Signs and Symptoms of ADHD in Women
Women suffering from ADHD typically have different social expectations for how they should manage their careers as well as their family and home lives. This can cause feelings of guilt and anger when your symptoms are causing you to get out of control.
Research shows that girls are more likely to be diagnosed with ADHD than boys and men. This could be because they hide their symptoms or use strategies to manage their symptoms, such as:
1. Inattentiveness
Finding it difficult to focus at work or school is one of the main symptoms of adhd. Women with this condition often miss important meetings, get behind on assignments or are misguided when trying to follow instructions. They may also have difficulty staying focused in noisy or crowded environments. Some people who suffer from ADHD may exhibit what's known as "thousand-yard stares" and lose focus during conversations. These symptoms can cause problems at work or in relationships.
Girls and women can be especially susceptible to being diagnosed with ADHD, especially as they age. They develop coping strategies that mask their symptoms, and continue to do this into adulthood. They may even begin to see their symptoms as personal characteristics, which could make them less likely to seek help.
In addition, many teachers don't recommend ADHD assessments for girls as often as they do for boys. If a girl's inattentive ADHD is impacting her school performance or social interactions then she should speak to an expert in health.
Being inattentional ADHD can create an abundance of emotional stress. It can be frustrating when you feel like you are not able meet the expectations of friends or family members as well as colleagues. It can be a bit depressing to feel as if you're unable to get with your siblings or kids. Some people with ADHD experience depression and anxiety, which can be exacerbated by their impulsivity and inattention. In addition to seeking help there are a few things you can do to decrease the impact of these symptoms. Regular exercise can help release neurotransmitters that improve concentration and attention. It can also help reduce anxiety, mood swings and other symptoms that are common to people suffering from ADHD.
2. Impulsivity
The impulsive symptoms of ADHD can be a challenge to manage. You may blurt out things you shouldn't, buy something on impulse or be a target for the law because of your behavior. Impulsivity can make it difficult to control your feelings and emotions. Self-injury can result, such as burning, cutting or scratching yourself. This can lead to drug or alcohol use.
People who are impulsive usually have problems with relationships and school or work performance. Your doctor can assist you to manage your impulsivity with prescription medications. You can improve your impulse-control by taking medications such as amphetamine, dextroamphetamine and methylphenidate. Non-stimulant drugs such as clonidine and guanfacine can also improve your ability to manage yourself.
Women are more likely than men and boys to have a hyperactive/impulsive form of ADHD. But this kind of ADHD is harder to notice, which can result in underdiagnosis. Women may hide symptoms to conform to social standards and expectations. This masking is especially problematic during adolescence or early adulthood. Women may use unhealthy ways of coping that include excessive drinking and substance abuse, to cover up their ADHD issues.
Women who suffer from high functioning ADHD may mask their symptoms by having the success they desire in certain areas of their life like school or at work. This could make you believe that everything is going well and make you feel overwhelmed. Consult your doctor about any adjustments that you can make at work or in school to help manage your ADHD symptoms. This can be a great way to build awareness with your coworkers or professors of the challenges you may encounter.
3. Disorganization
If you have ADHD and you are unable to keep appointments or showing up late for work, forgetting dates, or snoring during conversations can lead to frustration and leave others feeling ignored or offended. The disorder can make it difficult to keep track of your tasks, manage finances and schedules. For instance, if struggle to remember what you'll need for groceries, you might be unable to eat or spend money on unnecessary items.
Women with ADHD are unable to keep track of their daily chores, homework, and bills. The disorder may also contribute to messy workspaces, messy homes and a propensity to hoard. People who suffer from ADHD experience a concept known as "time blindness," which makes it difficult to determine how much time has passed and the length of time you've spent on a task. In addition to being unable to stay focused, time management problems can cause feelings of guilt and shame being not organized.
Although research shows that women and girls are more likely to be diagnosed with ADHD than men and boys The symptoms can be concealed and undiagnosed. A lot of women don't receive an diagnosis until they reach adulthood, when their symptoms are more obvious. Additionally, social stigma and stereotypes could make it difficult for women to access the help and treatment they require.
Your doctor may prescribe medication to help manage your ADHD symptoms. The stimulants methylphenidate and amphetamine boost and balance neurotransmitters, the brain chemicals that transmit information. Antidepressants and atomoxetine, which are nonstimulant medications are also used to treat ADHD. However they perform more slowly than stimulants. Your doctor might also recommend you to a mental health professional who will help you develop an individual treatment plan that addresses your specific requirements.
4. Impulsiveness
Women suffering from ADHD may have trouble controlling their emotions, and they are more prone to rejection. The chemical imbalance that comes with ADHD disrupts the brain's communication between the areas that regulate emotions, and also interpret how to handle them.
People with ADHD are more susceptible to moodiness and depression. This, along with the difficulty managing their obligations can lead to problems with family and romantic relationships. Women who suffer from ADHD may also have low self-esteem, and may have difficulty in forming relationships and managing social situations. They can go off on tangents or struggle to comprehend what other people are saying. This makes it difficult for them to find a spot within a group.
Women with ADHD may have difficulty to keep themselves motivated to complete routine or boring tasks, like washing dishes cleaning, and washing laundry. This can cause them to develop unhealthy coping habits, such as binge-watching TV shows or abusing substances. These habits can be particularly risky for young girls and adolescents with ADHD, who are more likely to engage in sexually dangerous actions, such as early initiation of sexual activity, having fewer protected sex partners, 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 many women conceal their ADHD symptoms because of the a myriad of expectations that society places on them (managing the family and home, for example). It isn't always easy for doctors to identify that there is a problem because the symptoms are easier to spot in both men and males.
5. Hyperactivity
Women who suffer from ADHD can struggle to handle their daily tasks. They may have difficulty organizing their lives and paying their bills on time and juggling work and school obligations. Additionally, emotional signs, such as mood swings and trouble regulating their emotions, can make it hard to get along with others and contribute to difficulties in personal relationships.
People suffering from ADHD frequently have difficulty picking social cues or understanding body language. They may have difficulty following conversations or wander off on a tangent, causing difficulties at school or at work and straining relationships. adhd symptoms women may also have trouble making new friends or achieving the right balance between their work, home and social life.
The symptoms of ADHD are different throughout the day and can be affected by hormone levels, for instance those during menstrual cycles, pregnancy, or as they progress through perimenopausal (the run-up to menopause). This can lead to misdiagnosis, or the wrong types of medications being prescribed.
There are a few signs and symptoms that are common to ADHD that can help you or a loved-one identify the disorder. Recognizing these symptoms is a good first step to getting the support and treatment you require to effectively manage your symptoms.
Being diagnosed with ADHD doesn't mean you don't have other mental health or physical conditions It's crucial that your doctor or therapist conducts a thorough examination. They'll ask questions about your past and present behaviors, look over your medical history, and talk about how your symptoms impact you in different settings.