ADHD Symptoms in Women
Adult women with ADHD have unique difficulties. Untreated, symptoms can wreak havoc in relationships and at work life.
Underdiagnosis is a result of gender bias and the tendency for girls and women to cover up their symptoms. The increased awareness has resulted in more adults receiving the assistance they require. ADHD symptoms in women are different from men's and can be exacerbated by hormone fluctuations throughout the menstrual cycle, pregnancy, and menopause.
Signs of Inattentive Type
Women with inattentive ADHD may have trouble staying on task and completing tasks, often making mistakes or misunderstanding instructions. sign of adhd in adults may struggle to keep on top of their obligations, like paying bills, making calls, or sending birthday cards. They could also forget appointments, and are often late for social or work-related events or arrive late for meetings.
The symptoms of inattentive type ADHD are less noticeable than hyperactivity-impulsivity symptoms in boys and men, so it's possible that women and girls who have these symptoms don't receive a diagnosis until adulthood. Many people who aren't treated for their symptoms experience emotional distress. This can result in poor relationships as well as co-occurring disorders such as depression or anxiety.
The difficulties of living with ADHD that isn't properly treated can be overwhelming. For some, it leads to self-blame and unhealthy coping behaviors like excessive drinking and substance abuse. Others turn to unhealthy habits such as dieting and overeating. For some girls and teens, the anger of not being in a position to meet social expectations can lead to self-injury that isn't suicide-related. It could look like burning, cutting or scratching.
It's not surprising that women with inattentive ADHD are more likely to suffer from depression and anxiety. This makes it harder to manage ADHD symptoms. Women with this type of disorder may also suffer from low self-esteem that makes it difficult to acknowledge that the issue is a mental illness and not the result of their own fault.
Girls with inattention ADHD might also have difficulties understanding social cues, which can make them appear aloof or oblivious to others. They might miss jokes or misread body language, and be accused of being rude or obnoxious. They may also struggle with impulse control and might make hurtful comments or interrupt others.
Women who suffer from inattention ADHD should get enough sleep every night and stay away from stimulants and caffeine to improve their focus. Regular exercise can increase neurotransmitters, which may help in focusing.
Symptoms of Hyperactive/Impulsive Type
Women and adolescent girls with the hyperactive/impulsive type of ADHD can find it hard to concentrate or organize. This can lead to a messy home and having difficulty paying bills on time. They may also forget appointments or the names of family and friends members. They are often bored or distracted easily and have trouble waiting for their turn to speak. They are less likely to show the internalizing symptoms of depression or anxiety, which may be more prevalent in boys and men.
It can be harder to identify and diagnose hyperactive/impulsive ADHD in women than in boys or men. Because these symptoms are more prevalent in boys and men, health care professionals may not recognize them in girls and women or may ignore these symptoms, putting them down to gender stereotypes or mood issues. ADHD rating scales are also known to be skewed toward male behavior, making these symptoms harder to assess and detect in women.
The good news is that there are ways to manage ADHD as an adult woman and this includes taking medication. Finding a therapist or clinician who is experienced in treating ADHD in women and girls is essential. The kind of treatment suggested will be based on the signs and lifestyle. It could include cognitive behavioral therapy to prove your experience and help overcome negative thoughts, family psychoeducation or support group work.
Some people can manage their symptoms by adhering to an established schedule of sleep exercise regularly, and eating a healthy and balanced diet. For others, stimulant medications like dextroamphetamine/amphetamine (Adderall), methylphenidate (Ritalin) or lisdexamfetamine (Vyvanse) may be required.
During menopause, when hormone levels decrease, a lot of symptoms of ADHD get worse. During this period you must keep track of your symptoms and keep on top of your symptoms as well as your treatment plan. You may also request that your doctor alter the dosage or type of medication you are taking as needed. Talk to your therapist or counselor about the difficulties you encounter in managing your symptoms and how they impact you at work as well as at home and in relationships. They might also suggest ways to improve your communication with your partner as well as other people in your life.
Mixed Type Signs and symptoms
Women who have mixed type ADHD typically have difficulties in school and work but they don't have the hyperactive or impulsive symptoms of the other subtypes. They may lose important documents, pay bills or forget to make appointments. Symptoms of this form of the disorder could include interruptions to others, uttering answers, or speaking without thinking. Women suffering from this form of the disorder also experience difficulty maintaining friendships and relationships, and find it difficult to be independent.
In many cases, the inattention symptoms of ADHD are the only symptoms observed by family, friends or teachers. This leads to girls and young women being underdiagnosed. Gender bias and the tendency of those with ADHD to conceal their symptoms are also contributing factors to underdiagnosis.
The symptoms of this type are influenced by hormonal changes, particularly during puberty, pregnancy and menopause. In these times estrogen levels decrease and progesterone increases. This can cause ADHD symptoms. The symptoms can also change from day to day, based on the levels of progesterone and estrogen. This can lead incorrect diagnosis or inadequate treatment.
Psychotherapy can be combined with medication to treat symptoms of the combined type. This includes cognitive behavior therapy, which can help change negative thoughts and behaviours and psychoeducational counseling. Both are accessible online and through local mental clinics.
Engaging in regular physical activity, such as walking, swimming or running can improve focus and attention. It can also help release neurotransmitters that boost brain function and decrease anxiety or stress which are common among people with ADHD. Making sure to take regular breaks, creating routines for the day and implementing strategies for organization are also ways to better manage ADHD. A support group may help in learning about lifestyle changes and improving your coping skills. A professional ADHD coach can provide customized individual guidance to those who have. People with ADHD may also benefit from cognitive-behavioral or interpersonal therapy. A therapist can teach the patient to be aware of how their behavior affects others and help them develop their communication skills.
Adult Type Symptoms
Women who suffer from ADHD might have symptoms that differ than those of males. The gender roles of women can make it difficult for parents and teachers to recognize the problem. It can also be hidden by depression or mental health issues and make it difficult to recognize. The symptoms can also change in accordance in response to hormones, such as those during the menstrual cycle or during pregnancy and menopause.
Attention deficit symptoms are the most common for women suffering from ADHD. You are more likely to forget things, have trouble remembering details, and get distracted by other people or your thoughts. Your inattentive ADHD can impact your schoolwork, work, marriages, and other relationships. You may have trouble following instructions, paying bills or keeping the track of appointments. Your family and friends may notice. Your teacher or boss might observe that you're having trouble staying focused during meetings or completing tasks in the time frame required.
If you have the hyperactive/impulsive type of ADHD, your symptoms are more noticeable than inattentive ones. You're constantly moving, and you disturb others, talk too much, or say things that make no sense without thinking. You can't wait for your turn or keep eye contact. You may be irritable and have mood swings that can be difficult for your family and friends to bear.
You may struggle to control your emotions, particularly in times of stress or trauma. You may overreact to criticism or be more prone to engage in fights, even when the situation isn't threatening. You may find it easier to manage these feelings by engaging in self-destructive behaviors such as alcohol and drug abuse or unhealthy eating patterns.
Women who are diagnosed with ADHD are able to improve their lives by implementing the appropriate treatment. You may want to consider working with a life coach or joining an online ADHD support group. You may also seek advice from a professional counselor who has expertise in treating women suffering from this disorder. You may want to speak to a psychiatrist who will assist you in understanding how your genetics or brain activity could affect your ADHD symptoms.