Signs and Symptoms of ADHD in Women
Women suffering from ADHD are often pushed to different expectations from society on how they can manage their families, careers, and their home lives. This can lead to feelings of shame and frustration when your symptoms are causing you to get impeding your progress.
Research shows that girls are more likely to be diagnosed with ADHD than men and boys. This could be due to the fact that they conceal their symptoms or develop strategies to manage their symptoms, such as:
1. Inattentiveness
Finding it difficult to focus at school or at work is among the most common signs of adhd. People with adhd tend to forget important meetings or projects, or are misguided by the instructions. They may also find it difficult to concentrate in noisy or busy environments. People who suffer from ADHD are prone to what's known as "thousand-yard stares" and lose focus during conversations. These symptoms can cause difficulties at work or in relationships.
Women and girls are at greater risk of undiagnosed ADHD as they grow older. They develop coping strategies that disguise their symptoms and continue to do so until adulthood. They might even begin to see their symptoms as personal attributes, which can make it difficult for them to seek help.
Additionally, many teachers don't recommend ADHD evaluations for girls as frequently as they do for boys. If a girl's numbness or ADHD is affecting her school performance or social interactions, she should talk to an expert in health.
Being a bit inattentional ADHD can create lots of emotional stress. It can be frustrating when you feel you are not able meet the expectations of your friends or family members, as well as coworkers. It can also be frustrating when you feel that you are not able to get along with your siblings or children. Many people suffering from ADHD have anxiety and depression and anxiety, which can be made worse by their inattention and impulsivity. In undiagnosed adhd in women to seeking assistance there are some things you can do to reduce the impact of these symptoms. Regular exercise can help release neurotransmitters which boost concentration and focus. It also helps reduce anxiety and mood swings, which are common in people who suffer from ADHD.
2. Impulsivity
The unpredictable symptoms of ADHD can be difficult to manage. You may blurt out things you shouldn't say, buy something on a whim or get into trouble with the law due to your behavior. The urge to be impulsive can make it difficult to control your thoughts and emotions. Self-injury can result in self-injury, including burning, cutting or scratching oneself. It can also lead to drinking and drug abuse.
People who are impulsive can face issues with their relationships, school or work performance. You can manage your impulsivity using medications prescribed by your physician. You can improve your impulse-control by taking medications such as amphetamine, dextroamphetamine, and methylphenidate. Non-stimulant medications such as clonidine and guanfacine may also help you to manage your impulses better.
Women are more likely than men and boys to have a hyperactive/impulsive form of ADHD. This kind of ADHD is often difficult to detect, leading to the wrong diagnosis. Women may hide their symptoms to meet societal expectations and expectations. This type of masking can be particularly difficult in adolescence and adulthood. Some women resort to unhealthy coping strategies such as excessive drinking and substance use to cover up their ADHD issues.
Women with high functioning ADHD might cover up their symptoms by having the success they desire in certain areas of their life like school or at work. This could create a false impression that everything is in order and make you feel overwhelmed. Talk to your doctor about the accommodations that you can make at work or at school to help manage your ADHD symptoms. This is a great way to educate your professors or colleagues of the difficulties you face.
3. Disorganization
If you suffer from ADHD then you may be unable to attend appointments, arriving late to work, forgetting dates and zoning-out during conversations can lead to frustration and make others feel snubbed or offended. The disorder can make it difficult to keep track of your tasks and manage your finances and schedules. If you don't know what you'll need for food, you may not be able to cook your meals, or spend excessively on unnecessary items.
Women suffering from ADHD often have a difficult to keep track of their daily chores, homework and expenses. The disorder can also result in messy homes, messy workspaces and a tendency to pile up. The "time blindness" that ADHD sufferers are prone to makes it difficult to know how long has been spent or how long they've been working on a particular task. Time management issues can trigger feelings of guilt or shame when combined with difficulty staying organized.
Research shows that women, girls and boys are more likely than men to have ADHD. However, the symptoms may be misdiagnosed or concealed. Many women don't receive a diagnosis until adulthood and their symptoms become more apparent. Additionally, social stigma and stereotypes could make it harder for women to access the help and treatment they require.
Your doctor might prescribe medication to help manage your ADHD symptoms. Stimulants like methylphenidate or amphetamine boost and balance neurotransmitters - brain chemicals that talk to each other. Antidepressants and atomoxetine which are nonstimulant medications can also be used to treat ADHD. However they perform more slowly than stimulants. Your doctor could also refer you to a mental health professional who can assist in the development of an individualized treatment plan that meets your specific needs.
4. Impulsiveness
Women who suffer from ADHD may have a hard to control their emotions and often feel more vulnerable to rejection. The chemical imbalance that is associated with ADHD disrupts the communication between brain areas that regulate emotions and interpret how to deal with these emotions.
People with ADHD are more susceptible to depression and moodiness. This, in conjunction with a difficulty in managing their obligations, can cause problems with relationships with family and romantic partners. Women who suffer from ADHD also tend to have lower self-esteem and may struggle to form friendships and navigating social situations. They may wander off on tangents in conversations or have difficulty comprehending what other people are saying, which can make it difficult for them to find their place in a group.
When managing their daily tasks, women with ADHD may have trouble finding motivation to complete mundane or monotonous tasks, such as dishes, laundry, and cleaning. This could lead them to develop unhealthy coping methods that include binge-watching television shows or consuming substances. These types of behaviors are especially risky for teens and girls with ADHD who are more likely than their peers to engage in risky behaviors such as early sexual activity, fewer protected partners, and casual sexual sex.
As adults, women with ADHD are more likely to go undiagnosed or be misdiagnosed than men because they tend to have inattentive symptoms instead of hyperactivity/impulsivity symptoms. Many women hide their ADHD due to the numerous expectations placed on them by society (managing the household and children for instance). This makes it difficult for health professionals to see that there's an issue, particularly since the symptoms are more easily recognized for men and boys.
5. Hyperactivity
Women with ADHD can struggle to handle their daily tasks. They may have difficulty managing their lives, paying off bills on time and keeping track of appointments or school/work requirements. Emotional symptoms, like mood swings and trouble managing emotions, can make it difficult to get along with other people and cause issues in relationships between people.
People suffering from ADHD are often unable to pick the social cues and understanding body language. They may struggle to follow a conversation or going off on a tangent causing problems at work or school and straining relationships. They may also be having difficulty making new friends, or balancing work, home, and social life.
Symptoms of ADHD are different throughout the day and be influenced by hormone levels, such as those during menstrual cycles or pregnancy, or when they progress through perimenopause (the menopausal transition). This could lead to confusion or the wrong type of medication being prescribed.
Everyone faces their own unique issues when it comes to ADHD, there are some typical symptoms and signs that can help you identify the disorder in your loved one. Recognizing these symptoms is a good first step towards obtaining the support and treatment you require to effectively manage your symptoms.
It is important to understand that ADHD doesn't mean you are unaffected by other physical or mental disorders. Your doctor or therapist should perform a thorough assessment. They'll ask you questions about your past and current behaviors, review your medical history, and talk about how your symptoms affect you in different settings.