AdHD Symptoms in Women
Women with ADHD are often challenged to meet many societal expectations. adult adhd in women who suffer from ADHD are often struggling to meet societal expectations that include caring for others, balancing home and work life, and navigating relationships.
Female ADHD symptoms are more likely to be inattentive-type symptoms than hyperactive/impulsive symptoms. A bias based on gender can cause health professionals to misdiagnose or not recognize ADHD symptoms for girls and women.
1. Lack of Focus
One of the most common symptoms of adhd in women is the difficulty of in concentrating. It can manifest in a variety of different ways, from forgetting appointments or not being able to complete tasks at work to zoning out when talking to others and making them feel ignored. It's also a frequent sign that makes it hard for women to keep track of their finances. It's often the reason why they miss out on jobs or financial opportunities.
It's possible that some women are better at masking their ADHD symptoms, which may make it more difficult for them to be diagnosed and treated as adults. Researchers aren't sure why that is, but they theorize that it may be due to traditional gender roles and the notion that women and girls be more "restrained." Masking ADHD symptoms can lead to being under-performing at school or at work and may prevent them from seeking the help and support they require.
Lack of focus is also a common symptom that can be confused with other ailments, including depression and anxiety. For instance, depression could affect your concentration by making you less attentive and unmotivated. People with generalized anxiety disorder often experience trouble focusing because they tend to be overwhelmed by their thoughts and feelings.
The best way to improve your ability to concentrate is to manage your ADHD symptoms through treatment. This means you should find a therapist or therapist who is experienced in treating ADHD for girls and women. It's also a good idea to learn about any accommodations you could ask your employer or educational institution for such as flexible hours or working at home. A healthy sleep routine will help you to have more restful nights, and to be more focused throughout the day. This means sleeping each night at the same time, listening to relaxing music or audiobooks, and limiting the time you spend on your computer.
2. Impulsivity
Women who suffer from ADHD typically exhibit impulsivity symptoms. They may be prone to interrupting others or shifting topics during conversations, making snap decisions without thinking and taking risks that are not the best for their interests. They might also have trouble understanding body language or social cues. The symptoms of impulsivity can get worse during perimenopausal - the time before menopause - and when hormone levels begin to drop.
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 result in health professionals not seeing ADHD in girls and women and misdiagnosing their symptoms, or dismissing their symptoms as a mood or anxiety problem. The gender bias could also play a role, since research on ADHD is predominantly focused on boys and men.
Teachers and parents may observe an impulsive behavior among children who suffer from ADHD. It's not unusual for children to be anxious or even impatient at times. These behaviors tend to improve as children age and learn to manage their symptoms.
Adults with adhd can be prone to impulsive behavior and distraction that affect their relationships, work, and school. They can lead to procrastination or forgetfulness and difficulty keeping promises. They can also make it difficult to find and keep jobs and can disrupt healthy eating habits.
Adult ADHD is typically treated by medication. Your doctor may recommend an array of treatments based on the specific symptoms you have as well as your lifestyle and other health conditions you may have. They may also suggest psychotherapy that includes cognitive behavioral therapy to help you identify and alter negative thought patterns or couples counseling if your relationship has been impacted by your ADHD, or family therapy. Physical exercise can also help calm your brain and reduce symptoms, particularly in the case of disorientation and impulsivity. You can take on activities such as yoga, dancing, and group workouts such as running and swimming.
3. Anxiety
Anxiety disorders are common and cause a variety of physical symptoms. Palpitations, headaches, dizziness and sweating are a few of the symptoms. These symptoms can cause a person to think they are having a stroke or the world is going to end. People who experience anxiety are often mistakenly diagnosed as having a heart issue due to these physical signs. This can result in lengthy medical treatments without addressing the root of the issue. Psychotherapy is effective for most anxiety disorders, whether it's used alone or when combined with medications. In particular, cognitive behavioral therapy can help people learn new ways of thinking and reacting that can 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 may also be more likely to be a mixed subtype. Women should talk to their doctor about their ADHD symptoms with their doctor and will ask them specific questions about the disorder.
Women with ADHD might have difficulty getting a correct diagnosis, as the majority of diagnostic tools are geared toward male behavior. In addition, women often attempt to hide their symptoms to fit in with the society. They can be misdiagnosed and their ADHD treatment delayed. A trained professional like a psychiatrist, psychologist, or advanced practice registered nurses can identify ADHD. The doctor will take an extensive medical history, a physical exam and the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Health Disorders in order to assess the symptoms of a patient and determine if any other medical conditions could be contributing.
4. Disorganization
Women suffering from ADHD may experience disorganization, which is an ongoing problem that can affect work and schoolwork habits as well as cause emotional stress. It can strain relationships and contribute to financial issues. Disorganization is characterized by an inability to organize that include not keeping track of expenses or appointments, and difficulty making decisions. In many cases, it is connected to other issues, such as anxiety, a traumatic life event, or depression and is often difficult to treat.
Women who suffer from ADHD have a high level of functioning and their symptoms don't significantly affect their day-to-day activities and relationships. The condition is known as "high-functioning ADHD." However this doesn't mean they don't suffer from the common symptoms. This includes difficulty in concentrating or paying attention to things, feeling anxious and unfocused.
Some people struggle with disorganization every day. They may be looking for lost items or delay important tasks. It can also cause poor work quality and strained relationships. It can also trigger a variety of health problems, such as anxiety or sleep disorders.
Hormone fluctuations can further aggravate the disorder of women suffering from ADHD. Estrogen levels are lower during ovulation and in the middle of menstrual cycles, while progesterone is higher and these fluctuations can cause ADHD symptoms worse.
It's possible that, while biological differences could be a factor, some of the impulsivity or disorganization among women with ADHD is due to social "norms." Girls and young women may be conditioned to be reserved and quiet and this can cause to them to conceal or minimize their ADHD symptoms.
5. Attention!
Women are more likely than men to conceal their attention issues, which could result in them being wrongly diagnosed and receive delayed treatment. They might even believe they are more adept at managing time and concentration than they are. In reality, these people tend to lose things and forget appointments, or fail to pay bills on time. They also have trouble with problems with organization at work and at home.
Women with 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 might also have difficulty speaking to themselves or make a variety of nonsensical sounds or phrases. However, they're less likely to experience these symptoms than men.
The first treatment is medication. option for many adults with ADHD. Stimulants such as methylphenidate and amphetamine are often prescribed, but nonstimulant medicines that focus on how neurotransmitters interact with your brain could also be effective. These include atomoxetine and guanfacine.
Women suffering from ADHD can also benefit from cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). These treatments can help you recognize the irrational or automatic thinking that is present and help you learn healthy ways to manage your emotions and behaviors. Exercise and a healthy diet, in addition to medication can help manage ADHD symptoms like inattention, restlessness, and distractibility. For energy-boosting try activities such as yoga, dancing, group classes like aerobics or swimming and biking. Make sure to exercise at minimum four to five times every week, each lasting around 30 minutes. Make sure to consume a variety of fruits and vegetables whole grains, healthy fats and protein to help boost your concentration and mood.