ADHD Symptoms in Women
Adult women with ADHD have their own unique difficulties. Untreated symptoms can cause havoc in work and relationships.
Gender bias and a tendency for girls and women to hide their symptoms contribute to underdiagnosis. The increased awareness has led to more adults getting the help they require. ADHD symptoms in women are different from those of men, and can be aggravated by hormonal fluctuations during the menstrual cycle, pregnancy and menopause.
Inattentive Type Signs
Women with inattentive ADHD might have trouble staying on task performing tasks and making mistakes. They might also be unable to comprehend or make mistakes that are not their fault. They may have trouble keeping the track of their obligations, like paying bills, returning calls, or even sending birthday cards. They may also forget appointments, and often miss work or social events or arrive 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 suffer emotional stress. This can lead to poor relationships, or co-occurring disorders such as depression and anxiety.
The challenges of living with ADHD that isn't properly addressed can be overwhelming. Many sufferers blame themselves and adopt unhealthy strategies for coping like drinking excessively and substance abuse. Some people resort to unhealthy habits, such as eating too much or losing weight. Some young girls and teenagers might self-injure in order to deal with their frustration over not being able to meet their social expectations. This may be done by cutting, burning, or scratching.
It's not a surprise that women who have inattentive ADHD are more likely to suffer from anxiety and depression. This makes it difficult to manage ADHD symptoms. They may also suffer from low self-esteem, which makes it hard to recognize that the problem is a mental illness and not the result of their own fault.
Girls with inattention ADHD might also have difficulty in interpreting social signals. This could cause them to appear aloof and oblivious. They may miss jokes, misread body language, and be accused of being rude or offensive. They might also have issues in controlling their impulses, so they may interrupt others or blurt out offensive phrases.
Women who suffer from inattention ADHD should ensure they get enough sleep every night and avoid caffeine and stimulants to boost their concentration. Regular exercise can boost neurotransmitters, which can help in focusing.
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 difficulties in paying bills on time. They might also forget appointments or the names of family and friends members. They tend to be bored or distracted easily and are unable to wait for their turn in a conversation. They are less likely to show the internalizing symptoms of depression or anxiety, which tends to be more prevalent in boys and men.
It can be harder to identify and diagnose hyperactive/impulsive ADHD in women than in boys or men. Because these symptoms are more prevalent for both genders healthcare professionals may not look for them in women or girls or ignore them, blaming them to mood issues or gender stereotypes. ADHD rating scales tend to be skewed toward male behavior, making these symptoms harder to measure and identify in women.
There are many ways to manage ADHD in an adult woman. This includes taking medication. The key is finding a therapist and a doctor who are experienced in treating ADHD both in women and girls. The type of treatment recommended will depend on the symptoms and the lifestyle. It could include cognitive behavioral therapy to prove your experience and help reframe negative thought patterns and family psychoeducation, or even support group work.
Some people can reduce their symptoms by observing a regular sleep schedule, exercising regularly, and eating a healthy and balanced diet. For others, stimulant medications like dextroamphetamine/amphetamine (Adderall), methylphenidate (Ritalin) or lisdexamfetamine (Vyvanse) may be required.
When menopausal hormone levels drop, many symptoms of ADHD worsen. During this period, try to stay on top of your health and schedule regular doctor's appointments, monitor your symptoms, and follow your treatment plan carefully. You can also ask that your doctor adjust the dosage or the type of medication you are taking as needed. 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 might also suggest ways to improve communication with your partner and other people in your life.
Mixed adult adhd signs and symptoms
Women with mixed type ADHD often have difficulty in working and at school but they don't have the hyperactive or impulsive symptoms of the other subtypes. They might forget important documents, pay bills or forget to schedule appointments. This form of disorder can also cause people to interrupt others, talk without thinking and speak without thinking. Women who suffer from this form of the disorder also have problems maintaining friendships and relationships and are often unable to live an independent life.
In many instances, family members or friends are the only ones to be able to recognize the apathy symptom of ADHD. This can lead to girls and young women being overlooked. The gender bias and the tendency of those with ADHD to camouflage their symptoms also contributes to underdiagnosis.
The symptoms of this type of ADHD are affected by hormonal fluctuations, especially in puberty as well as during menopausal and prenatal. At these times estrogen levels decrease, and progesterone levels increase. This makes ADHD symptoms more noticeable and can cause them to worsen. The symptoms can also change from day to day, based on estrogen and progesterone levels. This could lead to a wrong diagnosis or inadequate treatment.
In addition to medications, psychotherapy can be used to treat the symptoms of the mixed type. This includes cognitive behavior therapy, which can help to change negative thoughts and behavior and psychoeducational counselling. Both are accessible online and through local mental clinics.
Engaging in regular physical exercise, like running, swimming, or walking, can help to improve focus and attention. It can also release neurotransmitters that boost the brain and decrease anxiety or stress. Other methods to manage ADHD include taking breaks regularly, creating daily routines, and using organizational techniques. Support groups can be extremely helpful in learning about lifestyle changes and strategies for coping. A professional ADHD coach can provide customized individual guidance to those who have. Some people with this condition benefit from cognitive behavior or interpersonal therapy. Therapists can help the person to be aware of how their behavior impacts others and assist them in developing communication skills.
Adult Type Symptoms
Women with ADHD may exhibit symptoms that differ than those of males. The gender roles of women can make it difficult for parents and teachers to diagnose the condition. It can also be concealed by mental health or depression issues and make it difficult to detect. The symptoms can also fluctuate in response to 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 difficulty remembering details and tend to get distracted by what others are doing or your thoughts. Your inattention ADHD could affect your school, work as well as marriages and other relationships. You might have difficulty following instructions, paying bills or keeping an eye on appointments. Your family and friends might be aware. Your boss or teacher 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 always on the go, disrupt others, talk too much or use a lot of nonsense words without being aware of what you're saying. You are unable to wait for your turn or maintain eye contact. You can be impatient and experience mood swings that can be difficult for your family and friends to tolerate.
It may be difficult to manage your emotions, particularly during times of stress and trauma. You may react more strongly to criticism or start fights even if the issue isn't serious. It may be easier to deal with these emotions by engaging in self destructive behaviors such as drug and alcohol consumption, or unhealthy eating patterns.
Women who are diagnosed with ADHD are able to improve their lives by implementing the appropriate treatment. Think about working with a coach or joining an online ADHD support group. You could also seek assistance from a professional counselor who has expertise in treating women suffering from this disorder. You might want to talk to a psychiatrist who can help you better understand how your genes or brain activity can influence your ADHD symptoms.