AdHD Symptoms in Women
Women who suffer from ADHD struggle to live up to society's 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. A bias based on gender can cause health professionals to not recognize ADHD in women and girls or misdiagnose them.
1. Lack of Focus
Concentration issues are one of the most prevalent symptoms of adhd among women. It's a problem that can show up in many different ways, from forgetting appointments to not being able to complete tasks at work, or snoring during conversations and making people feel ignored. It can also make it difficult for women to manage their finances and often cause them to miss out on job or financial opportunities.
Women may be more adept at masking ADHD symptoms than others, making it harder for them as adults to be diagnosed and treated. Researchers don't know why this is, however, they think it could be due to gender roles and the expectation for girls and women to be more "restrained." Masking ADHD can result in poor performance at work or in school and prevent those with ADHD from seeking out support and assistance.
Focus issues are also an atypical symptom that could be confused with other conditions such as anxiety and depression. For instance, depression may affect your concentration 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 emotions.
Treatment is the most effective way to improve concentration. This means seeking out a therapist or a clinician who has experience with ADHD in women and girls. It's also recommended to be aware about the kinds of accommodations you can request your employer or educational institution for like flexible hours or working at home. A healthy sleep routine will help you to have more restful nights, and help you to stay focused throughout the day. This includes sleeping each night at the same time, while listening to soothing music or an audiobook and limiting the time you spend on your computer.
2. Impulsivity
Women who suffer from ADHD typically exhibit impulsivity symptoms. They can interrupt other people or change topics during the course of a conversation, make quick decisions without thinking about the consequences, and make decisions that are not in your best interest. They might also have trouble understanding body language or social signals. The symptoms of impulsivity are often worse during the perimenopausal period before menopausal, and then when hormone levels begin to decline.
Girls and women with ADHD are more likely to have inattentive-type symptoms, which can be harder to notice than hyperactive/impulsive symptoms. This could lead to health professionals not seeing ADHD in women and girls and misdiagnosing their symptoms, or dismissing their symptoms as anxiety or a mood problem. Gender bias may be a factor, as research on ADHD is mostly focused on men and boys.
When children with ADHD are young, their parents and teachers occasionally observe impulsive behavior. It's normal for children to be irritable, restless or even impulsive in certain instances. However, those behaviors tend to improve as kids grow older and learn to manage their symptoms.
Adults with adhd can experience impulsive behavior and distraction that affect their relationships, work, and school. They can cause delays or forgetfulness and difficulty staying on track with commitments. They can make locating and keeping jobs difficult and interfere with healthy eating.
Treatment for adults with ADHD usually involves medication. Your doctor will recommend a combination of treatments depending on the specific symptoms you have and lifestyle, as well as other health issues you might have. They may also recommend psychotherapy such as cognitive behavioral therapy, which helps you recognize and alter negative thought patterns and couples counseling in the event that your relationship is affected by ADHD, or even family therapy. Exercise can calm your brain, reduce symptoms and help you focus. This is especially important for impulsivity and distraction. Try activities such as yoga, dancing, or group workouts such as running and swimming.
3. Anxiety
Anxiety disorders are common and can cause a wide range of physical symptoms. Dizziness, headaches, palpitations and sweating are a few of the symptoms. They can make people feel as if they are suffering from an attack of the heart or that the world is closing. Due to these physical signs those who experience anxiety are often mistakenly diagnosed with heart disease. This can lead to an extended medical treatment without addressing the root of the issue. Fortunately, many anxiety disorders respond well to psychotherapy by itself or in conjunction with medication. Cognitive behavioral therapy, specifically it can help people develop new ways of thinking and reacting to situations that could reduce anxiety.
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 be a mixed subtype. It is essential for women to discuss their ADHD symptoms with their doctor, who will perform an extensive physical exam and ask detailed questions about the way that the disorder impacts their lives.
Women who suffer from ADHD may have trouble getting an accurate diagnosis, since many diagnostic tools are designed toward male behavior. In addition, women often attempt to hide their ADHD to fit in with the society. They could be misdiagnosed and their ADHD treatment may be delayed. A trained professional such as a psychiatrist, psychologist or advanced registered nurses may be able to diagnose ADHD. The doctor will take a thorough background, physical examination, and the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Health Disorders to assess the symptoms of a person and determine if they have other conditions contributing to them.
4. Disorganization
Women suffering from ADHD might experience disorganization, which is an ongoing problem that can cause disruption to the routine of school and work which can cause emotional stress and create tension in relationships, and can lead to financial issues. Disorganization is defined as the lack of organization skills, such as not keeping track of expenses or appointments, and having trouble making decisions. Often, disorganization is related to other issues, such as anxiety, traumatizing a life incident, or depression and can be difficult to treat.
Women who suffer from ADHD are able to perform at a high degree and their symptoms don't significantly affect their daily activities or relationships. This condition is referred to as "high-functioning ADHD." This does not mean that they don't suffer from certain symptoms. They may experience forgetfulness, trouble concentration or paying attention to small details.
For some, disorganization is a constant battle, and it's common for those with ADHD to spend a lot of time looking for lost items or putting off important tasks. It can also lead to low productivity and stressed relationships. It can also cause a number of health problems, such as anxiety or sleep disorders.
Hormone fluctuations can also exacerbate the disorganization of women with ADHD. Estrogen levels decrease when ovulating, during the middle of menstrual cycles and at the end of when progesterone levels are higher. These fluctuations can worsen ADHD symptoms.
While differences in the biological makeup of genders could play a role, it's also possible that some of the disorder and impulsivity associated with ADHD in women is linked to social "norms." Girls and young women are typically viewed as quiet and reserved, which is why they might suppress or hide their ADHD symptoms.
5. Attention
Women are more likely than men to mask their attention issues, which can lead them to be misdiagnosed and receive delayed treatment. They might even believe they're more adept at managing time and concentration than they actually are. In reality, they're more likely to lose things and forget appointments, or not pay bills on time and have trouble coordinating their work and at home.
Women who suffer from 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 can also experience trouble being quiet and can talk to themselves continuously or speak unintelligible phrases or sounds, though they're 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 frequently prescribed, however nonstimulant medications that focus on how neurotransmitters interact with your brain may also be a possibility. They include atomoxetine and guanfacine.
adhd in adult women with ADHD might also benefit from cognitive behavior therapy (CBT). These therapies can help identify thoughts that are irrational or automatic and help you learn healthy ways to manage your emotions and behaviors. A healthy diet and exercise in addition to medications can help manage ADHD symptoms such as inattention, restlessness, and distractibility. Try activities such as yoga, dancing, group classes like aerobics or swimming, and biking to boost energy levels. Make sure you get 4 to 5 sessions of exercise every week for approximately 30 minutes per session. Make sure to take a variety of fresh vegetables whole grains, protein and healthy fats to boost your focus and mood.