ADHD Symptoms in Women
Adult women with ADHD have their own unique problems. Untreated symptoms can cause havoc in the workplace and in relationships.
Underdiagnosis is the result of gender discrimination and the tendency for women and girls to hide their symptoms. The growing awareness has led to more adults receiving the care they need. ADHD symptoms for women differ from those experienced by men. They can be worsened by hormonal fluctuations during the menstrual period as well as pregnancy and menopausal.
Inattentive Type Signs
Women with inattentive ADHD may have trouble staying on task and completing tasks, usually making careless mistakes or misunderstand instructions. They may struggle with organization and find it difficult to keep track of their obligations, including paying bills or returning phone calls, as well as sending birthday cards. They could also forget appointments and are often late for social or work-related events or show up late for meetings.
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. Patients who don't seek help for their symptoms may experience emotional anxiety. This could lead to a breakdown in relationships or co-occurring disorders, such as anxiety and depression.
In the end, the problems of living with untreated ADHD can feel overwhelming. For some, it leads to self-blame and unhealthy coping behaviors, such as excessive alcohol and drug abuse. Others resort to unhealthy habits like eating too much and dieting. Some young girls and teenagers might self-injure themselves to alleviate their anger at not being able to meet their social expectations. This may take the form of cutting or burning.
Because of these difficulties, it's not surprising that women who suffer from inattentive type ADHD are more susceptible to anxiety and depression, which can make it even harder to manage their ADHD symptoms. They may also suffer from low self-esteem that makes it hard to acknowledge that the issue is a mental illness and not the result of their own fault.
Girls with inattention ADHD may also have trouble interpreting social signals. This could cause them to appear aloof and oblivious. They may not be able to catch jokes, misread body language, and even be criticised for being rude or offensive. They may also be struggling with impulse control, which means they might interrupt others or blurt out offensive words.
Women with inattentive ADHD need to get enough rest every night and avoid caffeine and stimulants to boost their concentration. Exercise regularly can help increase neurotransmitters, which may help with concentration.
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 result in a messy house and to difficulties in paying bills on time. They may also forget their appointments or the names and faces of their family members and friends. They tend to be easily distracted or bored and have trouble waiting for their turn to speak. They are less likely than males and females to exhibit internalizing symptoms, such as depression or anxiety.
It can be harder to identify and diagnose hyperactive/impulsive ADHD in women than in boys or men. Because these symptoms are more prevalent for both genders healthcare professionals might not be able to spot these symptoms in women and girls or may ignore them, putting them down to gender stereotypes or mood issues. ADHD rating scales also tend to be skewed toward male behavior, making these symptoms more difficult to measure and identify in women.
There are symptoms of adhd of methods to manage ADHD in a woman of adulthood. This includes taking medication. Finding a clinician or therapist who is skilled in treating ADHD for women and girls is essential. The type of therapy suggested will depend on the severity of your symptoms and your lifestyle however, it could include cognitive behavioral therapy to help validate your experience and reframe negative thinking patterns, family psychoeducation, or group therapy for support.
For some, a sleep routine, regular exercise and a balanced diet can ease symptoms. For others, stimulant medications like dextroamphetamine/amphetamine (Adderall), methylphenidate (Ritalin) or lisdexamfetamine (Vyvanse) may be required.
When menopausal hormone levels drop, many symptoms of ADHD get worse. During this time, try to stay on top of your health and schedule doctor's appointments, keep track of your symptoms, and follow your treatment plan closely. You can also seek advice from your health care professional to alter the dosage or type of your medications as required. Talk to your therapist regarding the difficulties you face managing your symptoms, and how they affect your daily life at home, work, and in your relationships. They may also suggest ways to improve communication with others and your partner.
Symptoms of Mixed Type
Women with mixed type ADHD often experience difficulties at working and at school but they don't have the hyperactive or impulsive symptoms of the other subtypes. They might miss appointments or documents, fail to pay bills, and have difficulty working through home chores. The symptoms of this type of the disorder may also include interrupting others, blurting out answers, and speaking without thinking. Women with this presentation of the disorder also experience difficulties maintaining relationships and friendships and often have difficulty to live an independent life.
In a lot of instances, family members friends, teachers, or even family members are only able to notice the inattentive symptom of ADHD. This results in girls and young women being overlooked. The underdiagnosis is also caused by gender bias and the tendency for people with ADHD symptoms to hide them.
The symptoms of this kind are influenced by hormonal fluctuations, especially during puberty, pregnancy and menopausal. During these times estrogen levels decrease and progesterone increases. This combination makes ADHD symptoms more apparent and exacerbates them. Moreover, the symptoms tend to change from day to day, depending on the levels of progesterone and estrogen. This can result in misdiagnosis, and in the wrong or inadequate treatment.
Psychotherapy can be used in conjunction with medications to treat symptoms of the combination type. This includes cognitive therapy for behavior, which aids people change their negative thoughts and behaviors, and psychoeducational counseling. Both are accessible online and through local mental clinics.
Regular physical activity, such as swimming, walking or running can help improve attention and focus. It can also release neurotransmitters that boost the brain and help reduce anxiety or stress. Regular breaks, creating routines throughout the day and employing strategies for organizing are some other methods to help manage ADHD. Support groups can be extremely helpful in learning about changes in lifestyles and coping strategies. For some professionals, an ADHD coach is an excellent option for individual, personalized guidance. Some people with this disorder benefit from cognitive behavior or interpersonal therapy. A therapist can help the person to become aware of how their behavior impacts others and help them develop their communication skills.
Signs of an adult type
Women suffering from ADHD might have symptoms that differ from those of men. The gender roles of women can make it difficult for parents and teachers to identify the condition. The disorder may also be masked by depression or other mental health issues and makes it less evident to people who are around you. The symptoms can also change with hormone levels, like those that occur during menstrual cycles or during menopausal pregnancy.
Women with ADHD are most likely to experience inattentive symptoms. You are prone to losing things, having trouble remembering details, and be distracted by what other people are doing or your thoughts. Your inattentive ADHD could affect your schoolwork, work, marriages, and other relationships. You might have difficulty paying bills, following directions or keeping track of appointments. Your family and friends might notice. Your teacher or boss may notice that you are having difficulty staying focused during meetings or completing assignments in the time frame required.
If you have the hyperactive/impulsive type of ADHD, your symptoms are more noticeable than inattentive ones. You're always in motion, you disrupt other people, speak too loudly or use a lot of nonsense words without thinking about what you're saying. You struggle to wait for your turn, and you struggle to keep eye contact with other people. You can be impatient and have mood swings that can be difficult for your family and friends to bear.
You may find it difficult to control your emotions, especially when you're dealing with stress and trauma. You may react more strongly to criticism or start fights even if the situation is not serious. It could be easier for you to cope with these feelings by engaging in self-destructive behaviors such as drug and alcohol addiction or unhealthy eating habits.
Women who are diagnosed with ADHD are able to improve their lives with the right treatment. Think about working with a life coach or joining an online ADHD support group. You could also seek professional counseling from a professional who has treated women with this disorder. You may want to speak to a psychiatrist, who can assist you in understanding how your genes and brain activity may impact your ADHD symptoms.