ADHD Symptoms in Women
Adult women with ADHD have challenges that a lot of don't even realize. Inadequate treatment can cause havoc in work and relationships.
Underdiagnosis is a result of gender bias and the tendency for girls and women to cover up their symptoms. The increased awareness has led to more adults getting the help they require. ADHD symptoms in women are different from those of men, and can be aggravated by hormonal fluctuations during the menstrual cycle, pregnancy, and menopausal.
Inattention Type Signs
Women with inattentive ADHD can have difficulty staying on task, completing tasks and making mistakes. They might also be unable to comprehend or make a mistake. They may struggle with organization and find it difficult to keep on top of their obligations like paying bills and returning phone calls, or sending birthday cards. They may also be unable to remember appointments and may often miss meetings or arrive late to 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. Patients who don't seek help for their symptoms may suffer emotional distress. This can lead to poor relationships, or co-occurring disorders such as anxiety and depression.
The difficulties of living with untreated ADHD can seem overwhelming. For certain people, it can lead to self-blame and unhealthy coping habits, such as excessive alcohol and substance abuse. Others turn to unhealthy habits such as eating less and gaining weight. Teenagers and young girls might self-injure themselves to alleviate their anger at not being able to meet social expectations. This may be done by cutting, burning, or scratching.
Because of these challenges it's no surprise that women suffering from inattentive ADHD are more susceptible to anxiety and depression which can make it more difficult to manage their ADHD symptoms. Women with this type of disorder may also suffer from low self-esteem that makes it hard to acknowledge that the issue is a mental illness, and not their fault.
Girls with inattention ADHD may also have trouble in interpreting social signals, making them appear aloof or oblivious to other people. They may not be able to catch jokes or misread body language and be criticized for being rude or obnoxious. They may also have difficulties with impulse control, which means they could interrupt others or blurt out insulting words.
To help improve their concentration, it is essential for women with inattentive type ADHD to get enough sleep every night and avoid caffeine, nicotine and stimulants. Regular exercise can increase neurotransmitters that can aid 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 lead to clutter in the home and problems paying bills on time. They may also forget about their appointments, or the names and faces of family members or friends. They tend to be bored or distracted easily and have trouble waiting for their turn to speak. They are less likely than males and females to experience 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 common in males and females health professionals may not recognize these symptoms in women and girls or ignore them, blaming them to mood issues or gender stereotypes. ADHD rating scales are also biased towards male behavior, making it harder to identify and assess the symptoms of women.
There are many methods to manage ADHD in an adult woman. This includes taking medication. signs of adhd is finding an experienced therapist and clinician in treating ADHD in girls and women. The type of therapy recommended will depend on the severity of your conditions and lifestyle, but may include cognitive behavioral therapy that helps you validate your experience and reframe negative thinking patterns as well as family psychoeducation or group therapy for support.
For some, a consistent sleep routine, regular exercise and healthy eating can reduce symptoms. For others, stimulant medications like dextroamphetamine/amphetamine (Adderall), methylphenidate (Ritalin) or lisdexamfetamine (Vyvanse) may be required.
Many of the symptoms of ADHD can worsen during menopause as hormone levels drop. During this time you must stay on top of things and keep track of your symptoms and your treatment plan. You can also ask that your doctor adjust the dosage or the type of medication you are taking if needed. Talk with your counselor or therapist about the difficulties you face in managing your symptoms and how they affect you at work, at home, and in relationships. They might also suggest ways to improve communication with other people and your partner.
The symptoms of mixed type
Women with mixed type ADHD often have difficulty in school and work however they do not exhibit the hyperactive or impulsive symptoms of the other subtypes. They may miss appointments and documents, or lose important documents or pay bills and have trouble getting things done at home. This type of disorder can also cause people to interrupt others, talk without thinking, and talk without thinking. Women with this type of the disorder also experience difficulties maintaining relationships and friendships and often have difficulty to live an independent life.
In a lot of cases, family or friends are the only ones to be able to recognize the inattentive symptom of ADHD. This leads to girls and young women not being diagnosed. A bias towards gender and the tendency of those with ADHD to hide their symptoms are also contributing factors to underdiagnosis.
The symptoms of this type are affected by hormonal fluctuations, especially during pregnancy, puberty and menopausal. In these instances estrogen levels decrease and progesterone levels rise. This combination accentuates ADHD symptoms. Additionally, the symptoms tend to vary day-to-day, depending on the levels of progesterone and estrogen. This could lead to a wrong diagnosis as well as inadequate or ineffective treatment.
In addition to medications psychotherapy can also be utilized to treat the symptoms of the mixed type. This includes cognitive behavior therapy, which can help to change negative thoughts and behavior and psychoeducational counseling. Both are accessible via the internet as well as through local mental clinics.
Regular physical activity, such as running, walking or swimming can increase focus and concentration. It can also release neurotransmitters that boost brain function and decrease anxiety or stress which are common among people with ADHD. Taking regular breaks, creating routines throughout the day and employing strategies for organizing are some other methods to manage ADHD. Support groups can be helpful in learning about changes in lifestyles and coping strategies. For certain people, a professional ADHD coach is a great option for individual, personalized guidance. Some people with this condition also benefit from cognitive behavioral or interpersonal therapy. A therapist can help a person recognize their behavior and how it impacts other people. They can also improve their communication skills.
Signs of an adult type
Women with ADHD are likely to suffer from different symptoms than males. The process of diagnosing and treating the condition in women is a challenge due to gender role expectations, which can make it difficult for parents or teachers to recognize when the girl is struggling with her attention or hyperactivity. The disorder can also be masked by depression or other mental health problems, which makes it less obvious to people around you. The symptoms can also fluctuate in response to hormone levels. For instance, during menstruation or pregnancy and menopause.
Women with ADHD are more likely to be affected by inattention. You lose things, have trouble remembering details, and be distracted by what other people are doing or by your thoughts. Your inattentive ADHD can impact your schoolwork, work, marriages, and other relationships. You may have trouble following instructions, paying bills or keeping the track of appointments. Your family and friends may be aware. Your boss or teacher may be concerned that you aren't finishing tasks on time or having difficulty staying focused during meetings.
If you have the hyperactive/impulsive type of ADHD, your symptoms are more noticeable than inattentive ones. You are restless, always moving around and interrupt others, talk too much or make comments that aren't logical without thinking. You are unable to wait for your turn and struggle to maintain eye contact with other people. You're impatient and frequently suffer from mood swings, which can be hard for your close family members and friends to bear.
You might have difficulty controlling your emotions, particularly during times of trauma or stress. You may react strongly to criticism or be more prone to start fights, even if the situation isn't particularly serious. It could be easier for you to cope with these emotions by engaging in self-destructive behavior such as drug or alcohol abuse or unhealthy eating habits.
The right treatment can help women suffering from ADHD improve their lives. You might consider working with a life-management coach or finding an online ADHD support group. You can also seek help from a professional counselor with expertise in treating women suffering from this disorder. You might want to talk with a psychiatrist, who can assist you in understanding how your genes and brain activity could affect your ADHD symptoms.