AdHD Symptoms in Women
Women who suffer from ADHD struggle to meet societal expectations. Women with ADHD often struggle to meet societal expectations such as caring for others, balancing home and work life, and managing relationships.
Female ADHD symptoms are more likely to be inattentive-type symptoms than hyperactive/impulsive symptoms. A bias based on gender can make health professionals not recognize ADHD in women and girls or misdiagnose them.
1. Inattention and lack of Focus
Having trouble concentrating is one of the most frequent symptoms of adhd among women. This problem can manifest in different ways, including forgetting appointments, not being able to finish tasks at the office or zoning out when talking to people. It can make it difficult for women to manage their finances, and often result in them not being able to take advantage on job or financial opportunities.
It's possible that certain women are more adept at hiding their ADHD symptoms, which may make it difficult to be diagnosed and treated as adults. Researchers aren't certain why this is, but they speculate that it may be due to gender stereotypes and the expectation that women and girls be more "restrained." The act of masking ADHD symptoms can result in being under-performing at school or at work and could hinder them from seeking the help and support they need.
In addition, a lack of focus could be misinterpreted as a sign of other illnesses such as depression or anxiety. Depression can affect your concentration by making you forgetful and demotivated. People with generalized anxieties disorder have difficulty concentrating because they tend to be overwhelmed by their thoughts and emotions.
The best way to increase your ability to concentrate is to manage your ADHD symptoms with treatment. This means finding a therapist or clinician who is experienced in treating ADHD in women and girls. It is also important to know about the options for accommodations from your school or employer that allow for flexible working hours or working from home. A good night's sleep will also help you enjoy more restful nights and become more focused during the day, including getting to bed at the same time each evening, listening to calming music or an audiobook prior to going to bed and limiting your screen time.
2. Impulsivity
Women with ADHD typically exhibit impulsivity symptoms. This can be as simple as interrupting other people or changing topics during conversations, making snap decisions without thinking and taking risks that are not beneficial to their health. They might also have difficulty reading other people's body language or recognizing social cues. Symptoms of impulsivity can worsen during perimenopausal, the period prior to menopausal symptoms - and also when hormone levels begin to decline.
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 lead health professionals to overlook ADHD in them, misdiagnose them or dismiss their symptoms as anxiety or mood problems. The gender bias could also play a role, as research on ADHD is mostly focused on males and females.
Teachers and parents might notice an impulsive behavior among children with ADHD. It's normal for children to be impatient, restless, or impulsive at times. These behaviors are likely to improve as children age and learn to manage their symptoms.
In adults, impulsive and distractible symptoms of adhd can negatively impact work, school and relationships. They can lead to procrastination or forgetfulness and difficulty keeping promises. attention deficit disorder in women can make locating and keeping jobs difficult and interfere with healthy eating habits.
Adult ADHD is typically treated by medication. Your doctor may recommend an individualized treatment based on your symptoms, lifestyle, and any other health conditions. Psychotherapy may also be recommended, including cognitive behavioral therapy to help you recognize and change negative thoughts patterns, couples counseling in the event that your relationship has been impacted by your ADHD or family therapy. Physical exercise can also help calm your brain and lessen symptoms, particularly in the case of impulsivity and distractibility. Try activities such as yoga, dancing and group exercises, such as swimming and running.
3. Anxiety
Anxiety disorders can trigger a variety of physical symptoms. Palpitations, headaches, dizziness and sweating are some of the signs. These symptoms can make a person think they are having a stroke or the world is about to end. People who experience anxiety are often misdiagnosed as having a heart condition because of these physical symptoms. This can result in a lengthy journey of medical treatments that do not address the root cause. Psychotherapy is a great treatment for many anxiety disorders, whether used on its own or when combined with medications. Cognitive behavioral therapy, specifically, can help a person develop new ways of thinking or responding to situations that can 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 are also more likely to be diagnosed with mixed subtypes. Women should talk to their doctor about their ADHD symptoms with their doctor and will ask them questions about the disorder.
Women with ADHD may have difficulty obtaining an accurate diagnosis due to the fact that many of the diagnostic tools used for the disorder are geared towards male behavior. Women can also conceal their symptoms to fit with society. This means that they might be underdiagnosed and receive delayed treatment for their ADHD. A trained professional such as a psychiatrist, psychologist or advanced registered nurses can diagnose ADHD. The professional will conduct an extensive history, physical examination and the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Health Disorders to analyze a person's symptoms and determine if there are other conditions contributing to them.
4. Disorganization
Women with ADHD can experience disorganization which is a constant issue that can cause disruption to the routine of school and work as well as cause emotional stress. It can stress relationships and cause financial problems. Disorganization is often characterized by a lack of organizational skills, such as not keeping track of bills or appointments, and having trouble making decisions. Disorganization can be caused by other problems such as anxiety, a traumatizing event in life, or depression. It can be difficult to treat.
Some women with ADHD have a high degree of functioning and their symptoms do not significantly affect their day-to-day interactions and relationships. The condition is known as "high-functioning ADHD." However, this doesn't mean that they don't experience some of the usual symptoms. This includes difficulty in concentrating or paying attention to particulars, feeling uneasy, and being forgetful.
For some, disorganization is a daily struggle and it's not uncommon for people with ADHD to be prone to searching for lost items or put off important tasks. The disorder can also affect the quality of their work and may lead to strained relationships. It can also lead to several health issues like insomnia or anxiety.
Another issue that can cause disorganization in women with ADHD is the fluctuation in hormone levels. add in women test are lower when ovulating, during the middle of menstrual cycle and at the end of, whereas progesterone levels are higher. These fluctuations can cause ADHD symptoms.
Although biological differences between genders could play a role but it's also possible some of the disorder and impulsivity associated with ADHD in women is linked to social "norms." Young women and girls are typically socialized to be quiet and reserved, which is why they might suppress or hide their ADHD symptoms.
5. Attention
Women are more likely than men to hide their attention issues, which could lead them to be wrongly diagnosed and receive delayed treatment. They may think that they are better at managing their time and concentration than they are. In reality, they're likely to misplace things and forget appointments, or not pay bills on time, and have trouble coordinating their work and home.
Women with ADHD tend to develop the inattentive type 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 can also experience trouble being quiet and can talk to themselves constantly or use nonsensical phrases or sounds, however they're much less likely to suffer from these symptoms than men are.
For many adults with ADHD the first option for treatment is medication. Drugs that stimulate the brain, such as methylphenidate or amphetamine are often prescribed, but nonstimulant medicines that focus on how neurotransmitters interact with the brain may also be a possibility. These include atomoxetine, guanfacine and the guanfacine.
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) can also be beneficial for women suffering from ADHD. These treatments can help you identify automatic or irrational thoughts and learn healthy ways to control your emotions and behavior. A healthy diet and exercise, in addition to medication, can help control ADHD symptoms such as restlessness, impulsivity and disorientation. For energy-boosting try activities such as yoga, dancing, or group classes such as cycling or swimming, and aerobics. Try to exercise for at the very least four to five sessions every week, each lasting approximately 30 minutes. Make sure to consume a variety of fruits and vegetables and whole grains, as well as healthy fats and protein to help boost your concentration and mood.