Signs and Symptoms of ADHD in Women
Women with ADHD are often subject to different expectations from society regarding how they can manage their family, careers and their home lives. This can cause you to feel frustrated and ashamed if your symptoms cause problems.
Research suggests that girls are more likely to be diagnosed with ADHD than men and boys. This could be due to the fact that they conceal their symptoms or develop coping mechanisms to hide their symptoms.
1. Inattentiveness
Having trouble paying attention at work or school is among the primary indicators of adhd. Women with adhd often miss important meetings or assignments or are misled by instructions. They may be unable to concentrate in noisy or crowded environments. People who suffer from ADHD are prone to what's called "thousand-yard stares" and lose focus during conversations. These symptoms can cause difficulties at work or in relationships.
Females and females are particularly susceptible to undiagnosed ADHD, especially as they grow older. They develop strategies to disguise their symptoms and continue to do this into adulthood. They might even begin to identify their symptoms as personal characteristics, which could make it harder for them to seek help.
Teachers are not recommending ADHD assessments as often for girls as they do for males. If a girl's inattentive ADHD is affecting her school performance or social interactions she should talk to a health professional.
Inattentive ADHD is a common cause of emotional stress. It can be difficult when you feel you're not meeting the expectations of friends or family members, as well as coworkers. add symptoms in women can be a bit upsetting when you feel that you are not able to get along with your children or siblings. Certain people suffering from ADHD suffer from anxiety and depression that can be exacerbated by their inattention and impulsivity. In addition to seeking assistance there are a few things you can do to reduce the impact of these symptoms. Regular exercise can help release neurotransmitters to improve attention and concentration. It can also help reduce mood swings and anxiety, which are common among those who suffer from ADHD.
2. Impulsivity
ADHD symptoms can be difficult to manage. You may blurt out things you shouldn't, buy things on impulse, or get into trouble with the law due to your behavior. In addition, it can be difficult to control your emotions and emotions. Self-injury could result in self-injury, including cutting, burning or scratching yourself. This can also result in alcohol or drug dependence.
People who are impulsive usually have problems with relationships and work or school performance. Your doctor can help you manage your impulsivity by prescribing medications. Drugs like amphetamine and dextroamphetamine (Adderall Ritalin) or methylphenidate (Concerta, Daytrana, Methylin) can improve your ability to control your impulses. Non-stimulant medications such as clonidine and guanfacine could also help to manage your impulses better.
Women are more likely than men and boys to have a hyperactive/impulsive form of ADHD. This kind of ADHD can be harder to recognize, leading to an incorrect diagnosis. Women may hide their symptoms to comply with social expectations and standards. This masking is especially problematic in adolescence and early adulthood. Some women resort to unhealthy coping strategies, like excessive drinking and substance use, to conceal their ADHD problems.
Women with high functioning ADHD might cover up their symptoms by having success in certain areas of their lives, such as at school or at work. This can give you a false sense of security and make you feel overwhelmed by the demands of daily life. Ask your healthcare provider for accommodations at school or work that will help you manage your ADHD symptoms. This is a great way to build awareness among your colleagues or professors of the challenges you may encounter.
3. Disorganization
If you suffer from ADHD then avoiding appointments, arriving late for work, not remembering dates, or avoiding conversations can result in anger and make others feel snubbed or offended. The disorder can also make it difficult to manage finances manage schedules, keep track of appointments and complete tasks. For instance, if you are having trouble remembering what you'll need for groceries, you might be unable to eat or spend too much on unnecessary items.
Women suffering from ADHD often have a hard managing their everyday chores, homework and bills. The disorder can also lead to disorganized homes, messy workspaces and a tendency to pile up. The "time blindness" that ADHD sufferers experience makes it difficult to determine how long has been spent or how long they've spent on a particular task. Time management issues can trigger feelings of guilt or shame when combined with difficulty staying organized.
Research shows that girls, women and boys are more likely than males to have ADHD. However, the symptoms are often misdiagnosed or hidden. Women are often not diagnosed until they reach adulthood when their symptoms become more obvious. Moreover, social stigma and stereotypes may hinder women to get the support and treatment they need.
Your doctor may prescribe medication to help manage your ADHD symptoms. The stimulants methylphenidate and amphetamine boost and balance neurotransmitters, the brain chemicals that communicate. Nonstimulant medicines like antidepressants and atomoxetine are also used to treat ADHD however they operate slower than stimulants. Your doctor may refer you to an expert in mental health who will help create a treatment plan tailored to your needs.
4. Impulsiveness
Women who suffer from ADHD might have a difficult time controlling their emotions, and are often more sensitive to rejection. The chemical imbalance associated with ADHD disrupts the communication between brain regions that regulate emotions and determine how to deal with these emotions.
People suffering from ADHD are more prone to moodiness and depression. This, along with the difficulty of managing their obligations, can cause problems with romantic and family relationships. Women who suffer from ADHD also tend to be less confident in themselves and may have trouble forming friendships and managing social situations. They might wander off on tangents or struggle to comprehend what other people are saying. This makes it difficult for them to find a place within the group.
Women suffering from ADHD may find it difficult to keep themselves motivated to complete simple or boring tasks like washing dishes cleaning, and washing laundry. This can lead them to develop unhealthy coping strategies, such as binge-watching TV shows or abusing substances. These types of behaviors are particularly risky for young girls and adolescents with ADHD, who are more likely to engage in sexually risky behaviors, including early initiation of sexual activities, fewer protected sexual partners, and more casual sex than their peers.
As adults, women with ADHD are more likely to go undiagnosed or be misdiagnosed than men because they tend to have inattentive symptoms instead of hyperactivity/impulsivity symptoms. Additionally women often hide their ADHD symptoms due to the multitude of expectations that society places on them (managing the family and home for instance). It can be difficult for doctors to determine if there is a problem because the symptoms are easy to recognize in both males.
5. Hyperactivity
For women suffering from ADHD the daily chores can be difficult to handle. They may have difficulty organizing their lives, paying off bills on time, and keeping up with appointments or school/work requirements. A variety of emotional symptoms, including mood swings and difficulty controlling emotions, may make it difficult to connect with others and create issues in relationships between people.
People suffering from ADHD are unable to discern social cues or body language. They may go off on a tangent in conversations or struggle to follow the thread of a conversation, causing issues with school or work performance as well as strained relationships. They might also have a difficult time making new friends or achieving the right balance between their work, home and social life.
Symptoms of ADHD are different throughout the day and be influenced by hormone levels, for instance those that occur during menstruation or pregnancy, or as they progress through perimenopause (the menopausal phase). This could result in misdiagnosis or the wrong kinds of medications being prescribed.
There are some symptoms and signs that are common to ADHD that can help you or a loved-one recognize the condition. Recognizing these symptoms is a good first step to getting the help and treatment you need to effectively manage your symptoms.
Having ADHD doesn't mean it doesn't mean you're not suffering from other mental health or physical conditions, so it's important that your therapist or doctor conducts a thorough examination. They'll ask you questions about your past and present behaviors, review your medical history, and discuss how your symptoms affect you in various settings.