Signs and Symptoms of ADHD in Women
Women who suffer from ADHD are often faced with different social expectations regarding how they should handle their work as well as family and home life. This can lead you to feel frustrated and ashamed if your symptoms cause problems.
Research shows that women and girls are consistently under-referred for ADHD compared to men and boys. This could be due to the fact that they conceal their symptoms or develop coping mechanisms to hide their symptoms.
1. Inattentiveness
Being unable to pay attention at work or school is among the most common indicators of adhd. Women with adhd often forget important meetings or projects, or are misguided by the instructions. They may also have difficulties concentrating in noisy or crowded environments. People who suffer from ADHD may experience "thousand-yard gazes" or zone out during conversation. These symptoms can lead to issues at work or in relationships.
Women and girls are particularly susceptible to undiagnosed ADHD, especially as they age. They often develop coping mechanisms that hide their symptoms and continue to use these coping methods throughout their adulthood. They might even begin to identify their symptoms as personal attributes, which can make it more difficult to seek help.
A lot of teachers do not recommend ADHD assessments as often for girls as they do for males. If a girl's inattentive ADHD is impacting her school performance or social interactions it is recommended that she consult a health professional.
Inattentive ADHD is a typical reason for emotional stress. It can be frustrating when you feel that you're not meeting the expectations of friends or family members as well as colleagues. It can also be upsetting when you feel like you're not able to get along with your siblings or children. Inattention and impulsivity can increase anxiety and depression in certain people suffering from ADHD. In addition to seeking help there are a few things you can do to reduce the effects of these symptoms. Regular exercise can help release the neurotransmitters that improve concentration and attention. It also helps reduce mood swings, anxiety, and other symptoms that are common among people suffering from ADHD.
2. Impulsivity
ADHD symptoms can be difficult to manage. You might rant about things you shouldn't, buy something on a whim or be a target for the law because of your actions. In addition, it can be hard to manage your emotions and emotions. Self-injury can result from burning, cutting or scratching oneself. This can also cause alcohol or drug dependence.
People who are impulsive usually have problems with relationships and school or work performance. You can manage your impulsivity by taking medication prescribed by your doctor. Drugs like amphetamine and dextroamphetamine (Adderall, Ritalin) or methylphenidate (Concerta, Daytrana, Methylin) can help you improve your control over impulses. Non-stimulant drugs such as clonidine and guanfacine can also improve your ability to manage yourself.
Women are more likely than men and boys to have a hyperactive/impulsive form of ADHD. But this kind of ADHD is difficult to spot and can lead to underdiagnosis. Women might hide their symptoms to meet societal expectations and norms. This can be particularly challenging during adolescence or early adulthood. Women may turn to unhealthy ways of coping like excessive drinking and drug abuse, to hide their ADHD problems.
Women with high functioning ADHD can mask their symptoms by having success in particular areas of their life like at school or at work. This can give you a false sense of security and cause you to feel overwhelmed by the demands of life. Ask your doctor about accommodations that you can make at work or at school to help manage your ADHD symptoms. This is a great opportunity to inform your colleagues or professors of the issues you face.
3. Disorganization
If you have ADHD then you may be unable to attend appointments, turning up late to work, forgetting dates, or avoiding conversations can result in frustration and make others feel unimportant or offended. The condition can make it difficult to keep track of tasks as well as manage schedules, finances and financial obligations. For instance, if struggle to remember what you'll need for groceries, you might not be able to cook your meals or spend money on unnecessary things.
Women who suffer from ADHD have difficulty keeping the track of their daily chores, homework, and bills. The disorder can also result in messy homes, messy workspaces and a tendency to hoard. The "time blindness" that ADHD patients have makes it difficult for them to know how long has passed or how long they've spent on a particular task. Time management issues can trigger feelings of shame or guilt when combined with difficulty staying organized.
Although research shows that girls and women are more likely to have ADHD than men and boys The symptoms can be concealed and underdiagnosed. Many women are not diagnosed until they reach the age of adulthood when their symptoms become more obvious. Social stigma and stereotypes can also hinder women to receive the care and support they require.
Your doctor might recommend medication to help you manage your ADHD symptoms. stimulants such as amphetamine or methylphenidate increase and balance neurotransmitters - brain chemicals that talk to each other. Antidepressants and atomoxetine which are nonstimulant medications, can also be used to treat ADHD. However, they work more slowly than stimulants. Your doctor could refer you to an expert in mental health who can assist in creating a treatment plan that is tailored to your specific needs.
4. Impulsiveness
Women suffering from ADHD are more likely to struggle with controlling their emotions, and they might be more sensitive to rejection. The chemical imbalance associated with ADHD disrupts the communication between brain regions that regulate emotions, and also interpret how to deal with these emotions.
People suffering from ADHD are prone to moodiness and depression. This, along with the difficulty managing their obligations, can cause problems with family and romantic relationships. Women who suffer from ADHD might also suffer from low self-esteem, and may have difficulties forming relationships and navigating social situations. They may wander off on tangents in conversations or have difficulty understanding what others are saying, which can make it difficult for them to determine their place in a group.
When managing their daily tasks, women with ADHD might have difficulty finding motivation to complete routine or boring tasks like dishes, laundry, or cleaning. This can cause them to develop unhealthy coping habits, such as binge-watching TV shows or consuming substances. These are particularly risky for teens and girls with ADHD who are more likely than their peers to engage in risky behavior such as early sexual activity, fewer protected partners, 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. In addition, many women hide their ADHD symptoms because of the a myriad of expectations that society puts on them (managing the home and the family, for example). This makes it difficult for health professionals to recognize that there's a problem, especially because the symptoms are more readily recognized for men and boys.
5. Hyperactivity
Women with ADHD can have difficulty managing their daily tasks. They may have trouble managing their lives, paying off bills on time and keeping track of schedules or school/work requirements. Emotional symptoms, like mood swings and trouble regulating emotions, can also make it difficult to connect with others and create problems in personal relationships.
People suffering from ADHD are unable to discern body language or social cues. They may have difficulty following a conversation or go off on a tangent, creating problems at work or school and straining relationships. They may also have trouble making new friends, or balancing work, home and social activities.
adhd in women test of ADHD can be different throughout the day and may be influenced by hormone levels, such as those that occur during menstruation or pregnancy, or when they transition through perimenopause (the menopausal transition). This can lead to misdiagnosis, or the wrong type of medication being taken.
There are certain symptoms and signs that are typical of ADHD that can help you or a loved-one recognize the condition. Recognizing these symptoms is a good first step to getting the help and treatment you require to effectively manage your symptoms.
The fact that you have ADHD does not mean that you don't have other physical or mental health issues and it's essential that your therapist or doctor conducts a thorough examination. They will ask you questions about your past and present behavior, review your medical history, and talk about the impact of your symptoms in different settings.