AdHD Symptoms in Women
Women with ADHD struggle to live up to society's expectations. Women who suffer from ADHD are often struggling to meet societal expectations that include caring for others while juggling work and home life, and navigating relationships.
Female ADHD symptoms are more likely to be inattentive-type symptoms than hyperactive/impulsive symptoms. The gender bias can cause health care professionals to not recognize ADHD in women and girls or misdiagnose them.
1. Lack of Focus
One of the most prevalent symptoms of adhd in women is having trouble in concentrating. The problem can manifest in different ways, including missing appointments, not being able complete tasks at work or having trouble concentrating when talking to others. It can also make it difficult for women to manage their finances and can cause them to miss out on financial or job opportunities.
It's possible that some women are better at masking their ADHD symptoms, which could make it harder for them to be diagnosed and treated as adults. Researchers don't know why, but they think it may be due to gender roles and the expectation of women and girls to be more "restrained." Masking ADHD can lead to poor performance at work or at school and prevent those with ADHD from seeking out support and help.
Lack of focus is also an atypical symptom that could be confused with other illnesses like anxiety and depression. For instance, depression can affect your focus by making you less attentive and irritable. People suffering from generalized anxiety disorder have difficulty concentrating because they are often overwhelmed by their thoughts and emotions.
The best way to improve your concentration is to control your ADHD symptoms with treatment. That means finding a clinician or therapist who is experienced in treating ADHD for girls and women. Also, you should be aware of the options for accommodations from your school or employer, such as flexible working hours or working at home. A good night's sleep will also help you enjoy more restful sleep and be more focused throughout the day, including going to bed at the same time each evening, listening to calming music or an audiobook prior going to bed, and limiting screen time.
2. Impulsivity
Women with ADHD typically exhibit impulsivity symptoms. This can be as simple as interrupting other people or shifting topics during conversations, making snap decisions without thinking, and taking risks that aren't the best for their interests. They may also have trouble understanding body language or interpreting social cues. The signs of impulsivity tend to get worse during perimenopausal, the period before menopausal and when hormone levels begin to decline.
Girls and women with ADHD are more likely to have inattentive-type symptoms, which can be harder to notice than hyperactive/impulsive symptoms. add women can cause health professionals to miss ADHD in their patients, misdiagnose them or ignore their symptoms as anxiety or mood problems. Research on ADHD is primarily focused on boys and men. This could result in an imbalance in gender.
When children with ADHD are young, teachers and parents often notice an impulsive behavior. It's not unusual for children to be restless or even impatient at times. However, those behaviors tend to improve as kids grow older and learn to manage their problems.
In adults, impulsive and distractible symptoms of adhd can affect work, school and relationships. They can cause procrastination and inattention, as well as problems keeping commitments. They can also make locating and keeping a job difficult and can hinder healthy eating habits.
Treatment for adults with ADHD typically involves medication. Your doctor will suggest a combination of treatments depending on your specific symptoms, your lifestyle, and other health issues you might have. They may also recommend psychotherapy, such as cognitive behavior therapy, which helps you recognize and alter negative thinking patterns, couples counseling, when your relationship is impacted by ADHD or family therapy. Physical exercise can aid in calming your brain and lessen symptoms, particularly in the case of disorientation and impulsivity. You can take on activities such as dancing, yoga, and group exercises like swimming and running.
3. Anxiety
Anxiety disorders are common and cause a wide range of physical symptoms. These include dizziness and chest pain and headaches, heart palpitations, and sweating. They can also make a person feel as if they are suffering from an attack of the heart or that the world is coming to an end. People who experience anxiety are often misdiagnosed as having a heart problem because of these physical symptoms. This can lead to a long odyssey of medical treatments that do not tackle the root of the issue. Psychotherapy is effective for most anxiety disorders, whether it's employed on its own or when combined with medications. Particularly, cognitive behavioral therapy can help people learn new ways of thinking and reacting that may help them feel less anxious.
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. Women should talk to their doctor about their ADHD symptoms and their doctor will ask them questions about the disorder.
Women suffering from ADHD might have difficulty getting a correct diagnosis, as many diagnostic tools are designed towards male behavior. Women may also hide their symptoms to fit in with the rest of society. They could be misdiagnosed and their ADHD treatment may be delayed. A trained professional, such as a psychiatrist, psychologist or advanced registered nurses can diagnose ADHD. The doctor will take thorough medical background, physical examination, and the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Health Disorders to analyze the symptoms of an individual and determine if there are other conditions that could be contributing to them.
4. Disorganization
Women who suffer from ADHD can experience disorganization. This is a persistent issue that can lead to interruptions in school and work, emotional stress, strain relationships, and financial difficulties. Disorganization can be characterized by a poor organizational skill, such as not paying bills on time or keep appointments, and difficulties in making decisions. Most often, the disorder is linked to other issues, like anxiety, traumatizing a life event, or depression and can be difficult to treat.
Women who suffer from ADHD have a high degree of functioning and their symptoms do not have a significant impact on their daily interactions and relationships. This is referred to as "high-functioning ADHD." However it doesn't mean they don't experience some of the common symptoms. These include difficulty staying focused or paying attention to particulars, feeling uneasy, and being in a state of forgetfulness.
For some, a lack of organization is a daily struggle and it's not uncommon for people with ADHD to spend a lot of time looking for lost items or putting off important tasks. The disorder can affect the quality of their work and can result in strained relationships. It can also trigger a variety of health issues, such as anxiety and sleep disorders.
Another factor that can exacerbate the disorder in women with ADHD is the fluctuation in hormone levels. Estrogen is lower when ovulating and in the middle of menstrual cycles, while progesterone is higher and these fluctuations can make ADHD symptoms worse.
It's possible that, while biological differences may play a part, some of the impulsivity or disorganization among women with ADHD is due to social "norms." Girls and young women may be conditioned to be reserved and quiet and this can cause to them to conceal or minimize their ADHD symptoms.
5. Attention!
Women are more likely than men to hide their attention issues, which could cause them to be misdiagnosed and receive delayed treatment. In fact, they may even think they have better focus and time-management skills than they actually do. In reality, they're more likely to lose things, forget appointments or pay bills on time, and struggle with a lack of organization at home and at work.
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 being quiet and can talk to themselves incessantly or say in a nonsensical manner or make sounds, but they're less likely to have these symptoms than men are.
For many adults with ADHD the first line of treatment is medication. The stimulants methylphenidate and amphetamine are often prescribed, however nonstimulant medications that target the way neurotransmitters interact with your brain are also possible. They include atomoxetine as well as guanfacine.
Women suffering from ADHD also may benefit from cognitive behavior therapy (CBT). These therapies can help you identify the irrational or automatic thinking that is present and teach you healthy ways to self regulate your emotions and behaviors. Exercise and a healthy diet, in addition to medication can help you manage ADHD symptoms such as inattention, restlessness, and distractibility. Try activities such as yoga, dancing and group classes such as swimming or aerobics, and biking to boost energy levels. Try to get at least 4 to 5 sessions of exercise per week, lasting approximately 30 minutes per session. Make sure to take a variety of fresh vegetables whole grains, healthy fats, and protein to support your attention and mood.