Signs and Symptoms of ADHD in Women
Women suffering from ADHD are often subjected to different expectations from society on how they should manage family, careers and home life. This can lead you to feel frustrated and ashamed if your symptoms get in the way.
Research has shown that women and girls are often under-diagnosed for ADHD as compared to boys and men. This could be due to the fact that they conceal their symptoms or use strategies to cope with their symptoms, such as:
1. Inattentiveness
One of the most prevalent signs of adhd is difficulty paying attention in the classroom or at work. Women with adhd often forget important meetings or projects or are misled by the instructions. They may also have difficulty concentrating in noisy or crowded environments. Some people with ADHD may exhibit what's known as "thousand-yard stares" and zone out during conversations. These symptoms can lead to problems at work or with relationships.
Girls and women are at greater risk of developing undiagnosed ADHD as they age. They often develop coping mechanisms that mask their symptoms and continue to utilize these methods of coping throughout their adulthood. They may even begin to consider their symptoms individual characteristics, which can make them less likely to seek help.
blog of teachers do not recommend ADHD assessments as often for girls as they do for males. If a girl's numbness or ADHD is affecting her school performance or social interactions she should talk to a medical professional.
Inattention ADHD is a typical cause of emotional stress. It can be a frustrating experience when you feel you're not able to meet the expectations of friends, family members and co-workers. It can be difficult to feel like you're unable to get along well with your siblings or kids. Inattention and impulsivity can cause depression and anxiety in some people with ADHD. In addition to seeking assistance, there are things that you can do to decrease the impact of these symptoms. Regular exercise can help release neurotransmitters that improve concentration and focus. It can also reduce anxiety and mood swings which are common among people with ADHD.
2. Impulsivity
ADHD symptoms can be difficult to manage. You may utter things you shouldn't, buy something on impulse or get into trouble with the law due to your behavior. In addition, it can be hard to control your emotions and feelings. Self-injury could result in self-injury, including cutting, burning, or scratching oneself. This can also result in alcohol or drug dependence.
People who are impulsive often have issues with relationships and work or school performance. blog can help manage your impulsivity with prescription medications. Medications like amphetamine and dextroamphetamine (Adderall Ritalin, Adderall) or methylphenidate (Concerta, Daytrana, Methylin) can help you improve your impulse control. Non-stimulant drugs such as clonidine and Guanfacine can also enhance your ability to control yourself.
Women are more likely than men and boys to have a hyperactive/impulsive form of ADHD. This type of ADHD can be harder to detect, resulting in a misdiagnosis. Women may hide their symptoms to comply with social expectations and norms. This can be particularly problematic in adolescence and early adulthood. Some women use unhealthy ways of coping like excessive drinking and drug abuse, to cover up their ADHD problems.
Women who have high-functioning ADHD can conceal their symptoms by excelling in certain areas of their lives, such as school or work. This could give you a false sense that everything is in order and cause you to feel overwhelmed. Consult your doctor about the accommodations you can receive at school or work to help you manage your ADHD symptoms. This is an excellent way to increase awareness among your colleagues or professors of the challenges you might face.
3. Disorganization
If you have ADHD and you are unable to keep appointments or showing up late for work, forgetting dates and becoming oblivious during conversations can lead to frustration and make others feel at a loss or offended. The condition can make it difficult to stay on top of tasks and manage your finances and schedules. For instance, if have trouble remembering what you need to buy for groceries, you may miss out on meals or overspend on unnecessary items.
Women with ADHD often have a difficult managing their the daily chores, homework assignments and even paying bills. The disorder may also contribute to disorganized workspaces, messy homes and a tendency to hoard. People suffering from ADHD are affected by a phenomenon called "time blindness," which makes it hard to see the amount of time that has passed and how long you've been working on a task. Problems with time management can lead to feelings of guilt or shame when combined with the difficulty of staying organized.
While research suggests that girls and women are more likely to have ADHD than boys and men, symptoms can be masked and undiagnosed. Women are often not diagnosed until they reach the age of adulthood when their symptoms become more evident. Social stigma and stereotypes can hinder women to receive the treatment and support they require.
Your doctor may prescribe medication to help manage your ADHD symptoms. stimulants like methylphenidate and amphetamine can increase and regulate levels of neurotransmitters, which are the brain chemicals which communicate with one another. Antidepressants, as well as atomoxetine that are non-stimulant medicines can also be used to treat ADHD. However they perform more slowly than stimulants. Your doctor might refer you to a specialist in mental health who will assist in developing a treatment program specific to your needs.
4. Impulsiveness
Women suffering from ADHD are more likely to struggle with controlling their emotions and are more prone to rejection. The chemical imbalance associated with ADHD affects the communication between brain regions that regulate emotions, and also interpret how to deal with them.
Depression and moodiness are typical for those with ADHD and the combination of these with difficulties in managing obligations can cause problems with family and romantic relationships. Women with ADHD also tend to have lower self-esteem and may have difficulty forming friendships and navigating social situations. They can go off on tangents or struggle to comprehend what other people are saying. This can make it hard for them to find a spot within the group.
When it comes to managing their daily tasks, women with ADHD may have trouble finding motivation to complete boring or mundane tasks, such as dishes, laundry, or cleaning. This can result in unhealthy coping strategies like binge-watching TV shows or using substances. These habits can be particularly risky for girls in their teens and teens with ADHD who are more likely to engage in sexually dangerous behavior, such as early beginning of sexual activities, fewer protected sex partners, and more casual sex 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. Additionally, many women hide their ADHD symptoms due to the multitude of expectations society places on them (managing the family and home, for example). This can make it difficult for health care professionals to identify a problem, especially because the symptoms are more easily identified for men and boys.
5. Hyperactivity
For women with ADHD, everyday tasks can be overwhelming. They may have difficulty managing their lives and paying their bills on time and keeping up with work and school obligations. In addition, emotional symptoms such as mood swings and difficulties regulating their emotions, can make it hard to get along with others and cause problems in relationships between people.
People with ADHD have difficulty reading social cues or body language. They may wander off on a tangent in conversations or struggle to follow the thread of a conversation, leading to issues with school or work performance and tension in relationships. They can also have trouble making new friends or achieving the right balance between their work, home and social life.
The symptoms of ADHD are able to change throughout the day and can be affected hormonally like during menstrual cycles and pregnancy, or during perimenopausal perimenopausal cycles. This can lead either to an incorrect diagnosis or the wrong medication being prescribed.
There are certain symptoms and signs that are common to ADHD that can aid you or a loved one recognize the condition. It is important to recognize these signs in order to get the treatment and help you require to manage your symptoms effectively.
Having ADHD does not mean that you don't have other physical or mental health issues It's crucial that your doctor or therapist performs a thorough evaluation. They'll need to inquire about your past and present behaviors and experiences, review any medical history, and talk with you about how your symptoms impact your life in a variety of settings.