AdHD Symptoms in Women
Women with ADHD often struggle to meet the various expectations of society. Women with ADHD often struggle to meet societal expectations such as caring for others while juggling work and home 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 make health professionals not recognize ADHD in women and girls or misdiagnose them.
1. Inattention and lack of Focus
One of the most prevalent symptoms of adhd in women is having trouble in concentrating. The problem can manifest in a variety of ways, such as missing appointments, not being able to complete tasks at work or zoning out when speaking to people. It's also a frequent problem that makes it hard for women to keep track of their finances, and it's often the reason why they aren't able to take advantage of jobs or financial opportunities.
Women may be more adept in masked ADHD symptoms than others, making it harder for them to get diagnosed and treated. Researchers aren't sure why, but they think it may be due to gender roles and the expectation for girls and women to be more "restrained." Masking ADHD can result in poor performance at work or in school and prevent them from seeking support and help.
Lack of focus is also a common symptom that can be confused with other ailments such as anxiety and depression. Depression can affect concentration by making you forgetful and demotivated. People suffering from generalized anxiety disorder have difficulty concentrating because they are often overwhelmed by their thoughts and emotions.
adhd in adult women treatment to improve your ability to concentrate is to control your ADHD symptoms with treatment. This involves seeking out a therapist or a clinician who is experienced in treating ADHD in girls and women. It's also a good idea to learn about any accommodations you could request your employer or school for like flexible hours or working from home. A good night's sleep can also help you get more restful sleep and be more focused throughout the day. It can include getting to bed at the same time each night, listening to calming music or an audiobook prior to sleeping, and limiting screen time.
2. Impulsivity
Women who suffer from ADHD frequently exhibit impulsivity signs. This can be as simple as interrupting other people or changing topics during a conversation, making quick decisions without thinking, and taking risks that aren't in their best interests. They may also have trouble understanding body language or recognizing social cues. The signs of impulsivity may increase during perimenopausal, the period before menopause - and when hormone levels begin to decrease.
Girls and women with ADHD are more likely to have inattentive-type symptoms, which can be harder to notice than hyperactive/impulsive symptoms. This can cause health care professionals to miss ADHD in them, misdiagnose them or ignore their symptoms as a result of anxiety or mood problems. Research on ADHD is primarily focused on boys and men. This can lead to an imbalance in gender.
When children with ADHD are young, parents and teachers often notice the impulsive behavior of children. It's not unusual for children to be irritable or impatient at times. These behaviors can improve as children get older and learn to manage their symptoms.
Adults with adhd can have impulsive behavior and distracting that affect their work, relationships, and school. They can lead to procrastination, inattention, as well as problems keeping commitments. They can also make it difficult for people to find and keep jobs. They also can interfere with healthy eating habits.
Treatment for adult ADHD typically involves medication. Your doctor will recommend an array of treatments based on your particular symptoms as well as your lifestyle and other health conditions you may have. They may also suggest psychotherapy, including cognitive behavioral therapy to help you recognize and alter negative thought patterns or couples counseling when your relationship has been affected by your ADHD, or family therapy. Exercise can calm your brain and help reduce symptoms. It can also assist you in staying focused. This is especially important for people who have a tendency to be distracted and impulsive. Try activities such as yoga, dancing or group workouts, like swimming and running.
3. Anxiety
Anxiety disorders can lead to various physical symptoms. These include dizziness, chest pain and heart palpitations, headaches and sweating. These symptoms can make someone think they are having an attack or that the world is going to end. People who suffer from anxiety are often mistakenly diagnosed as having a heart problem due to these physical signs. This can lead to a long medical treatment without addressing the root of the issue. Psychotherapy is effective for the majority of anxiety disorders, whether used on its own or in conjunction with medications. In particular, cognitive behavioral therapy can help someone discover new ways of thinking and reacting 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 and their doctor will ask them questions regarding the disorder.
Women with ADHD may have trouble getting a correct diagnosis, as many diagnostic tools are designed towards male behavior. In addition, women often attempt to hide their ADHD to fit in with society. As a result, they could be overlooked and receive delayed treatment for their ADHD. A trained professional such as a psychiatrist, psychologist, or advanced practice registered nurses, can identify ADHD. The professional will make use of an extensive medical history, physical examination and the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Health Disorders to be able to assess the symptoms of a patient and determine if other conditions might be contributing.
4. Disorganization
Women with ADHD might experience disorganization, which is a persistent issue that can affect the routine of school and work which can cause emotional stress and strain relationships and contribute to financial difficulties. Disorganization is characterized by a lack of organizational skills that include not keeping track of expenses or appointments, or having difficulty making decisions. Often, disorganization is related to other issues, such as anxiety, a traumatic life event, or depression and can be difficult to treat.
Certain women with ADHD are able to function at a high level and their symptoms do not significantly impact their daily lives or relationships. The condition is known as "high-functioning ADHD." However this doesn't mean they don't have the common symptoms. They may have difficulty paying attention or concentrating on things, feeling anxious and unfocused.
For some, a lack of organization is a constant battle and it's normal for people with ADHD to spend time searching for lost items or putting off important tasks. The disorder can also affect the quality of their work, and could result in strained relationships. It can also lead to several health issues, such as insomnia or anxiety.
Another factor that can exacerbate the disorder in women with ADHD is hormonal fluctuations. Estrogen levels decrease when ovulating and in the middle of menstrual cycle while progesterone is more abundant and these fluctuations can make ADHD symptoms worse.
While differences in the biological makeup of genders may play a part, it's also possible that some of the disorder and impulsivity associated with ADHD in women is related to social "norms." Young women and girls may be conditioned to be reserved and quiet and this can cause them to hide or suppress their ADHD symptoms.
5. Attention!
Women are often able to conceal their attention issues than men do which can lead to being underdiagnosed and delayed treatment. They might even believe they are better at time management and concentration than they are. 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 at home.
Women who suffer from ADHD are more prone to develop the inattentive type 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 incessantly or say nonsensical phrases or sounds, but they're less likely to exhibit these symptoms than males are.
Medication is the first treatment option for many adults suffering from ADHD. Drugs that stimulate the brain, such as methylphenidate or amphetamine are frequently prescribed, however nonstimulant medications that focus on the way neurotransmitters interact with the brain could also be effective. These include atomoxetine and Guanfacine.
Women with ADHD also may benefit from cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). These therapies can help identify thoughts that are irrational or automatic and help you learn healthy ways to self regulate your moods and behaviors. A healthy diet and exercise, in addition to medication, can help control ADHD symptoms such as inattention, restlessness and disorientation. To boost your energy levels try activities such as yoga, dancing, group classes such as aerobics or swimming and biking. Try to do at least 4 to 5 sessions of exercise every week for approximately 30 minutes per session. To boost your mood and concentration take a varied diet of vegetables, whole grains and healthy fats.