Signs and Symptoms of ADHD in Women
Women who suffer from ADHD often face different societal expectations for how they should manage their work as well as their family and home lives. This can result in feelings of guilt and anger when your symptoms are getting in the way.
Research shows that girls are more likely to be diagnosed with ADHD than boys and men. signs and symptoms of adhd in women could be due to the fact that they cover up their symptoms or develop coping mechanisms to cover them.
1. Inattentiveness
One of the most frequent signs of adhd is difficulty paying attention at the classroom or at work. Women with adhd often forget important meetings or tasks or are misled by instructions. They may also have difficulties staying focused in noisy or crowded spaces. Certain people with ADHD might experience "thousand-yard gazes" or zone out when they are talking. These symptoms can lead to problems at work or with relationships.
Women and girls are more at chance of having undiagnosed ADHD as they get older. They develop coping strategies that disguise their symptoms and continue to do this into adulthood. They may even begin to consider their symptoms personal traits, which can make them less likely to seek assistance.
Teachers are not recommending ADHD evaluations as often for girls as they do for males. However, if a girl's inattentive ADHD symptoms are having a negative impact on her school performance or social interactions, she should talk to a medical professional.
Inattentive ADHD is a frequent reason for emotional stress. It can be difficult to feel like you're not capable of meeting the expectations of your friends, co-workers and family members. It can be frustrating to feel as if you're unable to get along with your kids or siblings. Inattention and impulsivity can exacerbate depression and anxiety in some people suffering from ADHD. You can decrease the severity of these symptoms by seeking help and doing other things. Regular exercise can help release neurotransmitters that boost concentration and attention. It can also reduce anxiety, mood swings and other symptoms that are common to people with ADHD.
2. Impulsivity
The unpredictable symptoms of ADHD can be a challenge to manage. You might rant about things you shouldn't, buy things on impulse, or be a target for the law due to your actions. Impulsivity can also make it difficult to control your emotions and emotions. This can lead to self-injury like cutting, burning or scratching yourself. It can also lead drug and alcohol abuse.
People with impulsivity can have issues with their relationships, school or work performance. Your doctor can help you manage your impulsivity with prescription medications. You can boost your impulse control with medications like amphetamine, dextroamphetamine and the methylphenidate. Non-stimulant drugs such as clonidine and Guanfacine can also enhance your ability to control yourself.
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 conceal their symptoms to comply with social expectations and standards. This type of masking can be particularly problematic in the adolescent years and early adulthood. Some women even resort to unhealthy coping strategies, like excessive drinking and drug use to hide their ADHD challenges.
Women with high-functioning ADHD can conceal their symptoms by thriving in particular areas of their lives, such as school or work. This can create feeling unsecure and cause you to feel overwhelmed by the demands of daily life. Ask your healthcare provider about accommodations at school or work that can aid you in managing your ADHD symptoms. This can be an excellent opportunity to create awareness with your co-workers or professors of the challenges you might face.
3. Disorganization
If you suffer from ADHD you may be late for appointments or showing up late to work, forgetting dates, and zoning out in conversations can create frustration and leave others feeling at a loss or offended. The disorder can make it difficult to keep track of tasks, manage finances and schedules. If you don't know what you need to get for groceries, then you may miss out on meals or spend excessively on unnecessary items.
Women who suffer from ADHD typically have a difficult to keep track of their everyday chores, homework and expenses. The disorder can also lead to disorganized homes, messy workspaces and a tendency to pile up. People with ADHD suffer from a condition known as "time blindness," which makes it difficult to determine how much time has passed and how long you've been working on a task. Together with the difficulty of staying focused, time management problems can cause feelings of guilt and shame over being not organized.
While research suggests that girls and women are more likely to be diagnosed with ADHD than men and boys the symptoms can be hidden and undiagnosed. Women are often not given an diagnosis until they reach adulthood when their symptoms become more evident. In addition, social stigmas and stereotypes can make it difficult for women to receive the help and treatment they need.
Your doctor may prescribe medication to help you manage your ADHD symptoms. Stimulants such as methylphenidate and amphetamine are able to boost and regulate levels of neurotransmitters, the brain chemicals that communicate with each other. Antidepressants, as well as atomoxetine that are nonstimulant medications are also used to treat ADHD. However they perform more slowly than stimulants. Your doctor may also recommend you to a mental health specialist, who can help develop an individualized treatment plan that addresses your particular needs.
4. Impulsiveness
Women with ADHD might have a difficult time controlling their emotions and often feel more sensitive to rejection. The chemical imbalance associated with ADHD affects the brain's communication between the areas that regulate emotions, and also interpret how to handle these emotions.
Depression and moodiness are common for people suffering from ADHD and the combination of these issues with difficulties in keeping track of responsibilities can lead to trouble with romantic and family relationships. Women with ADHD may also have a low self-esteem, and have difficulty in forming relationships and managing social situations. They can wander off on tangents or have difficulty understanding what others are saying. This makes it difficult for them to find a place within an organization.
When it comes to managing their daily responsibilities, women with ADHD might have difficulty finding the motivation to do mundane or monotonous tasks, such as dishes, laundry, or cleaning. This can cause them to develop unhealthy coping methods that include binge-watching television shows or consuming substances. These types of behaviors are especially risky for adolescents and girls with ADHD who are more likely than their peers to engage in risky activities such as early sexual activities with fewer protected partners and informal 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 society puts on them (managing the family home and household for instance). It can be difficult for doctors to determine if there is a problem since the symptoms are easy to detect in men and boys.
5. Hyperactivity
For women with ADHD daily tasks can be overwhelming. They may struggle with organizing their lives, paying off bills on time, and keeping up with appointments or school/work obligations. Additionally, emotional signs, such as mood swings and difficulties managing their emotions, could make it hard to connect with others and can cause difficulties in relationships with family and friends.
People suffering from ADHD often have trouble picking up on social cues and understanding body language. They can go off on a tangent within conversations or struggle to follow the thread of conversation, causing issues with school or work performance as well as strained relationships. They can also have trouble making new friends or finding the right balance between work, home and social life.
The symptoms of ADHD can vary throughout the day and may be affected by hormones such as during menstruation, pregnancy or perimenopause. This can lead either to confusion or the wrong type of medication being prescribed.
Although everyone faces different issues when it comes to ADHD, there are some common signs and symptoms that can help you recognize the condition for yourself or a loved one. It is essential to recognize these signs in order to get the treatment and help you require to manage symptoms effectively.
It's important to note that ADHD does not mean that you are free of other physical or mental disorders. Your doctor or therapist will conduct a thorough evaluation. They'll ask you questions regarding your past and current behaviors, look over your medical history, and discuss how your symptoms affect you in different situations.