Signs and Symptoms of ADHD in Women
Women with ADHD typically have different social expectations for how they should handle their careers as well as their family and home lives. This can cause you be embarrassed and frustrated if your symptoms cause problems.
Research shows that girls and women are frequently under-diagnosed for ADHD when compared to men and boys. This could be due to the fact that they hide their symptoms or develop strategies to hide them.
1. Inattentiveness
Having trouble paying attention at school or at work is among the most common symptoms of adhd. Women with this condition often forget important meetings, fall behind on projects or get confused when trying to follow instructions. They may also have trouble concentrating in noisy or crowded settings. People who suffer from ADHD can have what is called "thousand-yard stares" and zone out during conversations. These symptoms can lead to difficulties at work or in relationships.
Women and girls are more at risk of developing undiagnosed ADHD as they grow older. They develop strategies to cover up their symptoms and continue to do so until adulthood. They may even begin to see their symptoms as personal characteristics, which could make it more difficult to seek help.
In addition, many teachers do not recommend ADHD assessments for girls as often as they do for males. If a girl's numbness or ADHD is affecting her school performance or social interactions then she should speak to an expert in health.
Inattentive ADHD is a frequent reason for emotional stress. It can be difficult to feel that you aren't being able to meet the standards of your colleagues, friends and family members. It can be a bit upsetting when you feel you are not able to get along with your siblings or children. Some people with ADHD suffer from anxiety and depression that can be exacerbated by their inattention and impulsivity. In addition to seeking help, there are things that you can do to decrease the impact of these symptoms. Regular exercise can help release the neurotransmitters which boost concentration and attention. It also helps reduce mood swings, anxiety, and other symptoms that are common to those suffering from ADHD.
2. Impulsivity
ADHD symptoms can be difficult to manage. You may blurt out things you shouldn't say, buy things on impulse, or be a target for the law due to your behavior. The urge to be impulsive can make it difficult to control your thoughts and emotions. Self-injury could result from burning, cutting or scratching yourself. This could also result in alcohol or drug abuse.
People who are impulsive can face problems with their relationships, their work or school performance. Your doctor can assist you to manage your impulsivity by prescribing medications. Drugs like amphetamine and dextroamphetamine (Adderall, Ritalin) or methylphenidate (Concerta, Daytrana, Methylin) can help you improve your ability to control your impulses. Non-stimulant drugs like clonidine or Guanfacine can also help to better control your impulses.
Women are more likely than men and boys to have a hyperactive/impulsive form of ADHD. This kind of ADHD can be harder to detect, resulting in the wrong diagnosis. additional hints may conceal their symptoms in order to conform to social standards and expectations. This is particularly problematic in adolescence and early adulthood. Women may turn to unhealthy ways of coping that include excessive drinking and substance abuse, to hide their ADHD issues.
Women with high-functioning ADHD might conceal their symptoms by excelling in specific areas of their lives, like school or at work. This could create a false impression that everything is fine and make you feel overwhelmed. Talk to your doctor about the accommodations you can receive at school or work to aid you in managing your ADHD symptoms. This is a great chance to educate your colleagues or professors about the challenges you are facing.
3. Disorganization
If you suffer from ADHD you may be late for appointments or turning up late for work, not remembering dates and becoming oblivious during conversations can lead to frustration and leave others feeling unappreciated or offended. The disorder can also make it difficult to manage your finances manage schedules, keep track of appointments and keep track of tasks. If you aren't able to remember what you'll need for groceries, you may not be able to cook your meals, or spend too much on unnecessary items.
Women suffering from ADHD often have a difficult managing their everyday chores, homework and bills. The condition can also cause disorganized homes, messy workspaces and a tendency to pile up. The "time blindness" that ADHD sufferers have makes it difficult for them to know how long has been passed or how much time they've been working on a particular task. Together with the difficulty of staying focused, issues with time management can cause feelings of guilt and shame about being not organized.
While research has shown that girls and women are more likely to have ADHD than men and boys The symptoms can be concealed and underdiagnosed. Many women don't receive a diagnosis until the age of adulthood and their symptoms become more evident. Social stigma and stereotypes can also hinder women to receive the care and support they need.
Your doctor may prescribe medication to help manage your ADHD symptoms. The stimulants methylphenidate and amphetamine boost and balance neurotransmitters, the brain chemicals that communicate. Antidepressants, as well as atomoxetine that are non-stimulant medicines can also be used to treat ADHD. However they are slower to work than stimulants. Your doctor may refer you to an expert in mental health who will help create a treatment plan that is tailored to your specific needs.
4. Impulsiveness
Women who suffer from ADHD might have a difficult time controlling their emotions, and are often more sensitive to rejection. The chemical imbalance associated with ADHD interferes with communication between brain areas that regulate emotions and interpret how to handle these emotions.
People suffering from ADHD are more prone to moodiness and depression. This, along with a difficulty in managing their obligations, can cause problems with relationships with family and romantic partners. Women who suffer from ADHD are also more likely to be less confident in themselves and may have trouble forming friendships and managing social situations. They might wander off on tangents or have trouble understanding what other people are saying. This can make it hard for them to find a spot within the group.
Women suffering from ADHD might find it difficult to keep themselves motivated to complete routine or boring tasks, such as washing dishes, cleaning, and washing laundry. This can lead them to develop unhealthy coping methods like binge-watching TV shows or consuming substances. These behaviors can be especially risky for young girls as well as adolescents with ADHD, who are more likely to engage in sexually dangerous behavior, such as early beginning of sexual activity, having fewer protected sexual partners and more casual sexual activity than their peers.
As adults, women with ADHD are more likely to go undiagnosed or be misdiagnosed than men because they tend to have inattentive symptoms instead of hyperactivity/impulsivity symptoms. Many women are unable to recognize their ADHD due to the many expectations placed on them by society (managing home and family for example). This can make it difficult for health care professionals to identify a problem, especially because symptoms are more easily identified in boys and men.
5. Hyperactivity
Women with ADHD can find it difficult to manage their daily tasks. They may struggle with managing their time and paying their bills on time and keeping up with school/work requirements. Emotional symptoms, like mood swings and trouble managing emotions, can make it difficult to get along with other people and cause issues in relationships between people.
People suffering from ADHD often have trouble picking up on social cues and reading body language. They may go off on a tangent during conversations or struggle to follow the conversation, causing difficulties with school or work performance as well as strained relationships. They might also have difficulty making new friends or achieving the right balance between their work, home, and social life.
The symptoms of ADHD can vary throughout the day and can be affected hormonally, as during menstruation or pregnancy, or even perimenopausal. This can lead to misdiagnosis, or the wrong type of medications being prescribed.
Although everyone faces different difficulties when dealing with ADHD there are a few common signs and symptoms that can help you recognize the condition for yourself or a loved one. Recognizing these signs is a good first step towards obtaining the help and treatment you require to manage your symptoms effectively.
Being diagnosed with ADHD does not mean that you don't have other mental health or physical conditions, so it's important that your therapist or doctor conducts a thorough examination. They will ask you questions about your past and current behavior, review your medical history, and talk about the impact of your symptoms in various settings.