Signs and Symptoms of ADHD in Women
Women with ADHD often face different societal expectations regarding how they should manage their work as well as their family and home lives. This can lead to feelings of shame and frustration when your symptoms are getting out of control.
Research suggests that girls are more likely to be diagnosed with ADHD than boys and men. This could be due to the fact that they cover up their symptoms or develop coping mechanisms to cover the symptoms.
1. Inattentiveness
Having trouble paying attention at school or at work is among the most common indicators of adhd. Women with adhd often miss important meetings or assignments or are misled by directions. They may also have difficulty concentration in noisy or crowded spaces. Certain people with ADHD may have "thousand-yard gazes" or a tendency to lose focus during conversation. These symptoms can cause issues at work or in relationships.
Women and girls are particularly at risk for undiagnosed ADHD particularly as they grow older. They typically develop coping strategies that cover up their symptoms and continue to utilize these methods of coping throughout their adulthood. They may even start to view their symptoms as personal traits, which can make them less likely to seek assistance.
In addition, many teachers don't suggest ADHD evaluations for girls as often as they do for boys. If a girl's numbness or ADHD is affecting her school performance or social interactions, it is recommended that she consult a health professional.
Having inattentive ADHD can cause lots of emotional stress. It can be difficult to feel as if you're not being able to meet the standards of your friends, co-workers and family members. It can be difficult to feel as if you're not getting along with your siblings or kids. Many people with ADHD suffer from anxiety and depression that can be exacerbated by their inattention and impulsivity. In addition to seeking assistance there are some things you can do to decrease the effects of these symptoms. Regular exercise can release neurotransmitters that improve attention and concentration. signs of add in adult women helps reduce anxiety, mood swings and other symptoms that are common to people with ADHD.
2. Impulsivity
The unpredictable symptoms of ADHD can be difficult to manage. You might rant about things you shouldn't, buy things on impulse, or even get in trouble with the law due to your behavior. In addition, it can be hard to control your emotions and feelings. This can lead to self-injury, such as burning, cutting or scratching yourself. This could also result in alcohol or drug use.
People with impulsivity can have issues with their relationships, work or school performance. Your doctor can assist you to manage your impulsivity with prescription medications. You can improve your impulse-control with medications like amphetamine, dextroamphetamine and methylphenidate. Non-stimulant medications such as clonidine and guanfacine could also help to better control your impulses.
Women are more likely than men and boys to have a hyperactive/impulsive form of ADHD. But this kind of ADHD is more difficult to detect and could result in underdiagnosis. Women may hide their symptoms to meet societal expectations and norms. This can be particularly problematic in the adolescent years and early adulthood. Some women even use unhealthy strategies for coping, like excessive drinking and drug use to cover up their ADHD issues.
Women with high-functioning ADHD can conceal their symptoms by excelling in certain areas of their lives, such as school or work. This can make you believe that everything is going well and make you feel overwhelmed. Ask your doctor about accommodations that you can make at work or in school to manage your ADHD symptoms. This is an excellent opportunity to create awareness among your colleagues or professors about the issues you may encounter.
3. Disorganization
If you have ADHD you may be late for appointments or turning up late to work, forgetting dates, or snoring during conversations can cause frustration, and leave others feeling unappreciated or offended. The condition can also make it difficult to manage finances and keep track of your schedule and complete tasks. If you aren't able to remember what you'll need for groceries, then you might not be able to cook your meals, or spend excessively on unnecessary items.
Women with ADHD struggle to keep the track of their daily chores, homework, and bills. The disorder may also contribute to messy workspaces, unorganized homes and a tendency to accumulate. The "time blindness" that ADHD sufferers are prone to makes it difficult to determine how long has been spent or how long they've worked on a specific task. Combined with difficulty staying focused, time management problems can result in feelings of guilt and shame over being not organized.
Research has shown that women, girls and boys are more likely than men to suffer from ADHD. However, the signs can be misdiagnosed or masked. Many women aren't diagnosed until they reach adulthood when their symptoms become more apparent. Social stigma and stereotypes can make it difficult for women to get the care and support they require.
Your doctor might recommend medication to help manage your ADHD symptoms. Stimulants like methylphenidate or amphetamine boost and balance neurotransmitters, brain chemicals that talk to each other. Non-stimulant drugs like atomoxetine and antidepressants are also used to treat ADHD however, they perform slower than stimulants. Your doctor might also recommend you to a mental health professional who will help you develop an individualized treatment plan that is tailored to your specific needs.
4. Impulsiveness
Women who suffer from ADHD may have a difficult time controlling their emotions and are often more vulnerable to rejection. The chemical imbalance associated with ADHD disrupts the brain's communication between the areas that regulate emotions and determine how to handle these emotions.
Depression and moodiness are typical for those with ADHD and the combination of these with difficulty keeping track of obligations can cause problems with romantic and family relationships. Women with ADHD also have a lower self-esteem and may struggle to form friendships and managing social situations. They might go on tangents in conversations or have difficulty comprehending what other people are saying, which may make it difficult for them to find their place in a group.
Women suffering from ADHD might find it difficult to get motivated to finish routine or boring tasks, like washing dishes cleaning, and doing laundry. This can cause unhealthy coping habits like binge watching television shows or consuming substances. These types of behaviors are particularly risky for girls in their teens and teens with ADHD who are more likely to engage in sexually dangerous behavior, such as early beginning of sexual activity, fewer protected sex partners, and more casual sexual activity than their peers.
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 placed on them by society (managing home and family for example). This makes it difficult for health professionals to identify a problem, especially because the symptoms are more easily recognized for men and boys.
5. Hyperactivity
Women suffering from ADHD can find it difficult to manage their daily tasks. They may struggle with managing their lives, paying their bills on time and keeping up with school/work requirements. Additionally, emotional issues such as mood swings and difficulty managing their emotions, could make it hard to connect with others and can cause difficulties in relationships with family and friends.
People with ADHD are unable to discern body language or social cues. They might have trouble following a conversation or going off on a tangent creating problems at work or school and causing tension in relationships. They might also have trouble making new friends or achieving the right 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 or pregnancy, or even perimenopausal. This can result in a misdiagnosis or a wrong type of medication being prescribed.
Everyone faces their own unique difficulties when dealing with ADHD, there are some typical indicators and signs that can help you identify the condition for yourself or a loved one. Being aware of these symptoms is a great first step to getting the help and treatment you need to manage your symptoms effectively.
It's important to note that ADHD does not mean you are immune to other physical or mental conditions. Your doctor or therapist should perform a thorough assessment. They will ask you questions about your past and present behaviors, look over your medical history, and discuss how your symptoms impact you in different situations.