ADHD Symptoms in Women Adults
Women with ADHD often experience a variety of symptoms that affect daily functioning at school, home, work, and in relationships. Treatments for ADHD include psychotherapy and medication with a mental health professional experienced in treating adults suffering from ADHD.
The symptoms of ADHD can be made worse by hormonal changes that happen during menstrual cycles, pregnancy, perimenopause or menopause.
Inattention or lack of Focus
Women with ADHD may find it difficult to concentrate and feel as if their concentration is failing. They can lose track, forget appointments, or other obligations and have trouble performing at work. They are also more likely to suffer from co-occurring disorders like anxiety or depression and experience issues with relationships that can lead to intimate partner violence.
In adolescence, hormonal changes can make it difficult for girls with ADHD to concentrate. This is because estrogen levels drop around the time of menstrual ovulation, and decreases even more near the start of menstruation. When coupled with progesterone which is abundant in the brain of adolescents these fluctuations can cause symptoms and make them more noticeable. These fluctuations also increase the chance of being mistakenly diagnosed as having anxiety or a mental disorder and treated in a way that is not correct.
Girls with ADHD are more likely to have the inattentive subtype of the condition, rather than the hyperactive/impulsive or mixed subtypes. It can be harder to recognize these issues as they grow older, because adults are less likely than parents or teachers to recognize the same behavioral issues that children with ADHD might be experiencing. Girls who suffer from ADHD also tend to be better at disguising their symptoms and rely on aids to alleviate their attention problems. This can lead to a false confidence and deep-seated self-doubt that can impact the financial and professional success of a person with ADHD.
The impulsivity that is associated with ADHD in girls and women can lead them to be more sexually active than their peers and at a later age. This can lead to a negative relationships and a higher likelihood of being forced to engage in sexual activities that are not wanted or being the victim of sexual assault. It can also lead to eating disorders, and could increase the risk of alcohol or substance abuse.
Regular physical activity can help improve focus and release neurotransmitters to enhance alertness and working memory. It can also help reduce stress and improve sleep and sleep, both of which are common problems for people with ADHD. Try taking a walk, yoga, swimming or playing a sport.
Disorganization
Women suffering from ADHD are often affected by clutter and disorganization. Your work and home may feel chaotic and messy even though you are organizing or cleaning. Late payments, missed appointments and misplaced papers can affect your work and personal relationships. You may also experience health issues due to a lack of proper nutrition, skipping doctor visits or not taking medication according to instructions.
It's hard to maintain your usual level of organization when you have ADHD because your symptoms flare up when you're confronted with certain pressures. Your desk at work could be a jumbled muddle of receipts, 17 chapsticks, and a ticket to the Kings of Leon concert you went to in the year 2008. Your shopping cart could be filled with items that you don't need. Your purse could be filled with a random assortment of things, such as scissors, keys, a pen and paper, and an extra pair of headphones.
Inattentive ADHD symptoms are the most common type of the disorder and can be characterized by difficulty paying attention or following directions at work, school or in social situations. You may lose your keys, forget to schedule appointments or be too lenient towards people because you don't recognize the situation they are in. You may have difficulty completing tasks, feel overwhelmed at school or at work, and feel like you're not a part of your friends.
Many women and girls aren't diagnosed with ADHD because their symptoms don't fit the stereotype of hyperactivity among males and boys. Girls and women often have non-attentional symptoms instead of hyperactive, which can make it harder to diagnose. A gender bias could also hinder health professionals from evaluating ADHD to be the reason of their behavior.
Reduce stress and lower your frustration level. Meditation and mindfulness exercises can help you control your impulsivity, manage your emotions, and remain in the present moment. A healthy diet can also improve your symptoms. Avoiding foods high in sugar, fat and chemicals can make you feel more relaxed and focused.
Problems in Making Decisions
Women who suffer from ADHD have trouble making decisions because they are easily distracted. This can create issues in their personal and professional lives. They may not be able to stick to on their plans or keep track of appointments or payments for bills. Their lack of attention ADHD can make them more likely to misplace things or lose them, which can lead to a number of problems.
Another typical ADHD characteristic of women who are adults is mood swings as well as issues with their self-esteem. These problems can be exacerbated by hormonal fluctuations, such as the ones that occur during menstrual cycle and pregnancy, as well as menopausal. Women with ADHD are also more likely to suffer anxiety or depression that can be caused by their symptoms or be unrelated to them. They are also more likely to suffer from co-occurring disorders, such as tics, eating disorders or fibromyalgia.
Symptoms of ADHD in women are harder to diagnose than symptoms of ADHD in men and boys. This is because they are more likely to have inattentive ADHD symptoms and be less prone to hyperactive/impulsive ADHD symptoms, especially in the mixed subtype of the disorder. This can make it difficult to get diagnosed, and can also cause people to dismiss their symptoms as "character flaws" or as something they simply have to deal with.
Women may have difficulty recognizing their ADHD symptoms, particularly when they've been suffering from them for a while. They may become so used to their lack of focus and disorganization that they start to think it is normal. This could keep them from seeking a diagnosis or receiving treatment.
For women who are diagnosed with ADHD, the most effective treatment is usually medication. The most frequently prescribed medications are stimulants that work by increasing levels of certain neurotransmitters in the brain. They include the drugs methylphenidate (Ritalin), dextroamphetamine and amphetamine salts (Adderall), and the lisdexamfetamine (Vyvanse). Non-stimulants, such as Atomoxetine (Strattera) and viloxazine (Qelbree) or antidepressants, such as imipramine (Tofranil) desipramine (Norpramin) and nortriptyline (Pamelor) can help to manage ADHD symptoms.
Women can reduce their symptoms of ADHD by making lifestyle changes in addition to taking medication. Exercise, for instance, can elevate mood and boost energy. It can also be beneficial for social abilities. Participating in add women support group could be beneficial for some women suffering from ADHD who find it easier to deal with their symptoms around other people.
Anxiety
Women with ADHD often experience a high level of anxiety. This is due to a number of reasons, including low self-esteem and difficulties in relationships. It can also be linked to workplace issues like having trouble keeping the job or observing workplace rules and procedures. Women with ADHD are also more likely to have depression comorbidity. This can cause feelings of anxiety or self-doubt. Women with ADHD are also more likely to be suffering from disordered eating disorders such as anorexia or bulimia.
Inattentive-type symptoms, which cause you to lose or misplace things, forget important appointments, or have trouble remembering what people tell you, are more common in females with adhd than hyperactive/impulsive ADHD. The people with this subtype of adhd have six or more of the following symptoms lasting for at least six months: struggle to stay focused on your work at home and at school. You are easily distracted by the environment or by your own thoughts and behavior. You're having trouble staying focused or focusing your mind on a task (you're susceptible to the thousand-yard stare). You're having trouble following instructions or meeting deadlines at the workplace or at school. You're forgetful or unfocused in daily routines, such as paying bills and tracking medication.
Women who suffer from ADHD conceal their symptoms more effectively than men. This makes it difficult to diagnose. For instance some women resort to coping strategies like disguising their inattention by displaying a busy appearance or employing tools to manage and stay focused. The symptoms can also change due to hormonal changes, especially estrogen during ovulation and menstrual cycles.
Receiving an adhd diagnosis may be a life changing moment for those suffering from this condition. It can be a relief when you have a clear understanding of your issues. It will help you accept yourself more fully. It could also be a catalyst for making beneficial lifestyle changes.
Gender refers to the internal perception that an individual has of being female, male or nonbinary. It can also refer to a different gender. Sex refers to the chromosomal makeup of a person, hormones, and anatomy and is determined by birth.