ADHD Symptoms in Women
Adult women suffering from ADHD face challenges that many don't even realize. Untreated, symptoms can wreak havoc in relationships and at work life.
The gender bias and the tendency for women and girls to conceal their symptoms can cause underdiagnosis. The increase in awareness has led to more adults getting the help they require. ADHD symptoms in women are different from those of men, and are often aggravated by hormonal fluctuations during the menstrual cycle, pregnancy, and menopause.
Inattentive Type Signs
Women with inattentive ADHD can have difficulty staying focused in completing tasks and making mistakes. They may also misunderstand or make careless errors. They may struggle with organization and may have difficulty to keep track of their obligations such as paying bills or returning phone calls, as well as sending birthday cards. They also have trouble remembering appointments and may often miss meetings or be late for work or social activities.
signs and symptoms of adhd in women 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 stress. This can result in poor relationships or co-occurring disorders such as anxiety and depression.
In the end, the difficulties of living with untreated ADHD can be overwhelming. For certain people, it can lead to self-blame and unhealthy coping habits that include excessive drinking and substance abuse. Some people turn to unhealthy behaviors, like eating too much or losing weight. For some girls and teens, the anger of not being able to meet social expectations can result in self-injury that is not suicide-related, and could appear as burning, cutting or scratching.
It's not surprising that women with inattention ADHD are more likely to suffer from anxiety and depression. This makes it more difficult to manage ADHD symptoms. In addition they may suffer from low self-esteem, making it difficult to acknowledge that their issues are caused by a mental health condition rather than being their fault.
Girls with inattentive ADHD can also have difficulty interpreting social cues, making them appear uninterested or indifferent to other people. They may not be able to catch jokes, miss interpret body language, or be accused of being rude or inconsiderate. They might also struggle with impulse control and may blurt out hurtful comments or interrupt others.
Women who suffer from inattention ADHD should get enough sleep every night and avoid stimulants and caffeine to improve their focus. Regular exercise can increase 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 result in an unorganized home and difficulties paying bills on time. They might also forget their appointments, or the names and faces of family members or friends. They tend to be easily distracted or bored and struggle to wait for their turn in conversation. They are less likely than males and females to experience internalizing symptoms, such as depression or anxiety.
It can be harder to identify and diagnose hyperactive/impulsive ADHD in women than in boys or men. These symptoms are more common in both men and boys. Health care professionals may not pay attention to these symptoms in women or girls or even ignore them, attributing them to mood issues or societal stereotypes. ADHD rating scales also tend to be skewed towards male behavior, making these symptoms harder to measure and identify in women.
There are many methods to manage ADHD in an adult woman. This includes taking medication. The key is finding a clinician and therapist experienced in treating ADHD both in women and girls. The kind of treatment suggested will depend on the symptoms and lifestyle. It could include cognitive behavioral therapies to validate your experience and help reframe negative thought patterns and family psychoeducation, or even support group work.
Some people can lessen their symptoms by observing a regular sleep schedule, exercising regularly, and eating a balanced diet. For others, stimulant medications like dextroamphetamine/amphetamine (Adderall), methylphenidate (Ritalin) or lisdexamfetamine (Vyvanse) may be required.
Many of the symptoms of ADHD are exacerbated during menopausal changes as hormone levels drop. During this period it is important to keep track of your symptoms and keep the track of your symptoms and your treatment plan. You can also ask your health care provider to adjust the dosage or type of your medications as needed. Talk with your counselor or therapist about the challenges you face in managing your symptoms and how they affect you at work, at home, and in 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 with 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 or documents, fail to pay bills and have trouble working through home chores. This form of disorder can also cause people to interrupt others, talk without thinking, and speak without thinking. Women suffering from this form of the disorder also have difficulty maintaining relationships and friendships and are unable to be independent.
In a lot of instances, family members or friends are only able to notice the symptoms of inattention ADHD. In the end, young women and girls suffering from this disorder are often not diagnosed. The underdiagnosis is also due to gender bias and the tendency for 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, as well as during menopausal and prenatal. At these times estrogen levels decrease and progesterone levels increase. This can make ADHD symptoms more apparent and exacerbates them. Furthermore the symptoms can vary day-to-day, depending on the levels of estrogen and progesterone. This could result in misdiagnosis, and in the wrong or insufficient 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 counselling. Both are accessible via the internet as well as through local mental clinics.
Engaging in regular physical activity, such as walking, swimming or running can improve focus and attention. It can also release neurotransmitters that help boost brain activity and decrease anxiety or stress. Other strategies to manage ADHD include taking breaks on a regular basis, establishing routines for your day, and employing methods for organizing. Support groups can be extremely helpful in learning about changes in lifestyle and strategies for coping. For those who are suffering from the condition individuals, a professional ADHD coach is an excellent option for individual, individualized guidance. Some people with this condition also benefit from cognitive or interpersonal therapy. A therapist can teach the person to be aware of how their behavior affects others and help them develop their communication skills.
Adult Type symptoms
Women suffering from ADHD may exhibit symptoms that are different from those of men. The gender roles of women can make it difficult for parents and teachers to diagnose the condition. It can also be hidden by depression or mental health issues and make it difficult to recognize. The symptoms can also change in accordance in response to hormones, such as those during the menstrual cycle or during menopausal pregnancy.
Women who suffer from ADHD are most likely to suffer from inattention symptoms. You lose things, have trouble remembering details, and be distracted by what other people are doing or by your thoughts. Your naive ADHD symptoms can interfere with school, work, marriages and other relationships. You may have trouble paying bills, following directions or keeping the track of appointments. Your family and friends might be aware. Your teacher or boss might observe that you are having trouble finishing tasks in time or have trouble staying focused during meetings.
If you have the hyperactive/impulsive type of ADHD, your symptoms are more noticeable than inattentive ones. You're constantly moving, and you disturb others, talk too much or make comments that make no sense without thinking. You have trouble waiting for your turn and are unable to maintain eye contact with others. You might be impatient and have mood swings that can be difficult for your family and friends to bear.
You may find it difficult to control your emotions, particularly in times of stress and trauma. You might react too strongly to criticism or be more likely to engage in fights, even when the situation isn't that serious. It may be easier to cope with these feelings by engaging in self-destructive behavior such as alcohol and drug consumption or unhealthy eating habits.
Women diagnosed with ADHD can make a difference in their lives by getting the proper treatment. Consider working with a life coach or joining an online ADHD support group. You may also seek advice from a professional counselor who has had experience working with 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 could influence your ADHD symptoms.