Signs and Symptoms of ADHD in Women
Women with ADHD often face different societal expectations for how they should handle their careers, family and home lives. This can cause you to be irritated and embarrassed if your symptoms get in the way.
Research shows that women and girls are often under-diagnosed for ADHD compared to boys and men. This could be due to the fact that they conceal their symptoms or develop strategies to hide their symptoms.
1. Inattentiveness
Finding it difficult to focus at school or work is among the most common symptoms of adhd. People with this condition frequently miss important meetings, get behind on projects or get misguided when trying to follow instructions. They may also find it difficult to concentrate in noisy or busy environments. People who suffer from ADHD are prone to what's called "thousand-yard stares" and can become distracted during conversations. These symptoms can cause issues at work or in relationships.
Women and girls are at a higher risk of developing undiagnosed ADHD as they get older. attention deficit disorder in women develop strategies to disguise their symptoms and continue to do so into adulthood. They may even start to identify their symptoms as being personal characteristics, which could make it harder for them to seek help.
In addition, a lot of teachers don't suggest ADHD evaluations for girls as often as they do for boys. However it is important to note that if a girl's ADHD symptoms are causing a negative impact on her school performance and social interactions, she should speak to a health care professional.
Being inattentional ADHD can lead to lots of emotional stress. It can be difficult to feel as if you're not being able to meet the standards of your coworkers, friends and family members. It can be frustrating to feel as if you're not able to get along well with your children or siblings. Some people with ADHD have anxiety and depression that can be exacerbated by their inattention and impulsivity. You can reduce the severity of these symptoms by seeking assistance and doing other activities. Regular exercise can help release neurotransmitters that boost concentration and attention. It also helps reduce anxiety, mood swings and other symptoms that are common to those suffering from ADHD.
2. Impulsivity
ADHD symptoms can be difficult to manage. You may utter things you shouldn't, buy things on impulse, or even get in trouble with the law due to your behavior. It can be difficult to control your feelings and emotions. Self-injury could result in self-injury, including cutting, burning or scratching yourself. This can result in alcohol or drug abuse.
People who are impulsive may have problems with their relationships, their work or school performance. You can control your impulsivity by taking medication prescribed by your doctor. You can increase your control over impulses with medications like amphetamine, dextroamphetamine and methylphenidate. Non-stimulant drugs like clonidine or guanfacine could also help 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 difficult to spot and can lead to underdiagnosis. Women may conceal their symptoms in order to conform to social expectations and standards. This masking can be especially problematic in adolescence and early adulthood. Women may use unhealthy strategies for coping, like excessive drinking and substance use to cover up their ADHD challenges.
Women with high functioning ADHD may mask their symptoms by achieving success in particular areas of their life, such as at school or at work. This can give you an illusion of security and make you feel overwhelmed by the demands of life. Talk to your doctor about the accommodations that you can make at work or at school to help manage your ADHD symptoms. This can be an excellent way to increase awareness among your colleagues or professors about the issues you might face.
3. Disorganization
If you have ADHD then you may be unable to attend appointments, showing up late to work, forgetting dates and zoning-out during conversations can result in frustration and make others feel ignored or offended. The condition can make it difficult to keep track of tasks and manage your finances and schedules. If you can't remember what you need to get for food, you could be unable to eat or spend excessively on unnecessary items.
Women who suffer from ADHD typically have a difficult to keep track of their everyday chores, homework and even paying bills. The disorder may also contribute to messy workspaces, messy homes and a propensity to accumulate. People suffering from ADHD suffer from a condition known as "time blindness," which makes it difficult to know how much time has passed and how long you've been working on a task. Problems with time management can lead to feelings of shame or guilt when they are combined with a struggle to stay organized.
While research suggests that girls and women are more likely to be diagnosed with ADHD than men and boys, symptoms can be masked and not recognized. Women are often not given a diagnosis until adulthood and their symptoms become more evident. Social stigma and stereotypes can hinder women to get the care and support they require.
Your doctor may prescribe medication to manage your ADHD symptoms. stimulants like methylphenidate and amphetamine can boost and balance levels of neurotransmitters, which are the brain chemicals that communicate with one another. Non-stimulant drugs like antidepressants and atomoxetine can also be used to treat ADHD however they operate slower than stimulants. Your doctor might refer you to an expert in mental health, who can assist in creating a treatment plan tailored to your requirements.
4. Impulsiveness
Women who suffer from ADHD may have trouble controlling their emotions, and they are more prone to rejection. The chemical imbalance that comes with ADHD disrupts the communication between brain areas that regulate emotions, and also interpret how to deal with them.
People suffering from ADHD are more prone to moodiness and depression. This, in conjunction with the difficulty keeping track of their responsibilities can lead to problems with family and romantic relationships. Women who suffer from ADHD might also suffer from low self-esteem, and have difficulty forming relationships and navigating social situations. They might go on tangents in conversations or have difficulty understanding what others are saying, which could make it difficult for them to figure out their place within groups.
When managing their day-to-day responsibilities women with ADHD may have trouble finding the motivation to do boring or mundane tasks like dishes, laundry, and cleaning. This can cause unhealthy coping habits, such as binge watching television shows or consuming substances. These are particularly risky for teens and girls with ADHD who are more likely than other kids to engage in risky behavior such as early sexual activities, 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. Many women hide their ADHD due to the numerous expectations that society places on them (managing home and family for instance). This can make it difficult for health care professionals to see that there's a problem, especially because symptoms are more readily recognized in males and females.
5. Hyperactivity
Women who suffer from ADHD might find it difficult to manage their daily tasks. They may struggle with organizing their lives and paying their bills on time, and keeping up with school/work requirements. A variety of emotional symptoms, including mood swings and difficulty regulating emotions, can also make it difficult to connect with others and create problems in personal relationships.
People with ADHD struggle to read social cues or body language. They may go off on a tangent in conversations or struggle to follow the thread of conversation, leading to problems with work or school performance as well as strained relationships. They can also have a difficult time making new friends or finding the right balance between their work, home, and social life.
The symptoms of ADHD can vary throughout the day and can be affected hormonally such as during menstruation, pregnancy or perimenopause. This could result in misdiagnosis or the wrong type of medications being prescribed.
There are some signs and symptoms common to ADHD that can help you or a loved-one identify the disorder. Being aware of these symptoms is a good first step towards getting the help and treatment you require to manage your symptoms effectively.
The fact that you have ADHD doesn't mean it doesn't mean you're not suffering from other mental health or physical conditions and it's essential that your therapist or doctor performs a thorough evaluation. They'll ask you questions regarding your past and current behaviors, review your medical history, and talk about the impact of your symptoms in various settings.