AdHD Symptoms in Women
Women who suffer from ADHD struggle to meet societal expectations. This includes taking care of others as well as balancing work and family life, and navigating relationships.
Female ADHD symptoms are more likely to be inattentive-type symptoms than hyperactive/impulsive symptoms. Gender bias can also make health professionals not recognize ADHD in women and girls or misdiagnose them.
1. Inattention and lack of Focus
One of the most frequent symptoms of adhd in women is the difficulty of in concentrating. It's a condition that can manifest in a variety of different ways, from forgetting appointments to not being able to complete tasks at work, or snoring when talking to others and making them feel unimportant. It's also a typical symptom that can make it hard for women to keep up with their finances. It's often the reason they aren't able to take advantage of jobs or financial opportunities.
It's possible that some women are better at masking their ADHD symptoms, which may make it difficult for them to be diagnosed and treated as adults. 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." The act of masking ADHD can lead to poor performance at work or at school and prevent them from seeking support and assistance.
Lack of focus can also be misinterpreted as a sign of other illnesses such as anxiety or depression. For instance, depression could affect your focus by making you forgetful and irritable. People with generalized anxieties trouble concentrating as they are often overwhelmed by their thoughts and emotions.
Treatment is the best way to increase concentration. This involves hiring a professional or therapist who is experienced in treating ADHD in women and girls. It's also an excellent idea to find out about any accommodations you could ask your employer or educational institution for like flexible hours or working from home. A healthy sleeping routine can aid you in having more peaceful nights and help you to stay focused throughout the day. This means getting to bed every night at the same time, while listening to soothing music or an audiobook and limiting your screen time.
2. Impulsivity
Women with ADHD are typically driven. They can interrupt other people or change topics during a discussion, make quick decisions without considering the consequences, and make decisions that are not in your best interests. They may also have trouble understanding the body language of others or interpreting social signals. adhd in women treatment of impulsivity are often worse during the perimenopausal period before menopausal, and then when hormone levels begin to decline.
Girls and women with ADHD are more likely to have inattentive-type symptoms, which can be harder to notice than hyperactive/impulsive symptoms. This could lead health professionals to miss ADHD in their patients, mistakenly diagnose them or ignore their symptoms as mood or anxiety issues. Gender bias may also play a role, since research on ADHD is predominantly focused on men and boys.
Teachers and parents may observe an impulsive behavior among children with ADHD. It's not uncommon for children to be anxious or irritable at times. However, these behaviors tend to improve over time as they grow older and learn how to manage their symptoms.
In adults, impulsive and distractible symptoms of adhd can affect work, school, and relationships. They can lead to procrastination and inattention, as well as problems following through with commitments. They can make locating and maintaining a job difficult and interfere with healthy eating habits.
Treatment for adult ADHD generally involves taking medication. Your doctor may recommend an individualized treatment based on your lifestyle, symptoms, and any other health conditions. They might also recommend psychotherapy that includes cognitive behavioral therapy to help you recognize and change negative thoughts patterns or couples counseling if your relationship has been affected by your ADHD, or family therapy. Exercise can calm your mind, reduce symptoms and assist you in staying focused. This is particularly true for those who are prone to impulsivity and disorientation. You can take on activities such as yoga, dancing, or group workouts such as running and swimming.
3. Anxiety
Anxiety disorders are common and can cause a wide range of physical symptoms. Palpitations, headaches, dizziness and sweating are some of the symptoms. They can also make a person feel as if they are suffering from a heart attack or that the world is closing. Due to these physical signs people who suffer from anxiety are often misdiagnosed as having a heart condition. This can lead to a long medical treatment without addressing the root of the issue. Psychotherapy is effective for most anxiety disorders, regardless of whether it's used alone or when combined with medication. Particularly, cognitive behavioral therapy can help someone learn 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 suffer from mixed subtypes. It is crucial for women to discuss their ADHD symptoms with their doctor, who will carry out an exhaustive physical exam and ask detailed questions about how the disorder affects their life.
Women suffering from ADHD might have difficulty getting an accurate diagnosis as many of the diagnostic tools used to diagnose the disorder are biased towards male behavior. Women often attempt to hide their ADHD to fit into society. They could be misdiagnosed and their ADHD treatment delayed. A trained professional like 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 evaluate a patient's symptoms and determine if there are other conditions that could be contributing.
4. Disorganization
Women suffering from ADHD may experience disorganization, which is a constant issue that can cause disruption to the way they work and school as well as cause emotional stress. It can create tension in relationships, and can lead to financial issues. Disorganization is often characterized by an inability to organize that include not keeping track of bills or appointments, and having trouble making decisions. Often, disorganization is related to other issues, such as anxiety, traumatizing a life event, or depression, and can be difficult to treat.
Some women who suffer from ADHD have a high degree of functioning and their symptoms do not significantly affect their day-to-day activities and relationships. The condition is known as "high-functioning ADHD." However, this does not mean they don't experience some of the symptoms. This includes difficulty in concentrating or paying attention to particulars, feeling uneasy, and being forgetful.
For some, a lack of organization is a constant battle and it's normal for those with ADHD to be prone to searching for lost items or putting off important tasks. The disorder also affects the quality of their work and may lead to strained relationships. It can also cause various health issues, including anxiety or sleep disorders.
Another issue that can cause the disorder in women with ADHD is the fluctuation in hormone levels. Estrogen levels decrease when ovulating and in the middle of menstrual cycles, while progesterone levels are higher and these fluctuations could make ADHD symptoms worse.
While biological differences between the genders may play a part, it's also possible that some of the disorder and impulsivity associated with ADHD in women is linked to social "norms." Young women and girls can be socialized to be reserved and quiet and this can cause them to suppress or hide their ADHD symptoms.
5. Inattention
Women are more likely than men to mask their problems with attention, which can result in them being misdiagnosed and receive delayed treatment. They may think that they are better at managing their time and concentration than they are. In reality, they're more likely to lose things, forget appointments or pay bills on time and struggle with a lack of organization at work and home.
Women with ADHD tend 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 continuously or speak nonsensical phrases or sounds, though they're less likely to suffer from these symptoms than males are.
The first treatment is medication. option for many adults suffering from ADHD. Stimulants like methylphenidate or amphetamine are usually prescribed, but nonstimulant drugs that target how neurotransmitters communicate with your brain are also available. These include atomoxetine and the guanfacine.
Women suffering from ADHD also may benefit from cognitive behavior therapy (CBT). These therapies can help identify thoughts that are irrational or automatic and help you learn healthy ways to manage your mood and behavior. In addition to medication, exercise and healthy eating habits can help manage ADHD symptoms like disorientation, impulsivity and restlessness. For energy-boosting, try activities like yoga, dancing, or group classes like cycling or swimming, and aerobics. Try to exercise for at least four to five sessions every week, each lasting about 30 minutes. To boost your mood and focus, eat a variety foods, including whole grains, vegetables and healthy fats.