ADHD Symptoms in Women Adults
Women who have ADHD typically experience a range of symptoms that can affect their daily functioning at school, home or at work, as well as in relationships. Treatments for ADHD include psychotherapy and medication with an experienced mental health professional who is skilled in treating adults with ADHD.
The symptoms of ADHD may be worsened due to hormonal changes that occur during menstrual cycles, pregnancy, perimenopause or menopause.
Lack of Focus
Women suffering from ADHD often find that they are unable to concentrate and feel like their concentration is falling. They may lose the track of time, forget appointments or other obligations, and struggle with poor performance at work. They are also more likely to suffer from co-occurring disorders, such as anxiety or depression and experience issues with relationships that can cause violence between intimate partners.
In adolescence, hormone fluctuations make it more difficult for girls suffering from ADHD to focus. This is because estrogen levels drop during ovulation, and goes down even more near the start of menstrual cycle. These fluctuations, when combined with progesterone which is found in the brains of adolescents can cause symptoms to become more apparent. These fluctuations can also increase the chance of being misdiagnosed as being caused by anxiety or a mental disorder and being treated in a way that is not correct.
Girls with ADHD are more likely to have the inattentive subtype of the condition, rather than the hyperactive/impulsive or mixed subtypes. add and adhd in women makes it more difficult to diagnose them as they get older because adults are less likely to notice the same issues with behavior that parents or teachers might detect in children suffering from ADHD. Girls who suffer from ADHD are also better at hiding their symptoms and relying on tools to cope. This can create a false sense of competence, as well as a deep self-doubt that could affect financial and career success.
The impulsivity that is associated with ADHD in girls and women can also cause them to be more sexually active than their peers, and at an earlier age. This can lead to a negative relationship and an increased likelihood of being forced to engage in inappropriate sexual activities, or being a victim of sexual assault. It can also lead to disordered eating and may increase the risk of alcohol or substance abuse.
Regular physical activity can improve concentration and release neurotransmitters that increase alertness and working memory. It can also help reduce stress and improve sleep as well, which are typical issues for those suffering from ADHD. Try taking a walk, yoga, swimming or playing a sport.
Disorganization
Women with ADHD are often affected by clutter and disorganization. Your work and home can be chaotic and messy, even if you are busy cleaning or attempting to organize. Late bills, missed appointments and misplaced papers can affect your work and personal relationships. You may also suffer from health issues if your don't eat right or miss doctor appointments, or fail to follow the instructions for your medication.
It's challenging to maintain your typical level of organization when you have ADHD because the symptoms flare up when you are confronted with specific pressures. Your desk could be a jumbled muddle of receipts, 17 chapsticks, and a ticket stub from the Kings of Leon concert you went to in 2008. Your shopping cart could be overflowing with items you don't use. Your purse could be filled with a random collection of things like a pair of scissors keys, a pen, keys paper, or a spare set headphones.
Inattentive ADHD symptoms are the most common type of the disorder and include difficulty paying attention or following instructions at school, work or in social settings. You might easily lose your keys or forget to make appointments or be overly lenient with others because you aren't aware of how much trouble they're in. You may feel overwhelmed at school or work and may not fit in with your colleagues.
Many girls and women aren't diagnosed with ADHD because their symptoms do not match the stereotype of hyperactivity in boys and men. Women and girls often exhibit hyperactive or inattention symptoms which can make it difficult to diagnose. A gender bias may hinder health professionals from evaluating ADHD to be the cause of their behavior.
If your disorganization and clutter are the result of stress, you should try to minimize these factors to lessen your frustration levels. Meditation and mindfulness exercises can help you control your impulsivity, manage your emotions, and remain in the present moment. A healthy diet may help you manage your symptoms. Avoiding foods high in sugar, fat and chemicals can help you feel more calm and focused.
Making decisions can be a challenge
Women who suffer from ADHD often struggle with difficulty making decisions because they are easily distracted. This can lead to issues both in their professional and personal lives. They may have trouble following the plan or failing to keep up with appointments and bills. Their lack of attention ADHD can make them more likely than other people to misplace things or lose them, which can lead to a number of problems.
A mood swing and low self-esteem are common signs of ADHD for women. These issues can be exacerbated by hormonal fluctuations, like the ones that occur during menstrual cycle, pregnancy, and menopause. Women with ADHD are also more likely to suffer depression or anxiety, which can be caused by their symptoms or may be independent of them. They are also more likely to experience co-occurring disorders, like eating disorders, tics or fibromyalgia.
Symptoms of ADHD in women are difficult to recognize than symptoms of ADHD in males and males. This is because they are more likely to have inattentive ADHD symptoms and be less prone to hyperactive/impulsive ADHD symptoms, especially in the mixed subtype of the disorder. This can make it difficult to diagnose and cause people to dismiss symptoms as "character problems" or a problem with which they have to deal.
It can be difficult for women to identify their ADHD symptoms, especially if they have had them for a long period of time. They may get so used to their lack of concentration and disorganization that they begin to believe it's normal. This can prevent them seeking a diagnosis and receiving treatment.
For women who are diagnosed with ADHD, the most effective treatment is generally medication. Most commonly prescribed medication is stimulants. These drugs help by increasing the amount of neurotransmitters within the brain. These include the drugs methylphenidate (Ritalin) dextroamphetamine, amphetamine salts (Adderall) and the lisdexamfetamine (Vyvanse). Non-stimulants, like Atomoxetine (Strattera) and viloxazine (Qelbree) or antidepressants like imipramine (Tofranil) desipramine (Norpramin) and nortriptyline (Pamelor), can also aid in controlling ADHD symptoms.
In addition to medication, lifestyle changes can also help improve ADHD symptoms in women. Exercise, for example can improve mood and increase energy levels. It can also improve social skills. Participating in an ADHD support group may be beneficial for some women suffering from ADHD who find it easier to deal with their symptoms around other people.
Anxiety
Women who suffer from ADHD are usually anxious. This is a result of a variety of reasons, such as low self-esteem and difficulties in relationships, and an inability to understand and support from others. It can also be related to difficulties at work like having trouble staying on task or adhering to the rules and regulations of the workplace. Women who suffer from ADHD also have higher rates of depression that is comorbid, which can further increase feelings of self-doubt and anxiety. Additionally, women with ADHD are more likely to develop disordered eating, such as anorexia or bulimia.
Inattentive-type symptoms, which cause you to lose or misplace things, forget important appointments, or have trouble remembering what people tell you, are more common in females with adhd than hyperactive/impulsive ADHD. The people with this subtype of adhd have at least six of the following symptoms lasting for at least six months: struggle to stay focused on your work at home and at school. You are easily distracted by the surroundings or your own thoughts or behavior. You're not able to sit still or keeping your mind focused on a task (you're prone to the thousand-yard stare). You have trouble following instructions or keeping deadlines at work or school. You are forgetful or absentminded in your daily routines like paying bills and keeping track of medications.
More inspiring ideas with ADHD are more successful at masking their symptoms than men, which makes obtaining an accurate diagnosis. Some women hide their inattention by dressing up or using tools that assist them in staying on task. The symptoms can also change due to hormonal changes, particularly estrogen during ovulation and the menstrual cycle.
The diagnosis of adhd may alter the lives of many people suffering from this condition. It can be a great relief when you are aware of your issues. It can also help you accept yourself better. It could also act as a catalyst to make positive lifestyle changes.
Gender refers to the internal perception that an individual has of being male, feminine, nonbinary, or another gender. Sex refers to the person's chromosomal makeup hormones, and anatomy, and is determined by birth.