AdHD Symptoms in Women
Women with ADHD often have difficulty meeting the various expectations of society. Women with ADHD typically struggle to live up to expectations of society such as caring for others while juggling work and home life, and managing relationships.
Female ADHD symptoms are more likely to be inattentive-type symptoms than hyperactive/impulsive symptoms. The gender bias can also cause health care professionals to misdiagnose or fail to recognize ADHD symptoms in women and girls.
1. Inattention and lack of Focus
Being unable to concentrate is one of the most common symptoms of adhd in women. It's a condition that can manifest in different ways, from forgetting appointments or not being able to finish work to zoning out when talking to others and making them feel ignored. It's also a frequent problem that makes it hard for women to keep track of their finances. It's often the reason why they miss out on jobs or financial opportunities.
Women are more adept in masked ADHD symptoms than others, making it harder for them as adults to get diagnosed and treated. Researchers aren't sure why, but they believe it could be due to gender roles and the expectation of girls and women to be more "restrained." The act of masking ADHD can lead to poor performance at work or in school and stop them from seeking support and assistance.
Lack of focus is also a common symptom and can be confused with other ailments like anxiety and depression. Depression can affect concentration by making you forgetful and demotivated. People suffering from generalized anxiety disorder are unable to concentrate because they are often overwhelmed by their thoughts and emotions.
The best way to improve your ability to concentrate is to control your ADHD symptoms through treatment. That means finding a clinician or therapist who is experienced in treating ADHD for girls and women. It's also recommended to be aware about accommodations that you can request your employer or educational institution for, such as flexible hours or working from home. A healthy sleep routine will assist you in having more peaceful nights and help you to stay focused throughout the day. This includes sleeping each night at the same time, and listening to relaxing music or an audiobook and limiting your screen time.
2. Impulsivity
Women who suffer from ADHD are typically impulsive. This can be as simple as interrupting other people or changing topics during a conversation, making quick decisions without thinking, and taking risks that aren't in their best interests. They might also have difficulty reading other people's body language or recognizing social cues. The signs of impulsivity may increase during perimenopause - the period prior to menopausal symptoms - and also when hormone levels begin to drop.
Girls and women with ADHD are more likely to have inattentive-type symptoms, which can be harder to notice than hyperactive/impulsive symptoms. This could cause health professionals to miss ADHD in these individuals, or not diagnosing them correctly or ignore their symptoms as mood or anxiety issues. Research on ADHD is focused on boys and men. This can cause a gender bias.
When children with ADHD are young, teachers and parents sometimes notice the impulsive behavior of children. It's not unusual for children to be anxious or irritable at times. However, those behaviors tend to improve over time as children grow up and learn how to manage their symptoms.
In adults, impulsive and distractible symptoms of adhd can affect work, school, and relationships. They can lead to procrastination and inattention, as well as problems following through with commitments. They can make it difficult to find and keep jobs and can affect healthy eating habits.
Adult ADHD is typically treated by medication. Your doctor might recommend an individualized treatment based on your lifestyle, symptoms, and any other health issues. They may also suggest psychotherapy such as cognitive behavioral therapy, which assists you to identify and change negative thoughts, couples counseling, when your relationship is impacted by ADHD, or even family therapy. Exercise can help calm your brain and reduce symptoms, as well as assist you in staying focused. This is particularly true for impulsivity and distraction. Try activities like dancing, yoga and group exercises, such as swimming and running.
3. Anxiety
Anxiety disorders are common and cause a variety of physical symptoms. Dizziness, headaches, palpitations and sweating are just a few of the signs. They can make people feel as if they are suffering from an attack of the heart or that the world is ending. Because of these physical symptoms people who suffer from anxiety are often mistakenly diagnosed with heart disease. This could result in a long medical treatment without addressing the root of the issue. Fortunately, the majority of anxiety disorders respond well to psychotherapy by itself or in conjunction with medication. Cognitive behavioral therapy, specifically can help someone develop new ways of thinking or reacting to situations that may reduce anxiety.
Unlike men and boys, who are more likely to have hyperactive/impulsive ADHD, women are more likely to have the inattentive subtype of the disorder. Women may also be more likely to have a mixed type. Women should discuss their ADHD symptoms with their doctor. will ask them questions about the disorder.
Women suffering from ADHD might have difficulty getting an accurate diagnosis because many of the diagnostic tools utilized for the disorder are geared towards male behavior. Women often attempt to hide their ADHD to fit into the society. This means that they may not be diagnosed and receive delayed treatment for their ADHD. A trained professional, such as a psychiatrist, psychologist or advanced registered nurses may be able to diagnose ADHD. The doctor will take a detailed medical history, physical examination and the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Health Disorders in order to evaluate a patient's symptoms and determine if there are other conditions that could be contributing.
4. Disorganization
Women with ADHD may experience disorganization, which is a constant issue that can cause disruption to work and schoolwork habits as well as cause emotional stress. It can strain relationships and contribute to financial problems. Disorganization is often characterized by an inability to organize like not keeping track of expenses or appointments, and having trouble making decisions. In many cases, it is connected to other issues, like anxiety, a traumatic life event, or depression, and is often difficult to treat.
Certain women with ADHD are able to perform at a high degree and their symptoms don't significantly impact their daily activities or relationships. This condition is referred to as "high-functioning ADHD." However, this doesn't mean that they don't experience some of the typical symptoms. This includes difficulty in paying attention or concentrating on details, feeling restless, and being unfocused.
Many people experience disorganization on a daily basis. They might spend their time looking for lost objects or delay important tasks. It can also result in poor work performance and tension in relationships. It can also lead to many health issues, such as sleep disorders or anxiety.
Another cause of disorganization in women with ADHD is hormonal fluctuations. Estrogen is lower when ovulating and in the middle of menstrual cycles, while progesterone is more abundant, and these fluctuations can make ADHD symptoms worse.
It's possible that, although biological differences can be a factor, some of the impulsivity or disorganization in women suffering from ADHD is due to social "norms." Young women and girls may be conditioned to be reserved and quiet and this can cause them to suppress or hide their ADHD symptoms.
5. Inattention
Women often find it easier to mask their attention problems than men and can result in undiagnosed problems and delayed treatment. In reality, they may even think they have better focus and time-management skills than they actually do. In reality, these people are likely to lose things and forget appointments, or not pay their bills on time. They also have trouble with disorganization both at work and at home.
Women who suffer from ADHD tend to develop the inattentive form of the disorder. They're less likely to have the hyperactive/impulsive or mixed symptoms, which must be present in at least two settings for six months to qualify as an ADHD diagnosis. They may also have trouble in calming down and may talk to themselves continuously or speak in a nonsensical manner or make sounds, but they're less likely to suffer from these symptoms than men are.
For discover this suffering from ADHD, the first line of treatment is medication. The stimulants methylphenidate and amphetamine are commonly prescribed, but nonstimulant medicines that focus on how neurotransmitters interact with your brain may also be a possibility. These include atomoxetine and guanfacine.
Women with ADHD might also benefit from cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). These therapies can help identify automatic or irrational thinking and teach you healthy ways to control your moods and behaviors. A healthy diet and exercise along with medication can help you manage ADHD symptoms like restlessness, impulsivity, and distractibility. Try activities like dancing, yoga and group classes such as aerobics or swimming, and biking to increase your energy levels. Make sure to exercise at minimum four to five times every week, each lasting about 30 minutes. Make sure to consume a variety of fruits and vegetables and whole grains, as well as healthy fats, and protein to boost your focus and mood.