AdHD Symptoms in Women
Women with ADHD are often challenged to meet many societal expectations. This includes caring for others as well as balancing work and family life, and managing relationships.
Female ADHD symptoms are more likely to be inattentive-type symptoms than hyperactive/impulsive symptoms. A bias based on gender can cause health professionals to misdiagnose or fail to recognize ADHD symptoms for girls and women.
1. Lack of Focus
Concentration issues are one of the most prevalent symptoms of adhd in women. It's a problem that can show up in many different ways, from not remembering appointments or not being able to complete tasks at work, or snoring during conversations, making people feel unimportant. It's also a frequent sign that makes it hard for women to manage their finances. It's often the reason why they do not get jobs or financial opportunities.
Women may be more adept at masked ADHD symptoms than others and this makes it harder for them as adults to get diagnosed and treated. Researchers don't know why, but they think it may be due to gender roles and the expectation of girls and women to be more "restrained." Masking ADHD can lead to poor performance at work or at school, and hinder them from seeking support and help.
In addition, a lack of focus could be mistaken for other conditions such as depression or anxiety. For instance, depression could affect your concentration by making you forgetful and irritable. People with generalized anxiety disorder usually have difficulties focusing because they are more likely to be overwhelmed by their thoughts and feelings.
The best way to improve your ability to concentrate is to control your ADHD symptoms by seeking treatment. This means seeking out a therapist or a clinician who has experience working with ADHD both in women and girls. It's also an excellent idea to find out about accommodations that you can request your employer or school for like flexible hours or working from home. Good sleep hygiene will also aid you in having more restful nights, and to be more focused throughout the day. This means going to bed each night at the same time, listening to relaxing music or audiobooks, and limiting the time you spend on your computer.
2. Impulsivity
Women with ADHD typically exhibit impulsivity symptoms. They may be prone to interrupting others or switching topics during a conversation, taking quick decisions without thinking and taking risks that aren't the best for their interests. They may also have difficulty understanding body language or social cues. The symptoms of impulsivity can get worse during perimenopausal, the period before menopause - and when hormone levels begin to drop.
Girls and women with ADHD are more likely to have inattentive-type symptoms, which can be harder to notice than hyperactive/impulsive symptoms. This could result in health professionals not recognizing ADHD in girls and women, misdiagnosing them, or dismissing their symptoms as a mood or anxiety problem. Gender bias may be a factor, because research on ADHD is mostly focused on males and females.
Teachers and parents might notice impulsive behavior in children suffering from ADHD. It's not uncommon for children to be irritable or impatient at times. These behaviors can improve as children age and begin to manage their symptoms.
In adults, impulsive and distractible symptoms of adhd can negatively impact school, work, and relationships. They can lead to procrastination and inattention, as well as problems keeping commitments. They can also make finding and keeping a job difficult and interfere with healthy eating habits.
Treatment for adults with ADHD usually involves medication. Your doctor may suggest a combination treatment depending on your lifestyle, symptoms, and any other health conditions. Psychotherapy may also be recommended which includes cognitive behavioral therapy to help you identify and change negative thoughts patterns and couples counseling if your relationship has been affected by your ADHD, or family therapy. Exercise can help calm your brain and help reduce symptoms. It can also assist you in staying focused. This is especially important for impulsivity and distraction. Try activities such as yoga, dancing and group exercises, such as running and swimming.
3. Anxiety
Anxiety disorders can lead to a variety of physical symptoms. Palpitations, headaches, dizziness and sweating are some of the symptoms. These symptoms can make someone believe they are suffering from an attack or that the world is about to end. People who experience anxiety are often misdiagnosed as having a heart issue due to these physical signs. This can result in a long odyssey of medical treatment that does not address the root cause. Fortunately, many anxiety disorders respond well to psychotherapy by itself or in conjunction with medication. Cognitive behavioral therapy, in particular, can help a person to develop new ways of thinking and reacting to situations that may reduce anxiety.
Unlike men and boys, who are more likely to have hyperactive/impulsive ADHD, women are more likely to have the inattentive subtype of the disorder. Women are also more likely to have mixed subtypes. Women should talk to their doctor about their ADHD symptoms with their doctor and will ask them detailed questions regarding the disorder.
Women with ADHD may have difficulty obtaining an accurate diagnosis as many of the diagnostic tools used for the disorder are biased towards male behavior. Women can also conceal their symptoms to fit with the rest of society. They can be misdiagnosed and their ADHD treatment may be delayed. A trained professional, such as a psychiatrist, psychologist or advanced registered nurses may be able to diagnose ADHD. The doctor will take an in-depth history, a physical examination and the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Health Disorders to be able to evaluate a patient's symptoms and determine if any other medical conditions might be contributing to the symptoms.
4. Disorganization
Women suffering from ADHD can experience disorganization. This is a constant problem that can cause disruptions in work and schoolwork emotional stress, strain relationships, and financial issues. Disorganization is often characterized by a lack of organizational skills for example, not paying bills on time or keep appointments, and difficulties in making decisions. Most often, the disorder is linked to other issues, such as anxiety, traumatizing a life event, or depression and can be difficult to treat.
Women who suffer from ADHD are able to perform at a high degree and their symptoms don't significantly impact their daily lives or relationships. This condition is known as "high-functioning ADHD." However, this doesn't mean that they don't suffer from the usual symptoms. They may experience forgetfulness, trouble concentration, or paying attention to the smallest of details.
Many people experience disorganization on a daily basis. They might spend their time looking for lost objects or delaying important tasks. It can also result in low productivity and stressed relationships. It can also trigger various health issues, such as anxiety or sleep disorders.
Hormone fluctuations can further aggravate the disorganization of women with ADHD. women and adhd are lower during ovulation and in the middle of menstrual cycles, while progesterone levels are higher, and these fluctuations can cause ADHD symptoms worse.
Although biological differences between genders may play a part, it's also possible that some of the disorganization and impulsivity associated with ADHD in women is due to social "norms." Girls and young women may be conditioned to be quiet and reserved, which can lead to them to conceal or minimize their ADHD symptoms.
5. Attention
Women are more likely than men to conceal their attention issues, which can cause them to be misdiagnosed and receive delayed treatment. They may even think they're better at time management and concentration than they are. In reality, they're more likely to lose things or forget appointments, pay bills on time and struggle with a lack of organization at work and home.
Women with ADHD are more prone to develop the inattentive type of the disorder. They're less likely to have the hyperactive/impulsive or mixed symptoms, which must be present in at least two settings for six months to qualify as an ADHD diagnosis. They may also have issues speaking to themselves or make nonsensical noises or phrases. However, they are less likely to suffer from these symptoms than men.
The first treatment is medication. option for a lot of adults suffering from ADHD. Stimulants such as methylphenidate and amphetamine are frequently prescribed, however nonstimulant medications that target the way neurotransmitters interact with your brain could also be effective. These include atomoxetine, guanfacine and the guanfacine.
Women suffering from ADHD might also benefit from cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). These therapies can help you identify thoughts that are irrational or automatic and help you learn healthy ways to self regulate your mood and behavior. A healthy diet and exercise, in addition to medication can help you manage ADHD symptoms like anxiety, impulsivity, and distractibility. Try activities such as dancing, yoga, group classes like swimming or aerobics, as well as biking to boost energy levels. Make sure you get 4 to 5 sessions of exercise each week of approximately 30 minutes per session. Be sure to take a variety of fresh vegetables whole grains, healthy fats, and protein to help boost your concentration and mood.