ADHD Symptoms in Women
Adult women with ADHD have unique problems. If left untreated, the symptoms can create havoc in relationships and work life.
Gender bias and a tendency for girls and women to camouflage their symptoms contribute to underdiagnosis. But, increasing awareness means more adults are getting the help they need. ADHD symptoms in women differ from those experienced by men and are often aggravated by hormonal fluctuations during the menstrual cycle, pregnancy and menopausal.
Signs of Inattentive Type
Women with inattention ADHD might have difficulty staying on task and completing tasks, frequently making mistakes or misunderstanding instructions. They may struggle to keep track of their obligations like paying bills, making calls, or sending birthday cards. They may also be unable to remember appointments and may often miss meetings or show up late to 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. Patients who don't seek help for their symptoms may experience emotional stress. This can lead to poor relationships or co-occurring disorders, such as anxiety and depression.
In the end, the problems of living with untreated ADHD can feel overwhelming. For adhd symptoms in women , it can lead to self-blame and unhealthy coping behaviors that include excessive drinking and substance abuse. Some turn to unhealthy behaviors such as dieting and overeating. For some girls, especially teens, the anger of not being capable of meeting social expectations can result in non-suicidal self-injury, which may look like burning, cutting or scratching.
It's no surprise that women with inattentive ADHD are more likely to suffer from depression and anxiety. This can make it difficult to manage ADHD symptoms. In addition, these women may have low self-esteem, making it difficult to recognize that their issues are caused by a mental health condition rather than being their fault.
Girls with inattentive ADHD might also have difficulties in interpreting social signals, making them appear uninterested or indifferent to others. They may miss jokes or misread body language, and be criticized for being rude or inconsiderate. They may also be struggling with impulse control, which means they may disrupt others or utter hurtful words.
Women with inattentive ADHD should ensure they get enough sleep each night and stay away from stimulants and caffeine to help improve their focus. Regular exercise can boost neurotransmitters, which can help with concentration.
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 difficulty paying bills on schedule. They may also forget about their appointments, or the names and faces of family members or friends. female add symptoms are often easily distracted or bored and have trouble waiting for their turn in conversation. They are less likely to display the internalizing symptoms of depression or anxiety, which can 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 prevalent in boys and men health professionals might not be able to spot them in girls and women or ignore them, blaming them to gender stereotypes or mood issues. ADHD rating scales are also known to be biased toward male behavior, making these symptoms harder to determine and recognize for women.
The good news is that there are methods to manage ADHD as a mature woman as well as taking medication. Finding a clinician or therapist who is experienced in treating ADHD in women and girls is crucial. The type of therapy recommended will depend on your conditions and lifestyle, but may include cognitive behavioral therapy that helps you identify your symptoms and change negative patterns of thinking as well as family psychoeducation or support group work.
Some people can lessen their symptoms by adhering to an established schedule of sleep and exercising regularly, as well as eating a healthy diet. 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 when hormone levels fall. During this time it is important to be on top of things and keep on top of your symptoms as well as your treatment plan. You may also request that your doctor alter the dosage or the type of medication you are taking as required. Talk with your counselor or therapist about the challenges you face in managing your symptoms and how they impact you at work, at home, and in relationships. They might also suggest ways to improve communication with your partner and with other people in your life.
Signs of Mixed Type
Women who have mixed type ADHD often experience difficulties at school and work however they do not exhibit the hyperactive or impulsive symptoms of the other subtypes. They may lose important documents and pay bills, or forget to schedule appointments. This form of disorder can also cause people to interrupt others, talk without thinking, and talk without thinking. Women with this form of the disorder may also have difficulty maintaining friendships and relationships and may find it difficult to be a self-sufficient person.
In many cases, the inattention symptoms of ADHD are the only symptoms recognized by family members or friends. In the end, girls and young women with this disorder are often not diagnosed. The underdiagnosis is also caused by gender bias as well as the tendency of people who suffer from ADHD symptoms to conceal their symptoms.
The symptoms of this kind of ADHD are affected by hormonal fluctuations that occur during puberty, and during menopausal and pregnancy. In these instances estrogen levels decrease and progesterone levels rise. This can cause ADHD symptoms. The symptoms can also change from day to day, depending on the levels of progesterone and estrogen. This can lead to an incorrect diagnosis and inadequate or inappropriate treatment.
In addition to medication psychotherapy can be utilized to treat the symptoms of the combined type. This includes cognitive therapy for behavioral disorders, which assists people change their negative attitudes and behaviors, as well as psychoeducational counseling. Both are available via the internet as well as through local mental clinics.
Regular physical activity like walking, running or swimming can help improve focus and concentration. It can also release neurotransmitters that boost brain function and decrease feelings of stress or anxiety, which are common in people with ADHD. Taking regular breaks, creating daily routines and using organizational strategies are other ways to manage ADHD. Support groups can be extremely beneficial in learning about changes in lifestyles and coping strategies. A professional ADHD coach can provide individualized, individual guidance for some. Certain people with ADHD benefit from interpersonal or cognitive-behavioral therapy. Therapists can assist the patient to be aware of their behavior and how it impacts other people. They may also improve their communication skills.
Signs of an adult type
Women with ADHD might have symptoms that are different than those of males. Finding and treating the problem in women is a challenge due to gender-based expectations. This can make it difficult for parents or teachers to determine if the girl is struggling with her attention or hyperactivity. The condition can also be masked by depression or other mental health problems, which makes it less evident to others close to you. The symptoms can also change in response to hormones, such as those that occur during menstrual cycles or during pregnancy and menopause.
Women who suffer from ADHD are most likely to suffer from inattention symptoms. You are prone to losing things, having trouble remembering details and tend to get distracted by what others are doing or by your thoughts. Your inattentive ADHD can impact your school, work as well as marriages and other relationships. You may have trouble following instructions, paying bills or keeping track of appointments. Your family and friends might notice. Your teacher or boss might observe that you're having difficulty staying focused in 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 always moving and interrupt others, talk too much or make statements that aren't logical without thinking. You have trouble waiting for your turn and are unable to maintain eye contact with others. You might be impatient and have mood swings that can be difficult for your family and friends to bear.
You may have trouble controlling your emotions, especially during times of trauma or stress. You might react more strongly to criticism or even start fights even if the situation isn't a serious one. You may find it easier to deal with these emotions by engaging in self-destructive behavior such as drug or alcohol abuse, or unhealthy eating patterns.
Women diagnosed with ADHD can improve their lives by implementing the appropriate treatment. You may want to consider working with a life-management coach or joining an online ADHD support group. You could also seek professional counseling from a counselor who has worked with women suffering from this disorder. You may want to talk to a psychiatrist, who can help you understand how your genes and brain activity might impact your ADHD symptoms.