AdHD Symptoms in Women
Women with ADHD often have difficulty meeting many societal expectations. This includes caring for others as well as balancing work and family life, and navigating relationships.
Female ADHD symptoms are more likely to be inattentive-type symptoms than hyperactive/impulsive symptoms. Gender bias can also make health professionals not recognize ADHD in women and girls or misdiagnose them.
1. Inattention and lack of Focus
Concentration issues are one of the most prevalent symptoms of adhd in women. It can manifest in a variety of different ways, from forgetting appointments or not being able to finish work to zoning out when talking to others and making them feel unimportant. It's also a frequent symptom that can make it difficult for women to keep up with their finances. It's often the reason they miss out on jobs or financial opportunities.
It's possible that certain women are better at masking their ADHD symptoms, which could make it more difficult to be diagnosed and treated as adults. Researchers aren't certain why this is, but they speculate that it could be related to traditional gender roles and the notion that women and girls should be more "restrained." The act of masking ADHD symptoms can lead to underperforming at work or school and could make it difficult for them to seek the help and support they require.
Focus issues are also a common symptom that can be confused with other ailments like anxiety and depression. For instance, depression can affect your focus by making you forgetful and irritable. People suffering from generalized anxiety disorder often experience difficulty focusing due to the fact that they are more likely to be overwhelmed by their thoughts and feelings.
Treatment is the best method to increase concentration. This means locating a doctor or therapist experienced with ADHD for both girls and women. It is also important to know about the accommodations you can request from your school or employer that allow for flexible working hours or working from home. A healthy sleep routine will aid you in having more restful nights, and help you to stay focused throughout the day. This means getting to bed every night at the same time, and listening to soothing music or audiobooks, and limiting the time you spend on your computer.
2. Impulsivity
Women who suffer from ADHD typically exhibit impulsivity symptoms. These can include interrupting others or shifting topics during conversations, making snap decisions without thinking and taking risks that are not the best for their interests. They may also have difficulty understanding the body language of others or picking up on social cues. The signs of impulsivity tend to get worse during the perimenopausal phase that precedes menopausal and after which hormone levels begin to decrease.
Girls and women with ADHD are more likely to have inattentive-type symptoms, which can be harder to notice than hyperactive/impulsive symptoms. This can lead to health professionals not recognizing ADHD in women and girls and misdiagnosing their symptoms, or dismissing their symptoms as anxiety or a mood problem. Research on ADHD focuses mainly on men and boys. This may cause a gender bias.
When children with ADHD are young, teachers and parents occasionally notice an impulsive behavior. It's not uncommon for children to be irritable or impatient at times. However, those behaviors tend to improve as children grow up and learn to manage their problems.
In adults, the impulsive and distractible symptoms of adhd can negatively impact work, school, and relationships. They can lead to procrastination, inattention, as well as problems following through with commitments. They can make locating and maintaining a job difficult and can hinder healthy eating habits.
Adult ADHD is usually treated by medication. Your doctor may recommend a combination of treatments based on your symptoms, lifestyle, and any other health conditions. They might also recommend psychotherapy, including cognitive behavioral therapy to help you identify and change negative thinking patterns, couples counseling in the event that your relationship has been affected by your ADHD or family therapy. Exercise can calm your mind, reduce symptoms and aid in focusing. This is especially important for those who are prone to impulsivity and disorientation. You can take on activities such as yoga, dancing, or group workouts like running and swimming.
3. Anxiety
Anxiety disorders are common and cause a wide array of physical symptoms. Dizziness, headaches, palpitations and sweating are just a few of the signs. These symptoms can make a person think they are having an attack or that the world is close to ending. People who experience anxiety are often mistakenly diagnosed as having a heart issue due to these physical signs. This can result in a long odyssey of medical treatment that fails to treat the root cause. Fortunately, most anxiety disorders respond well to psychotherapy alone or in combination with medications. Particularly, cognitive behavioral therapy can help someone discover new ways of thinking and reacting that may make them less anxious.
Unlike men and boys, who are more likely to have hyperactive/impulsive ADHD, women are more likely to have the inattentive subtype of the disorder. Women are also more likely to have an uniform subtype. It's important for women to discuss their ADHD symptoms with their doctor, who will perform an exhaustive physical exam and ask detailed questions about the way that the disorder impacts their life.
Women who suffer from ADHD may have difficulty obtaining the right diagnosis, as many diagnostic tools are designed toward male behavior. In addition, women often attempt to conceal their symptoms to fit into the society. As a result, they may not be diagnosed and receive delayed treatment for their ADHD. A qualified professional like a psychiatrist, psychologist or advanced practice registered nurses can identify ADHD. The professional will conduct an extensive history, physical exam and the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Health Disorders to evaluate the symptoms of a person and determine if there are other conditions that could be the cause of their symptoms.
4. Disorganization
Women with ADHD might experience disorganization, which is an ongoing problem that can affect the routine of school and work as well as cause emotional stress. It can strain relationships and contribute to financial issues. Disorganization is defined as a lack of organizational skills, such as not keeping track of expenses or appointments, and difficulty making decisions. The disorder can be caused by other issues such as anxiety, a traumatizing experience in life, or depression. It is difficult to treat.
Some women who suffer from ADHD have a high degree of functioning and their symptoms do not have a significant impact on their daily interactions and relationships. This condition is referred to as "high-functioning ADHD." However this doesn't mean they don't have the usual symptoms. This includes difficulty in concentrating or paying attention to particulars, feeling uneasy, and being in a state of forgetfulness.
People who struggle with disorder on a daily basis. They may be looking for lost objects or putting off important tasks. adhd women test can also result in poor work quality and strained relationships. It can also trigger a variety of health issues, including anxiety and sleep disorders.
Hormone fluctuations can further aggravate the disorganization of women with ADHD. Estrogen levels are lower during ovulation, in the middle of menstrual cycle, and at the end, whereas progesterone levels are higher. These fluctuations can worsen ADHD symptoms.
Although biological differences between genders may play a part, it's also possible that some of the disorganization and impulsivity that is associated with ADHD in women is related to social "norms." Girls and young women are often socialized to be more reserved and quiet, so they may not be able to hide their ADHD symptoms.
5. Inattention
Women are more likely than men to conceal their problems with attention, which can result in them being misdiagnosed and receive delayed treatment. In reality, they might even think they have better concentration and time-management abilities than they actually do. In reality, they tend to lose things and miss appointments, or pay their bills on time. They also struggle with problems with organization at work and at home.
Women with ADHD tend to develop the inattentive form of the disorder. They're less likely to have the hyperactive/impulsive or mixed symptoms, which must be present in at least two settings for six months to qualify as an ADHD diagnosis. They might also have difficulty in calming down and may talk to themselves constantly or use unintelligible phrases or sounds, however they're much less likely to have these symptoms than men are.
Medication is the first treatment option for a lot of adults suffering from ADHD. Stimulants such as methylphenidate and amphetamine are often prescribed, but nonstimulant medicines that target the way neurotransmitters interact with the brain could also be effective. These include atomoxetine and Guanfacine.
Women suffering from ADHD can also benefit from cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). These therapies can help identify automatic or irrational thinking and teach you healthy ways to manage your mood and behavior. Alongside medication, exercise and an appropriate diet can help control ADHD symptoms like anxiety, impulsivity, and restlessness. Try activities like dancing, yoga or group classes such as swimming or aerobics, as well as biking to boost energy levels. Try to exercise for at minimum four to five times per week, each lasting approximately 30 minutes. To support your mood and focus consume a variety of fruits, whole grains, and healthy fats.