ADHD Symptoms in Women
Adult women with ADHD have their own unique challenges. Untreated symptoms can cause havoc in relationships and work.
The reason for this is gender discrimination and the tendency for girls and women to conceal their symptoms. But, increasing awareness means more adults are receiving the treatment they require. ADHD symptoms for women differ from men's and can be aggravated by hormone fluctuations throughout the menstrual cycle, pregnancy, and menopausal.
Inattention Type symptoms
Women with inattention ADHD may have trouble staying focused and completing tasks, often making a mistake or failing to understand instructions. They may be unable to keep the track of their obligations, such as paying bills returning calls, or even sending birthday cards. They also have trouble remembering appointments and can often skip meetings or be 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 can experience emotional distress. This could lead to a breakdown in relationships or co-occurring disorders such as depression and anxiety.
The difficulties of living with ADHD that is not addressed can be overwhelming. For some, it leads to self-blame and unhealthy coping behaviors like excessive drinking and drug abuse. Some people turn to unhealthy behaviors, like eating more or dieting. For some girls, especially teens, the frustration of not being capable of meeting social expectations can result in self-injury that is not suicide-related, and could appear as burning, cutting or scratching.
It's no surprise that women with inattention ADHD are more likely to experience anxiety and depression. This can make it more difficult to manage ADHD symptoms. These women may also have low self-esteem which makes it difficult to acknowledge that the issue is a mental illness, and not their fault.
Girls with inattention ADHD may also have trouble interpreting social cues. This can cause them to appear distant and unobservant. They may not be able to catch jokes, miss interpret body language, and be accused of being rude or inconsiderate. Discover More Here might also have issues with impulse control, so they might disrupt others or utter hurtful words.
To improve their concentration, it's essential for women with inattentive type ADHD to get enough sleep each night and stay away from caffeine, nicotine and stimulants. 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 an unorganized home and difficulties paying bills on time. They may also forget their appointments, or the names and faces of family members or friends. They are often easily distracted or bored and have trouble waiting for their turn in a conversation. They are less likely than boys and men to exhibit 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. These symptoms are more common among boys and men. Health care professionals may not pay attention to them in girls or women, or ignore them, blaming them on mood issues or stereotypes. ADHD rating scales are also skewed toward male behavior, making it difficult to recognize and assess these symptoms in women.
There are many ways to manage ADHD in an adult woman. This includes taking medication. The key is finding an experienced therapist and clinician in treating ADHD both in women and girls. The type of therapy you are recommended for will depend on your symptoms and lifestyle however, it could include cognitive behavioral therapy to help you identify your symptoms and change negative patterns of thinking Psychoeducation for the family, or support group work.
Some people can lessen their symptoms by observing a regular sleep schedule, exercising regularly, and eating a healthy diet. For others, stimulant medications like dextroamphetamine/amphetamine (Adderall), methylphenidate (Ritalin) or lisdexamfetamine (Vyvanse) may be required.
Many symptoms of ADHD can become worse during menopausal cycles as hormone levels drop. During this period you must be on top of things and keep the track of your symptoms and your treatment plan. You may also ask your health care provider to alter the dosage or type of your medications as needed. Speak with your therapist about the challenges you face in dealing with your symptoms and how they affect your work, at home and in your relationships. They might also suggest strategies to improve your communication with your partner and with other people in your life.
Symptoms of Mixed Type
Women who have mixed type ADHD often have difficulty in working and at school however they do not exhibit the hyperactive or impulsive symptoms of the other subtypes. They may forget important documents and pay bills, or forget to make appointments. This type of disorder can also cause people to interrupt others, speak without thinking, and speak without thinking. Women with this presentation of the disorder also experience problems maintaining friendships and relationships and often find it difficult to live independently.
In many instances, the inattention symptoms of ADHD are the only symptoms observed by family, friends or teachers. This means that girls and young women with ADHD are not diagnosed. The gender bias and the tendency of people with ADHD to conceal their symptoms also contributes to underdiagnosis.
The symptoms of this kind of ADHD are caused by hormonal changes that occur during puberty, and during pregnancy and menopause. At these times, estrogen levels decrease and progesterone levels increase. This combo can intensify ADHD symptoms. Additionally the symptoms can fluctuate from day to day, based on the levels of progesterone and estrogen. This can lead to misdiagnosis and improper or insufficient treatment.
Psychotherapy can be combined with medications to treat symptoms of the combination type. This includes cognitive behavior therapy, which helps to change negative thoughts and behavior and psychoeducational counselling. Both are accessible via the internet as well as through local mental clinics.
Engaging in regular physical exercise, like walking, swimming or running, can help to improve focus and attention. It can also release neurotransmitters that boost the brain and reduce feelings of stress or anxiety that are common among people suffering from ADHD. Taking regular breaks, establishing daily routines and using organizational strategies are other ways to manage ADHD. Support groups can be extremely useful in gaining knowledge about changes in lifestyle and coping strategies. For those who are suffering from the condition individuals, a professional ADHD coach is a great option for individual, personalized guidance. Certain people with ADHD benefit from cognitive-behavioral or interpersonal therapy. A therapist can help the person to be aware of how their behavior affects others and assist them in developing communication skills.
The signs of an adult type
Women suffering from ADHD may exhibit symptoms that are different from those of men. The process of diagnosing and treating the condition in women is a challenge due to gender roles, which makes it difficult for parents or teachers to determine if girls are having issues with her attention or hyperactivity. The condition can also be masked by depression or other mental health issues and makes it less evident to people around you. The symptoms can also change in accordance with hormone levels, like those during the menstrual cycle or during menopausal and pregnancy.
Women suffering from ADHD are more likely to suffer from inattention symptoms. You are more likely to forget things, have difficulty remembering details, and become distracted by other people or your thoughts. Your lack of attention ADHD can affect your schoolwork, work as well as marriages and other relationships. Your family and friends might be aware that you are having difficulty following directions, keeping track of appointments, or paying bills. Your teacher or boss may note that you have trouble getting tasks completed on time or have difficulty staying focused in meetings.
If you have the hyperactive/impulsive type of ADHD, your symptoms are more noticeable than inattentive ones. You're always on the move and can disturb others, talk too much or make comments that make no sense without thinking. You are unable to wait for your turn, or maintain eye contact. You may be irritable and experience mood swings that are difficult for your family and friends to bear.
It can be difficult to manage your emotions, particularly when you're dealing with stress and trauma. You may react more strongly to criticism or start fights even if the issue isn't serious. It may be easier to deal with these feelings by engaging in self-destructive behavior such as drug or alcohol addiction, or unhealthy eating patterns.
Women diagnosed with ADHD can improve their lives by getting the proper treatment. Think about working with a life coach or joining an online ADHD support group. You can also seek help from a professional counselor with had experience working with 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 can impact your ADHD symptoms.