AdHD Symptoms in Women
Women with ADHD struggle to live up to society's expectations. Women with ADHD often struggle to meet societal expectations, including 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 also cause health care professionals to misdiagnose or not recognize ADHD symptoms in girls and women.
1. Lack of Focus
Concentration issues are one of the most prevalent adhd symptoms in women. This issue can manifest in different ways, including forgetting appointments, not being able finish tasks at the office or having trouble concentrating when speaking to people. It can make it difficult for women to manage their finances, and often cause them to miss out on financial or job opportunities.
It's possible that some women are more adept at masked their ADHD symptoms, which could make it more difficult for them to get diagnosed and treated as adults. Researchers aren't sure what the reason is, but they speculate that it could be related to traditional gender roles and the notion that women and girls should be more "restrained." Masking ADHD symptoms could lead to being under-performing at school or at work and could prevent them from seeking the help and assistance they need.
In addition, a lack of focus could be misinterpreted as a sign of other illnesses such as depression or anxiety. For instance, depression can influence your concentration by making you forgetful and unmotivated. People suffering from generalized anxiety trouble concentrating as they tend to be overwhelmed by their thoughts and emotions.
The best way to increase your ability to concentrate is to manage your ADHD symptoms by seeking treatment. This involves finding a therapist or clinician who has experience working with ADHD in girls and women. It's also an excellent idea to find out about the kinds of accommodations you can ask your employer or educational institution for like flexible hours or working at home. adhd in women checklist sleeping routine can help you to have more restful nights, and to be more focused throughout the day. This includes getting to bed every night at the same time, and listening to relaxing music or audiobooks, and limiting screen time.
2. Impulsivity
Women with ADHD are typically driven. They may interrupt others or alter the topic of a discussion, make quick decisions without considering the consequences, and take risks that aren't in your best interests. They may also have difficulty reading body language or interpreting social signals. Symptoms of impulsivity often get worse during perimenopausal, the period before menopausal, and then 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 can cause health professionals to miss ADHD in these individuals, or mistakenly diagnose them or dismiss their symptoms as a result of anxiety or mood issues. Research on ADHD is focused on men and boys. This could cause an imbalance in gender.
When children with ADHD are young, parents and teachers occasionally observe an impulsive behavior. It's normal for kids to be restless, impatient or even impulsive in certain instances. These behaviors are likely to improve as children get older and begin to manage their symptoms.
In adults, the impulsive and distractible symptoms of adhd can affect school, work and relationships. They can lead to procrastination and forgetfulness as well as difficulty following through with commitments. They can also make locating and maintaining a job difficult and hinder healthy eating.
Treatment for adults with ADHD typically involves medication. Your doctor will recommend an array of treatments based on the specific symptoms you have and lifestyle, as well as other health conditions you may have. They may also recommend psychotherapy like cognitive behavioral therapy, which helps you recognize and alter negative thinking patterns or couples counseling in the event that your relationship is affected by ADHD or family therapy. Physical exercise can also aid in calming your brain and reduce symptoms, especially in the case of impulsivity and distractibility. Try activities such as dancing, yoga, and group workouts like swimming and running.
3. Anxiety
Anxiety disorders are common and can cause a variety of physical symptoms. These include dizziness, chest pain, headaches, heart palpitations and sweating. They can also make someone feel like they are having an attack on their heart or that the world is ending. Because of these physical symptoms those who experience anxiety are often misdiagnosed as having a heart condition. This can result in an extended medical treatment without addressing the root cause. Fortunately, most anxiety disorders respond well to psychotherapy on its own or in conjunction with medication. Particularly, cognitive behavioral therapy can help a person discover new ways of thinking and reacting that may 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 be diagnosed with mixed subtypes. It's important for women to discuss their ADHD symptoms with their doctor, who will carry out a thorough physical exam and ask specific questions about how the disorder affects their lives.
Women who suffer from ADHD may have difficulty obtaining a correct diagnosis, as many diagnostic tools are designed towards male behavior. Women can also conceal their symptoms to fit in with the rest of society. In the end, they might be underdiagnosed and receive delayed treatment for their ADHD. A trained professional like a psychiatrist, psychologist, or advanced practice registered nurse, can diagnose ADHD. The professional will make use of an extensive medical history, a physical exam and the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Health Disorders to be able to evaluate a patient's symptoms and determine if other conditions might be contributing.
4. Disorganization
Women with ADHD can experience disorganization. This is a constant problem that can cause disruptions in work and schoolwork, emotional stress, strain relationships, and financial problems. Disorganization is defined as the lack of organization skills, such as not keeping track of expenses or appointments, and difficulty making decisions. It can be caused by other factors such as anxiety, a traumatizing experience in life, or depression. It is difficult to treat.
Women who suffer from ADHD have a high level of functioning, and their symptoms don't significantly impact their daily activities and relationships. The condition is known as "high-functioning ADHD." It doesn't mean they do not experience certain symptoms. This includes forgetfulness, difficulty concentrating or paying attention to the smallest of details.
Many people experience disorganization every day. They might spend their time looking for lost objects or putting off important tasks. It can also cause low productivity and stressed relationships. It can also lead to various health issues, including anxiety or sleep disorders.
Hormone fluctuations can also contribute to the disorganization of women with ADHD. Estrogen levels decrease when ovulating, during the middle of menstrual cycle and at the end of, whereas progesterone levels are higher. These fluctuations can exacerbate ADHD symptoms.
It's possible that, while biological differences could be a factor, a portion of the disorganization or impulsivity among women with ADHD is due to social "norms." Girls and young women are often socialized to be more reserved and quiet, so they might suppress or hide their ADHD symptoms.
5. Attention
Women often find it easier to mask their attention problems than men do and can result in being underdiagnosed and delayed treatment. In reality, they might even think that they have better focus and time-management abilities than they actually do. However, these people tend to lose things and forget appointments, or fail to pay their bills on time. They also have trouble with problems with organization at work and at home.
Women with ADHD are more likely to develop the inattentive subtype 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 constantly or use unintelligible phrases or sounds, but they're less likely to have these symptoms than men are.
For many people suffering from ADHD the first line of treatment is medication. stimulants such as amphetamine or methylphenidate are typically prescribed, but nonstimulant medicines that focus on the way neurotransmitters communicate with your brain are also available. They include atomoxetine and the guanfacine.
Women suffering from ADHD might also benefit from cognitive behavior therapy (CBT). These therapies can help you identify automatic or irrational thinking and teach you how to self regulate your emotions and behaviors. Exercise and a healthy diet, in addition to medication, can help control ADHD symptoms like anxiety, impulsivity, and distractibility. To boost your energy levels try activities such as dancing, yoga, group classes like cycling or swimming, and aerobics. Try to exercise for at minimum four to five times every week, each lasting around 30 minutes. To improve your mood and concentration consume a variety of vegetables, whole grains and healthy fats.