AdHD Symptoms in Women
Women who suffer from ADHD struggle to meet society's expectations. This includes taking care of others, balancing work and home life, and managing relationships.
Female ADHD symptoms are more likely to be inattentive-type symptoms than hyperactive/impulsive symptoms. A bias based on gender can cause health care professionals to misdiagnose or fail to recognize ADHD symptoms in girls and women.
1. Lack of Focus
One of the most prevalent symptoms of adhd in women is difficulty concentration. This problem can manifest in different ways, such as forgetting appointments, not being able complete tasks at work or having trouble concentrating when speaking to people. It's also a common problem that makes it difficult for women to keep up with their finances. It's often the reason they miss out on jobs or financial opportunities.
It's possible that certain women are better at masking their ADHD symptoms, which could make it harder for them to get diagnosed and treated as adults. Researchers don't know why this is, but they believe it could be due to gender roles and the expectation of girls and women to be more "restrained." Masking ADHD could lead to underperformance at work or at school, and hinder people from seeking help and assistance.
In addition, lack of focus is an atypical symptom that could be confused with other conditions like anxiety and depression. For instance, depression could affect your focus by making you forgetful and unmotivated. People suffering from generalized anxiety disorder have difficulty concentrating because they are often overwhelmed by their thoughts and emotions.
Treatment is the best way to increase concentration. This means locating a doctor or therapist who is experienced in treating ADHD in women and girls. It's also an excellent idea to find out about any accommodations you could request your employer or educational institution for, such as flexible hours or working at home. A healthy sleeping routine can help you to have more restful nights and also help you stay focused throughout the day. This means going to bed each night at the same time, while listening to soothing music or audiobooks, and limiting screen time.
2. Impulsivity
Women with ADHD are typically impulsive. This can be as simple as interrupting other people or shifting topics during a conversation, taking quick decisions without thinking and taking risks that aren't the best for their interests. They might also have difficulty understanding body language or picking up on social signals. Symptoms of impulsivity can worsen during perimenopausal - the time 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, not diagnosing them correctly, or ignore their symptoms as mood or anxiety problems. The gender bias could be a factor, as research on ADHD is mostly focused on males and females.
Teachers and parents might notice an impulsive behavior among children with ADHD. It's not uncommon for children to be restless or impatient at times. These behaviors tend to improve as children get older and begin to manage their symptoms.
Adults can experience impulsive and distractible symptoms of adhd can impact school, work and relationships. They can lead to procrastination and forgetfulness, as well as difficulties adhering to commitments. They can also make locating and maintaining a job difficult and hinder healthy eating.
Adult ADHD is usually treated with medication. Your doctor may recommend a combination treatment depending on your lifestyle, symptoms, and any other health issues. They may also recommend psychotherapy, such as cognitive behavior therapy, which can help you to identify and change negative thought patterns, couples counseling, when your relationship is impacted by ADHD, or even family therapy. Physical exercise can also aid in calming your brain and lessen symptoms, particularly when it comes to impulsivity and distractibility. Try More hints like dancing, yoga and group workouts, like running and swimming.
3. Anxiety
Anxiety disorders can lead to various physical symptoms. These include dizziness and chest pain, headaches, heart palpitations, and sweating. These symptoms can make someone believe they are suffering from stroke or that the world is close to ending. People who suffer from anxiety are often mistakenly diagnosed as having a heart problem because of these physical symptoms. This can result in a long medical treatment without addressing the root cause. Psychotherapy is effective for most anxiety disorders, regardless of whether it's used alone or when combined with medications. Cognitive behavioral therapy, specifically it can help people to develop new ways of thinking or 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 have an uniform subtype. Women should talk to their doctor about their ADHD symptoms with their doctor and will ask them questions regarding the disorder.
Women with ADHD might have difficulty getting an accurate diagnosis as many of the diagnostic tools used for the disorder are geared towards male behavior. Women can also conceal their symptoms in order to blend with society. They can be misdiagnosed and their ADHD treatment is delayed. A qualified professional, like a psychiatrist psychologist or advanced practice registered nurse, can diagnose ADHD. The doctor will take a thorough history, physical exam and the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Health Disorders to assess the symptoms of an individual and determine if there are other conditions contributing to them.
4. Disorganization
Women suffering from ADHD might experience disorganization, which is an ongoing problem that can affect the way they work and school which can cause emotional stress and create tension in relationships, and can lead to financial problems. Disorganization is often characterized by the lack of organization skills that include not keeping track of bills or appointments, or having difficulty making decisions. In many cases, it is connected to other issues, such as anxiety, traumatizing life incident, or depression and can be difficult to treat.
Some women with ADHD can function at a high level, and their symptoms do not significantly affect their daily life or relationships. This condition is referred to as "high-functioning ADHD." However it doesn't mean they don't experience some of the usual symptoms. This includes difficulty in paying attention or concentrating on details, feeling restless, and being forgetful.
For some, a lack of organization is a daily struggle and it's not uncommon for people with ADHD to be prone to searching for lost items or put off important tasks. The disorder can also affect the quality of their work, and could lead to strained relationships. It can also cause many health issues, including anxiety or sleep disorders.
Hormone fluctuations can further aggravate the disorganization of women with ADHD. Estrogen is lower during ovulation and at the middle of menstrual cycle while progesterone is more abundant and these fluctuations could make ADHD symptoms worse.
It's possible, though biological differences may play a part, some of the impulsivity or disorganization among women with ADHD is due to social "norms." Young women and girls may be socialized to be reserved and quiet and can cause them to suppress or hide their ADHD symptoms.
5. Attention!
Women tend to find it easier to hide their attention issues than men, which can lead to underdiagnosis and delayed treatment. In fact, they may even believe they have better focus and time-management abilities 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 suffering 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 may also have trouble staying quiet and may speak to themselves continuously or speak unintelligible phrases or sounds, but they're less likely to suffer from these symptoms than men are.
For many people suffering from ADHD the first line of treatment is medication. stimulants such as amphetamine or methylphenidate are usually prescribed, but nonstimulant medicines that focus on the way neurotransmitters communicate with your brain are also available. These include atomoxetine and guanfacine.
Women with ADHD might also benefit from cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). These treatments can help you identify your automatic or irrational thoughts, and also learn healthy ways to self-regulate your emotions and behavior. Exercise and a healthy diet along with medication can help you manage ADHD symptoms such as inattention, restlessness and disorientation. For energy-boosting try activities such as yoga, dancing, or classes in groups such as aerobics or swimming and biking. Try to do at least 4 to 5 hours of exercise every week for about 30 minutes per session. To support your mood and attention consume a variety of vegetables, whole grains and healthy fats.