Signs and Symptoms of ADHD in Women
Women with ADHD are often faced with different social expectations regarding how they should manage their careers as well as their family and home lives. This can cause feelings of shame and frustration when your symptoms are causing you to get out of control.
Research has shown that girls are more likely to be diagnosed with ADHD than men and boys. This could be due to the fact that they hide their symptoms or develop coping mechanisms to conceal them.
1. Inattentiveness
One of the most prevalent symptoms of adhd is the difficulty in paying attention in school or at work. Women suffering from this condition tend to forget important meetings, fall behind on projects or get misguided when trying to follow instructions. They may also have difficulties concentrating in noisy or crowded settings. Certain people who suffer from ADHD may have "thousand-yard gazes" or a tendency to lose focus during conversations. These symptoms can lead to issues at work or in relationships.
Women and girls are at greater risk of developing undiagnosed ADHD as they grow older. They develop strategies to cope that cover up their symptoms and continue to do so into adulthood. They may even begin to consider their symptoms personal traits, which can make them less likely to seek help.
Many teachers do not suggest ADHD assessments as often for girls as they do for males. However should a girl's lack of attention ADHD symptoms have a negative effect on her school performance and social interactions, she should speak to a health care professional.
Inattention ADHD is a frequent reason for emotional stress. It can be difficult when you feel that you're not meeting the expectations of your friends, family members and co-workers. It can be frustrating to feel as if you're not getting with your siblings or kids. Inattention and impulsivity can cause anxiety and depression in certain people with ADHD. In addition to seeking assistance there are a few things you can do to reduce the effects of these symptoms. Regular exercise can help release the neurotransmitters that improve concentration and attention. It can also reduce anxiety, mood swings and other symptoms that are common among people with ADHD.
2. Impulsivity
The impulse-driven symptoms of ADHD can be difficult to manage. You might say things that you shouldn't or purchase items on impulse. You could also find yourself arrested by the police because of your actions. high functioning adhd in women can be difficult to control your feelings and emotions. Self-injury can manifest in self-injury, including burning, cutting, or scratching oneself. It can also lead to alcohol and drug abuse.
People who are impulsive may have issues with their relationships, their work or school performance. You can control your impulsivity using medications prescribed by your physician. The use of amphetamine, dextroamphetamine (Adderall, Ritalin) or methylphenidate (Concerta, Daytrana, Methylin) can improve your control over impulses. Non-stimulant medications like clonidine or Guanfacine can improve your ability to manage yourself.
Women are more likely than men and boys to have a hyperactive/impulsive form of ADHD. This kind of ADHD can be harder to recognize, leading to a misdiagnosis. Women might hide their symptoms to meet societal expectations and standards. This masking can be especially difficult in adolescence and adulthood. Women may employ unhealthy coping strategies that include drinking excessively and substance use, to conceal their ADHD problems.
Women with high functioning ADHD may mask their symptoms by achieving success in particular areas of their life like school or at work. This can create a false sense of security and cause you to feel overwhelmed by the demands of life. Consult your doctor about any adjustments that you can make at work or in school to help manage your ADHD symptoms. This is a great opportunity to raise awareness among your colleagues or professors about the challenges you face.
3. Disorganization
If you suffer from ADHD then you may be unable to attend appointments, arriving late for work, forgetting dates and not paying attention to conversations can result in anger and make others feel unimportant or offended. The condition can make it difficult to keep track of tasks as well as manage schedules, finances and financial obligations. If you aren't able to remember what you need to get for food, you may miss out on meals, or spend excessively on unnecessary items.
Women suffering from ADHD often have a hard to keep track of their daily chores, homework and bills. The disorder may also contribute to messy workspaces, messy homes and a tendency to accumulate. People suffering from ADHD experience a concept known as "time blindness," which makes it difficult to know how much time has passed and how long you've been working on a project. In addition to being unable to stay focused, issues with time management can result in feelings of guilt and shame over being unorganized.
Although research shows that girls and women are more likely to have ADHD than men and boys The symptoms can be concealed and undiagnosed. Many women aren't diagnosed until they reach adulthood when their symptoms become more evident. Social stigma and stereotypes can hinder women to get the treatment and assistance they require.
Your doctor might prescribe medication to help manage your ADHD symptoms. Stimulants such as methylphenidate and amphetamine can boost and balance levels of neurotransmitters, the brain chemicals that communicate with one another. Antidepressants and atomoxetine, which are non-stimulant drugs, can also be used to treat ADHD. However they perform more slowly than stimulants. Your doctor might refer you to an expert in mental health who can assist in developing a treatment program tailored to your requirements.
4. Impulsiveness
Women with ADHD can have difficulty controlling their emotions and may be more sensitive to rejection. The chemical imbalance associated with ADHD interferes with communication between brain regions that regulate emotions, and also interpret how to handle these emotions.
People with ADHD are more susceptible to depression and moodiness. This, combined with the difficulty keeping track of their responsibilities can lead to problems with relationships with family and romantic partners. Women with ADHD may also have low self-esteem and have difficulty forming relationships and navigating social situations. They might go on tangents during conversations or have trouble comprehending what other people are saying, which may make it difficult for them to find their place within groups.
When managing their daily responsibilities women with ADHD may have trouble finding motivation to complete boring or mundane tasks like laundry, dishes, and cleaning. This can cause unhealthy coping habits like binge watching television shows or consuming substances. These are particularly risky for teens and girls with ADHD who are more likely than their peers to engage in risky behaviors such as early sexual activity and fewer partners who are protected and informal sex.
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 conceal their ADHD because of the numerous expectations placed on them by society (managing home and family, for instance). This can make it difficult for health care professionals to identify an issue, particularly since symptoms are more easily recognized for men and boys.
5. Hyperactivity
For women suffering from ADHD, everyday tasks can be overwhelming. They may have trouble organizing their lives, paying off bills on time and juggling appointments or school/work obligations. The emotional symptoms, such as mood swings and trouble managing emotions, can make it difficult to connect with others and create difficulties in relationships with family and friends.
People with ADHD often have trouble picking social cues or understanding body language. They may go off on a tangent in conversations or struggle to follow the thread of a conversation, leading to problems with work or school performance and strained relationships. They may also have a difficult time making new friends or finding the right balance between their home, work, and social life.
The symptoms of ADHD are different throughout the day and may be affected by hormone levels, such as those during menstrual cycles or pregnancy, or as they transition through perimenopausal (the menopausal transition). This can lead either to confusion or the wrong medication being prescribed.
Although everyone faces different difficulties when dealing with ADHD there are a few common symptoms and signs that can help you spot the condition in your loved one. Being aware of these symptoms is a great first step towards getting the help and treatment you require to manage your symptoms effectively.
It is important to understand that ADHD does not mean that you are free of other physical or mental disorders. Your therapist or doctor should perform a thorough assessment. They'll ask you questions regarding your past and current behaviors, review your medical history, and talk about the impact of your symptoms in various settings.