Signs and Symptoms of ADHD in Women
Women with ADHD typically have different social expectations for how they should handle their work as well as their family and home lives. This can cause feelings of shame and frustration when your symptoms are causing you to get in the way.
Research has shown that girls and women are often under-diagnosed for ADHD compared to boys and men. This could be because they hide their symptoms or develop coping strategies to hide their symptoms, such as:
1. Inattentiveness
One of the most prevalent signs of adhd is difficulty paying attention in the classroom or at work. People with adhd tend to miss important meetings or assignments or are misled by instructions. They may also have trouble staying focused in noisy or crowded spaces. Some people who suffer from ADHD might experience "thousand-yard gazes" or lose focus when they are talking. 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. They typically develop coping strategies that cover up their symptoms and use these coping methods into adulthood. They may even begin to identify their symptoms as being particular to them, 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 males. However it is important to note that if a girl's ADHD symptoms have a negative effect on her school performance and social interactions, she should speak to a healthcare professional.
Having inattentive ADHD can cause a lot of emotional stress. adhd in adult women can be frustrating when you feel you're not meeting the expectations of your friends or family members as well as colleagues. It can be frustrating to feel as if you're unable 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. You can decrease the severity of these symptoms by seeking assistance and doing other things. Regular exercise can help release neurotransmitters that boost concentration and attention. It can also help reduce anxiety and mood swings, which are common among those with ADHD.
2. Impulsivity
ADHD symptoms can be difficult to manage. You may utter things you shouldn't, buy something on impulse or get into trouble with the law due to your behavior. Impulsivity can make it difficult to control your feelings and emotions. Self-injury can result in self-injury, including cutting, burning or scratching yourself. It could also lead to drinking and drug abuse.
People with impulsivity often have problems with relationships and work or school performance. You can control your impulsivity by taking medication prescribed by your physician. Drugs like amphetamine and dextroamphetamine (Adderall Ritalin, Adderall) or methylphenidate (Concerta, Daytrana, Methylin) can enhance your ability to control your impulses. Non-stimulant medications like clonidine or Guanfacine can improve your ability to control yourself.
Women are more likely than men and boys to have a hyperactive/impulsive form of ADHD. However, this type of ADHD is harder to notice and can lead to underdiagnosis. Women can hide their symptoms to conform to social standards and expectations. This can be particularly problematic in adolescence and early adulthood. Some women even use unhealthy strategies for coping such as excessive drinking and use of drugs to cover up their ADHD challenges.
Women who suffer from high functioning ADHD may mask their symptoms by having success in certain areas of their life like at school or at work. This can create a false impression that everything is fine and make you feel overwhelmed. Ask your healthcare provider about accommodations at school or at work to aid you in managing your ADHD symptoms. This can be a great way to build awareness with your coworkers or professors about the challenges you may encounter.
3. Disorganization
If you have ADHD then missing appointments, arriving late to work, forgetting dates and not paying attention to conversations can result in anger and make others feel ignored or offended. The disorder can make it difficult to keep track of your tasks and manage your finances and schedules. If you aren't able to remember what you'll need for groceries, you might be unable to eat or spend too much on unnecessary items.
Women with ADHD typically have a difficult managing their everyday chores, homework and bills. The disorder can also contribute to disorganized workspaces, messy homes and a tendency to accumulate. People with ADHD are affected by a phenomenon 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 particular task. Problems with time management can lead to feelings of guilt or shame when combined with the difficulty of staying organized.
Research shows that girls, women, and boys are more likely than males to have ADHD. However, the signs can be misdiagnosed or masked. Women are often not given an diagnosis until they reach adulthood and their symptoms become more evident. Additionally, social stigma and stereotypes can make it harder for women to get the support and treatment they need.
Your doctor may recommend medication to help you manage your ADHD symptoms. Stimulants such as methylphenidate and amphetamine can boost and regulate levels of neurotransmitters. These are the brain chemicals that communicate with each other. Antidepressants and atomoxetine, which are non-stimulant medicines can also be used to treat ADHD. However, they work more slowly than stimulants. Your doctor could refer you to an expert in mental health who will assist in creating a treatment plan tailored to your needs.
4. Impulsiveness
Women with ADHD might have a difficult to control their emotions, and are often more sensitive to rejection. The chemical imbalance that comes with ADHD interferes with communication between brain regions that regulate emotions and interpret how to handle them.
Depression and moodiness are typical for those with ADHD, and the combination of these symptoms with difficulties in keeping track of responsibilities can lead to trouble with relationships with loved ones and family. Women who suffer from ADHD also be less confident in themselves and may have trouble forming friendships and managing social situations. They may wander off on tangents during conversations or have trouble comprehending what other people are saying, which could make it difficult for them to find their place in a group.
When managing their daily responsibilities, women with ADHD may have trouble finding the motivation to do routine or boring tasks like dishes, laundry, and cleaning. This can cause them to develop unhealthy coping methods like binge-watching TV shows or abusing substances. These types of behaviors are particularly risky for young girls and adolescents with ADHD, who are more likely to engage in sexually dangerous behaviors, including early initiation of sexual activity, having fewer sexual partners who are protected, 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. In addition women often hide their ADHD symptoms due to the long list of expectations that society puts on them (managing the home and the family, for example). This makes it difficult for health care professionals to see that there's an issue, particularly since symptoms are more easily identified for men and boys.
5. Hyperactivity
Women with ADHD may have difficulty managing their daily tasks. They may struggle with managing their lives, making payments on time and keeping track of appointments or school/work obligations. In addition, emotional symptoms such as mood swings and difficulty regulating their emotions, can make it hard to be a good friend and cause problems in relationships with family and friends.
People with ADHD are often unable to pick social cues or reading body language. They might have trouble following a conversation or going off on a tangent causing problems at work or school and causing tension in relationships. They may also have a difficult time making new friends or achieving the right balance between home, work, and social life.
The symptoms of ADHD are able to change throughout the day and can be affected hormonally, as during menstruation or pregnancy, or even perimenopausal. This could lead to an incorrect diagnosis or the wrong type of medication being prescribed.
Although everyone faces different difficulties when dealing with ADHD There are a few typical signs and symptoms that can help you identify the condition in your loved one. Recognizing these symptoms is the first step towards obtaining the support and treatment you need to effectively manage your symptoms.
It's important to note that ADHD does not mean that you are unaffected by other physical or mental conditions. Your therapist or doctor will conduct a thorough evaluation. They'll have to inquire about your past and present behaviors and experiences, review any medical history, and speak with you about how your symptoms impact you in various situations.