Signs and Symptoms of ADHD in Women
Women suffering from ADHD are often faced with different social expectations for how they should manage their careers as well as family and home life. This can cause you be embarrassed and frustrated if your symptoms get in the way.
Research has proven that women and girls are often under-diagnosed for ADHD compared to males and boys. This could be due to the fact that they cover up their symptoms or develop strategies to cover them.
1. Inattentiveness
Finding it difficult to focus at work or school is one of the main signs of adhd. People with this condition frequently forget important meetings, fall behind on their work or become misguided when trying to follow directions. They may also have trouble concentrating in noisy or crowded settings. Certain people who suffer from ADHD might experience "thousand-yard gazes" or zone out during conversation. These signs can cause issues at work or in relationships.
Women and girls are more at chance of having undiagnosed ADHD as they grow older. They develop strategies to mask their symptoms, and continue to do this into adulthood. They may even start to consider their symptoms personal traits, which can make them less likely to seek assistance.
In addition, many teachers don't recommend ADHD assessments for girls as frequently as they do for boys. However, if a girl's inattentive ADHD symptoms are having a negative impact on her school performance and social interactions, she should talk to a medical professional.
Being inattentional ADHD can create lots of emotional stress. It can be difficult when you feel you are not able meet the expectations of friends or family members as well as colleagues. It can be a bit upsetting when you feel you are not able to get along with your siblings or children. Some people suffering from ADHD experience depression and anxiety that can be exacerbated by their impulsivity and inattention. You can decrease the severity of these symptoms by seeking assistance and doing other activities. Regular exercise can help release the neurotransmitters which boost concentration and attention. It can also reduce anxiety and mood swings, which are common in people with ADHD.
2. Impulsivity
The unpredictable symptoms of ADHD can be a challenge to manage. You may blurt out things you shouldn't, purchase something on a whim or be a target for the law because of your actions. The urge to be impulsive can make it difficult to control your emotions and emotions. This can lead to self-injury, like cutting, burning or scratching yourself. This can also lead to drug or alcohol abuse.
People who are impulsive may have problems with their relationships, work or school performance. You can manage your impulsivity with medication prescribed by your physician. You can improve your impulse-control by taking medications such as amphetamine, dextroamphetamine, and the methylphenidate. Non-stimulant drugs such as clonidine and Guanfacine can also enhance your ability to control yourself.
Women are more likely than men and boys to have a hyperactive/impulsive form of ADHD. However, this type of ADHD is difficult to spot and can lead to underdiagnosis. Women can hide their symptoms in order to conform to social standards and expectations. This can be particularly challenging in the adolescent or early adulthood. Women may turn to unhealthy ways of coping that include excessive drinking and substance abuse to hide their ADHD issues.
Women with high-functioning ADHD might conceal their symptoms by succeeding in particular areas of their lives, like school or at work. This can create a false sense of security and can cause you to feel overwhelmed by the demands of everyday life. Consult your doctor about any adjustments that you can make at work or at school to manage your ADHD symptoms. This is a great way to inform your colleagues or professors of the difficulties you have to face.
3. Disorganization
If you have ADHD then avoiding appointments, arriving late for work, not remembering dates, or avoiding conversations can result in anger and make others feel ignored or offended. The disorder can make it difficult to manage your finances, keep track of schedules and keep track of tasks. If you aren't able to remember what you'll need for groceries, then you could not be able to cook your meals or spend too much on unnecessary items.
Women who suffer from ADHD struggle to keep track of their daily chores, bills and homework. add symptoms in adult women can also lead to disorganized homes, messy workspaces and a tendency to pile up. The "time blindness" that ADHD patients are prone to makes it difficult to determine how long has been spent or how long they've been working on a particular task. Combined with difficulty staying focused, time management problems can lead to feelings of guilt and shame over being unorganized.
Research shows that girls, women and boys are more likely than men to suffer from ADHD. However, symptoms can be misdiagnosed or masked. Women are often not given a diagnosis until adulthood and their symptoms become more apparent. Social stigma and stereotypes can also make it difficult for women to get the treatment and support they need.
Your doctor may recommend medication to help you manage your ADHD symptoms. The stimulants methylphenidate or amphetamine are able to boost and regulate levels of neurotransmitters, the brain chemicals which communicate with one another. Nonstimulant medications such as antidepressants and atomoxetine can also be used to treat ADHD, but they work slower than stimulants. Your doctor could also recommend you to a mental health specialist, who can help develop an individualized treatment plan that addresses your particular needs.
4. Impulsiveness
Women suffering from ADHD may have a hard managing their emotions, and are often more vulnerable to rejection. The chemical imbalance associated with ADHD affects the brain's communication between the areas that regulate emotions and interpret how to handle these emotions.
People suffering from ADHD are more prone to depression and moodiness. This, along with the difficulty of keeping track of their responsibilities, can cause problems with romantic and family relationships. Women with ADHD also tend to be less confident in themselves and may have trouble forming friendships and navigating social situations. They might wander off during conversations or have trouble understanding what others are saying, which may make it difficult for them to figure out their place in groups.
When managing their daily responsibilities, women with ADHD may struggle with finding motivation to complete boring or mundane tasks like laundry, dishes, and cleaning. This could lead them to develop unhealthy coping habits, such as binge-watching TV shows or taking drugs. These types of behaviors are especially risky for girls and adolescents with ADHD who are more likely than their peers to engage in risky activities such as early sexual activity, fewer protected partners, 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 hide their ADHD due to the numerous expectations that society places on them (managing the household and children for instance). It isn't always easy for doctors to identify that there is a problem, as the symptoms are easier to recognize in both boys.
5. Hyperactivity
Women who suffer from ADHD can struggle to handle their daily tasks. They may struggle with organizing their lives, paying bills on time, and keeping up with schedules or school/work requirements. A variety of emotional symptoms, including mood swings and difficulty regulating emotions, can also make it difficult to interact with other people and cause problems in personal relationships.
People suffering from ADHD are often unable to pick up on social cues and reading body language. They may have difficulty following a conversation or go off on a tangent causing issues at school or at work and causing stress in relationships. They might also have difficulty making new friends or finding the right balance between their work, home, and social life.
Symptoms of ADHD can be different throughout the day and can be influenced by hormone levels, such as those that occur during menstruation or pregnancy, or as they transition through perimenopause (the menopausal phase). This could result in misdiagnosis or the wrong kinds of medications being used.
There are certain symptoms and signs that are that are typical of ADHD that can help you or a loved-one identify the disorder. It is crucial to recognize these signs in order to receive the treatment and assistance you need to manage symptoms effectively.
It's important to note that ADHD does not mean that you are free of other mental or physical conditions. Your doctor or therapist will conduct a thorough evaluation. They'll ask you questions about your past and current behavior, review your medical history, and discuss the impact of your symptoms in different settings.