Signs and Symptoms of ADHD in Women
Women who suffer from ADHD are often pushed to different expectations from society regarding how they can manage their families, careers, and home life. This can result in feelings of shame and frustration when your symptoms are getting impeding your progress.
Research has shown that women and girls are often under-diagnosed for ADHD as compared to boys and men. This could be due to the fact that they conceal their symptoms or develop strategies to cope with their symptoms, such as:
1. Inattentiveness
Being unable to pay attention at school or at work is among the primary signs of adhd. Women with this condition often forget important meetings, fall behind on their work or become confused when trying to follow directions. They might also have difficulty focusing or concentrate in noisy or crowded environments. adhd symptoms in women adults with ADHD might experience "thousand-yard gazes" or zone out during conversations. These symptoms can lead to issues at work or in relationships.
Girls and women can be particularly at risk for undiagnosed ADHD particularly as they grow older. They develop coping strategies that disguise their symptoms and continue to do so into adulthood. adhd in young women may even start to view their symptoms as personal traits, which can make them less likely to seek assistance.
In addition, a lot of teachers don't suggest ADHD evaluations for girls as often as they do for men. However should a girl's lack of attention ADHD symptoms are causing a negative impact on her school performance or social interactions, she should speak to a health care professional.
Inattentive ADHD is a typical reason for emotional stress. It can be difficult when you feel you're not able to meet the expectations of your friends or family members, as well as coworkers. It can be difficult to feel as if you're not able to get along with your children or siblings. Many people with ADHD experience depression and anxiety, which can be exacerbated by their inattention and impulsivity. In addition to seeking help there are a few things you can do to decrease the effects of these symptoms. Regular exercise can help release neurotransmitters that improve concentration and attention. It also helps reduce mood swings and anxiety, which are common in people with ADHD.
2. Impulsivity
The unpredictable symptoms of ADHD can be difficult to manage. adhd in women uk may blurt out things you shouldn't say, buy something on a whim or get into trouble with the law due to your actions. It can also make it hard to control your emotions and feelings. Self-injury could result, such as cutting, burning or scratching yourself. It could also lead to drug and alcohol abuse.
People with impulsivity often have problems with relationships and work or school performance. Your doctor can assist you to manage your impulsivity by prescribing medication. Medications like amphetamine and dextroamphetamine (Adderall Ritalin) or methylphenidate (Concerta, Daytrana, Methylin) can help you improve your ability to control your impulses. Non-stimulant medications like clonidine or Guanfacine can improve your ability to control yourself.
Women are more likely than men and boys to have a hyperactive/impulsive form of ADHD. But this type of ADHD is more difficult to detect, which can result in underdiagnosis. Women may conceal their symptoms to conform to societal standards and expectations. This is particularly problematic in adolescence and early adulthood. Women may resort to unhealthy coping mechanisms, such as excessive drinking and substance abuse to hide their ADHD problems.
Women with high functioning ADHD might cover up their symptoms by achieving the success they desire in certain areas of their life like at school or at work. This can give you a false sense of security and can cause you to feel overwhelmed by the demands of daily life. Consult your doctor about the accommodations you can receive at work or school that will aid you in managing your ADHD symptoms. This can be an excellent opportunity to create awareness with your coworkers or professors about the challenges you may encounter.
3. Disorganization
If you have ADHD, missing appointments or showing up late for work, forgetting dates and becoming oblivious during conversations can lead to frustration and make others feel ignored or offended. The condition can make it difficult to keep track of your tasks as well as manage schedules, finances and financial obligations. If you aren't able to remember what you'll need for food, you might miss out on meals, or spend too much on unnecessary things.
Women who suffer from ADHD typically have a difficult to keep track of their everyday chores, homework and expenses. The disorder can also lead to disorganized workspaces, messy homes and a propensity to accumulate. People with ADHD are affected by a phenomenon known as "time blindness," which makes it difficult to know how much time has passed and how long you've been working on a task. Time management issues can cause feelings of shame or guilt when combined with difficulty staying organized.
Research has shown that girls, women, and boys are more likely than men to have ADHD. However, the signs can be misdiagnosed or masked. Many women are not diagnosed until they reach the age of adulthood when their symptoms become more evident. Social stigma and stereotypes can also hinder women to access the treatment and assistance they need.
Your doctor might prescribe medication to help manage your ADHD symptoms. The stimulants methylphenidate and amphetamine increase and balance neurotransmitters - brain chemicals that talk to each other. Antidepressants, as well as atomoxetine that are nonstimulant medications can also be used to treat ADHD. However, they work more slowly than stimulants. Your doctor might also recommend you to a mental health specialist, who can help develop an individualized treatment plan that meets your individual needs.
4. Impulsiveness
Women suffering from ADHD might have a difficult time controlling their emotions, and are often more vulnerable to rejection. This is because the communication pathway between key brain areas that regulate emotional reactions and interpret what to do with these feelings is affected by the chemical imbalance caused by ADHD.
Depression and moodiness are typical for those with ADHD and the combination of these with difficulties in managing obligations can cause problems with family and romantic relationships. Women with ADHD may also have a low self-esteem and have difficulty in forming relationships and managing social situations. They might wander off in a tangent or have trouble understanding what others are saying. This could make it difficult for them to find a spot in the group.
When managing their daily tasks, women with ADHD may have trouble finding the motivation to do mundane or monotonous tasks, like washing dishes, laundry, or cleaning. This can cause unhealthy coping habits like binge-watching TV shows or taking drugs. These habits can be particularly risky for girls in their teens and adolescents with ADHD, who are more likely to engage in sexually dangerous behavior, such as early beginning of sexual activity, fewer protected sex 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. Many women are unable to recognize their ADHD due to the numerous expectations placed on them by society (managing the household and children for example). This makes it difficult for health care professionals to recognize that there's an issue, especially since symptoms are more readily recognized for men and boys.
5. Hyperactivity
Women who suffer from ADHD may have difficulty managing their daily tasks. They may struggle with managing their lives, making payments on time and keeping track of appointments or school/work requirements. Additionally, emotional issues, such as mood swings and difficulty controlling their emotions, can make it hard to get along with others and cause problems in relationships between people.
People suffering from ADHD struggle to read body language or social cues. They may have difficulty following a conversation or go off on a tangent which can cause difficulties at school or at work and causing stress in relationships. They may also have trouble making new friends or finding the right balance between their home, work, and social life.
The symptoms of ADHD can change throughout the day, and may be affected by hormones such as during menstruation, pregnancy or perimenopause. This could result in misdiagnosis or the wrong kinds of medications being prescribed.
There are a few symptoms and signs that are that are common to ADHD that can aid you or a loved one identify the disorder. Recognizing these signs is a great first step towards getting the help and treatment you need to manage your symptoms effectively.
Being diagnosed with ADHD does not mean that it doesn't mean you're not suffering from other mental health or physical conditions and it's essential that your doctor or therapist conducts a thorough assessment. They'll have to ask questions about your current and past behavior and experiences, look at any medical history, and talk with you about how your ADHD symptoms affect you in various situations.