ADHD Symptoms in Women
Adult women suffering from ADHD have challenges that a lot of don't even realize. Untreated, symptoms can wreak havoc on relationships and work life.
Underdiagnosis is the result of gender discrimination and the tendency of girls and women to cover up their symptoms. The increased awareness has led to more people receiving the assistance they require. ADHD symptoms for women differ from those of men. They can be worsened because of hormonal fluctuations during menstrual periods, pregnancy, and menopause.
Signs of Inattentive Type
Women with inattention ADHD may have trouble keeping on track, completing tasks and making mistakes. They can also be confused or make a mistake. They may have trouble keeping on top of their obligations, such as paying bills returning calls, or even sending birthday cards. They may also be unable to remember appointments and can often skip meetings or be 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. Many people who don't get treated for their symptoms suffer emotional distress. This can result in poor relationships as well as co-occurring disorders such as depression or anxiety.
As a result, the challenges of living with untreated ADHD can seem overwhelming. For some, it leads to self-blame and unhealthy coping strategies, such as excessive alcohol and substance abuse. Some people resort to unhealthy habits, such as eating more or dieting. Teenagers and young girls might self-injure themselves to alleviate their anger at not being able to meet social expectations. This could be in the form of cutting, burning, or scratching.
It's no surprise that women with inattention ADHD are more likely to experience depression and anxiety. This can make it more difficult to manage ADHD symptoms. In addition women with these conditions may also have low self-esteem, making it difficult to recognize that their issues are caused by an illness of the mind instead of being their blame.
Girls with inattentive ADHD may also have difficulties interpreting social signals. This can make them appear aloof and oblivious. They might miss jokes or misread body language and be accused of being rude or inconsiderate. They might also have issues with impulse control, which means they could disrupt others or utter offensive phrases.
To increase their concentration, it's essential for women suffering from inattentive type ADHD to get enough rest every night and avoid caffeine, nicotine and stimulants. They should also exercise regularly, which will help raise neurotransmitters that help with concentration and may reduce mood swings.
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 having difficulty paying bills on time. They might also forget their appointments, or the names and faces of family members and friends. They are easily distracted or bored, and they can't wait to be heard. They are less likely to show the internalizing symptoms of depression or anxiety, which may 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. These symptoms are more prevalent in both men and boys. Health care professionals might not be aware of these symptoms in women or girls, or ignore them, attributing them to mood disorders or societal stereotypes. ADHD rating scales are also biased towards male behavior, which makes it harder to identify and assess the symptoms of women.
The good news is that there are options to manage ADHD as a woman in adulthood as well as taking medication. Finding female symptoms of adhd or a therapist who has experience in treating ADHD in women and girls is essential. The kind of treatment suggested will depend on the severity of the symptoms and the lifestyle. It may include cognitive behavioral therapies to validate your experience and help reframe negative thought patterns, family psychoeducation or support group work.
Some people can reduce their symptoms by adhering to an established schedule of sleep, exercising regularly, and eating a balanced diet. For others, stimulant medications like dextroamphetamine/amphetamine (Adderall), methylphenidate (Ritalin) or lisdexamfetamine (Vyvanse) may be required.
Many of the symptoms of ADHD can worsen during menopause when hormone levels decrease. During this time it is important to stay on top of things and keep on top of your symptoms as well as your treatment plan. You may also ask your health care provider to alter the type or dosage of your medication as required. Speak with your therapist about the challenges you face in dealing with your symptoms and how they impact your work, at home, and in your relationships. They might also suggest strategies 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 work and school but they don't have the impulsive or hyperactive symptoms of the other subtypes. They may lose important documents, pay bills or forget to make appointments. The signs of this form of the disorder can include interrupting others, blurting out answers and speaking without thinking. Women who suffer from this type of the disorder may also have difficulties maintaining relationships and friendships and may find it difficult to be self-sufficient.
In many cases, the inattention symptoms of ADHD are the only ones observed by family, friends or teachers. This leads to girls and young women not being diagnosed. This is due to gender bias and the tendency for people who suffer from ADHD symptoms to conceal them.
The symptoms of this type of ADHD are influenced by hormone fluctuations particularly during puberty and during pregnancy and menopause. In these times, estrogen decreases and progesterone levels rise. This combination accentuates ADHD symptoms. The symptoms can also vary from day to day, depending on estrogen and progesterone levels. This can lead to an incorrect diagnosis and inadequate or inappropriate treatment.
In addition to medications, psychotherapy can be used to manage symptoms of the combined type. This includes cognitive therapy for behavior, which aids people overcome negative behavior and thoughts, as well as psychoeducational counseling. Both are available through local mental health clinics as well as online.
Regular physical activity such as walking, running or swimming can help improve focus and attention. It can also release neurotransmitters to boost brain function and decrease anxiety or stress. Making sure to take regular breaks, creating daily routines and using strategies for organizing are some other methods to better manage ADHD. Support groups can be beneficial in learning about lifestyle changes and coping techniques. For certain people, a professional ADHD coach is a good option for individual, individualized guidance. Some people with ADHD also benefit from a cognitive-behavioral or interpersonal therapy. Therapists can help the patient to be aware of how their behavior impacts others and assist them in developing communication skills.
Adult Type symptoms
Women with ADHD are likely to have different symptoms than men. Diagnosing and treating the condition for women can be complicated due to gender roles, which makes it difficult for parents or teachers to determine if girls are having issues with her attention or hyperactivity. The disorder may be disguised by depression or other mental health problems that make it less apparent to people who are around you. The symptoms can also vary depending on hormone levels. For instance when you are pregnant or going through menstruation and menopause.
Inattentive symptoms are the most frequent for women with ADHD. You are more likely to forget things, have trouble recalling details, and are distracted by other people or your thoughts. Your inattentive ADHD symptoms can affect your marriage, school, and other relationships. You might have difficulty paying bills, following directions or keeping the track of appointments. Your family and friends may be aware. Your boss or teacher may observe that you are having trouble completing tasks in time or have trouble staying focused in meetings.
If you have the hyperactive/impulsive type of ADHD, your symptoms are more noticeable than inattentive ones. You're constantly moving around and can disturb others, talk too much or make statements that are illogical without thinking. You can't wait for your turn or maintain eye contact. You may be irritable and have mood swings that can be difficult for your family and friends to accept.
It can be difficult to manage your emotions, especially during times of stress and trauma. You may be more prone to react to criticism or fights, even when the situation is not serious. It could be easier to deal with these emotions by engaging in self-destructive behaviors such as drug and alcohol consumption, or unhealthy eating patterns.
Women diagnosed with ADHD are able to improve their lives by getting the proper treatment. It is possible to work with a life coach or finding an online ADHD support group. You may also seek out professional counseling from a counselor who has worked with women with this disorder. You may want to speak to a psychiatrist, who can assist you in understanding how your genes and brain activity might impact your ADHD symptoms.