AdHD Symptoms in Women
Women who suffer from ADHD struggle to live up to society's expectations. Women with ADHD typically struggle to meet societal expectations that include caring for others as well as balancing 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 professionals to misdiagnose or not recognize ADHD symptoms in women and girls.
1. Lack of Focus
One of the most prevalent symptoms of adhd in women is difficulty concentration. This problem can manifest in a variety of ways, including forgetting appointments, not being able to finish work or being unable to concentrate when speaking to people. It can make it difficult for women to manage their finances, and often result in them not being able to take advantage on job or financial opportunities.
It's possible that women are more adept at masked their ADHD symptoms, which may make it harder for them to be diagnosed and treated as adults. Researchers don't know why, but they believe it could be due to gender roles and the expectation for girls and women to be more "restrained." Masking ADHD could lead to underperformance at work or in school, and hinder those with ADHD from seeking out support and assistance.
In addition, a lack of focus could be mistaken for other conditions like anxiety or depression. For instance, depression may influence your concentration by making you more forgetful and irritable. People with generalized anxiety disorder usually have trouble focusing because they are more likely to be overwhelmed by their thoughts and emotions.
Treatment is the most effective way to improve concentration. This means you should find a therapist or therapist who is experienced in treating ADHD in women and girls. It's also a good idea to learn about the kinds of accommodations you can ask your employer or school for such as flexible hours or working from home. A healthy sleep routine will help you to have more peaceful nights and to be more focused throughout the day. This includes getting to bed every night at the same time, while listening to relaxing music or an audiobook, and limiting screen time.
2. Impulsivity
Women with ADHD are typically impulsive. These can include interrupting others or switching topics during a conversation, making quick decisions without thinking, and taking risks that are not beneficial to their health. They might also have difficulty reading other people's body language or picking up on social cues. Symptoms of impulsivity often get worse during perimenopause, the phase that precedes menopausal and when hormone levels begin to decrease.
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 lead to health professionals not recognizing ADHD in girls and women and misdiagnosing them or dismissing their symptoms as being a mood or anxiety problem. Gender bias may also play a role, since research on ADHD is mostly focused on males and females.
When children with ADHD are young, teachers and parents occasionally notice impulsive behavior. It's normal for children to be impatient, restless or even impulsive in certain instances. These behaviors tend to improve as children age and learn to manage their symptoms.
In adults, impulsive and distractible symptoms of adhd can affect work, school, and relationships. They can cause delays and forgetfulness, as well as difficulty staying on track with commitments. They can make it difficult to find and keep jobs and can interfere with healthy eating habits.
Treatment for adults with ADHD usually involves medication. Your doctor will recommend an array of treatments based on your particular symptoms and lifestyle, as well as other health issues you might have. They may also suggest psychotherapy such as cognitive behavioral therapy, which can help you to recognize and change negative thoughts or couples counseling when your relationship is impacted by ADHD or family therapy. Exercise can calm your mind and reduce symptoms, as well as assist you in staying focused. This is especially true for impulsivity and distraction. You can take on activities such as yoga, dancing, or group workouts like swimming and running.
3. Anxiety
Anxiety disorders can trigger a variety of physical symptoms. These include dizziness, chest pain and headaches, heart palpitations, and sweating. These symptoms can cause a person to think they are having stroke or that the world is close to ending. People who experience anxiety are often misdiagnosed as having a heart issue due to these physical signs. This can lead to a long medical treatment without addressing the root cause. Fortunately, many 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 can 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 be diagnosed with mixed subtypes. Women should discuss their ADHD symptoms with their doctor. will ask them questions regarding the disorder.
Women who suffer from ADHD might have difficulty getting an accurate diagnosis, since the majority of diagnostic tools are geared towards male behavior. Women often attempt to hide their symptoms to fit in with the society. In the end, they could be overlooked and receive delayed treatment for their ADHD. A trained professional, like a psychiatrist psychologist or advanced practice registered nurses can identify ADHD. The professional will conduct an extensive history, physical exam and the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Health Disorders to analyze a person's symptoms and determine if there are other conditions that may be contributing to them.
4. Disorganization
Women suffering from ADHD might experience disorganization, which is a constant issue that can affect the routine of school and work as well as cause emotional stress. It can strain relationships and contribute to financial problems. Disorganization is often characterized by an inability to organize that include not keeping track of bills or appointments, or having difficulty making decisions. In many cases, it is connected to other issues, like anxiety, traumatizing life event, or depression, and is often difficult to treat.
Women who suffer from ADHD are able to perform at a high level and their symptoms don't affect their daily lives or relationships. This is referred to as "high-functioning ADHD." It doesn't mean they don't experience some of the symptoms. This includes difficulty in paying attention or concentrating on things, feeling anxious and unfocused.
For some, a lack of organization is a daily struggle and it's normal for people with ADHD to be prone to searching for lost items or put off important tasks. It can also result in poor work quality and strained relationships. add adult women can also lead to various health problems, such as anxiety or sleep disorders.
Another issue that can cause disorder in women suffering from ADHD is the fluctuation in hormone levels. Estrogen levels decrease during ovulation, in the middle of menstrual cycle and at the end of when progesterone levels are higher. These fluctuations can worsen ADHD symptoms.
It's possible that, while biological differences can be a factor, a portion of the disorganization or impulsivity in women suffering from ADHD is due to social "norms." Young women and girls can be conditioned to be quiet and reserved and this can cause them to hide or suppress their ADHD symptoms.
5. Inattention
Women tend to find it easier to hide their attention issues than men and can result in undiagnosed problems and delayed treatment. They might even believe they're better at managing their time and concentration than they are. In reality, they're likely to lose things, forget appointments or pay bills on time, and struggle with a lack of organization at home and at work.
Women who suffer 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 in calming down and may talk to themselves constantly or use nonsensical phrases or sounds, but they're less likely to suffer from these symptoms than men are.
Medication is the first treatment option for many adults suffering from ADHD. The stimulants methylphenidate and amphetamine are typically prescribed, but nonstimulant medications that target the way neurotransmitters communicate with your brain are also available. They include atomoxetine as well as guanfacine.
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) can be beneficial for women with ADHD. These treatments can help you recognize automatic or irrational thinking and teach you how to self regulate your mood and behavior. In addition to medications exercise and a balanced diet can help you manage ADHD symptoms of disorientation, impulsivity and restlessness. Try activities like dancing, yoga and group classes such as swimming or aerobics, and cycling to boost your energy levels. Try to do at least 4 to 5 sessions of exercise per week, lasting approximately 30 minutes per session. To support your mood and attention, eat a variety fruits, whole grains, and healthy fats.