AdHD Symptoms in Women
Women who suffer from ADHD often struggle to meet many societal expectations. Women who suffer from ADHD are often struggling 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 fail to recognize ADHD symptoms in girls and women.
1. Lack of Focus
Having trouble concentrating is one of the most frequent symptoms of adhd among women. This issue can manifest in many ways, including having trouble remembering appointments, not being able to complete tasks at work or zoning out when talking to others. It's also a frequent sign that makes it hard for women to keep track of their finances, and it's often the reason they miss out on jobs or financial opportunities.
It's possible that some women are better at masking their ADHD symptoms, which may make it difficult for them to be diagnosed and treated as adults. Researchers aren't sure why, but they think it may be due to gender roles and the expectation of girls and women to be more "restrained." Masking ADHD can result in poor performance at work or at school and stop those with ADHD from seeking out support and help.
Lack of focus can also be mistaken for other conditions such as depression or anxiety. Depression can affect concentration by making you forgetful and unmotivated. People suffering from generalized anxiety disorder are unable to concentrate because they tend to be overwhelmed by their thoughts and emotions.
The best method to increase your ability to concentrate is to control your ADHD symptoms by seeking treatment. This means locating a doctor or therapist who is experienced in treating ADHD for both girls and women. It's also a good idea to learn about any accommodations you could ask your employer or educational institution for such as flexible hours or working from home. A healthy sleep routine will help you to have more restful nights and help you to stay focused throughout the day. This means sleeping each night at the same time, while listening to soothing music or an audiobook and limiting your screen time.
2. Impulsivity
Women who suffer from ADHD are typically highly impulsive. This can be as simple as interrupting other people or switching topics during a conversation, taking quick decisions without thinking, and taking risks that are not beneficial to their health. They may also have difficulty understanding body language or recognizing social signals. The signs of impulsivity tend to get worse during perimenopausal, the period that comes before menopause and after which 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 care professionals missing ADHD in girls and women and misdiagnosing their symptoms, or dismissing their symptoms as being a mood or anxiety problem. Research on ADHD is primarily focused on males and females. This may result in a gender bias.
When children with ADHD are young, their parents and teachers sometimes observe impulsive behavior. It's not uncommon for children to be anxious or even impatient at times. These behaviors can increase as children grow older and learn to manage their symptoms.
Adults with adhd may have impulsive behavior and distracting that can impact their relationships, work and school. They can lead to procrastination, forgetfulness as well as difficulty adhering to commitments. They can also make locating and keeping jobs difficult and interfere with healthy eating.
Adult ADHD is typically treated by medication. Your doctor may recommend a combination of treatments depending on your particular symptoms as well as your lifestyle and other health conditions you may have. adhd in women uk may also suggest psychotherapy that includes cognitive behavioral therapy to help you identify and alter negative thought patterns and couples counseling when your relationship has been impacted by your ADHD, or family therapy. Physical exercise can help to calm your mind and lessen symptoms, particularly when it comes to impulsivity and distractibility. Try activities such as dancing, yoga and group exercises, such as running and swimming.
3. Anxiety
Anxiety disorders can trigger various physical symptoms. Palpitations, headaches, dizziness and sweating are just a few of the symptoms. These symptoms can make someone think they are having a stroke or the world is close to ending. Because of these physical symptoms people who suffer from anxiety are often misdiagnosed as having an issue with their heart. This can lead to a long medical treatment without addressing the root cause. Psychotherapy is effective for the majority of anxiety disorders, whether used alone or when combined with medications. Cognitive behavioral therapy, in particular, can help a person develop new ways of thinking and responding to situations that can 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 suffer from mixed subtypes. Women should discuss their ADHD symptoms with their doctor and will ask them detailed questions regarding the disorder.
Women who suffer from ADHD may have trouble getting an accurate diagnosis, since many diagnostic tools are geared towards male behavior. Women might also hide their symptoms in order to blend with society. This means that they might be underdiagnosed and receive delayed treatment for their ADHD. A trained professional, such as a psychiatrist, psychologist or advanced practice registered nurses can diagnose ADHD. The doctor will take thorough medical history, physical examination and the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Health Disorders to assess the symptoms of a person and determine if they have other conditions the cause of their symptoms.
4. Disorganization
Women who suffer from ADHD are prone to experiencing disorganization. This is a chronic problem that can cause disruptions in school and work emotional stress, strain relationships, and financial difficulties. Disorganization is often characterized by a poor organizational skill, such as not paying bills or keeping appointments, or having difficulty making decisions. In many cases, it is connected to other issues, like anxiety, traumatizing a life event, or depression and is often difficult to treat.
Certain women with ADHD can perform at a high degree and their symptoms do not affect their daily activities or relationships. This is referred to as "high-functioning ADHD." It doesn't mean they do not experience certain symptoms. They may experience forgetfulness, trouble concentration and paying attention to tiny details.
Some people struggle with disorganization on a daily basis. They may spend time searching for lost items or putting off important tasks. It can also lead to low productivity and stressed relationships. It can also cause several health issues, such as sleep disorders or anxiety.
Hormone fluctuations can further aggravate the disorganization of women with ADHD. Estrogen levels are lower when ovulating and in the middle of menstrual cycle while progesterone is more abundant, and these fluctuations can make ADHD symptoms worse.
While differences in the biological makeup of genders could play a role however, it's also possible that some of the disorder and impulsivity associated with ADHD in women is related to social "norms." Girls and young women are often socialized to be quiet and reserved, which is why they may hide or minimize their ADHD symptoms.
5. Attention
Women often find it easier to hide their attention issues than men which can lead to underdiagnosis and delayed treatment. In reality, they may even think they have better concentration and time-management skills than they do. However, these people are likely to lose things and forget appointments, or not pay bills on time. They also face problems with organization at work and at home.
Women suffering from 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 can also experience trouble staying quiet and may speak to themselves incessantly or say in a nonsensical manner or make sounds, but they're less likely to suffer from these symptoms than men are.
For many adults suffering from ADHD the first line of treatment is medication. The stimulants methylphenidate and amphetamine are commonly prescribed, but nonstimulant drugs that target the way neurotransmitters interact with your brain could also be effective. These include atomoxetine and Guanfacine.
Women with ADHD can also benefit from cognitive behavior therapy (CBT). These therapies can help identify automatic or irrational thinking and help you learn healthy ways to control your mood and behavior. Exercise and a healthy diet in addition to medications can help manage ADHD symptoms like inattention, restlessness, and distractibility. Try activities like dancing, yoga, group classes like aerobics or swimming, and cycling to boost your energy levels. Try to exercise for at minimum four to five times every week, each lasting approximately 30 minutes. Make sure to eat a variety of vegetables, whole grains, protein and healthy fats to boost your focus and mood.