Signs and Symptoms of ADHD in Women
Women who suffer from ADHD are often subject to different expectations from society about how they can manage their family, careers and their home lives. This can lead to feelings of guilt and anger when your symptoms are causing you to get out of control.
Research has proven that girls and women are consistently under-referred for ADHD as compared to boys and men. This could be due to the fact that they hide their symptoms or develop coping strategies to hide the signs, for example:
1. Inattentiveness
Being unable to pay attention at school or work is one of the main symptoms of adhd. People with this condition frequently forget important meetings, fall behind on assignments or are misguided when trying to follow directions. They might be unable to concentrate in noisy or busy environments. People with ADHD may experience "thousand-yard gazes" or lose focus during conversations. These signs can cause problems at work or in relationships.
adhd in adults women and girls are especially susceptible to being diagnosed with ADHD particularly as they grow older. They often develop coping mechanisms that cover up their symptoms and continue to use these coping methods throughout their adulthood. They might even begin to view their symptoms as individual characteristics, which can make them less likely to seek assistance.
Teachers are not recommending ADHD evaluations as often for girls as they do for males. If a girl's lack of attention to ADHD is affecting her school performance or social interactions it is recommended that she consult an expert in health.
Inattention ADHD is a frequent cause of emotional stress. It can be difficult when you feel like you're not meeting the expectations of your friends or family members as well as colleagues. It can be frustrating to feel that you're not able to get with your children or siblings. Inattention and impulsivity can exacerbate anxiety and depression in certain people with ADHD. You can decrease the severity of these symptoms by seeking help and doing other things. Regular exercise can help release neurotransmitters that boost attention and concentration. It can also reduce anxiety and mood swings which are common among people who suffer from ADHD.
2. Impulsivity
The impulsive symptoms of ADHD can be a challenge to manage. You might say things you shouldn't, or purchase something on impulse. You may also end up arrested by the police because of your behavior. Impulsivity can make it difficult to control your feelings and emotions. This can lead to self-injury like cutting, burning or scratching yourself. This could also lead to drug or alcohol use.
People who are impulsive may have problems with their relationships, school or work performance. You can control your impulsivity with medication prescribed by your doctor. You can increase your control over impulses by taking medications such as amphetamine, dextroamphetamine, as well as methylphenidate. Non-stimulant medications such as clonidine and Guanfacine can also help to manage your impulses better.
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 an incorrect diagnosis. Women may conceal their symptoms to meet societal expectations and norms. This can be particularly challenging during adolescence or early adulthood. Some women use unhealthy ways of coping like excessive drinking and drug abuse to hide their ADHD challenges.
Women who suffer from high functioning ADHD may mask their symptoms by achieving success in particular areas of their life like at school or at work. This could give you a false sense that everything is in order and make you feel overwhelmed. Ask your doctor about accommodations that you can make at work or at school to help manage your ADHD symptoms. This is a great way to inform your colleagues or professors about the challenges you are facing.
3. Disorganization
If you suffer from ADHD then you may be unable to attend appointments, showing up late for work, not remembering dates and not paying attention to conversations can result in anger and make others feel snubbed or offended. The condition can also make it difficult to manage your finances manage schedules, keep track of appointments and complete tasks. If you aren't able to remember what you need to get for groceries, you could be unable to eat or spend too much on unnecessary things.
Women with ADHD often have a difficult managing their daily chores, homework and even paying bills. The disorder can also lead to messy workspaces, unorganized homes and a propensity to accumulate. The "time blindness" that ADHD patients are prone to makes it difficult to determine how long has passed or how long they've been working on a particular task. Time management issues can cause feelings of shame or guilt when combined with difficulty staying organized.
Although research shows that women and girls are more likely to have ADHD than men and boys The symptoms can be concealed and undiagnosed. Many women don't receive an diagnosis until they reach adulthood, when their symptoms are more apparent. Social stigma and stereotypes can hinder women to receive the treatment and support they require.
Your doctor may prescribe medication to help manage your ADHD symptoms. Stimulants like methylphenidate or amphetamine boost and balance neurotransmitters - brain chemicals that talk to each other. Antidepressants and atomoxetine, which are nonstimulant medications can also be used to treat ADHD. However they are slower to work than stimulants. Your doctor might refer you to a specialist in mental health, who can assist in creating a treatment plan specific to your requirements.
4. Impulsiveness
Women with ADHD might have a difficult to control their emotions, and are often more sensitive to rejection. The chemical imbalance that comes with ADHD affects the communication between brain regions that regulate emotions and determine how to deal with them.
Depression and moodiness are typical for people suffering from ADHD and the combination of these with difficulties in managing responsibilities can lead to trouble with family and romantic relationships. Women who suffer from ADHD also tend to have lower self-esteem and may struggle to form friendships and navigating social situations. They may wander off on tangents during conversations or have trouble understanding what others are saying, which could make it difficult for them to figure out their place within groups.
Women with ADHD may have difficulty to get motivated to finish mundane or boring tasks like washing dishes, cleaning, or doing laundry. This can cause them to develop unhealthy coping methods, such as binge-watching TV shows or abusing substances. These are particularly risky for girls and adolescents with ADHD who are more likely than other kids to engage in risky behaviors like early sexual activity with fewer protected partners and casual sexual 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 are unable to recognize their ADHD due to the many expectations that society places on them (managing home and family, for instance). This makes it difficult for health care professionals to identify a problem, especially because the symptoms are more readily recognized in boys and men.
5. Hyperactivity
Women suffering from ADHD might struggle to handle their daily tasks. They may struggle with managing their lives, paying bills on time and keeping track of appointments or school/work requirements. Emotional symptoms, like mood swings and difficulties in controlling emotions, may make it difficult to interact with other people and cause difficulties in relationships with family and friends.
People suffering from ADHD often have trouble picking up on social cues and reading body language. They may wander off on a tangent in conversations or struggle to follow the thread of conversation, causing difficulties with school or work performance as well as strained relationships. They can also have trouble making new friends or finding the right balance between work, home and social life.
Symptoms of ADHD are different throughout the day and may be affected by hormone levels, such as those during menstrual cycles, pregnancy, or as they transition through perimenopausal (the run-up to menopause). This could result in misdiagnosis or the wrong types of medication being taken.
Everyone faces their own unique issues when it comes to ADHD, there are some common symptoms and signs that can help you spot the disorder in your loved one. It is crucial to be aware of these signs to get the treatment and help you require to manage your symptoms effectively.
The fact that you have ADHD doesn't mean it doesn't mean you're not suffering from other mental health or physical conditions, so it's important that your doctor or therapist performs a thorough evaluation. They'll have to inquire about your current and past behavior and experiences, review any medical history, and speak with you about how your symptoms affect you in a variety of situations.