ADHD Symptoms in Women Adults
Women with ADHD have a wide array of symptoms that affect their daily functioning at work, school and home. Treatments for ADHD include psychotherapy and medication with an experienced mental health professional who is skilled in treating adults suffering from ADHD.
The symptoms of ADHD can be made worse due to hormonal changes that occur during menstrual cycle, pregnancy and perimenopausal or menopausal changes.
Inattention and lack of Focus
Women who suffer from ADHD typically find that they are unable to concentrate and feel like their concentration is falling. They can lose the track of time, forget appointments or other obligations, and struggle with poor performance at work. They also tend to be more likely to develop co-occurring disorders like anxiety or depression and experience issues with relationships that can result in intimate partner violence.
In adolescence hormone changes can make it difficult for girls with ADHD to concentrate. This is because estrogen levels drop around the time of ovulation, and goes down further at the time of the beginning of menstrual cycle. When combined with progesterone, which is abundant in the brain of adolescents, these fluctuations can exacerbate symptoms and make them more noticeable. These fluctuations also increase the likelihood of being misdiagnosed as having anxiety or a mental disorder and treated incorrectly.
Girls with ADHD are more likely to have the inattentive subtype of the condition, rather than the hyperactive/impulsive or mixed subtypes. This can make it difficult for them to get diagnosed as they get older because adults are less likely to see the same behavior issues that parents and teachers may notice in kids with ADHD. Girls with ADHD are also better in hiding their problems and relying on their tools to help them cope. This can lead to false sense of confidence and a deep-seated self-doubt that can hinder career and financial success.
The impulsivity associated with ADHD in girls and women can lead them to be more sexually active than their peers, and at an earlier age. This can lead to a negative relationship and an increased risk of being forced into inappropriate sexual activities or being the victim of sexual assault. It can also lead an unhealthy food intake and increase the likelihood of alcohol and substance abuse.
Regular exercise can help improve focus and release neurotransmitters which improve working memory and alertness. It can also help reduce stress and improve sleep, both of which are common problems for people suffering from ADHD. Try taking a walk, yoga, swimming or engaging in a sport.
Disorganization
Women who suffer from ADHD often struggle with disorganization and clutter. Your work and home may feel chaotic and messy, even if you are organizing or cleaning. Missed appointments, late bills and lost papers can negatively impact your personal and professional relationships. You could also be suffering from health issues if your don't eat right or skip doctor visits or fail to follow the instructions for your medication.
When you have ADHD, it's difficult to maintain your regular level of organization because your symptoms get worse when you're faced with stress. Your office desk could be a mess of receipts, 17 chapsticks and tickets from the Kings of Leon show you attended in 2008. Your cart at the grocery store could be stuffed with items to the point of filling it with things you don't really need. Your handbag might contain a variety of things, such as scissors keys, keys, a pen and paper, and an extra pair of headphones.
Attention-deficit ADHD symptoms are the most common type of ADHD and include difficulty paying attention or following directions at work, school or in social situations. You may lose your keys, forget to make appointments or be lenient with people because you don't realize the trouble they are in. You might feel overwhelmed at work or school, and you may not fit in with your peers.
Many girls and woman aren't diagnosed with ADHD because they don't exhibit symptoms that match the stereotypes of hyperactivity in males and females. Women and girls are more likely to show signs of inattention instead of hyperactivity. This can make them harder to diagnose, and a gender bias might prevent health care professionals from considering ADHD as the cause behind their behavior.
Reduce stress to reduce your frustration level. Meditation and mindfulness exercises can help you control your impulsivity, control your emotions, and remain in the present moment. A healthy diet could aid in reducing your symptoms. Avoiding foods that are loaded with sugars, fats, and chemicals can help you feel more focused and relaxed.
Making decisions can be a challenge
Women who suffer from ADHD often have trouble making decisions due to being easily distracted. This can lead to problems in their personal as well as professional lives. They might not be able to follow through on their plans or meet appointments or bill payments. Additionally, their inattention ADHD symptoms may make them more likely to lose or misplace things and cause many issues.
Another common ADHD symptom in women adults is mood swings as well as issues with self-esteem. These problems can be exacerbated by hormonal fluctuations, such as those that occur during menstruation, pregnancy, and menopause. Women with ADHD are also more likely to suffer from depression or anxiety, which may be caused by their symptoms or may be independent of them. They are more likely to experience co-occurring disorders such as eating disorders or tics.
The signs of ADHD can be more difficult to recognize in women than in men or boys. This is because they are more likely to have inattentive ADHD symptoms and be less prone to hyperactive/impulsive ADHD symptoms, especially in the mixed subtype of the disorder. This makes it difficult to identify, and can also cause people to dismiss their symptoms as "character flaws" or a problem they need to manage.
It can be hard for women to spot their ADHD symptoms, particularly when they've had them for a long time. They can become accustomed to their lack of concentration and disorganization that they start to think it is normal. This could prevent them from getting a diagnosis and treatment.
The most effective treatment for women suffering from ADHD is generally medication. The most commonly prescribed medication is stimulants. These medications are effective in increasing the levels of neurotransmitters in the brain. These include methylphenidate, amphetamines, dextroamphetamines and salts (Adderall) as well as lisdexamfetamine and Lisdexamfetamine. Non-stimulants such as atomoxetine and viloxazine, as well as antidepressants like imipramine, desipramine and nortriptyline can also help control ADHD.
Women can improve their symptoms of ADHD by making lifestyle changes, in addition to taking medication. Exercise, for example can boost mood and boost energy levels. It can also improve social skills. Women with ADHD have a better chance to cope with their symptoms when they are with other people and which is why joining an ADHD support group is beneficial.
Anxiety
Women who suffer from ADHD often experience an anxiety level that is high. This is a result of a variety of factors, including low self-esteem, difficulties in relationships, and a lack of understanding and support from others. It may also be related to workplace issues, like difficulty keeping an occupation or adhering to the rules and regulations of the workplace. Women who suffer from ADHD are also more likely to have comorbid depression. This can cause feelings of anxiety or self-doubt. In addition, those who suffer from ADHD are more likely to experience disordered eating disorders, such as anorexia or bulimia.
Inattentive-type symptoms, which cause you to lose or misplace things, forget important appointments, or have trouble remembering what people tell you, are more common in females with adhd than hyperactive/impulsive ADHD. This subtype of adhd is marked by six or more symptoms that last at least six months: You have difficulty staying focused on tasks at home and at school. You are easily distracted either by the surroundings or by your own thoughts or behavior. You have trouble sitting still or focusing your attention on a specific task (you are susceptible to a look that spans a mile). You're having trouble following directions or making deadlines at school or at work. You are forgetful in your daily routines, such as paying bills or tracking medication.
Some women with ADHD are more successful in hiding their symptoms than men and this could make obtaining an accurate diagnosis. For instance some women resort to strategies to hide their lack of attention with the appearance of a busy person or employing tools to manage and remain focused. The symptoms can also fluctuate due to hormonal changes, especially estrogen during ovulation and menstrual cycles.
Obtaining an adhd diagnosis can be a life-changing event for many adults with this disease. It can be a sigh of relief to have a clear explanation for your issues and aid in accepting yourself more fully. undiagnosed adhd in women can also act as a catalyst to initiate positive lifestyle changes.
Gender refers to an individual's internal sense of being male or female, nonbinary, or another gender. Sex is determined by a person's chromosomal make-up, hormones and anatomy.