Signs and Symptoms of ADHD in Women
Women who suffer from ADHD are often subject to different expectations from society on how they should manage careers, families and their home lives. This can cause you to be embarrassed and frustrated when your symptoms get in the way.
Research shows that women and girls are often under-diagnosed for ADHD as compared to boys and men. This could be due to the fact that they conceal their symptoms or develop strategies to cover the symptoms.
1. Inattentiveness
One of the most prevalent signs of adhd is difficulty paying attention at school or at work. Women with adhd often forget important meetings or tasks or are misled by directions. They may also have difficulty concentrating in noisy or crowded settings. Some people who suffer from ADHD may exhibit what's known as "thousand-yard stares" and zone out during conversations. These symptoms can lead to difficulties at work or in relationships.
Women and girls are at a higher chance of having undiagnosed ADHD as they grow older. They frequently develop coping mechanisms that cover up their symptoms and employ these strategies into adulthood. They might even begin to see their symptoms as being personal attributes, which can make it harder for them to seek help.
Many teachers do not suggest ADHD evaluations as often for girls as they do for males. If a girl's inattentive ADHD is impacting her school performance or social interactions then she should speak to a medical professional.
Being a bit inattentional ADHD can cause a lot of emotional stress. adhd in women treatment can be frustrating to feel like you're not capable of meeting the expectations of your friends, co-workers and family members. It can be difficult to feel that you're not getting with your siblings or kids. Certain people suffering from ADHD experience depression and anxiety, which can be exacerbated by their impulsivity and inattention. In addition to seeking help, there are things that you can do to decrease the impact of these symptoms. Regular exercise can release neurotransmitters that boost attention and concentration. It can also reduce mood swings, anxiety, and other symptoms that are common to people with ADHD.
2. Impulsivity
ADHD symptoms can be difficult to manage. You may utter things you shouldn't, purchase something on impulse or get into trouble with the law due to your actions. Impulsivity can also make it difficult to manage your emotions and feelings. Self-injury can manifest, such as cutting, burning, or scratching oneself. This can also lead to drug or alcohol abuse.
People who are impulsive usually have issues with relationships as well as work or school performance. You can control your impulsivity with medication prescribed by your physician. Drugs like amphetamine and dextroamphetamine (Adderall Ritalin) or methylphenidate (Concerta, Daytrana, Methylin) can improve your impulse control. Non-stimulant drugs such as clonidine and Guanfacine can also enhance your ability to manage yourself.
Women are more likely than men and boys to have a hyperactive/impulsive form of ADHD. However, this type of ADHD is harder to notice and can lead to underdiagnosis. Women may hide their symptoms to comply with social expectations and norms. high functioning adhd in women of masking can be particularly difficult in adolescence and adulthood. Some women use unhealthy ways of coping, such as excessive drinking and drug abuse, to hide their ADHD issues.
Women who have high-functioning ADHD can conceal their symptoms by succeeding in particular areas of their lives, such as school or work. This can give you a false sense of security and can cause you to feel overwhelmed by the demands of everyday life. Talk to your doctor about the accommodations that you can make at work or at school to help manage your ADHD symptoms. This can be an excellent way to increase awareness with your coworkers or professors of the challenges you may face.
3. Disorganization
If you suffer from ADHD and you are unable to keep appointments or turning up late for work, forgetting dates, or snoring during conversations can lead to frustration and make others feel unappreciated or offended. The disorder can make it difficult to stay on top of tasks, manage finances and schedules. For instance, if you struggle to remember what you'll need for groceries, you could be unable to eat or spend money on unnecessary things.
Women who suffer from ADHD have difficulty keeping track of their daily chores, homework, and bills. The disorder may also contribute to disorganized workspaces, messy homes and a tendency to accumulate. The "time blindness" that ADHD patients have makes it difficult for them to gauge how much time 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.
While research suggests that girls and women are more likely to be diagnosed with ADHD than boys and men The symptoms can be concealed and not recognized. Women are often not diagnosed until they reach the age of adulthood when their symptoms become more obvious. Social stigma and stereotypes can make it difficult for women to access the treatment and support they require.
Your doctor may prescribe medication to manage your ADHD symptoms. Stimulants like methylphenidate or amphetamine increase and balance neurotransmitters - the brain chemicals that transmit information. Nonstimulant medicines like antidepressants and atomoxetine can also be used to treat ADHD however, they perform slower than stimulants. Your doctor could also recommend you to a mental health specialist who can assist in the development of an individualized treatment plan that is tailored to your particular requirements.
4. Impulsiveness
Women with ADHD may have a hard time controlling their emotions, and are often more sensitive to rejection. This is because the pathway of communication between brain regions that regulate emotional responses and interpret what to do with these feelings is disrupted by the chemical imbalance caused by ADHD.
People suffering from ADHD are more prone to depression and moodiness. This, along with the difficulty keeping track of their responsibilities and obligations, can create problems for family and romantic relationships. Women with ADHD may also have low self-esteem and have difficulty forming relationships and navigating social situations. They may wander off on tangents during conversations or have trouble understanding what other people are saying, which can make it difficult for them to determine their place in a group.
Women suffering from ADHD may find it difficult to keep themselves motivated to complete simple or boring tasks such as washing dishes, cleaning, and washing laundry. This can cause them to develop unhealthy coping methods that include binge-watching television shows or taking drugs. These types of behaviors are especially risky for adolescents 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 casual 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. Additionally many women conceal their ADHD symptoms due to the long list of expectations that society puts on them (managing the home and the family, for example). It isn't easy for doctors to recognize that there is a problem since the symptoms are easier to recognize in both boys.
5. Hyperactivity
For women with ADHD the daily chores can be overwhelming. They may have trouble managing their lives and paying their bills on time and keeping up with work and school obligations. Additionally, emotional signs, such as mood swings and difficulty controlling their emotions, can make it difficult to connect with others and cause problems in relationships between people.
People suffering from ADHD are unable to discern body language or social cues. They may wander off on a tangent in conversations or have trouble following the conversation, which can cause issues with school or work performance and strained relationships. They may also have trouble making new friends, or finding a balance between work, home, and social life.
The symptoms of ADHD are able to change throughout the day and can be affected hormonally like during menstrual cycles and pregnancy, or during perimenopausal perimenopausal cycles. This could lead to confusion or the wrong type of medication being prescribed.
There are some signs and symptoms that are common to ADHD that can help you or a loved-one identify the disorder. Being aware of these symptoms is a good first step towards getting the help and treatment you require to manage your symptoms effectively.
The fact that you have ADHD isn't a guarantee that you don't have any other physical or mental health conditions and it's essential that your doctor or therapist performs a thorough evaluation. They'll need to ask questions about your past and present actions and experiences, look at any medical history, and discuss with you about how your symptoms affect you in various settings.