ADHD Symptoms in Women
Adult women suffering from ADHD have unique problems. Inadequate treatment can cause havoc in relationships and work.
Underdiagnosis is the result of gender discrimination and the tendency of girls and women to conceal their symptoms. The growing awareness has led to more people receiving the care they need. ADHD symptoms in women differ from those in men. adhd in adults signs can be worsened due to hormonal fluctuations during menstrual periods as well as pregnancy and menopausal.
Signs of Inattentive Type
Women with inattentive ADHD might have trouble staying focused in completing tasks and making mistakes. They may also misunderstand or make a mistake. They may be unable to keep on top of their obligations, like paying bills, returning calls, or even sending birthday cards. They also struggle to remember appointments and may often miss meetings or be late for work or social activities.
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 lead to poor relationships and co-occurring conditions such as depression or anxiety.
The challenges of living with untreated ADHD can seem overwhelming. For certain people, it can lead to self-blame and unhealthy coping strategies that include excessive drinking and substance abuse. Some people fall into unhealthy behaviors, such as eating more or dieting. For some young girls and teens, the anger of not being in a position to meet social expectations can lead to non-suicidal self-injury, which may look like cutting, burning or scratching.
Due to these issues it's no surprise that women with inattentive type ADHD are more prone to depression and anxiety which can make it even harder to manage their ADHD symptoms. Additionally women with these conditions may also have low self-esteem, making it difficult to realize that their issues stem from an illness of the mind rather than being the result of their own blame.
Girls with inattentive ADHD may also have trouble interpreting social cues. This can cause them to appear uninterested and oblivious. They may not be able to catch jokes, miss interpret body language, or be criticized as being rude or inconsiderate. They may also have difficulties in controlling their impulses, so they could interrupt others or blurt out insulting words.
To help improve their concentration, it's essential for women with inattention type ADHD to get enough sleep every night and avoid nicotine, caffeine and stimulants. They should also exercise regularly, which helps increase neurotransmitters that aid concentration and can help 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 result in a messy house and to difficulty paying bills on schedule. They may also forget appointments, or the names of family members and friends members. They often get easily distracted or bored and are unable to wait for their turn in a conversation. They are less likely to display the symptoms of depression that are internalized or anxiety, which tends to be more common in males and females.
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 boys and men health professionals may not look for them in women or girls or ignore these symptoms, putting them down to mood issues or gender stereotypes. ADHD rating scales are also biased towards male behavior, making it difficult to recognize and measure the symptoms of women.
The good news is that there are ways to manage ADHD as a woman in adulthood, including taking medication. The key is finding a therapist and a doctor who are experienced in treating ADHD for women and girls. The type of therapy recommended will depend on your symptoms and your lifestyle however, it could include cognitive behavioral therapy to help you identify your symptoms and change negative thinking patterns as well as family psychoeducation or group therapy for support.
For some, a regular sleep routine, regular exercise, and a balanced diet can ease symptoms. For others, stimulant medications like dextroamphetamine/amphetamine (Adderall), methylphenidate (Ritalin) or lisdexamfetamine (Vyvanse) may be required.
Many symptoms of ADHD are exacerbated during menopausal changes as hormone levels drop. During this time, you should try to maintain a close eye on your health and schedule doctor's appointments, keep track of your symptoms, and adhere to your treatment plan carefully. You may also ask your health care provider to modify the type or dosage of your medications if needed. Talk with your counselor or therapist about the difficulties you face in managing your symptoms and how they impact your work, at home, and in relationships. They might also suggest ways to improve your communication with other people and your partner.
Signs 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 lose important documents or pay bills, or forget to schedule appointments. This form of the disorder can also cause people to interrupt others, talk without thinking, and talk without thinking. Women with this presentation of the condition also have difficulties maintaining relationships and friendships and often find it difficult to live independently.
In many cases, the inattention symptoms of ADHD are the only ones noticed by family, friends or teachers. This leads to girls and young women being underdiagnosed. The underdiagnosis is also caused by gender bias as well as the tendency of people with ADHD symptoms to conceal their symptoms.
The symptoms of this type are affected by hormonal fluctuations, particularly during pregnancy, puberty and menopause. In these instances, estrogen levels decrease and progesterone levels rise. This can make ADHD symptoms more noticeable and can cause them to worsen. Moreover the symptoms are likely to fluctuate from day to day, based on the levels of estrogen and progesterone. This could lead to a wrong diagnosis as well as inadequate or ineffective treatment.
Psychotherapy can be combined with medications to treat symptoms of the mixed type. This includes cognitive therapy for behavioral disorders, which assists people to change their negative behavior and thoughts, as well as psychoeducational counseling. Both are available online and through local mental clinics.
Regular physical activity, such as swimming, walking or running can improve attention and focus. It also releases neurotransmitters to boost brain function and help reduce anxiety or stress. Other ways to manage ADHD include taking regular breaks, establishing daily routines, and using strategies for organization. A support group can also help in learning about lifestyle changes and improving your coping skills. For certain people, a professional ADHD coach is an excellent option for individual, personalized guidance. Some people with this condition also benefit from cognitive behavioral or interpersonal therapy. A therapist can help the person to become aware of how their behavior impacts others and assist them in developing communication skills.
The signs of an adult type
Women suffering from ADHD may exhibit symptoms that are different from men. The gender roles of women can make it difficult for parents and teachers to identify the condition. It can also be concealed by mental health issues or depression and make it difficult to identify. The symptoms can also vary according to hormone levels. For instance during menstrual cycles or pregnancy and menopause.
Attention deficit symptoms are the most frequent for women with ADHD. You are prone to losing things, having trouble remembering details and tend to be distracted by what other people are doing or by your thoughts. Your naive ADHD symptoms can affect your school, work, marriages and other relationships. Your family and friends might notice that you have difficulty adhering to instructions or keeping track of appointments, or paying bills. Your teacher or boss may note that you have trouble completing tasks in time or have trouble staying focused in meetings.
If you have the hyperactive/impulsive type of ADHD, your symptoms are more noticeable than inattentive ones. You are restless and always at a loss for time, interrupt others, talk too much or say nonsensical things without considering what you're saying. You struggle to wait for your turn, and you struggle to keep eye contact with others. You might be impatient and suffer from mood swings that are difficult for your family and friends to bear.
You may struggle to control your emotions, particularly in times of stress or trauma. You may react more strongly to criticism or fights, even when the situation isn't serious. You may find it easier to cope with these feelings by engaging in self-destructive behaviours, like drug and alcohol drinking or unhealthy eating habits.
Women who are diagnosed with ADHD can improve their lives by getting the proper treatment. You may want to consider working with a life management coach or joining an online ADHD support group. You could also seek assistance from a professional counselor with experience treating women with this disorder. You may want to speak to a psychiatrist who can help you better understand how your genetics or brain activity may affect your ADHD symptoms.