Symptoms of ADHD in Women
Women suffering from ADHD often complain of frustrations or misunderstandings in their relationships. Other people may mistake symptoms like forgetting appointments, getting to meetings late or simply fading out of conversations as boredom or disinterest.
Girls and women with ADHD are also unable to be evaluated due to gender-based bias. Clinicians must recalibrate their approaches to identify female patients and treating them.
1. Disorganization
If you struggle with disorganization it may be difficult to keep the track of your daily obligations at school and work. You may also lose or misplace important items like keys or your phone. You may have trouble following a schedule or forget important dates like birthdays or anniversary celebrations. You may also have difficulty remembering names, which can make it difficult to make new friends or maintain relationships.
There are a variety of resources to help you if you don't realize that your disorganization is ADHD. You can start by speaking to your primary care doctor. They may refer you to a mental health professional or a therapist with expertise in treating ADHD.
Girls and women who suffer from ADHD are often incorrectly diagnosed. This could be because of coping strategies they employ to hide their symptoms. They may be depressed or blame their problems on circumstances beyond their control, like relationship problems or their gender.
Stereotypes regarding gender, sex and behavior can hinder women suffering from ADHD to get the support they need. For instance, impulsive and hyperactive behaviors are usually viewed as being more appropriate for boys and men. This is why some women with ADHD suppress or hide their symptoms in order to blend into the crowd and avoid criticism and embarrassment.
A diagnosis of ADHD is not a solution to these social or cultural problems. However, it can teach you how to better manage your symptoms. You can enhance the quality of your life by getting treated and making lifestyle changes, such as adhering to a set schedule or a mindfulness practice, and eating a nutritious diet.
In addition, taking ADHD medication can also enhance your ability to concentrate and accomplish tasks. It is essential to discuss the medication with your doctor and any possible side effects. They could modify your medication, for instance lowering doses or changing when you take them. They can also assist you in identifying other ways to enhance your daily functioning, such as making adjustments at work or school to compensate for your ADHD symptoms.
2. Inattention
You may be someone with ADHD who is struggling with "time blindness" - meaning you are often late for appointments and don't have a clear idea of deadlines. You may also have difficulty in focusing or even beginning, especially with monotonous or easy tasks. These issues can be frustrating for your coworkers and friends. You're not being rude or inconsiderate on purpose. You're simply dealing with the difficulties that come with ADHD.
Women and girls are more likely to have inattention ADHD than those who have hyperactive or impulse-related symptoms. These characteristics are less easily visible, which can make it harder for women and girls to receive treatment. Women and girls come up with strategies to mask the symptoms of ADHD. This can lead to a misdiagnosis or an underdiagnosis. adhd women uk of anxiety or depression, for instance, may be mistaken for the inattention symptoms of ADHD and are treated for these disorders instead.
It's also possible that women and girls aren't able to get diagnosed due to the fact that they blame themselves for the issues caused by their ADHD. They may be so embarrassed by missing appointments or not meeting deadlines that they fail to tell doctors about the signs. If they visit a healthcare professional they will likely be informed that the behavior is normal and not their fault. This could further increase their shame and frustration.
It is important to find the right medication that is appropriate for your condition and for you. Stimulant drugs are generally the first choice, however when you're unable to take stimulants or they don't have any impact on your symptoms, your healthcare professional might recommend antidepressants or medications that aren't stimulant-like. They'll also take into consideration whether your symptoms are caused due to hormonal changes like those that occur during the menstrual period, pregnancy, or menopause. This is because fluctuations in these hormones may alter how your body processes medications and impact their effectiveness. It's also important to get a proper diagnosis as soon as possible. Medications can help manage your ADHD symptoms and increase your ability to function at the workplace and at home.
3. Impulsivity
Women with ADHD frequently have difficulty regulating their emotions. They may experience frequent feelings of frustration, anger, anxiety or mood swings that can make it hard to get through the day. Being unable to manage these emotions can impact relationships and performance. Women also have trouble maintaining friendships and may experience a more erratic love life, with more rapid romantic relationships and a greater chance of violence from intimate partners.
The impulse-control symptoms of adhd in women can be more difficult to notice and identify than the hyperactive/impulsive symptoms seen in boys and men/people AMAB. This is due to the fact that women and girls are more adept at forming strategies to mask or cover up their ADHD symptoms in order to conform to gender-specific expectations of society (Quinn & Madhoo, 2014). This could lead to misdiagnosis and less effective treatment of adult women with adhd.
For example women with ADHD struggle to resist temptations or to avoid engaging in emotional behavior, so they struggle to control their spending habits. This can lead to financial difficulties, and can also mean that they not pay their bills or pay their bills on time. Women who are impulsive are more likely to shop because they are bored or want stimulation and excitement. This can lead them to have issues with their relationship with food. This can lead to unhealthy and unbalanced eating habits, which can cause other health problems.
The research on adults suffering from adhd in women is limited, but we do know that symptoms are more common among females than males. This could be due to the fact that earlier research on ADHD was mainly focused on men and people with AMAB. It was therefore easier to identify their symptoms. It is also possible that the criteria used to determine ADHD are not as helpful in identifying women suffering from the condition.
The diagnosis of adhd can be a major change for women, particularly when it is discovered late in life. It can help women realize who they are, and the reason they behave the way they do. It can make them feel like a lightbulb went off, giving them a reason to their struggles.
4. Anxiety
Often, women who suffer from ADHD suffer from anxiety and stress. Anxiety can cause difficulties in relationships, at work and at school. It can manifest itself physically, such as a fast heartbeat, shallow breathing, muscle tension or headaches. It can also disrupt sleep. Lack of sleep can worsen anxiety, making it harder to manage. A vicious cycle can develop which can lead to procrastination out of worry that things won't be done correctly and this causing more anxiety.
It's important to be self-aware and recognize if you suffer from an anxiety disorder. If you notice symptoms that hinder your daily routine, talk to a doctor or mental health specialist for help. They will assess your situation and apply recognized guidelines to determine if anxiety is present. You might be asked about how long you've been experiencing symptoms and how intense they are. They may suggest various tests and tools to rule other health conditions out that could be the cause of your symptoms.
It is often more difficult for women with ADHD to recognize the condition than men, as they tend to hide their symptoms better. These women may develop coping strategies to help them function. However they can be unsustainable as time passes. For example, some women suffering from ADHD might be able manage their impulsiveness and distraction by planning their meetings ahead of time or by using a calendar and phone reminders. However, these strategies may not address the root causes of their ADHD and could lead to problems in their personal lives and at school or work.
It can be difficult to get a proper ADHD diagnosis because many rating scales are skewed toward male behaviors and symptoms. Women can also be more hesitant to seek treatment because they may not believe that they suffer from ADHD or that the diagnosis could affect their work or personal relationships.
If your ADHD symptoms are interfering in your studies or work, it's important to voice your concerns and seek help from supervisors and colleagues. They'll likely be willing to provide accommodations to help you achieve success in your school or at work.