ADHD Symptoms in Women
Adult women with ADHD face unique challenges. Untreated symptoms can cause chaos in work and relationships.
Gender bias and a tendency for girls and women to conceal their symptoms can cause underdiagnosis. But, increasing awareness means that more adults are receiving the treatment they need. ADHD symptoms in women differ from those experienced by men. They can be worsened due to hormonal changes during menstrual cycles as well as pregnancy and menopausal.
Inattentive Type Signs
Women with inattention ADHD may have trouble staying on task and completing tasks, frequently making careless mistakes or misunderstand instructions. They may have trouble organizing and find it difficult to keep on top of their obligations like paying bills or returning phone calls, as well as sending birthday cards. They may also be unable to remember appointments and can often skip meetings or be late for work or social activities.
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. If adhd adult symptom don't seek treatment for their symptoms may suffer emotional stress. This could lead to a breakdown in relationships, or co-occurring disorders such as anxiety and depression.
The difficulties of living with ADHD that isn't treated can be overwhelming. Some sufferers blame themselves and engage in unproductive strategies to cope like drinking excessively and drug abuse. Some turn to unhealthy behaviors like eating too much and dieting. Teenagers and young girls might self-injure in order to deal with their frustration over not being able to meet social expectations. This can be done by cutting, burning, or scratching.
It's not a surprise that women with inattentive ADHD are more likely to suffer from anxiety and depression. This makes it difficult to manage ADHD symptoms. In addition, these women may have low self-esteem, making it difficult to acknowledge that their issues are caused by an illness of the mind instead of being their fault.
Girls with inattentive ADHD may also have trouble understanding social cues. This can cause them to appear aloof and oblivious. They may not be able to catch jokes, misread body language, or be accused of being rude or obnoxious. They might be unable to control their impulses and might make insulting remarks or interrupt others.
Women with inattention ADHD need to get enough rest every night and avoid stimulants and caffeine to help improve their concentration. They should also exercise regularly, which can help increase neurotransmitters that aid in concentration and may decrease mood swings.
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 may forget appointments or the names of family and friends members. They tend to be bored or distracted easily and struggle to wait for their turn to speak. They are less likely than men and boys to exhibit 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 prevalent among boys and men. Health professionals may not be attentive to the symptoms in women or girls or even ignore them, attributing them to mood issues or societal stereotypes. ADHD rating scales also tend to be biased towards male behavior, which makes these symptoms harder to determine and recognize for women.
The good news is that there are ways to manage ADHD as a woman in adulthood, including taking medication. Finding signs of attention deficit disorder in adults or a therapist who is experienced in treating ADHD in women and girls is essential. The type of treatment recommended will be based on the signs and the lifestyle. It could include cognitive behavioral therapies to confirm your experience and assist you to change negative thinking patterns as well as family psychoeducation or group work.
Some people can manage their symptoms by following regular sleeping schedules, exercising regularly, and eating a balanced diet. For others, stimulant medications like dextroamphetamine/amphetamine (Adderall), methylphenidate (Ritalin) or lisdexamfetamine (Vyvanse) may be required.
During menopause, when hormone levels decrease, many symptoms of ADHD get worse. During this time, try to keep track of your health and schedule doctor's appointments, track your symptoms, and adhere to your treatment plan carefully. You may also consult your doctor to modify the type or dosage of your medications as required. Talk with your counselor or therapist about the challenges you face in managing your symptoms and how they impact your work as well as at home and in relationships. They may also suggest ways to improve communication with others and your partner.
The symptoms of mixed type
Women who suffer from mixed type ADHD struggle at school and at work, but they do not show the impulsive or hyperactive behavior of the other subtypes. They may forget important documents, pay bills or forget to make appointments. This form of disorder can also cause people to interrupt others, speak without thinking, and talk without thinking. Women who suffer from this form of the condition also have difficulties maintaining relationships and friendships and are often unable to live an independent life.
In a lot of instances, family members or friends are the only ones who can notice the symptoms of inattention ADHD. In the end, girls and young women with this disorder are underdiagnosed. The underdiagnosis is also caused by gender bias and the tendency of people with ADHD symptoms to conceal them.
The symptoms of this type of ADHD are influenced by hormone fluctuations, especially in puberty and during pregnancy and menopause. At these times estrogen levels decrease, and progesterone levels rise. This makes ADHD symptoms more apparent and makes them worse. The symptoms can also vary from day to day, based on the levels of estrogen and progesterone. This could lead to a wrong diagnosis and inadequate or inappropriate treatment.
Psychotherapy can be used in conjunction with medications to treat symptoms of the combined type. This includes cognitive therapy for behavior, which aids people overcome negative attitudes and behaviors, as well as psychoeducational counseling. Both are accessible through local mental health clinics and on the internet.
Regular physical exercise, like swimming, walking or running, can help to increase focus and attention. It also releases neurotransmitters that help boost brain activity and reduce stress or anxiety. Other strategies to manage ADHD include taking breaks on a regular basis, establishing daily routines, and using methods for organizing. Support groups can be very beneficial in learning about changes in lifestyles and coping strategies. For certain people professionals, an ADHD coach is an excellent option for individualized, individual guidance. Some people with ADHD also benefit from interpersonal or cognitive-behavioral therapy. Therapists can help the person to become aware of how their behavior affects others and assist them in developing communication skills.
Adult Type Symptoms
Women who suffer from ADHD may have symptoms that are different from men. Diagnosing and treating the condition in women is complicated by gender-based expectations. This can make it difficult for parents or teachers to notice when a girl has a problem with her attention or hyperactivity. The disorder may also be masked by depression or other mental health problems, which makes it less apparent to others around you. The symptoms can also vary in response to hormone levels. For instance during menstrual cycles or pregnancy and menopausal.
Women with ADHD are most likely to be affected by inattention. You are more likely to forget things, have difficulty recalling details, and are distracted by other people or your thoughts. Your lack of attention ADHD could affect your schoolwork, work, marriages, and other relationships. Your family and friends may be aware that you are having difficulty following directions or keeping track of appointments or paying bills. Your teacher or boss may be concerned that you aren't getting tasks completed on time or have difficulty staying focused during meetings.
If you have the hyperactive/impulsive type of ADHD, your symptoms are more noticeable than inattentive ones. You're always moving around and can disturb others, talk too much or make comments that make no sense without thinking. You struggle to wait for your turn and struggle to maintain eye contact with other people. You may be irritable and suffer from mood swings that are difficult for your family and friends to tolerate.
It may be difficult to manage your emotions, especially during times of stress and trauma. You may react strongly to criticism or be more likely to start fights, even if the situation isn't threatening. It could be easier for you to cope with these emotions by engaging in self destructive behavior such as drug or alcohol addiction or unhealthy eating habits.
The right treatment can help women suffering from ADHD improve their lives. Think about working with a coach or joining an online ADHD support group. You can also seek professional counseling from a counselor who has worked with women with this disorder. You may want to speak with a psychiatrist who can help you better understand the way your genes or brain activity could affect your ADHD symptoms.