Signs and Symptoms of ADHD in Women
Women suffering from ADHD are often subject to different expectations from society about how they should manage family, careers and home life. This can cause you be irritated and embarrassed when your symptoms cause problems.
Research has shown that women and girls are often under-diagnosed for ADHD compared to boys and men. This could be because they hide their symptoms or use coping strategies to hide them, like:
1. Inattentiveness
One of the most prevalent signs of adhd is difficulty paying attention in the classroom or at work. People with this condition frequently forget important meetings, fall behind on assignments or are misguided when trying to follow directions. They might also find it difficult to concentrate in noisy or busy environments. Certain people with ADHD might experience "thousand-yard gazes" or zone out when they are talking. These symptoms can lead to issues at work or in relationships.
Girls and women are more at chance of having undiagnosed ADHD as they age. They frequently develop coping mechanisms that hide their symptoms and then continue to employ these strategies throughout their adulthood. They might even begin to see their symptoms as personal traits, which can make them less likely to seek help.
In addition, a lot of teachers don't suggest ADHD evaluations for girls as often as they do for males. However, if a girl's inattentive ADHD symptoms are causing a negative impact on her school performance and social interactions, she should speak to a health care professional.
Inattentive ADHD is a common cause of emotional stress. It can be difficult when you feel like you're not able to meet the expectations of your friends, family members and co-workers. It can be difficult to feel that you're not getting with your kids or siblings. Inattention and impulsivity can increase depression and anxiety in some people suffering from ADHD. In addition to seeking help there are a few things you can do to lessen the impact of these symptoms. Regular exercise can help release neurotransmitters that improve concentration and attention. It can also help reduce anxiety, mood swings and other symptoms that are common among people with ADHD.
2. Impulsivity
ADHD symptoms can be difficult to manage. You might say things you shouldn't or buy something on impulse. You may also end up arrested by the police due to your conduct. Impulsivity can also make it difficult to control your emotions and feelings. This could lead to self-harm, like cutting, burning or scratching yourself. This can also result in alcohol or drug use.
People who are impulsive may have issues with their relationships, their work or school performance. You can manage your impulsivity by taking medication prescribed by your physician. You can boost your impulse control with medicines like amphetamine dextroamphetamine, as well as the methylphenidate. Non-stimulant medications such as clonidine and guanfacine may also help you to better control your impulses.
Women are more likely than men and boys to have a hyperactive/impulsive form of ADHD. However, this type of ADHD is more difficult to detect and could result in underdiagnosis. Women can hide their symptoms in order to conform to social standards and expectations. This type of masking can be particularly problematic in the adolescent years and early adulthood. Women may turn to unhealthy ways of coping, such as excessive drinking and drug abuse, to cover up their ADHD challenges.
Women with high functioning ADHD can mask their symptoms by achieving the success they desire in certain areas of their lives like at school or at work. This can give you a false sense that everything is in order and make you feel overwhelmed. Consult click here for more about any adjustments that you can make at work or at school to manage your ADHD symptoms. This is a great chance to inform your colleagues or professors of the challenges you have to face.
3. Disorganization
If you suffer from ADHD then you may be unable to attend appointments, arriving late for work, forgetting dates, or avoiding conversations can cause frustration and make others feel snubbed or offended. The disorder can make it difficult to keep track of tasks and manage your finances and schedules. For example, if you struggle to remember what you need to buy for groceries, you may miss out on meals or spend money on unnecessary items.
Women suffering from ADHD often have a difficult time keeping track of the daily chores, homework assignments and bills. The disorder can also lead to disorganized workspaces, messy homes and a tendency to hoard. People with ADHD suffer from a condition known as "time blindness," which makes it difficult to know the amount of time that has passed and how long you've been working on a project. In addition to being unable to stay focused, problems with time management can lead to feelings of guilt and shame being unorganized.
Research has shown that girls, women and boys are more likely than men to have ADHD. However, the symptoms may be misdiagnosed or concealed. Many women don't receive an diagnosis until they reach adulthood and their symptoms become more evident. Moreover, social stigma and stereotypes may make it harder for women to receive the help and treatment they need.
Your doctor might prescribe medication to help manage your ADHD symptoms. stimulants like methylphenidate and amphetamine can increase and regulate levels of neurotransmitters, the brain chemicals that communicate with each other. Non-stimulant drugs like antidepressants and atomoxetine can also be used to treat ADHD however they operate slower than stimulants. Your doctor may refer you to an expert in mental health, who can assist in creating a treatment plan specific to your requirements.
4. Impulsiveness
Women who suffer from ADHD may have trouble controlling their emotions, and may be more sensitive to rejection. The chemical imbalance associated with ADHD affects the brain's communication between the areas that regulate emotions, and also interpret how to handle these emotions.
People suffering from ADHD are prone to depression and moodiness. This, along with a difficulty in keeping track of their responsibilities and obligations, can create problems for romantic and family relationships. Women with ADHD also have lower self-esteem and may have trouble forming friendships and managing social situations. They may go off on tangents or have difficulty understanding what other people are saying. This can make it hard for them to find a place in a group.
Women suffering from ADHD may have difficulty to get motivated to finish routine or boring tasks, like washing dishes cleaning, and doing laundry. This can lead to unhealthy coping behaviors like binge-watching television shows or consuming substances. These are particularly risky for girls and adolescents with ADHD who are more likely than other kids to engage in risky behaviors such as early sexual activities with fewer protected partners and casual sex.
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. Additionally many women conceal their ADHD symptoms because of the a myriad of expectations that society puts on them (managing the home and the family, for example). This makes it difficult for health professionals to identify an issue, particularly since symptoms are more easily identified for men and boys.
5. Hyperactivity
Women suffering from ADHD might struggle to handle their daily tasks. They may have trouble managing their time, paying their bills on time, and juggling work and school obligations. A variety of emotional symptoms, including mood swings and difficulty regulating emotions, can also make it difficult to interact with other people and cause problems in personal relationships.
People suffering from ADHD are often unable to pick social cues or understanding body language. They may have difficulty following conversations or wander off on a tangent which can cause problems at work or school and causing tension in relationships. They may also have difficulty making new friends or finding a balance between work, family, and social life.
Symptoms of ADHD are different throughout the day and be influenced by hormone levels, like those during menstrual cycles or pregnancy, or when they progress through perimenopause (the menopausal transition). This could result in misdiagnosis or the wrong type of medications being used.
There are some signs and symptoms that are common to ADHD that can help you or a loved-one recognize the condition. Being aware of these symptoms is a good first step to getting the help and treatment you require to effectively manage your symptoms.
It is important to remember that ADHD doesn't mean you are free of other physical or mental conditions. Your doctor or therapist should perform a thorough assessment. They'll need to ask questions about your present and past behavior and experiences, review any medical history, and speak with you about how your symptoms affect your life in a variety of situations.