AdHD Symptoms in Women
Women with ADHD struggle to live up to society's expectations. This includes taking care of others as well as balancing work and family life, and navigating relationships.
Female ADHD symptoms are more likely to be inattentive-type symptoms than hyperactive/impulsive symptoms. Gender bias may also lead health care professionals to misdiagnose or fail to recognize ADHD symptoms in girls and women.
1. Inattention and lack of Focus
One of the most common symptoms of adhd in women is difficulty concentration. It can manifest in a variety of different ways, from forgetting appointments to not being able to finish work, to losing focus during conversations, making people feel disregarded. It's also a typical problem that makes it difficult for women to keep up with their finances, and it's often the reason why they do not get jobs or financial opportunities.
Some women may be better at masking ADHD symptoms than others which makes it more difficult for them to be diagnosed and treated. 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." they said of masking ADHD can lead to poor performance at work or in school and prevent people from seeking help and help.
Lack of focus is also a common symptom and can be confused with other ailments such as anxiety and depression. For instance, depression can influence your concentration by making you more forgetful and unmotivated. People with generalized anxiety disorder typically have difficulties focusing because they tend to be overwhelmed by their thoughts and emotions.
The best method to increase your concentration is to control your ADHD symptoms through treatment. This means finding a therapist or clinician who has experience working with ADHD in girls and women. You should also learn about the options for accommodations from your employer or school, such as flexible working hours or working from home. Good sleep hygiene practices will also help you enjoy more restful sleep and be more focused during the day, including sleeping at the same time every night, listening to calming music or an audiobook prior to going to bed, and limiting screen time.
2. Impulsivity
Women who suffer from ADHD typically exhibit impulsivity symptoms. They may be prone to interrupting others or switching topics during a conversation, taking quick decisions without thinking, and taking risks that are not in their best interests. They may also have difficulty understanding body language or social signals. The symptoms of impulsivity are often worse during perimenopause, the period before menopausal and after which hormone levels begin to decrease.
Girls and women with ADHD are more likely to have inattentive-type symptoms, which can be harder to notice than hyperactive/impulsive symptoms. This can cause health professionals to miss ADHD in their patients, misdiagnose them, or dismiss their symptoms as mood or anxiety issues. Gender bias can be a factor, because research on ADHD is mostly focused on boys and men.
When children with ADHD are young, parents and teachers occasionally notice the impulsive behavior of children. It's not unusual for children to be irritable or even impatient at times. However, those behaviors tend to improve as children grow up and learn to manage their problems.
Adults who suffer from adhd may experience impulsive behavior and distraction that affect their work, relationships, and school. They can lead to procrastination and forgetfulness as well as difficulty following through with commitments. They can also make it difficult to find and keep jobs. They also can interfere with healthy eating habits.
Treatment for adult ADHD typically involves medication. Your doctor may suggest a combination treatment depending on your lifestyle, symptoms, and any other health issues. They may also suggest psychotherapy like cognitive behavioral therapy, which assists you to recognize and change negative thoughts, couples counseling, when your relationship is impacted by ADHD or family therapy. Exercise can calm your brain and reduce symptoms, as well as aid in focusing. This is especially true for people who have a tendency to be distracted and impulsive. You can try activities like dancing, yoga, and group workouts like swimming and running.
3. Anxiety
Anxiety disorders can trigger a variety of physical symptoms. The feeling of dizziness, headaches and palpitations and sweating are just a few of the symptoms. They can also make a person feel as if they are suffering from an attack on their heart or that the world is ending. Due to these physical signs, people who experience anxiety often get misdiagnosed with a heart condition. This can lead to a lengthy journey of medical treatments that do not address the root cause. Psychotherapy is effective for most anxiety disorders, whether used alone or when combined with medications. Cognitive behavioral therapy, specifically, can help a person discover new ways of thinking or reacting to situations that may 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 have a mixed type. It's important for women to discuss their ADHD symptoms with their doctor, who will perform an extensive physical exam and ask detailed questions about how the disorder affects their life.
Women suffering from ADHD may have difficulty obtaining an accurate diagnosis as many of the diagnostic tools used for the disorder are biased towards male behavior. Women may also hide their symptoms to fit with society. They could be misdiagnosed and their ADHD treatment may be delayed. A qualified professional such as a psychiatrist, psychologist or advanced practice registered nurses can diagnose ADHD. The provider will use an extensive medical history, a physical exam and the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Health Disorders to be able to assess the symptoms of a patient and determine if there are other conditions that might be contributing.
4. Disorganization
Women with ADHD are prone to experiencing disorganization. This is a constant issue that can lead to disruptions in school and work, emotional stress, strain relationships, and financial issues. Disorganization is often characterized by a poor organizational skill, such as forgetting to pay bills or keep appointments, and a difficulty in making decisions. The disorder can be caused by other problems like anxiety, traumatic event in life or depression. It can be difficult to treat.
Some women with ADHD have a high degree of functioning and their symptoms do not have a significant impact on their daily interactions and relationships. The condition is known as "high-functioning ADHD." However, this doesn't mean that they don't suffer from the usual symptoms. These include forgetfulness, difficulty concentrating and paying attention to the smallest of details.
For some, disorder is a constant struggle, and it's common for people with ADHD to spend a lot of time looking for lost items or putting off important tasks. It can also cause poor work quality and strained relationships. It can also trigger various health issues, such as anxiety or sleep disorders.
Another issue that can cause the disorder in women with ADHD is hormone fluctuations. Estrogen levels decrease during ovulation and at the middle of menstrual cycle while progesterone is higher and these fluctuations could make ADHD symptoms worse.
It's possible that, although biological differences could be a factor, some of the disorder or impulsivity among women with ADHD is due to social "norms." Young women and girls are typically viewed as more reserved and quiet, so they might suppress or hide their ADHD symptoms.
5. Inattention
Women tend to find it easier to conceal their attention issues than men do and can result in undiagnosed problems and delayed treatment. In fact, they may even think that they have better focus and time-management abilities than they actually do. In reality, these people tend to lose things, forget appointments, or not pay their bills on time. They also have trouble with problems with organization at work and at home.
Women suffering from ADHD tend to develop the inattentive form 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 in calming down and may talk to themselves constantly or use nonsensical phrases or sounds, however they're much less likely to have these symptoms than men are.
For many adults suffering from ADHD, the first option for treatment is medication. The stimulants methylphenidate and amphetamine are frequently prescribed, but nonstimulant drugs that target the way neurotransmitters interact with the brain may also be a possibility. They include atomoxetine as well as guanfacine.
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) can be beneficial for women with ADHD. These therapies can help you identify your automatic or irrational thoughts, and also learn healthy ways to self-regulate your mood and behavior. In addition to medication exercising and healthy eating habits can help control ADHD symptoms like restlessness, impulsivity and distractibility. Try activities like dancing, yoga, group classes like swimming or aerobics, as well as biking to boost energy levels. Make sure to exercise at the very least four to five sessions per week, each lasting approximately 30 minutes. Make sure to consume a variety of fruits and vegetables whole grains, protein and healthy fats to help boost your concentration and mood.