ADHD Symptoms in Women
Adult women suffering from ADHD face challenges that many don't realize. Untreated symptoms can cause chaos in the workplace and in relationships.
Underdiagnosis is a result of gender discrimination and the tendency for women and girls to hide their symptoms. However, the increased awareness means that more adults are receiving the help they need. ADHD symptoms for women differ from those of men. They can be made worse because of hormonal changes during menstrual cycles or pregnancy, as well as menopausal.
The Signs of Inattention Type
Women with inattentive ADHD might have difficulty staying on task and completing tasks, usually making a mistake or failing to understand instructions. They may be unable to keep the track of their obligations, such as paying bills, making calls, or sending birthday cards. They also have trouble remembering appointments and often miss meetings or show up late to work or social activities.
The symptoms of inattentive type ADHD are less noticeable than hyperactivity-impulsivity symptoms in boys and men, so it's possible that women and girls who have these symptoms don't receive a diagnosis until adulthood. Many people who aren't treated for their symptoms experience emotional distress. This can result in poor relationships and co-occurring conditions like anxiety or depression.
The challenges of living with untreated ADHD can be overwhelming. For certain people, it can lead to self-blame and unhealthy coping behaviors that include excessive drinking and drug abuse. Some people turn to unhealthy behaviors, like dieting or overeating. Some teenagers and young girls might self-injure in order to deal with their anger at not being able meet social expectations. This may take the form of cutting or burning.
Because of these challenges it's no surprise that women who suffer from inattentive type ADHD are more prone to anxiety and depression which can make it more difficult to manage their ADHD symptoms. Women with this type of disorder may also suffer from low self-esteem that makes it difficult to realize that the problem is a mental illness and not their fault.
Girls with inattention ADHD may also have difficulties in interpreting social signals. This could cause them to appear aloof and oblivious. They may miss jokes, miss interpret body language, or be criticised for being rude or obnoxious. They may also have trouble controlling their impulses and may blurt out insulting remarks or interrupt others.
To improve their concentration, it's essential for women suffering from inattentive type ADHD to get enough sleep each night and avoid caffeine, nicotine and stimulants. They should also exercise regularly, which helps increase neurotransmitters that aid concentration and can reduce mood swings.
Symptoms of Hyperactive/Impulsive Type
Women and adolescent girls with the hyperactive/impulsive type of ADHD can find it hard to concentrate or organize. This can lead a messy house and to difficulty paying bills on schedule. They may also forget appointments, or the names of family and friends members. They often get easily distracted or bored and have trouble waiting for their turn in conversation. They are less likely to display the internalizing symptoms of depression or anxiety, which tends to be more common in males and females.
It can be harder to identify and diagnose hyperactive/impulsive ADHD in women than in boys or men. These symptoms are more prevalent for both genders. Health care professionals may not be attentive to them in girls or women, or ignore them, attributing them to mood disorders or stereotypes. ADHD rating scales are also skewed toward male behavior, which makes it difficult to detect and assess the symptoms of women.
The good news is that there are methods to manage ADHD as an adult woman, including taking medication. The most important thing is to find an experienced therapist and clinician in treating ADHD both in women and girls. The type of treatment recommended will depend on the symptoms and the lifestyle. It could include cognitive behavioral therapies to confirm your experience and help you reframe negative thought patterns and family psychoeducation, or even support group work.
For some, a regular sleep routine, regular exercise and healthy eating can reduce symptoms. For others, stimulant medications like dextroamphetamine/amphetamine (Adderall), methylphenidate (Ritalin) or lisdexamfetamine (Vyvanse) may be required.
During menopause, when hormone levels decrease, many symptoms of ADHD worsen. During this period, try to maintain a close eye on your health and schedule doctor's appointments, track your symptoms, and adhere to your treatment plan closely. You may also ask your health care provider to adjust the dosage or type of your medications as necessary. Speak with your therapist about the issues you have with managing your symptoms, and how they impact your work, at home, and in your relationships. They may also suggest ways to improve communication with your family members and partner.
Mixed Type Signs and symptoms
Women who suffer from mixed type ADHD struggle at school and at work, however they do not exhibit the hyperactive or impulsive behaviors of the other subtypes. adhd symptoms and treatment might forget important documents and pay bills, or forget to make appointments. Symptoms of this form of the disorder may also include interruptions to others, uttering answers, and speaking without thinking. Women with this presentation of the condition also have difficulties maintaining relationships and friendships and often find it difficult to live a life of their own.
In many instances, the inattention symptoms of ADHD are the only symptoms noticed by family or teachers. This means that young women and girls with this disorder are often not diagnosed. This is caused by gender bias and the tendency of people who suffer from ADHD symptoms to conceal their symptoms.
The symptoms of this type of ADHD are affected by hormonal fluctuations, especially in puberty as well as during menopausal and prenatal. During these periods, estrogen decreases and progesterone increases. This makes ADHD symptoms more evident and exacerbates them. Furthermore the symptoms can vary day-to-day, depending on the levels of estrogen and progesterone. This can result in misdiagnosis, and in the wrong or inadequate treatment.
In addition to medications psychotherapy can be utilized to manage symptoms of the mixed type. This includes cognitive behavioral therapy, which helps people to change their negative thoughts and behaviors, and psychoeducational counseling. Both are accessible online and through local mental clinics.
Regular physical exercise, like swimming, walking or running can help increase focus and attention. It can also help release brain-boosting neurotransmitters and reduce feelings of stress or anxiety, which are common in people with ADHD. Other strategies to manage ADHD include taking breaks regularly, creating daily routines, and using methods for organizing. A support group may be helpful for learning lifestyle changes and strategies for coping. A professional ADHD coach can provide personalized individual guidance to those who have. Some people with ADHD also benefit from a cognitive-behavioral or interpersonal therapy. Therapists can help the person become aware of their behavior and how it impacts others. They can also develop communication skills.
The signs of an adult type
Women suffering from ADHD might have symptoms that are different than those of males. Finding and treating the problem in women is a challenge due to gender role expectations, which makes it difficult for parents or teachers to notice when the girl is struggling with her attention or hyperactivity. It can also be hidden by mental health or depression issues and make it difficult to detect. The symptoms can also change in accordance in response to hormones, such as those that occur during menstrual cycles or during menopausal pregnancy.
Women who suffer from ADHD are more likely to be affected by inattention. You lose things, have trouble recalling details, and often get distracted by what others are doing or your thoughts. Your inattention ADHD symptoms can affect your school, work, marriages and other relationships. Your family and friends might notice that you have difficulty following directions and keeping track of appointments, or paying bills. Your boss or teacher may be concerned that you aren't getting tasks completed on time or have difficulty staying focused in meetings.
If you have the hyperactive/impulsive type of ADHD, your symptoms are more noticeable than inattentive ones. You are restless, always on the move and can disturb others, talk too much, or say things that are illogical without thinking. You have trouble waiting for your turn, and you struggle to keep eye contact with others. You might be impatient and have mood swings that are difficult for your family and friends to accept.
It may be difficult to manage your emotions, especially when you're dealing with stress and trauma. You may react more strongly to criticism or start fights, even when the situation isn't a serious one. It may be easier to cope with these emotions by engaging in self-destructive behavior, like drug and alcohol consumption or unhealthy eating habits.
Women diagnosed with ADHD can improve their lives with the right treatment. Think about working with a life coach or joining an online ADHD support group. You could also seek assistance from a professional counselor with had experience working with women suffering from this disorder. You may want to talk to a psychiatrist who will assist you in understanding the way your genes or brain activity may affect your ADHD symptoms.