Signs and Symptoms of ADHD in Women
Women suffering from ADHD often face different societal expectations about how they should handle their careers, family and home lives. This can cause you feel frustrated and ashamed when your symptoms cause problems.
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 cover up their symptoms or develop coping mechanisms to conceal the symptoms.
1. Inattentiveness
Being unable to pay attention at school or work is among the most common symptoms of adhd. adhd in women treatment with this condition often forget important meetings, fall behind on assignments or are confused when trying to follow instructions. They may also have difficulties concentration in noisy or crowded spaces. Certain people who suffer from ADHD can have what is called "thousand-yard stares" and zone out during conversations. These symptoms can cause problems at work or with relationships.
Females and females are particularly susceptible to undiagnosed ADHD, especially as they grow older. They often develop coping mechanisms that hide their symptoms and continue to employ these strategies throughout their adulthood. They may even start to identify their symptoms as particular to them, which could make it more difficult to seek help.
In addition, many teachers don't recommend ADHD assessments for girls as frequently as they do for boys. However should a girl's lack of attention ADHD symptoms are having a negative impact on her school performance or social interactions, she should speak to a healthcare professional.
Inattention ADHD is a frequent reason for emotional stress. It can be frustrating when you feel you are not able meet the expectations of your friends, family members and co-workers. It can be a bit depressing to feel as if you're not getting along with your kids or siblings. Inattention and impulsivity can exacerbate depression and anxiety in some people suffering from ADHD. In addition to seeking assistance, there are things that you can do to decrease the effects of these symptoms. Regular exercise can help release neurotransmitters which boost concentration and attention. It can also reduce anxiety, mood swings and other symptoms that are common to people with ADHD.
2. Impulsivity
The unpredictable symptoms of ADHD can be difficult to manage. You might rant about things you shouldn't say, buy things on impulse, or be a target for the law because of your behavior. In addition, it can be difficult to control your emotions and feelings. Self-injury can result, such as burning, cutting, or scratching oneself. It could also lead to drug and alcohol abuse.
People with impulsivity can have problems with their relationships, work or school performance. Your doctor can assist you to manage your impulsivity with prescription medications. You can increase your control over impulses with medicines like amphetamine dextroamphetamine, as well as methylphenidate. Nonstimulant drugs like clonidine and Guanfacine can also enhance your ability to control yourself.
Women are more likely than men and boys to have a hyperactive/impulsive form of ADHD. This kind of ADHD can be harder to detect, leading to an incorrect diagnosis. Women may conceal their symptoms to conform to societal expectations and standards. This can be particularly challenging in adolescence and early adulthood. Some women turn to unhealthy ways of coping that include excessive drinking and substance abuse to hide their ADHD challenges.
Women with high functioning ADHD might cover up their symptoms by achieving success in particular areas of their lives, such as at school or at work. This can give you an illusion of security and can cause you to feel overwhelmed by the demands of daily life. Talk to your doctor for accommodations at work or school that will assist you in managing your ADHD symptoms. This is a great way to educate your colleagues or professors of the issues you are facing.
3. Disorganization
If you suffer from ADHD, missing appointments or being late to work, forgetting dates, and zoning out during conversations can cause frustration, and leave others feeling ignored or offended. The disorder can make it difficult to keep track of your tasks as well as manage schedules, finances and financial obligations. If you don't know what you need to get for groceries, then you may be unable to eat, or spend too much on unnecessary things.
Women who suffer from ADHD are unable to keep the daily chores, homework, and bills. The condition can also cause messy homes, messy workspaces and a tendency to hoard. The "time blindness" that ADHD patients are prone to makes it difficult to determine how long has been passed or how much time they've been working on a particular task. Combined with difficulty staying focused, issues with time management can cause feelings of guilt and shame being not organized.
Research has shown that girls, women, and boys are more likely than males to have ADHD. However, the symptoms can be misdiagnosed or masked. Many women don't receive a diagnosis until adulthood and their symptoms become more apparent. Moreover, social stigma and stereotypes could hinder women to get the support and treatment they need.
Your doctor might prescribe medication to help manage your ADHD symptoms. stimulants like methylphenidate and amphetamine are able to boost and regulate levels of neurotransmitters, which are the brain chemicals that communicate with each other. Antidepressants, as well as atomoxetine that are non-stimulant medicines can also be used to treat ADHD. However they are slower to work than stimulants. Your doctor may also refer you to a mental health specialist who can assist in the development of an individual treatment plan that meets your particular requirements.
4. Impulsiveness
Women who suffer from ADHD may have a hard time controlling their emotions, and are often more sensitive to rejection. The chemical imbalance associated with ADHD affects the communication between brain areas that regulate emotions, and also interpret how to handle these emotions.
People suffering from ADHD are more susceptible to moodiness and depression. This, along with a difficulty in managing their obligations and obligations, can create problems for relationships with family and romantic partners. Women with ADHD might also suffer from low self-esteem and have difficulties forming relationships and navigating social situations. They can wander off on tangents or have trouble understanding what other people are saying. This could make it difficult for them to find a spot within the group.
Women with ADHD may have difficulty to keep themselves motivated to complete mundane or boring tasks such as washing dishes, cleaning, or doing laundry. This can lead to unhealthy coping behaviors like binge watching TV shows or taking drugs. These behaviors can be especially dangerous for young girls as well as adolescents with ADHD, who are more likely to engage in sexually risky actions, such as early initiation of sexual activity, fewer protected sexual partners, and more casual sexual activity than their peers.
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 conceal their ADHD due to the many expectations placed on them by society (managing home and family for instance). This can make it difficult for health professionals to recognize that there's an issue, especially since the symptoms are more easily identified for men and boys.
5. Hyperactivity
Women who suffer from ADHD can have difficulty managing their daily tasks. They may have difficulty organizing their lives, paying off bills on time and juggling appointments or school/work requirements. The emotional symptoms, such as mood swings and difficulty regulating emotions, can also make it difficult to connect with other people and cause issues in relationships between people.
People suffering from ADHD have difficulty reading social cues or body language. They may have difficulty following conversations or wander off on a tangent creating issues at school or at work and straining relationships. They may also have difficulty making new friends or balancing work, family, and social life.
The symptoms of ADHD can change throughout the day, and can be affected hormonally like during menstrual cycles or pregnancy, or even perimenopausal. This can result in confusion or the wrong medication being prescribed.
There are a few symptoms and signs that are common to ADHD that can aid you or someone you love to recognize the condition. Recognizing these symptoms is a great first step towards getting the help and treatment you require to manage your symptoms effectively.
Having ADHD isn't a guarantee that it doesn't mean you're not suffering from other physical or mental health issues, so it's important that your therapist or doctor conducts a thorough assessment. They'll have to ask questions about your past and present behavior and experiences, look at any medical history, and speak with you about how your symptoms impact your life in a variety of settings.