ADHD Symptoms in Women
Adult women with ADHD have unique problems. If not treated, the symptoms can cause havoc on relationships and work life.
A tendency to discriminate against gender and a tendency for women and girls to conceal their symptoms can make it difficult to diagnose. However, increased awareness means more adults are getting the help they need. ADHD symptoms for women differ from those of men. They can be worsened due to hormonal fluctuations during the menstrual period, pregnancy, and menopause.
Inattentive Type symptoms
Women with inattentive ADHD may have trouble staying focused, completing tasks and making mistakes. They may also misunderstand or make careless errors. They may have trouble keeping track of their obligations such as paying bills, making calls, or sending birthday cards. They also have trouble remembering appointments and may often miss meetings or show up late for work or social events.
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 aren't treated for their symptoms suffer emotional distress. This can lead to poor relationships and co-occurring illnesses like anxiety or depression.
The difficulties of living with ADHD that isn't properly treated can be overwhelming. Some sufferers blame themselves and adopt unhealthy strategies for coping like drinking excessively and substance abuse. Some turn to unhealthy behaviors such as dieting and overeating. For some girls and teenagers, the stress of not being able to meet social expectations can result in non-suicidal self-injury, which may look like cutting, burning or scratching.
Because of these challenges It's not surprising that women with inattentive type ADHD are more susceptible to depression and anxiety, which can make it even harder to manage their ADHD symptoms. Additionally, these women may have low self-esteem, which makes it difficult to realize that their issues stem from an illness of the mind instead of being their responsibility.
Girls with inattention ADHD might also have difficulty understanding social cues. This can cause them to appear uninterested and oblivious. They may not be able to catch jokes, misread body language, and even be criticized as being rude or offensive. They might be unable to control their impulses and might make rude remarks or interrupt others.
Women with inattentive ADHD should ensure they get enough sleep each night and avoid caffeine and stimulants to boost their concentration. They should also exercise regularly, which helps increase neurotransmitters that aid in concentration and can 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 forget appointments or the names of friends and family members. They tend to be easily distracted or bored and have trouble waiting for their turn in a conversation. They are less likely to display the symptoms of depression that are internalized or anxiety, which tends to be more frequent in men and boys.
It can be harder to identify and diagnose hyperactive/impulsive ADHD in women than in boys or men. These symptoms are more prevalent for both genders. signs of attention deficit disorder in adults might not be aware of the symptoms in women or girls, or ignore them, blaming them on mental health issues or societal stereotypes. ADHD rating scales are also known to be biased towards male behavior, making these symptoms difficult to assess and detect for women.
The good news is that there are methods to manage ADHD as a mature woman, including taking medication. The most important thing is to find a clinician and therapist experienced in treating ADHD both in women and girls. The type of therapy recommended will depend on the severity of your conditions and lifestyle however, it could include cognitive behavioral therapy to help validate your experience and reframe negative thinking patterns as well as family psychoeducation or support group work.
Some people can lessen their symptoms by following a regular sleep schedule exercise regularly, and eating a balanced diet. For others, stimulant medications like dextroamphetamine/amphetamine (Adderall), methylphenidate (Ritalin) or lisdexamfetamine (Vyvanse) may be required.
During menopause, when hormone levels drop, many symptoms of ADHD worsen. During this period, try to keep track of your health and schedule regular doctor's appointments, keep track of your symptoms, and follow your treatment plan carefully. You can also consult your doctor to modify the dosage or type of your medications as needed. Talk with your counselor or therapist about the challenges you face in managing your symptoms and how they impact you at work at home, at work, and in relationships. They may also suggest ways to improve your communication with your family members and partner.
The symptoms of mixed type
Women with mixed type ADHD struggle at school and at work, but they do not exhibit the hyperactive or impulsive behaviors of the other subtypes. They may forget appointments and documents, or lose important documents or pay bills, and have difficulty finishing tasks at home. The symptoms of this type of the disorder could include interrupting others, blurting out answers, or speaking without thinking. Women with this type of the disorder also have problems maintaining friendships and relationships and are often unable to live an independent life.
In a lot of instances, family members friends, teachers, or even family members are the only ones to be able to recognize the apathy symptom of ADHD. This results in girls and young women being underdiagnosed. The gender bias and the tendency of people with ADHD to conceal their symptoms is another reason for underdiagnosis.
Symptoms of this type of ADHD are affected by hormonal fluctuations particularly during puberty and during pregnancy and menopause. At signs of attention deficit disorder in adults decrease, and progesterone levels rise. This makes ADHD symptoms more evident and can cause them to worsen. The symptoms can also vary from day to day, depending on the levels of estrogen and progesterone. This can result in misdiagnosis, and in the wrong or insufficient treatment.
In addition to medication psychotherapy can also be utilized to treat the symptoms of the combined type. This includes cognitive behavior therapy, which can help to change negative thoughts and behavior and psychoeducational counselling. Both are available through local mental health clinics and on the internet.
Engaging in regular physical activity, such as swimming, walking or running can help improve attention and focus. It can also release neurotransmitters to boost brain function and reduce stress or anxiety. Regular breaks, establishing routines throughout the day and employing organizational strategies are other ways to better manage ADHD. A support group can help in learning about lifestyle changes and improving your coping skills. A professional ADHD coach can provide customized, individual guidance for some. Certain people with ADHD benefit from cognitive-behavioral or interpersonal therapy. A therapist can teach the patient to be aware of how their behavior affects others and help them develop communication skills.
Symptoms of Adult Type
Women with ADHD may exhibit symptoms that differ from men. Diagnosing and treating the condition for women can be complicated due to gender role expectations, which makes it difficult for teachers or parents to recognize when a girl has a problem with her attention or hyperactivity. It is also hidden by depression or mental health issues and make it difficult to detect. The symptoms can also change in response to hormones, such as those experienced during the menstrual cycle or during menopausal pregnancy.
Inattentive symptoms are the most frequent for women suffering from ADHD. You tend to forget things, have difficulty remembering details, and get distracted by other people or your thoughts. Your inattention ADHD symptoms can interfere with work, school, marriages and other relationships. You might have difficulty following instructions, paying bills or keeping an eye on appointments. Your family and friends might notice. Your boss or teacher may note that you have trouble finishing tasks on time or having difficulty staying focused in meetings.
If you have the hyperactive/impulsive type of ADHD, your symptoms are more noticeable than inattentive ones. You're constantly in motion, you disrupt other people, speak too loudly or say nonsensical things without thinking about what you're saying. You can't wait for your turn or maintain eye contact. You might be impatient and have mood swings that are difficult for your family and friends to tolerate.
You might have difficulty controlling your emotions, particularly in times of trauma or stress. You may be more prone to react to criticism or even start fights even if the situation isn't a serious one. It could be easier to deal with these feelings by engaging in self destructive behavior such as drug or alcohol abuse, or unhealthy eating patterns.
The appropriate treatment can help women suffering from ADHD improve their lives. You might consider working 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 with a psychiatrist who can assist you in understanding the way your genes or brain activity may impact your ADHD symptoms.