15 Shocking Facts About ADHD Symptoms In Women That You've Never Heard Of
ADHD Symptoms in Women
Adult women with ADHD face unique challenges. If not treated, the symptoms can cause havoc on relationships and work life.
The reason for this is gender discrimination and the tendency for girls and women to cover up their symptoms. The increased awareness has led to more people receiving the care they need. ADHD symptoms for women differ from those experienced by men and can be exacerbated by hormonal fluctuations during the menstrual cycle, pregnancy and menopausal.
add symptoms in adults of Inattentive Type
Women with inattentive ADHD may have trouble keeping on track performing tasks and making mistakes. They may also misunderstand or make careless errors. They may struggle to keep the track of their obligations, like paying bills, returning calls, or even sending birthday cards. They also struggle to remember appointments and often miss meetings or be late for 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 can experience emotional distress. This can result in poor relationships or co-occurring disorders such as anxiety and depression.
In the end, the challenges of living with untreated ADHD can be overwhelming. For certain people, it can lead to self-blame and unhealthy coping habits, such as excessive alcohol and substance abuse. Some people fall into unhealthy behaviors, like eating too much or losing weight. Some young girls and teenagers might self-injure themselves to alleviate their frustration at not being able meet social expectations. This may be done by cutting or burning.
It's not a surprise that women who have inattentive ADHD are more likely to suffer from anxiety and depression. This can make it harder to manage ADHD symptoms. They may also suffer from low self-esteem which makes it hard to realize that the problem is a mental illness and not their fault.
Girls with inattentive ADHD might also have difficulty understanding social signals. This can make them appear aloof and oblivious. They may not be able to catch jokes, misread body language, and be criticized as being rude or inconsiderate. They might also have issues with impulse control, which means they might disrupt others or utter insulting phrases.
Women with inattention ADHD need to get enough rest each night and avoid stimulants and caffeine to help improve their concentration. Regular exercise can increase neurotransmitters, which can help in focusing.
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 might also forget their appointments or the names and faces of family members and friends. They tend to be easily distracted or bored and struggle to wait for their turn in a conversation. 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 care professionals might not be able to spot these symptoms in women and girls or ignore these symptoms, putting them down to gender stereotypes or mood issues. ADHD rating scales are also skewed toward male behavior, which makes it harder to identify and measure the symptoms of women.
The good news is that there are methods to manage ADHD as a mature woman as well as taking medication. The key is finding a therapist and a doctor who are experienced in treating ADHD for women and girls. The type of treatment recommended will depend on the symptoms and lifestyle. It could include cognitive behavioral therapies to validate your experience and help change negative thinking patterns and family psychoeducation, or even support group work.
Some people can lessen their symptoms by adhering to an established schedule of sleep and exercising regularly, as well as eating a balanced diet. For others, stimulant medications like dextroamphetamine/amphetamine (Adderall), methylphenidate (Ritalin) or lisdexamfetamine (Vyvanse) may be required.
Menopausal hormone levels decrease, many symptoms of ADHD worsen. During this period you must be on top of things and keep track of your symptoms and your treatment plan. You may also request to have your doctor modify the dosage or the type of medication you are taking as needed. Speak to your therapist about the issues you have with managing your symptoms, and how they impact you at work, home and in your relationships. They may also suggest ways to improve your communication with other people and your partner.
Mixed Type Symptoms
Women who suffer from mixed type ADHD have issues at school and at work, however they do not show the hyperactive or impulsive behaviors of the other subtypes. They might forget appointments and documents, or lose important documents or pay bills, and have difficulty getting things done at home. This form of the disorder can also cause people to interrupt others, talk without thinking and speak without thinking. add symptoms in adults who suffer from this type of the disorder also experience difficulty maintaining relationships and friendships and may find it difficult to be self-sufficient.
In many cases, family, friends, or teachers are the only ones who can notice the inattentive symptom of ADHD. This means that young women and girls suffering from this disorder are often not diagnosed. A bias towards gender and the tendency of people with ADHD to conceal their symptoms are also contributing factors to underdiagnosis.
The symptoms of this type are affected by hormonal changes, particularly during puberty, pregnancy and menopause. At these times estrogen levels decrease, and progesterone levels rise. This makes ADHD symptoms more evident and makes them worse. The symptoms may also differ from day to day, depending on the levels of estrogen and progesterone. This could lead to a wrong diagnosis or inadequate treatment.
Psychotherapy can be used in conjunction with medications to treat symptoms of the mixed type. This includes cognitive behavior therapy, which assists change negative thoughts and behaviors and psychoeducational counselling. Both are available on the internet and in local mental clinics.
Regular physical activity such as walking, running or swimming can help improve concentration and focus. symptoms of adhd in adults helps release neurotransmitters that boost brain function and decrease anxiety or stress that are common among those suffering from ADHD. Other methods to manage ADHD include taking breaks on a regular basis, establishing daily routines, and using methods for organizing. Support groups can be useful in gaining knowledge about lifestyle changes and strategies for coping. For those who are suffering from the condition, a professional ADHD coach is a great option for individual, individualized guidance. Certain people suffering from this condition also benefit from cognitive or interpersonal therapy. A therapist can assist the patient to become aware of their behavior and how it impacts other people. They can also improve their communication skills.
Symptoms of Adult Type
Women with ADHD may have symptoms that are different from men. The process of diagnosing and treating the condition for women can be complicated due to gender roles, which can make it difficult for teachers or parents to determine if the girl is struggling with her attention or hyperactivity. The condition can also be masked by depression or other mental health issues that make it less apparent to others who are around you. The symptoms can also change depending on hormone levels. For example when you are pregnant or going through menstruation and menopause.
Attention deficit symptoms are the most frequent for women suffering from ADHD. You are prone to losing things, having trouble remembering details, and get distracted by what your friends are doing or by your thoughts. Your inattentive ADHD can impact your work, school as well as marriages and other relationships. Your family and friends could notice that you have difficulty adhering to instructions and keeping track of appointments, or paying bills. Your teacher or boss may observe that you are having trouble getting tasks completed on time or have difficulty staying focused during meetings.
If you have the hyperactive/impulsive type of ADHD, your symptoms are more noticeable than inattentive ones. You're constantly at a loss for time, interrupt others, talk too much or make up nonsense without considering what you're saying. You can't wait for your turn, or maintain eye contact. You are irritable and frequently have mood swings, which can be difficult for your closest family and friends to accept.
It may be difficult to control your emotions, particularly when you're dealing with stress and trauma. You might react too strongly to criticism or be more prone to start fights, even when the situation isn't that serious. It may be easier to deal with these emotions by engaging in self-destructive behaviors such as drug and alcohol abuse or unhealthy eating habits.
The best 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 may also seek advice from a professional counselor who has expertise in treating women suffering from this disorder. You may want to talk with a psychiatrist who can help you better understand how your genetics or brain activity could impact your ADHD symptoms.