AdHD Symptoms in Women
Women with ADHD struggle to live up to society's expectations. This includes caring for others as well as balancing work and family life, and navigating relationships.
Female ADHD symptoms are more likely to be inattentive-type symptoms than hyperactive/impulsive symptoms. Gender bias may also lead health care professionals to misdiagnose or not recognize ADHD symptoms for girls and women.
1. Lack of Focus
Being unable to concentrate is one of the most frequent symptoms of adhd in women. This issue can manifest in a variety of ways, such as having trouble remembering appointments, not being able to finish work or having trouble concentrating when talking to others. It's also a typical problem that makes it hard for women to keep up with their finances. It's often the reason why they aren't able to take advantage of jobs or financial opportunities.
It's possible that women are more adept at hiding their ADHD symptoms, which may make it harder for them to be diagnosed and treated as adults. Researchers aren't sure why, but they believe it could be due to gender roles and the expectation of women and girls to be more "restrained." Masking ADHD could lead to underperformance at work or at school, and hinder those with ADHD from seeking out support and assistance.
Lack of focus is also a common symptom that can be confused with other illnesses, including depression and anxiety. Depression can affect concentration by making you forgetful and unmotivated. People suffering from generalized anxiety disorder usually have difficulty focusing due to the fact that they tend to be overwhelmed by their thoughts and feelings.
Treatment is the best way to improve concentration. This means seeking out a therapist or a clinician who has experience working with ADHD in girls and women. You should also learn about the kinds of accommodations you can request from your school or employer, such as flexible working hours or working at home. Good sleep hygiene will also help you to have more peaceful nights and help you to stay focused throughout the day. This includes getting to bed every night at the same time, listening to relaxing music or an audiobook, and limiting the time you spend on your computer.
2. Impulsivity
Women who suffer from ADHD are typically driven. They can interrupt other people or alter the topic of the course of a conversation, make quick decisions without thinking about the consequences, and take risks that aren't in your best interest. They might also have trouble reading body language or interpreting social signals. Symptoms of impulsivity often get worse during the perimenopausal period before menopausal and when hormone levels begin 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 their patients, misdiagnose them, or ignore their symptoms as mood or anxiety issues. Gender bias can also play a role, since research on ADHD is mostly focused on boys and men.
Teachers and parents may observe the impulsive behavior of children who suffer from ADHD. It's not uncommon for children to be irritable or even impatient at times. However, those behaviors tend to improve as children grow up and learn to manage their symptoms.
Adults with adhd can be prone to impulsive behavior and distraction which can affect their relationships, work, and school. They can cause procrastination and forgetfulness, as well as difficulties adhering to commitments. They can also make it difficult to find and keep jobs and can interfere with healthy eating habits.
Treatment for adults with ADHD typically involves medication. Your doctor will suggest a combination of treatments depending on the specific symptoms you have and lifestyle, as well as other health conditions you may have. They may also recommend psychotherapy such as cognitive behavioral therapy, which assists you to recognize and change negative thoughts or couples counseling when your relationship is impacted by ADHD, or even family therapy. Exercise can calm your mind, reduce symptoms and help you focus. This is especially true for people who have a tendency to be distracted and impulsive. You can try activities like yoga, dancing, and group exercises like swimming and running.
3. Anxiety
Anxiety disorders are common and can cause a wide array of physical symptoms. These include dizziness, chest pain, heart palpitations, headaches and sweating. These symptoms can make a person believe they are suffering from a stroke or the world is close to ending. People who suffer from anxiety are often mistakenly diagnosed as having a heart issue because of these physical symptoms. This can result in an extended journey of medical treatment that fails to treat the root cause. Fortunately, the majority of anxiety disorders respond well to psychotherapy on its own or in conjunction with medication. Cognitive behavioral therapy, specifically it can help people to develop new ways of thinking and reacting to situations that could 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 an extensive physical exam and ask detailed questions about how the disorder affects their lives.
Women who suffer from ADHD may have difficulty obtaining an accurate diagnosis, since the majority of diagnostic tools are geared toward male behavior. In addition, women often attempt to conceal their symptoms to fit in with society. This means that they could be overlooked and receive delayed treatment for their ADHD. A trained professional, such as a psychiatrist, psychologist or advanced practice registered nurses can diagnose ADHD. The professional will conduct a thorough history, physical exam and the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Health Disorders to assess the symptoms of a person and determine if there are other conditions that could be contributing to them.
4. Disorganization
Women who suffer from ADHD can experience disorganization which is an ongoing problem that can affect work and schoolwork habits which can cause emotional stress and stress relationships and cause financial issues. Disorganization is characterized by the lack of organization skills, such as not keeping track of bills or appointments, and difficulty making decisions. Most often, the disorder is linked to other issues, such as anxiety, a traumatic life incident, or depression and can be difficult to treat.
Certain women with ADHD are able to perform at a high degree and their symptoms do not affect their daily activities or relationships. This condition is called "high-functioning ADHD." However, this doesn't mean that they don't suffer from the common symptoms. adhd in women checklist include difficulty staying focused or paying attention to things, feeling anxious and unfocused.
Some people struggle with disorganization every day. They might spend their time looking for lost items or putting off important tasks. The disorder can also affect the quality of their work, and could lead to strained relationships. It can also trigger a number of health problems such as insomnia or anxiety.
Another cause of the disorder in women with ADHD is the fluctuation in hormone levels. Estrogen levels are lower during ovulation and at the middle of menstrual cycle while progesterone levels are higher and these fluctuations could make ADHD symptoms worse.
It's possible that, while biological differences can be a factor, a portion of the disorganization or impulsivity among women with ADHD is due to social "norms." Girls and young women may be conditioned to be quiet and reserved and can cause them to suppress or hide their ADHD symptoms.
5. Attention!
Women tend to find it easier to hide their attention issues than men do which can lead to underdiagnosis and delayed treatment. In reality, they may even believe they have better concentration and time-management abilities than they do. In reality, they're more likely to misplace things, forget appointments or pay bills on time, and have trouble coordinating their home and at work.
Women suffering from ADHD tend to develop the inattentive form 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 might also have difficulty staying quiet and may speak to themselves continuously or speak unintelligible phrases or sounds, though they're less likely to suffer from these symptoms than males are.
For many adults with ADHD, the first option for treatment is medication. Drugs that stimulate the brain, such as methylphenidate or amphetamine are commonly prescribed, however nonstimulant medications that focus on how neurotransmitters interact with the brain are also possible. These include atomoxetine and guanfacine.
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is also beneficial for women with ADHD. These treatments can help you recognize automatic or irrational thinking and help you learn healthy ways to self regulate your emotions and behaviors. A healthy diet and exercise along with medication, can help control ADHD symptoms such as restlessness, impulsivity, and distractibility. Try activities such as yoga, dancing or group classes such as swimming or aerobics, and cycling to boost your energy levels. Try to exercise for at minimum four to five times per week, each lasting approximately 30 minutes. Make sure to take a variety of fresh vegetables, whole grains, protein and healthy fats to boost your focus and mood.