ADHD Symptoms in Women
Adult women suffering from ADHD have unique problems. Untreated, symptoms can wreak havoc in relationships and at work life.
Underdiagnosis is the result of gender discrimination and the tendency for girls and women to cover up their symptoms. The increased awareness has led to more people receiving the care they need. ADHD symptoms in women are different from those experienced by men and are often aggravated by hormonal fluctuations during the menstrual cycle, pregnancy and menopausal.
Signs of Inattentive Type
Women with inattentive ADHD might have difficulty staying focused and completing tasks, often making careless mistakes or misunderstand instructions. They may struggle to keep on top of their obligations, such as paying bills, returning calls, or even sending birthday cards. They also have trouble remembering appointments and may often miss meetings or arrive late to work or social events.
The symptoms of inattentive type ADHD are less noticeable than hyperactivity-impulsivity symptoms in boys and men, so it's possible that women and girls who have these symptoms don't receive a diagnosis until adulthood. People who don't seek treatment for their symptoms may suffer emotional distress. This can lead to poor relationships, or co-occurring disorders such as anxiety and depression.
The challenges of living with ADHD that isn't properly addressed can be overwhelming. Some sufferers blame themselves and engage in unproductive strategies to cope like drinking excessively and substance abuse. Others resort to unhealthy habits such as dieting and overeating. For some girls, especially teens, the anger of not being in a position to meet social expectations can lead to non-suicidal self-injury, which may look like burning, cutting or scratching.
It's no surprise that women with inattention ADHD are more likely to suffer from depression and anxiety. This can make it more difficult to manage ADHD symptoms. They may also suffer from low self-esteem, which makes it hard to acknowledge that the issue is a mental illness and not their fault.
Girls with inattention ADHD may also have trouble in interpreting social signals, making them appear uninterested or indifferent to others. They may not be able to catch jokes or misread body language, and be accused of being rude or offensive. They may be unable to control their impulses and may make rude remarks or interrupt others.
Women with inattentive ADHD should ensure they get enough sleep each night and stay away from stimulants and caffeine to help improve their focus. Regular exercise can boost neurotransmitters, which may help in focusing.
Symptoms of Hyperactive/Impulsive Type
Women and adolescent girls with the hyperactive/impulsive type of ADHD can find it hard to concentrate or organize. This can result in clutter in the home and problems paying bills on time. They might also forget appointments, or the names of family and friends members. They are easily distracted or bored and cannot wait to be heard. adhd symptoms for women are less likely to exhibit the symptoms of depression that are internalized or anxiety, which can be more prevalent in boys and men.
It can be harder to identify and diagnose hyperactive/impulsive ADHD in women than in boys or men. Because these symptoms are more common in boys and men healthcare professionals may not recognize them in women or girls or ignore these symptoms, putting them down to gender stereotypes or mood issues. ADHD rating scales tend to be skewed towards male behavior, making these symptoms difficult to assess and detect in women.
There are a myriad of methods to manage ADHD in a woman of adulthood. This includes taking medication. The most important thing is to find an experienced therapist and clinician in treating ADHD both in women and girls. The type of treatment recommended will depend on the severity of the symptoms and the lifestyle. It could include cognitive behavioral therapies to validate your experience and help overcome negative thoughts as well as family psychoeducation or group work.
For some, a regular sleep routine, regular exercise, and a balanced diet can ease symptoms. For others, stimulant medications like dextroamphetamine/amphetamine (Adderall), methylphenidate (Ritalin) or lisdexamfetamine (Vyvanse) may be required.
Many of the symptoms of ADHD can become worse during menopausal cycles when hormone levels decrease. During this period, try to keep track of your health, schedule doctor's appointments, track your symptoms, and adhere to your treatment plan carefully. You may also request that your doctor adjust the dosage or type of medication you're taking if needed. Talk to your therapist or counselor about the challenges you face in managing your symptoms and how they impact your work, at home, and in relationships. They may also suggest ways to improve your communication with your family members and partner.
Mixed Type symptoms
Women who have mixed type ADHD typically have difficulties in school and work but they don't have the hyperactive or impulsive symptoms of the other subtypes. They may forget appointments and documents, or lose important documents or pay bills, and have difficulty getting things done at home. Symptoms of this form of the disorder could include interruptions to others, uttering answers and speaking without thinking. Women with this form of the disorder also have difficulties maintaining relationships and friendships, and find it difficult to be self-sufficient.
In a lot of instances, family members, friends, or teachers are the only ones to be able to recognize the apathy symptom of ADHD. This results in girls and young women being underdiagnosed. The underdiagnosis is also caused by gender bias and the tendency of people who suffer from ADHD symptoms to hide them.
The symptoms of this kind of ADHD are affected by hormonal fluctuations that occur during puberty, and during menopausal and pregnancy. During these times hormone levels decrease, and progesterone increases. This can make ADHD symptoms more evident and can cause them to worsen. Furthermore find out here now are likely to vary day-to-day, depending on the levels of progesterone and estrogen. This can lead to an incorrect diagnosis and inadequate or inappropriate treatment.
Psychotherapy can be used in conjunction with medications to treat symptoms of the combined type. This includes cognitive behavior therapy, which assists change negative thoughts and behaviours and psychoeducational counseling. Both are offered through local mental health clinics and online.
Engaging in regular physical activity, such as swimming, walking or running can help increase focus and attention. It also releases neurotransmitters that help boost brain activity and decrease anxiety or stress. Other ways to manage ADHD include taking regular breaks, establishing daily routines, and using methods for organizing. Support groups can be very beneficial in learning about changes in lifestyles and strategies for coping. For those who are suffering from the condition, a professional ADHD coach is a great option for individual, personalized guidance. adhd symptoms for women with ADHD may also benefit from cognitive-behavioral or interpersonal therapy. Therapists can help a person recognize their behavior and how it impacts other people. They may also improve their communication skills.
Symptoms of Adult Type
Women with ADHD may exhibit different symptoms than men. Finding and treating the problem in women is complicated by gender-based expectations. This makes it difficult for teachers or parents to recognize when girls are having issues with her attention or hyperactivity. The condition can be disguised by depression or other mental health problems and makes it less evident to others close to you. The symptoms can also change according to hormone levels. For example, during menstruation or pregnancy and menopause.
Women suffering from ADHD are more likely to experience inattentive symptoms. You are more likely to forget things, have difficulty recalling details, and are distracted by other people or your thoughts. Your naive ADHD symptoms can affect your work, school, marriages and other relationships. You might have difficulty following instructions, paying bills or keeping track of appointments. Your family and friends may notice. Your boss or teacher might be aware that you are struggling to stay focused during meetings or completing assignments in time.
If you have the hyperactive/impulsive type of ADHD, your symptoms are more noticeable than inattentive ones. You're constantly moving and disturb others, talk too much or make comments that are illogical without thinking. You struggle to wait for your turn, and you struggle to maintain eye contact with other people. You may be irritable and experience mood swings that are difficult for your family and friends to tolerate.
You may have trouble controlling your emotions, particularly in times of stress or trauma. You may react more strongly to criticism or start fights even if the situation isn't serious. It may be easier to cope with these feelings by engaging in self-destructive behavior, like drug and alcohol consumption or unhealthy eating habits.
Women who are diagnosed with ADHD can make a difference in their lives by getting the proper treatment. You may want to consider working with a life management coach or joining an online ADHD support group. You can also seek help from a professional counselor with expertise in treating women suffering from this disorder. You may want to talk to a psychiatrist who can assist you in understanding how your genes and brain activity may impact your ADHD symptoms.