than men are.
For many adults with ADHD, the first method of treatment is medication. stimulants such as amphetamine or methylphenidate are typically prescribed, but nonstimulant drugs that target how neurotransmitters interact with your brain are also available. They include atomoxetine and the guanfacine.
Women with ADHD also may benefit from cognitive behavior therapy (CBT). These treatments can help you recognize thoughts that are irrational or automatic and teach you healthy ways to manage your mood and behavior. In addition to medications, exercise and healthy eating habits can help you manage ADHD symptoms like restlessness, impulsivity and distractibility. Try activities such as dancing, yoga, group classes like swimming or aerobics, and cycling to boost your energy levels. Try to exercise for at least four to five sessions per week, each lasting about 30 minutes. To support your mood and focus take a varied diet of vegetables, whole grains and healthy fats.