AdHD Symptoms in Women
Women with ADHD struggle to live up to society's expectations. This includes taking care of others, balancing work and home life, and navigating relationships.
Female ADHD symptoms are more likely to be inattentive-type symptoms than hyperactive/impulsive symptoms. The gender bias can cause health care professionals to not recognize ADHD in women and girls or misdiagnose them.
1. Lack of Focus
Having trouble concentrating is one of the most frequent symptoms of adhd in women. This issue can manifest in different ways, such as forgetting appointments, not being able to complete tasks at work or zoning out when talking to people. It can make it difficult for women to manage their finances and can result in them not being able to take advantage on financial or job opportunities.
It's possible that some women are better at masking their ADHD symptoms, which could make it more difficult to be diagnosed and treated as adults. Researchers aren't sure why, but they believe it could be due to gender roles and the expectation of girls and women to be more "restrained." The act of masking ADHD can lead to poor performance at work or at school, and hinder those with ADHD from seeking out support and assistance.
Focus issues are also a common symptom and can be confused with other conditions like anxiety and depression. Depression can affect concentration by making you forgetful and demotivated. People suffering from generalized anxiety disorder are unable to concentrate because they are usually overwhelmed by their thoughts and emotions.
Treatment is the best method to increase concentration. This means locating a doctor or therapist with experience in ADHD for both girls and women. You should also learn about the kinds of accommodations you can request from your school or employer for example, flexible working hours or at home. Good sleep hygiene will also assist 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, while listening to soothing music or an audiobook, and limiting the time you spend on your computer.
2. Impulsivity
Women with ADHD frequently exhibit impulsivity signs. They may be prone to interrupting others or shifting topics during conversations, making snap decisions without thinking and taking risks that are not beneficial to their health. They might also have difficulty reading other people's body language or picking up on social signals. The signs of impulsivity may increase during perimenopause - the period before menopause - and 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 cause health professionals to miss ADHD in them, misdiagnose them or ignore their symptoms as anxiety or mood issues. Research on ADHD focuses mainly on boys and men. This can result in a gender bias.
When children with ADHD are young, parents and teachers sometimes observe an impulsive behavior. It's not uncommon for children to be restless or even impatient at times. However, these behaviors tend to improve as kids grow older and learn to manage their symptoms.
Adults with adhd may have impulsive behavior and distracting that can impact their relationships, work and school. They can lead to procrastination, inattention, as well as problems adhering to commitments. They can also make it difficult to find and keep jobs and can affect healthy eating habits.
Adult ADHD is typically treated by medication. adhd in women adult may recommend a combination of treatments based on your symptoms, lifestyle, and any other health issues. Psychotherapy may also be recommended, including cognitive behavioral therapy to help you identify and change negative thinking patterns and couples counseling if your relationship has been affected by your ADHD, or family therapy. Physical exercise can help to calm your mind and lessen symptoms, particularly when it comes to distraction and impulsivity. You can try activities like yoga, dancing, and group workouts like swimming and running.
3. Anxiety
Anxiety disorders are common and can cause a wide range of physical symptoms. They can cause dizziness, chest pain and headaches, heart palpitations and sweating. They can make people feel like they are having an attack on their heart or that the world is ending. People who suffer from anxiety are often mistakenly diagnosed as having a heart problem because of these physical symptoms. This can result in lengthy medical treatments without addressing the root cause. Psychotherapy is a great treatment for many anxiety disorders, regardless of whether it's employed on its own or when combined with medications. Particularly, cognitive behavioral therapy can help a person learn new ways of thinking and reacting that may 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 suffer from mixed subtypes. 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 how the disorder affects their lives.
Women suffering from ADHD might have difficulty getting an accurate diagnosis due to the fact that many of the diagnostic tools used for the disorder are skewed toward male behavior. Women may also hide their symptoms to fit in with society. This means that they may not be diagnosed and receive delayed treatment for their ADHD. A trained professional such as a psychiatrist, psychologist or advanced registered nurses may be able to diagnose ADHD. The provider will use thorough medical history, physical exam and the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Health Disorders to analyze the symptoms of a person and determine if there are other conditions that may be contributing to them.
4. Disorganization
Women who suffer from ADHD can experience disorganization which is a constant issue that can disrupt work and schoolwork habits which can cause emotional stress and stress relationships and cause financial issues. Disorganization is characterized by a lack of organizational skills that include not keeping track of bills or appointments, and difficulty making decisions. It can be caused by other issues like anxiety, a traumatizing event in life, or depression. It is difficult to treat.
Some women with ADHD are able to function at a high level and their symptoms do not significantly affect their daily life or relationships. The condition is known as "high-functioning ADHD." This does not mean that they don't experience certain symptoms. This includes difficulty in paying attention or concentrating on things, feeling anxious and unfocused.
People who struggle with disorder on a daily basis. They may spend time searching for lost items or delay important tasks. It can also cause low productivity and stressed relationships. It can also cause a variety of health issues, including anxiety and sleep disorders.
Hormone fluctuations can also contribute to the disorganization of women with ADHD. Estrogen levels are lower during ovulation, the middle of menstrual cycle and at the end of when progesterone levels are higher. These fluctuations can exacerbate ADHD symptoms.
While biological differences between the sexes can play a role but it's also possible some of the disorder and impulsivity associated with ADHD in women is related to social "norms." Young women and girls can be socialized to be quiet and reserved, which can lead them to suppress or hide their ADHD symptoms.
5. Inattention
Women are more likely than men to hide their problems with attention, which can lead them to be incorrectly diagnosed and receiving delayed treatment. In reality, they might even believe they have better concentration and time-management skills than they actually do. In reality, they're more likely to misplace things and forget appointments, or not pay bills on time and have trouble coordinating their work and home.
Women who suffer from ADHD tend to develop the inattentive version 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 staying quiet and may speak to themselves constantly or use nonsensical phrases or sounds, however they're much less likely to have these symptoms than men are.
For conversational tone suffering from ADHD the first option for treatment is medication. The stimulants methylphenidate and amphetamine are frequently prescribed, however nonstimulant medications that focus on the way neurotransmitters interact with the brain are also possible. These include atomoxetine and guanfacine.
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) can also be beneficial for women suffering from ADHD. These therapies can help identify automatic or irrational thinking and help you learn healthy ways to control your moods and behaviors. In addition to medication exercising and healthy eating habits can help manage ADHD symptoms like restlessness, impulsivity and distractibility. Try activities like yoga, dancing, group classes like aerobics or swimming, and biking to boost energy levels. Try to get at least four to five sessions of exercise per week, lasting about 30 minutes per session. To boost your mood and attention, eat a variety fruits, whole grains, and healthy fats.