AdHD Symptoms in Women
Women with ADHD struggle to meet societal expectations. This includes caring for others while juggling work and home life, and managing relationships.
Female ADHD symptoms are more likely to be inattentive-type symptoms than hyperactive/impulsive symptoms. Gender bias can also cause health professionals to not recognize ADHD in women and girls or misdiagnose them.
1. Inattention and lack of Focus
One of the most common symptoms of adhd in women is the difficulty of concentration. It can show up in many different ways, ranging from forgetting appointments to being unable to complete tasks at work, or snoring during conversations, making people feel disregarded. 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 women are more adept at hiding their ADHD symptoms, which may make it difficult to be diagnosed and treated as adults. Researchers aren't certain why this is, but they believe that it could be related to gender stereotypes and the expectation that girls and women should be more "restrained." The act of masking ADHD symptoms can lead to being under-performing at school or at work, and it might prevent them from seeking the help and support they require.
Focus issues are also a common symptom and can be confused with other ailments, including depression and anxiety. For instance, depression can affect your concentration by making you forgetful and unmotivated. add symptoms in adult women suffering from generalized anxiety disorder typically have difficulty focusing due to the fact that they are more likely to be overwhelmed by their thoughts and feelings.
The best method to increase your concentration is to control your ADHD symptoms through treatment. This involves hiring a professional or therapist who has experience with ADHD both in women and girls. Also, you should be aware of the accommodations you can request from your employer or school, such as flexible working hours or at home. Practicing good sleep hygiene can help you have more restful nights and be more focused throughout the day, including getting to bed at the same time every night, listening to relaxing music or an audiobook prior to going to bed and limiting your screen time.
2. Impulsivity
Women who suffer from ADHD are often driven. These can include interrupting others or switching topics during a conversation, making quick decisions without thinking and taking risks that are not beneficial to their health. They might also have difficulty understanding body language or recognizing social signals. The signs of impulsivity tend to get worse during perimenopausal, the phase that precedes menopausal and when hormone levels start 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 health professionals to miss ADHD in them, mistakenly diagnose them, or ignore their symptoms as anxiety or mood problems. Research on ADHD focuses mainly on males and females. This may result in the perception of gender bias.
Teachers and parents may observe impulsive behavior in children suffering from ADHD. It's normal for kids to be irritable, restless, or impulsive at times. These behaviors are likely to improve as children get older and learn to manage their symptoms.
In adults, impulsive and distractible symptoms of adhd can affect work, school, and relationships. They can lead to procrastination and inattention, as well as problems adhering to commitments. They can also make locating and maintaining a job difficult and interfere with healthy eating.
Treatment for adults with ADHD usually involves medication. Your doctor will suggest various treatments based on the specific symptoms you have, your lifestyle, and other health conditions you may have. They may also suggest psychotherapy such as cognitive behavioral therapy, which can help you to recognize and change negative thoughts and couples counseling if your relationship is affected by ADHD or other issues, or even family therapy. Physical exercise can also aid in calming your brain and reduce symptoms, particularly in the case of disorientation and impulsivity. Try activities such as yoga, dancing or group workouts, like swimming and running.
3. Anxiety
Anxiety disorders are common and can cause a variety of physical symptoms. They can cause dizziness, chest pain and headaches, heart palpitations, and sweating. These symptoms can make a person believe they are suffering from an attack or that the world is close to ending. People who suffer from anxiety are often misdiagnosed as having a heart condition because of these physical symptoms. This can lead to a long odyssey of medical treatment that fails to address the root cause. Psychotherapy is effective for the majority of anxiety disorders, regardless of whether it's employed on its own or in conjunction with medication. Particularly, cognitive behavioral therapy can help someone discover new ways of thinking and reacting that can make them less anxious.
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 diagnosed with mixed subtypes. It is crucial for women to discuss their ADHD symptoms with their doctor, who will carry out a thorough physical exam and ask specific questions about how the disorder affects their lives.
Women with ADHD might have difficulty getting a correct diagnosis, as many diagnostic tools are geared towards male behavior. Women can also conceal their symptoms to fit with society. They can be misdiagnosed and their ADHD treatment may be delayed. A qualified professional such as a psychologist, psychiatrist or advanced practice registered nurses can diagnose ADHD. The doctor will take a detailed medical history, a physical exam and the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Health Disorders in order to evaluate a patient's symptoms and determine if there are other conditions that could be contributing.
4. Disorganization
Women with ADHD are prone to experiencing disordered behavior. This is a chronic problem that can cause disruptions in school and work emotional stress, strain relationships, and financial issues. Disorganization is often characterized by a lack of organizational skills, such as not keeping track of expenses or appointments, or having difficulty making decisions. It can be caused by other factors such as anxiety, a traumatizing event in life or depression. It is difficult to treat.
Certain women with ADHD can perform at a high degree, and their symptoms don't significantly affect their daily lives or relationships. This condition is called "high-functioning ADHD." However, this doesn't mean that they don't experience some of the typical symptoms. These include forgetfulness, difficulty in concentrating, or paying attention to the smallest of details.
For some, a lack of organization is a daily struggle, and it's common for people with ADHD to spend a lot of time looking for lost items or putting off important tasks. The disorder also affects the quality of their work and can result in strained relationships. It can also cause a variety of health issues, such as sleep disorders or anxiety.
Another cause of disorganization in women with ADHD is hormone fluctuations. Estrogen levels decrease during ovulation, in the middle of menstrual cycles and at the conclusion when progesterone levels are higher. These fluctuations can exacerbate ADHD symptoms.
While differences in the biological makeup of genders could play a role but it's also possible some of the disorganization and impulsivity associated with ADHD in women is related to social "norms." Young women and girls can be conditioned to be quiet and reserved and this can cause to them to conceal or minimize their ADHD symptoms.
5. Inattention
Women are more likely than men to mask their problems with attention, which can lead them to be misdiagnosed and receive delayed treatment. They may think that they're better at time management and concentration than they actually are. However, these people tend to lose things, forget appointments, or not pay their bills on time. They also have trouble with disorganization both at work and at home.
Women suffering from ADHD are more likely to develop the inattentive subtype 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 being quiet and can talk to themselves continuously or speak unintelligible phrases or sounds, though they're less likely to exhibit these symptoms than males are.
For many adults suffering from ADHD the first option for treatment is medication. Stimulants such as methylphenidate and amphetamine are frequently prescribed, but nonstimulant medicines that focus on how neurotransmitters interact with your brain may also be a possibility. They include atomoxetine and Guanfacine.
Women with ADHD also may benefit from cognitive behavior therapy (CBT). These therapies can help identify thoughts that are irrational or automatic and help you learn healthy ways to self regulate your mood and behavior. In addition to medications, exercise and a balanced diet can help you manage ADHD symptoms like disorientation, impulsivity and restlessness. For energy boosts try activities such as yoga, dancing, group classes like swimming or aerobics, and biking. Try to get at least four to five sessions of exercise every week for about 30 minutes per session. Make sure you eat a variety of vegetables whole grains, healthy fats and protein to help boost your concentration and mood.