ADHD Symptoms in Women
Adult women with ADHD have unique difficulties. Untreated symptoms can cause chaos in the workplace and in relationships.
A tendency to discriminate against gender and a tendency for girls and women to hide their symptoms contribute to underdiagnosis. However, increased awareness means more adults are getting the help they require. ADHD symptoms in women differ from those experienced by men. They can be made worse due to hormonal changes during menstrual cycles, pregnancy, and menopause.
Symptoms of Inattentive Type
Women with inattentive ADHD may have trouble staying on task in completing tasks and making mistakes. They may also misunderstand or make mistakes that are not their fault. They may have trouble keeping the track of their obligations, like paying bills, making calls, or sending birthday cards. They also struggle to remember appointments and often miss meetings or be 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. Many people who don't get treated for their symptoms suffer emotional distress, and that can result in poor relationships as well as co-occurring disorders like anxiety or depression.
In the end, the problems of living with untreated ADHD can feel overwhelming. For some, it leads to self-blame and unhealthy coping behaviors that include excessive drinking and substance abuse. Some people turn to unhealthy behaviors, like dieting or overeating. For some young girls and teenagers, the stress of not being able to meet social expectations can result in non-suicidal self-injury, which may look like cutting, burning or scratching.
It's not a surprise that women who have inattentive ADHD are more likely to suffer from anxiety and depression. This can make it difficult to manage ADHD symptoms. In addition they may suffer from low self-esteem, which can make it difficult to realize that their issues are caused by mental health issues rather than being the result of their own responsibility.
Girls with inattention ADHD might also have difficulty understanding social cues. This could cause them to appear uninterested and oblivious. They may not be able to catch jokes, miss interpret body language, and be accused of being rude or obnoxious. They may also be struggling with impulse control, which means they may interrupt others or shout out offensive words.
Women with inattention ADHD need to get enough rest every night and stay away from stimulants and caffeine to improve their focus. Regular exercise can boost neurotransmitters, which can 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 lead to a messy home and difficulties in paying bills on time. They may also forget appointments, or the names of friends and family members. They are easily distracted or bored and cannot wait to be heard. They are less likely than boys and men to exhibit internalizing symptoms, such as anxiety or depression.
It can be harder to identify and diagnose hyperactive/impulsive ADHD in women than in boys or men. These symptoms are more common for both genders. Health care professionals may not pay attention to them in girls or women or disregard them, attributing them to mental health issues or stereotypes. ADHD rating scales also tend to be skewed towards male behavior, which makes these symptoms harder to assess and detect for women.
The good news is that there are ways to manage ADHD as an adult woman, including taking medication. The most important thing is to find a clinician and therapist experienced in treating ADHD both in women and girls. The type of therapy suggested will depend on the severity of your symptoms and your lifestyle however, it could include cognitive behavioral therapy to help validate your experience and reframe negative thinking patterns, family psychoeducation, or support group work.
For some, a consistent 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.
During menopause, when hormone levels drop, many symptoms of ADHD become more severe. During this time, you should try to maintain a close eye on your health and schedule regular doctor's appointments, track your symptoms, and follow your treatment plan carefully. You may also seek advice from your health care professional to alter the type or dosage of your medications as necessary. Speak to your therapist about the difficulties you face managing your symptoms, and how they impact your daily life at home, work, and in your relationships. They might also suggest strategies to improve your communication with your partner as well as other people in your life.
Mixed Type Symptoms
Women who suffer from mixed type ADHD have issues at school and at work, but they do not show the impulsive or hyperactive behaviors of the other subtypes. They may lose important documents, pay bills or forget to schedule appointments. This type of disorder can also cause people to interrupt others, speak without thinking and speak without thinking. Women with this presentation of the disorder also have difficulties maintaining relationships and friendships and are often unable to live an independent life.
In a lot of instances, family members friends, teachers, or even family members are the only ones to be able to recognize the apathy symptom of ADHD. This leads to girls and young women not being diagnosed. This is caused by gender bias as well as the tendency of people who suffer from ADHD symptoms to hide them.
The symptoms of this type are influenced by hormonal changes, particularly during pregnancy, puberty and menopause. In these instances estrogen levels decrease, and progesterone levels rise. This can make ADHD symptoms more noticeable and exacerbates them. The symptoms may also differ from day to day, based on the levels of estrogen and progesterone. This could cause misdiagnosis or improper or inadequate treatment.
In addition to medications psychotherapy can be utilized to treat the symptoms of the mixed type. This includes cognitive behavioral therapy, which helps people change their negative thoughts and behaviors, and psychoeducational counseling. Both are accessible online and through local mental clinics.
Engaging in regular physical exercise, like swimming, walking or running can increase focus and attention. It can also help release brain-boosting neurotransmitters and reduce anxiety or stress that are common among those suffering from ADHD. Other methods to manage ADHD include taking breaks regularly, creating daily routines, and using strategies for organization. A support group can also be helpful for learning lifestyle changes and strategies for coping. For those who are suffering from the condition, a professional ADHD coach is a great option for individual, personalized guidance. Certain people suffering from this condition also benefit from cognitive or interpersonal therapy. A therapist can help the person recognize their behavior and how it affects other people. They can also improve their communication skills.
The signs of an adult type
Women suffering from ADHD may exhibit symptoms that differ than those of males. The gender roles of women can make it difficult for parents and teachers to identify the condition. It can also be concealed by mental health issues or depression which makes it difficult to recognize. The symptoms can also change with hormone levels, like those experienced during the menstrual cycle or during pregnancy and menopause.
read this article who suffer from ADHD are most likely to experience inattentive symptoms. You tend to forget things, have trouble remembering details, and get distracted by other people or your thoughts. Your inattention ADHD can impact your school, work as well as marriages and other relationships. You may have trouble following instructions, paying bills or keeping the track of appointments. Your family and friends might notice. Your boss or teacher might observe that you're struggling to stay focused during meetings or completing assignments in a timely manner.
If you have the hyperactive/impulsive type of ADHD, your symptoms are more noticeable than inattentive ones. You are restless and always on the go, disrupt others, talk too much or say nonsensical things without thinking about what you're saying. You're unable to wait for your turn, or maintain eye contact. You're impatient and frequently have mood swings, which could be difficult for your closest family and friends to accept.
It may be difficult to control your emotions, especially during times of stress and trauma. You may overreact to criticism or be more likely to get involved in fights, even if the situation isn't particularly serious. It could be easier for you to cope with these emotions by engaging in self-destructive actions like drug and alcohol abuse, or unhealthy eating patterns.
Women who are diagnosed with ADHD can improve their lives with the right treatment. Think about working with a coach or joining an online ADHD support group. You could also seek professional counseling from a professional who has worked with women with this disorder. You might want to talk to a psychiatrist who will help you better understand how your genes or brain activity could influence your ADHD symptoms.