Signs and Symptoms of ADHD in Women
Women suffering from ADHD are often subject to different expectations from society on how they should manage family, careers and home life. This can cause feelings of guilt and anger when your symptoms are causing you to get impeding your progress.
Research has shown that girls are more likely to be diagnosed with ADHD than men and boys. This could be due to the fact that they conceal their symptoms or develop coping mechanisms to hide them.
1. Inattentiveness
Having trouble paying attention at school or at work is among the primary signs of adhd. People with adhd tend to forget important meetings or tasks or are misled by the instructions. They may also find it difficult to concentrate in noisy or busy environments. Some people with ADHD can have what is called "thousand-yard stares" and zone out during conversations. These symptoms can lead to issues at work or in relationships.
Girls and women can be particularly susceptible to undiagnosed ADHD particularly as they get older. They develop strategies to disguise their symptoms and continue to do this into adulthood. They may even begin to view their symptoms as personal traits, which can make them less likely to seek assistance.
Additionally, many teachers don't suggest ADHD assessments for girls as often as they do for men. If a girl's numbness or ADHD is impacting her school performance or social interactions she should talk to a medical professional.
Having inattentive ADHD can lead to an abundance of emotional stress. It can be difficult when you feel you are not able meet the expectations of your friends or family members as well as colleagues. It can be difficult to feel that you're not able to get along with your children or siblings. Certain people suffering from ADHD suffer from anxiety and depression, which can be exacerbated by their impulsivity and inattention. In addition to seeking help there are some things you can do to lessen the impact of these symptoms. Regular exercise can help release neurotransmitters to improve concentration and attention. It can also reduce mood swings and anxiety, which are common among people with ADHD.
2. Impulsivity
ADHD symptoms can be difficult to manage. You may utter things you shouldn't, buy things on impulse, or be a target for the law due to your behavior. In addition, it can be hard to control your emotions and feelings. Self-injury can manifest in self-injury, including cutting, burning, or scratching oneself. This could also result in alcohol or drug abuse.
People who are impulsive often have issues with relationships and school or work performance. You can manage your impulsivity with medication prescribed by your doctor. You can boost your impulse control by taking medications such as amphetamine, dextroamphetamine, as well as the methylphenidate. Non-stimulant drugs like clonidine or guanfacine may also help you to manage your impulses better.
Women are more likely than men and boys to have a hyperactive/impulsive form of ADHD. But this type of ADHD is more difficult to detect, which can result in underdiagnosis. Women may hide symptoms to conform to social norms and expectations. This can be particularly problematic in adolescence and early adulthood. Some women resort to unhealthy coping mechanisms, such as excessive drinking and drug abuse, to cover up their ADHD challenges.
Women who have high-functioning ADHD can conceal their symptoms by excelling in specific areas of their lives, like school or at work. This could make you believe that everything is going well and cause you to feel overwhelmed. Consult your doctor about any adjustments that you can make at work or at school to help manage your ADHD symptoms. This is a great way to build awareness among your colleagues or professors of the challenges you may encounter.
3. Disorganization
If you suffer from ADHD, missing appointments or showing up late for work, forgetting dates, and zoning out during conversations can cause frustration, and leave others feeling unappreciated or offended. The condition can make it difficult to keep track of your tasks as well as manage schedules, finances and financial obligations. For example, if you have trouble remembering what you'll need for groceries, you might miss out on meals or spend money on unnecessary things.
Women suffering from ADHD often have a difficult time keeping track of the daily chores, homework assignments and bills. The condition can also cause disorganized homes, messy workspaces and a tendency to accumulate. The "time blindness" that ADHD sufferers have makes it difficult for them to know how long has passed or how long they've worked on a specific task. Together with the difficulty of staying focused, time management problems can cause feelings of guilt and shame being unorganized.
Research shows that girls, women, and boys are more likely than men to have ADHD. However, the symptoms may be misdiagnosed or concealed. Women are often not given a diagnosis until the age of adulthood when their symptoms become more evident. Moreover, social stigma and stereotypes may make it difficult for women to get the support and treatment they need.
Your doctor might prescribe medication to help manage your ADHD symptoms. Stimulants such as methylphenidate and amphetamine can boost and regulate levels of neurotransmitters, the brain chemicals which communicate with one another. Antidepressants and atomoxetine, which are non-stimulant drugs are also used to treat ADHD. However they are slower to work than stimulants. Your doctor might also recommend you to a mental health professional, who can help develop an individual treatment plan that addresses your individual requirements.
4. Impulsiveness
Women with ADHD can have difficulty controlling their emotions, and they might be more sensitive to rejection. The chemical imbalance associated with ADHD interferes with communication between brain areas that regulate emotions and interpret how to handle them.
Depression and moodiness are typical for people with ADHD and the combination of these with difficulty keeping track of responsibilities can lead to trouble with romantic and family relationships. Women who suffer from ADHD might also suffer from low self-esteem, and have difficulty forming relationships and navigating social situations. They might wander off in conversations or have difficulty comprehending what other people are saying, which could make it difficult for them to figure out their place within groups.
When managing adhd symptoms for women with ADHD may have trouble finding the motivation to do routine or boring tasks, like washing dishes, laundry, and cleaning. This can lead them to develop unhealthy coping strategies like binge-watching TV shows or abusing substances. These habits can be particularly dangerous for young girls and adolescents with ADHD, who are more likely to engage in sexually dangerous behavior, such as early beginning of sexual activity, fewer protected sexual partners, and more casual sex than their peers.
As adults, women with ADHD are more likely to go undiagnosed or be misdiagnosed than men because they tend to have inattentive symptoms instead of hyperactivity/impulsivity symptoms. Many women hide their ADHD due to the many expectations that society places on them (managing the household and children for example). It isn't always easy for doctors to determine if there is a problem, as the symptoms are easier to detect in men and boys.
5. Hyperactivity
Women suffering from ADHD might have difficulty managing their daily tasks. They may have trouble managing their lives, paying off bills on time and juggling appointments or school/work obligations. Additionally, emotional issues, such as mood swings and difficulty controlling their emotions, can make it hard to get along with others and can cause difficulties in relationships with family and friends.
People with ADHD struggle to read body language or social cues. They might have trouble following a conversation or go off on a tangent which can cause difficulties at school or at work and causing stress in relationships. They may also have trouble making new friends or finding the right balance between work, home and social life.
The symptoms of ADHD can vary throughout the day and be affected by hormone levels, such as those during menstrual cycles or pregnancy, or as they move through perimenopause (the menopausal transition). This could result in misdiagnosis or the wrong type of medication being taken.
There are some symptoms and signs that are common to ADHD that can help you or a loved-one identify the disorder. Recognizing these symptoms is the first step towards getting the help and treatment you need to effectively manage your symptoms.
It is important to remember that ADHD doesn't mean you are immune to other mental or physical conditions. Your therapist or doctor must conduct a thorough examination. They'll ask questions about your past and current behaviors, review your medical history, and talk about how your symptoms impact you in different settings.