AdHD Symptoms in Women
Women who suffer from ADHD are often challenged to meet the various expectations of society. This includes caring for others while juggling work and home life, and navigating relationships.
Female ADHD symptoms are more likely to be inattentive-type symptoms than hyperactive/impulsive symptoms. The gender bias can cause health care professionals to not recognize ADHD in girls and women or misdiagnose them.
1. Lack of Focus
Concentration issues are one of the most common adhd symptoms in women. It's a condition that can manifest in a variety of different ways, ranging from forgetting appointments to not being able to finish tasks at work, or snoring during conversations, making people feel disregarded. It can also make it difficult for women to manage their finances and can result in them not being able to take advantage on job or financial opportunities.
Women are more adept at masking ADHD symptoms than other women and this makes it harder for them as adults to get diagnosed and treated. Researchers aren't sure why that is, but they speculate that it could be due to traditional gender roles and the notion that women and girls should be more "restrained." Masking ADHD symptoms can result in poor performance at school or work, and it might prevent them from seeking the help and assistance they require.
The lack of focus can be misinterpreted as other signs such as anxiety or depression. For instance, depression could influence your concentration by making you less attentive and irritable. People with generalized anxiety disorder often experience trouble focusing because they tend to be overwhelmed by their thoughts and feelings.
The best way to increase your concentration is to control your ADHD symptoms through treatment. That means finding a clinician or therapist with experience in ADHD for girls and women. inattentive add in women is also important to know about the kinds of accommodations you can request from your employer or school that allow for flexible working hours or working at home. Good sleep hygiene practices can also help you get more restful nights and become more focused throughout the day, including sleeping at the same time every night, listening to calming music or an audiobook prior going to bed and limiting your screen time.
2. Impulsivity
Women with ADHD frequently exhibit impulsivity signs. They may interrupt others or change topics during the course of a conversation, make quick decisions without thinking about the consequences, and take risks that are not in your best interest. They may also have trouble understanding body language or recognizing social cues. The signs of impulsivity tend to get worse during perimenopause, the period before menopausal and when hormone levels start 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 result in health professionals not recognizing ADHD in women and girls and misdiagnosing them or dismissing their symptoms as a mood or anxiety problem. Research on ADHD is primarily focused on boys and men. This may result in the perception of gender bias.
Parents and teachers may notice impulsive behavior in children with ADHD. It's normal for kids to be irritable, restless, or impulsive at times. However, these behaviors tend to improve over time as children grow up and learn how to manage their issues.
In adults, impulsive and distractible symptoms of adhd can affect work, school and relationships. They can cause delay, forgetfulness, and trouble keeping promises. They can also make finding and keeping a job difficult and can hinder healthy eating habits.
Treatment for adult ADHD generally involves taking medication. Your doctor may suggest an individualized treatment based on your symptoms, lifestyle and any other health conditions. They may also suggest psychotherapy such as cognitive behavioral therapy, which can help you recognize and alter negative thinking patterns and couples counseling when your relationship is impacted by ADHD or family therapy. Exercise can calm your brain, reduce symptoms and assist you in staying focused. This is particularly true for people who have a tendency to be distracted and impulsive. Try activities like dancing, yoga and group exercises, such as running and swimming.
3. Anxiety
Anxiety disorders are common and can cause a wide range of physical symptoms. These include dizziness, chest pain, headaches, heart palpitations and sweating. They can also make a person feel as if they are suffering from an attack of the heart or that the world is closing. People who experience anxiety are often misdiagnosed as having a heart issue because of these physical symptoms. 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 on its own or in conjunction with medication. Particularly, cognitive behavior therapy can help someone learn new ways of thinking and reacting that may make them less anxious.
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 an uniform subtype. It is crucial for women to discuss their ADHD symptoms with their doctor, who will carry out an exhaustive physical exam and ask questions about how the disorder affects their lives.
Women suffering from ADHD may have difficulty obtaining a correct diagnosis, as many diagnostic tools are designed toward male behavior. Women can also conceal their symptoms to fit with society. They may be misdiagnosed, and their ADHD treatment delayed. A qualified professional like a psychiatrist, psychologist, or advanced practice registered nurses, can identify ADHD. The professional will make use of an in-depth medical history, a physical exam and the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Health Disorders to be able to assess the symptoms of a patient and determine if other conditions might be contributing.
4. Disorganization
Women who suffer from ADHD may experience disorganization. This is a chronic issue that can cause disruptions in work and schoolwork and emotional stress, as well as strain on relationships, and financial issues. Disorganization is often characterized by the lack of organization skills like not keeping track of bills or appointments, and difficulty making decisions. It can be caused by other factors like anxiety, traumatizing experience in life, or depression. It is difficult to treat.
Certain women with ADHD are able to perform at a high degree, and their symptoms do not significantly impact their daily activities or relationships. This condition is referred to as "high-functioning ADHD." It doesn't mean they don't suffer from some of the symptoms. They may experience forgetfulness, trouble concentration and paying attention to tiny details.
For some, disorganization is a daily struggle, and it's common for people suffering from ADHD to spend time searching for lost items or put off important tasks. It can also result in low productivity and stressed relationships. It can also cause a number of health problems like sleep disorders or anxiety.
Another issue that can cause disorganization in women with ADHD is hormone fluctuations. Estrogen levels decrease during ovulation and at the middle of the menstrual cycle, while progesterone is higher, and these fluctuations can make ADHD symptoms worse.
While biological differences between the sexes can play a role but it's also possible some of the disorder and impulsivity associated with ADHD in women is due to social "norms." Young women and girls may be conditioned to be reserved and quiet and this can cause to them to conceal or minimize their ADHD symptoms.
5. Inattention
Women are more likely than men to mask their attention issues, which could result in them being incorrectly diagnosed and receiving delayed treatment. In fact, they may even think that they have better focus and time-management abilities than they do. In reality, these people are likely to lose things, forget appointments, or fail to pay their bills on time. They also face issues with organization both at work and at home.
Women suffering from ADHD tend to develop the inattentive version 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 being silent, and may even talk to themselves or make nonsensical sounds or phrases. However, they're less likely to suffer from these symptoms than men.
For many people suffering from ADHD the first option for treatment is medication. The stimulants methylphenidate and amphetamine are commonly prescribed, however nonstimulant medications that focus on the way neurotransmitters interact with your brain could also be effective. They include atomoxetine and guanfacine.
Women with ADHD also may benefit from cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). These therapies can help you recognize automatic or irrational thoughts and learn healthy ways to regulate your emotions and behavior. A healthy diet and exercise in addition to medications, can help control ADHD symptoms such as anxiety, impulsivity and disorientation. For energy-boosting try activities such as yoga, dancing, or group classes like aerobics or swimming and biking. Try to exercise for at the very least four to five sessions every week, each lasting about 30 minutes. To support your mood and focus take a varied diet of vegetables, whole grains and healthy fats.