ADHD Symptoms in Women
Adult women suffering from ADHD have challenges that a lot of don't even realize. Untreated symptoms can cause chaos in the workplace and in relationships.
The reason for this is gender bias and the tendency of women and girls to hide their symptoms. But, increasing awareness means more adults are receiving the help they need. ADHD symptoms for women differ from those of men. They can be made worse by hormonal changes during menstrual cycles as well as pregnancy and menopausal.
Inattention Type symptoms
Women with inattention ADHD might have difficulty staying on task and completing tasks, usually making mistakes or misunderstanding instructions. They may have trouble keeping the track of their obligations, such as paying bills returning calls, or even sending birthday cards. They may also forget appointments and often miss social or work-related events or show up late for meetings.
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. People who don't seek treatment for their symptoms can experience emotional anxiety. This can result in poor relationships, or co-occurring disorders such as depression and anxiety.
The difficulties of living with ADHD that is not addressed can be overwhelming. Some people blame themselves and adopt unhealthy strategies for coping like drinking excessively and drug abuse. Others resort to unhealthy habits like eating too much and dieting. For some girls and teens, the anger of not being able to meet social expectations can lead to self-injury that isn't suicide-related. It could look like cutting, burning or scratching.
Due to these issues It's not surprising that women with 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 which makes it hard to recognize that the problem is a mental illness, and not their fault.
Girls with inattentive ADHD might also have difficulties in interpreting social signals, making them appear uninterested or indifferent to other people. They may miss jokes, miss interpret body language, or be criticized as being rude or inconsiderate. They may also have difficulties with impulse control, which means they could disrupt others or utter insulting phrases.
To increase their concentration, it is essential for women suffering from inattentive type ADHD to get enough sleep every night and avoid nicotine, caffeine and stimulants. Regular exercise can increase neurotransmitters, which can help with concentration.
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 to clutter in the home and problems paying bills on time. They might also forget appointments, or the names of family members and friends members. They are often bored or distracted easily and are unable to wait for their turn to speak. They are less likely to exhibit the internalizing symptoms of depression or anxiety, which can 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 professionals may not be attentive to them in girls or women, or ignore these symptoms, and blame them on mental health issues or societal stereotypes. ADHD rating scales are also biased towards male behavior, making it difficult to detect and assess the symptoms of women.
The good news is that there are ways to manage ADHD as an adult woman and this includes taking medication. The most important thing is to find a clinician and therapist experienced in treating ADHD for women and girls. The type of therapy suggested will depend on your symptoms and lifestyle and may include cognitive behavioral therapy that helps you identify your symptoms and change negative patterns of thinking as well as family psychoeducation or help with group work.
For some, a sleep routine, regular exercise, and a balanced diet can ease symptoms. For others, stimulant medications like dextroamphetamine/amphetamine (Adderall), methylphenidate (Ritalin) or lisdexamfetamine (Vyvanse) may be required.
Menopausal hormone levels decrease, a lot of symptoms of ADHD get worse. During this time, try to maintain a close eye on your health, schedule doctor's appointments, keep track of your symptoms, and adhere to your treatment plan carefully. You can also request that your doctor alter the dosage or type of medication you are taking as required. Talk to your therapist or counselor about the difficulties you encounter in managing your symptoms and how they affect you at work, at home, and in relationships. They may also suggest ways to improve your communication with your family members and partner.
Symptoms of Mixed Type
Women who have mixed type ADHD often experience difficulties at working and at school, but do not have the impulsive or hyperactive symptoms of the other subtypes. They might forget appointments or documents, fail to pay bills and have trouble finishing tasks at home. This form of the disorder can also cause people to interrupt others, speak without thinking and speak without thinking. Women with this type of the disorder also have difficulties maintaining relationships and friendships and often have difficulty to live independently.
In many cases, the inattentive symptoms of ADHD are the only ones recognized by family members or friends. This leads to girls and young women not being diagnosed. Gender bias and the tendency of people with ADHD to camouflage their symptoms is another reason for underdiagnosis.
The symptoms of this kind of ADHD are affected by hormonal fluctuations particularly during puberty and during pregnancy and menopause. At these times estrogen levels decrease and progesterone levels increase. This combination makes ADHD symptoms more noticeable and makes them worse. The symptoms can also change from day to day, depending on estrogen and progesterone levels. This can result in misdiagnosis, and in the wrong or insufficient treatment.
In addition to medication psychotherapy can be utilized to treat symptoms of the mixed type. This includes cognitive therapy for behavioral disorders, which assists people overcome negative behavior and thoughts, as well as psychoeducational counseling. Both are accessible online and through local mental clinics.
Getting regular physical exercise, like running, swimming, or walking can improve focus and attention. It can also help release brain-boosting neurotransmitters and reduce anxiety or stress that are common among people with ADHD. Other ways to manage ADHD include taking breaks regularly, creating routines for your day, and employing methods for organizing. Support groups can be very beneficial in learning about changes in lifestyle and coping techniques. For certain people individuals, a professional ADHD coach is an excellent option for individual, individualized guidance. People with ADHD may also benefit from a cognitive-behavioral or interpersonal therapy. A therapist can help the person become aware of their behavior and how it impacts others. They can also develop communication skills.
Adult Type Symptoms
Women suffering from ADHD may have symptoms that are different from those of men. Diagnosing and treating the condition in women is a challenge due to gender-based expectations. This makes it difficult for teachers or parents to determine if the girl is struggling with her attention or hyperactivity. The disorder can also be masked by depression or other mental health problems that make it less evident to people who are around you. Symptoms can also fluctuate with hormone levels, such as those experienced during the menstrual cycle or during menopausal and pregnancy.
Women with ADHD are more likely to be affected by inattention. You lose things, have trouble recalling details, and often get distracted by what your friends are doing or your thoughts. Your inattentive ADHD symptoms could affect your school, work, marriages and other relationships. You may have trouble following instructions, paying bills or keeping track of appointments. adhd in men symptoms and friends might notice. Your boss or teacher might notice that you are having difficulty staying focused in meetings or completing tasks in the time frame required.
If you have the hyperactive/impulsive type of ADHD, your symptoms are more noticeable than inattentive ones. You're constantly on the go, disrupt others, talk too much or say nonsensical things without thinking about what you're saying. You can't wait for your turn or keep eye contact. You might be impatient and experience mood swings that can be difficult for your family and friends to tolerate.
You may struggle to control your emotions, particularly in times of trauma or stress. You may be more prone to react to criticism or start fights, even when the situation isn't a serious one. It may be easier to deal with these emotions by engaging in self-destructive behaviors such as alcohol and drug drinking or unhealthy eating habits.
The best treatment can help women with ADHD improve their lives. Think about working with a life coach or joining an online ADHD support group. You could also seek assistance from a professional counselor who has had experience working with women suffering from this disorder. You may want to talk to a psychiatrist, who can help you understand the way your genes and brain activity could influence your ADHD symptoms.