AdHD Symptoms in Women
Women with ADHD struggle to meet society's expectations. This includes 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. The gender bias can make health professionals not recognize ADHD in women and girls or misdiagnose them.
1. Lack of Focus
One of the most frequent symptoms of adhd in women is the difficulty of in concentrating. This issue can manifest in many ways, including having trouble remembering appointments, being unable to finish tasks at the office or zoning out when talking to others. It can also make it difficult for women to manage their finances and often cause them to miss out on financial or job opportunities.
Women are more adept in masked ADHD symptoms than others, making it harder for them to get diagnosed and treated. Researchers aren't sure why that is, but they speculate that it could be due to gender stereotypes and the belief that girls and women should be more "restrained." The act of masking ADHD symptoms could lead to poor performance at school or 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 illnesses, including depression and anxiety. For instance, depression may affect your focus by making you more forgetful and irritable. People suffering from generalized anxiety trouble concentrating as they tend to be overwhelmed by their thoughts and emotions.
The best way to improve your ability to concentrate is to manage your ADHD symptoms through treatment. This includes finding a therapist or clinician who has experience working with ADHD in women and girls. It's also an excellent idea to find out about accommodations that you can ask your employer or educational institution for, such as flexible hours or working at home. A healthy sleeping routine can help you to have more peaceful nights and also help you stay focused throughout the day. This means going to bed each night at the same time, and listening to soothing music or audiobooks, and limiting your screen time.
2. Impulsivity
Women with ADHD typically exhibit impulsivity symptoms. adhd in women treatment can include interrupting others or changing topics during conversations, making snap decisions without thinking and taking risks that are not the best for their interests. They may also have trouble understanding the body language of others or interpreting social cues. Symptoms of impulsivity can worsen during perimenopausal, the period prior to menopausal symptoms - and also 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 lead to health care professionals missing ADHD in women and girls and misdiagnosing their symptoms, or dismissing their symptoms as anxiety or a mood issue. Gender bias may also play a role because research on ADHD is predominantly focused on men and boys.
When children with ADHD are young, parents and teachers occasionally notice the impulsive behavior of children. It's normal for kids to be restless, impatient, or impulsive at times. These behaviors tend to increase as children grow older and become more adept at managing their symptoms.
Adults can experience impulsive and distractible symptoms of adhd can affect school, work, and relationships. They can cause delays and forgetfulness, as well as difficulty keeping promises. They can also make locating and keeping a job difficult and can hinder healthy eating habits.
Treatment for adults with ADHD generally involves taking medication. Your doctor may recommend an individualized treatment based on your lifestyle, symptoms, and any other health issues. They may also suggest psychotherapy like cognitive behavioral therapy, which assists you to identify and change negative thought patterns and couples counseling when your relationship is impacted by ADHD or other issues, or even family therapy. Exercise can also help to calm your mind and reduce symptoms, particularly when it comes to disorientation and impulsivity. Try activities such as dancing, yoga and group workouts like swimming and running.
3. Anxiety
Anxiety disorders can trigger a variety of physical symptoms. Dizziness, headaches, palpitations and sweating are just a few of the symptoms. They can make people feel like they are having an attack on their heart or that the world is coming to an end. Because of these physical symptoms those who experience anxiety are often misdiagnosed as having a heart condition. This could result in a long medical treatment without addressing the root cause. Fortunately, most anxiety disorders respond well to psychotherapy by itself or in conjunction with medication. In particular, cognitive behavioral therapy can help a person 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 may also be more likely to have a mixed subtype. Women should talk to their doctor about their ADHD symptoms with their doctor. will ask them specific questions regarding the disorder.
Women with ADHD might have a difficult time getting an accurate diagnosis as many of the diagnostic tools used for the disorder are biased towards male behavior. Additionally, women often try to hide their ADHD to fit in with society. They may be misdiagnosed, and their ADHD treatment is delayed. A trained professional such as a psychologist, psychiatrist or advanced registered nurses can diagnose ADHD. The provider will use thorough medical history, physical examination and the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Health Disorders to evaluate the symptoms of a person and determine if there are other conditions that may be contributing to them.
4. Disorganization
Women suffering from ADHD may experience disordered behavior. This is a constant problem that can cause interruptions in school and work and emotional stress, as well as strain on relationships, and financial issues. Disorganization can be characterized by a poor organizational skill like not paying bills or keeping appointments, or having difficulty making decisions. Often, disorganization is related to other issues, like anxiety, a traumatic life event, or depression and can be difficult to treat.
Some women with ADHD are able to perform at a high level, and their symptoms don't significantly impact their daily activities or relationships. The condition is known as "high-functioning ADHD." This does not mean that they don't suffer from some of the symptoms. They may have difficulty paying attention or concentrating on particulars, feeling uneasy and unfocused.
Many people experience disorganization every day. They might spend their time looking for lost objects or delay important tasks. The disorder also affects the quality of their work and can lead to strained relationships. It can also cause many health problems, such as sleep disorders or anxiety.
Hormone fluctuations can also exacerbate the disorganization of women with ADHD. Estrogen levels are lower when ovulating, during the middle of menstrual cycle, and at the end the cycle, while progesterone levels are higher. These fluctuations can exacerbate ADHD symptoms.
It's possible, though biological differences could be a factor, some of the disorganization or impulsivity in women suffering from ADHD is due to social "norms." Girls and young women may be conditioned to be quiet and reserved and this can cause them to hide or suppress their ADHD symptoms.
5. Inattention
Women are more likely than men to mask their attention issues, which could cause them to be wrongly diagnosed and receive delayed treatment. They may even think they're better at time management and concentration than they actually are. In reality, they're likely to misplace things and forget appointments, or not pay bills on time and struggle with a lack of organization at work and home.
Women who suffer from ADHD are more prone to develop the inattentive subtype 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 issues being silent, and may even talk to themselves or make nonsensical sounds or phrases. However, they are less likely to experience these symptoms than males.
Medication is the primary treatment option for many adults with ADHD. The stimulants methylphenidate and amphetamine are typically prescribed, but nonstimulant drugs that target how neurotransmitters communicate with your brain are also available. These include atomoxetine and Guanfacine.
Women with ADHD also may benefit from cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). These therapies can help identify automatic or irrational thinking and teach you how to control your moods and behaviors. A healthy diet and exercise along with medication, can help control ADHD symptoms such as inattention, restlessness, and distractibility. Try activities such as yoga, dancing, group classes like swimming or aerobics, as well as biking to increase your energy levels. Make sure you get four to five sessions of exercise per week, lasting approximately 30 minutes per session. Make sure you eat a variety of vegetables and whole grains, as well as healthy fats, and protein to help boost your concentration and mood.