ADHD Symptoms in Women
Adult women with ADHD face unique problems. Untreated, symptoms can wreak havoc in relationships and work life.
A tendency to discriminate against gender and a tendency for girls and women to hide their symptoms cause underdiagnosis. However, the increased awareness means that more adults are getting the help they require. ADHD symptoms in women differ from those of men. They can be exacerbated due to hormonal changes during menstrual cycles as well as pregnancy and menopausal.
Inattentive Type symptoms
Women with inattentive ADHD might have difficulty staying on task and completing tasks, usually making careless mistakes or misunderstand instructions. They may struggle to keep the track of their obligations, such as paying bills, making calls, or sending birthday cards. They might also forget appointments and are often late for social or work events or show up 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. If they don't seek treatment for their symptoms may experience emotional distress. This can lead to poor relationships or co-occurring disorders such as depression and 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 drug abuse. Others resort to unhealthy habits like eating too much and dieting. Some young girls and teenagers might self-injure in order to deal with their anger at not being able meet social expectations. This can take the form of cutting, burning, or scratching.
Due to these issues It's not surprising that women suffering from inattentive ADHD are prone to anxiety and depression, which can make it harder to manage their ADHD symptoms. They may also suffer from low self-esteem that makes it hard to realize that the problem is a mental illness and not their fault.
Girls with inattention ADHD may also have trouble understanding social signals. This can make them appear aloof and oblivious. They might miss jokes, misread body language, and be criticised for being rude or offensive. They may also be struggling with impulse control, which means they could interrupt others or blurt out offensive words.
To increase their focus, it's important for women with inattention type ADHD to get enough rest each night and stay away from caffeine, nicotine and stimulants. They should also exercise regularly, which helps increase neurotransmitters that aid in concentration and can reduce mood swings.
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 difficulties in paying bills on time. They may also forget appointments or the names of family members and friends members. They are easily distracted or bored and cannot wait to be heard. They are less likely than men and boys to experience internalizing symptoms, such as anxiety or depression.
It can be harder to identify and diagnose hyperactive/impulsive ADHD in women than in boys or men. Because these symptoms are more common in males and females, health care professionals might not be able to spot these symptoms in women and girls or ignore them, blaming them to mood issues or gender stereotypes. ADHD rating scales are also biased towards male behavior, which makes it harder to identify and measure these symptoms in women.
The good news is that there are options to manage ADHD as a woman in adulthood and this includes taking medication. The key is finding a clinician and therapist experienced in treating ADHD both in women and girls. The type of treatment recommended will be based on the signs and lifestyle. It could include cognitive behavioral therapies to confirm your experience and help overcome negative thoughts and family psychoeducation, or even support group work.
For some, a regular sleep routine, regular exercise, and a healthy diet can help reduce symptoms. For others, stimulant medications like dextroamphetamine/amphetamine (Adderall), methylphenidate (Ritalin) or lisdexamfetamine (Vyvanse) may be required.
Many of the symptoms of ADHD can become worse during menopausal cycles as hormone levels drop. During this time you must keep track of your symptoms and keep on top of your symptoms as well as your treatment plan. You can also ask your health care provider to modify the dosage or type of your medications if required. Talk to your therapist regarding the issues you have with managing your symptoms, and how they affect your work, at home and in your relationships. They may also suggest ways to improve your communication with others and your partner.
Symptoms of Mixed Type
Women who suffer from mixed type ADHD have issues at school and at work, however they don't exhibit the hyperactive or impulsive behaviors of the other subtypes. They may miss appointments and documents, or lose important documents or pay bills and have trouble working through home chores. This type of disorder can also cause people to interrupt others, talk without thinking, and speak without thinking. Women suffering from this form of the disorder also have difficulty maintaining friendships and relationships, and find it difficult to be self-sufficient.
In many cases, family, friends, or teachers are only able to notice the inattentive symptom of ADHD. This results in girls and young women being overlooked. A bias towards gender and the tendency of those with ADHD to conceal their symptoms also contributes to underdiagnosis.
Symptoms of this type of ADHD are affected by hormonal fluctuations particularly during puberty as well as during menopausal and prenatal. In these instances estrogen levels decrease and progesterone levels increase. This combination makes ADHD symptoms more apparent and makes them worse. The symptoms can also change from day to day, depending on the levels of progesterone and estrogen. This could lead to misdiagnosis and improper or inadequate treatment.
In addition to medications psychotherapy can be utilized to treat symptoms of the combined type. This includes cognitive behavior therapy, which helps change negative thoughts and behaviors and psychoeducational counseling. Both are accessible on the internet and in local mental clinics.
Regular physical activity, such as running, walking or swimming can help improve focus and concentration. It can also release neurotransmitters that boost the brain and reduce anxiety or stress, which are common in people suffering from ADHD. Other methods to manage ADHD include taking breaks on a regular basis, establishing daily routines, and using organizational techniques. Support groups can be extremely beneficial in learning about changes in lifestyle and coping techniques. For those who are suffering from the condition, a professional ADHD coach is a great option for individualized, individual guidance. Certain people suffering from this condition benefit from cognitive behavior or interpersonal therapy. A therapist can teach the person to be aware of how their behavior impacts others and assist them in developing communication skills.
Adult Type Signs and symptoms
Women who suffer from ADHD might have symptoms that are different from those of men. The gender roles of women can make it difficult for parents and teachers to recognize the problem. It is also hidden by mental health or depression issues and make it difficult to identify. The symptoms can also vary depending on hormone levels. For instance during menstrual cycles or pregnancy and menopause.
Women suffering from ADHD are most likely to suffer from inattention symptoms. You lose things, have trouble remembering details and tend to get distracted by what your friends are doing or by your thoughts. symptoms of adhd could affect your school, work, marriages, and other relationships. Your family and friends might observe that you have trouble following instructions or keeping track of appointments, or paying bills. Your teacher or boss may note that you have trouble finishing tasks on time or have difficulty staying focused during meetings.
If you have the hyperactive/impulsive type of ADHD, your symptoms are more noticeable than inattentive ones. You're constantly on the go, disrupt others, talk too much or use a lot of nonsense words without being aware of what you're saying. You can't wait for your turn, or maintain eye contact. You are irritable and frequently have mood swings, which can be difficult for your close family and friends to accept.
It may be difficult to manage your emotions, particularly in times of stress and trauma. You may react more strongly to criticism or fights even if the issue isn't serious. You may find it easier for you to cope with these feelings by engaging in self destructive actions like drug and alcohol abuse or unhealthy eating habits.
The right treatment can help women suffering from ADHD improve their lives. Think about working with a life coach or joining an online ADHD support group. You can also seek help from an experienced counselor who has had experience working with women suffering from this disorder. You might want to talk with a psychiatrist, who can assist you in understanding how your genes and brain activity may impact your ADHD symptoms.