ADHD Symptoms in Women
Adult women with ADHD face challenges that many don't even realize. Untreated symptoms can cause havoc in work and relationships.
Underdiagnosis is the result of gender bias and the tendency of girls and women to cover up their symptoms. The increase in awareness has led to more adults receiving the care they need. ADHD symptoms for women differ from men's and can be exacerbated by hormone fluctuations throughout the menstrual cycle, pregnancy, and menopause.
Inattention Type symptoms
Women with inattention ADHD might have trouble keeping on track, completing tasks and making mistakes. They may also misunderstand or make careless errors. They may struggle to keep the track of their obligations, such as paying bills, making calls, or sending birthday cards. They might also forget appointments, and frequently miss social or work-related events or show up late for meetings.
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. If they don't seek treatment for their symptoms may experience emotional anxiety. This can result in poor relationships or co-occurring disorders, such as depression and anxiety.
The difficulties of living with ADHD that isn't properly addressed can be overwhelming. For certain people, it can lead to self-blame and unhealthy coping strategies like excessive drinking and substance abuse. Others resort to unhealthy habits like eating too much and dieting. For some girls and teens, the frustration of not being able to meet social expectations can result in self-injury that is not suicide-related, and could appear as burning, cutting or scratching.
Because of these challenges it's no surprise that women who suffer from inattentive type ADHD are more prone to anxiety and depression which can make it even harder to manage their ADHD symptoms. Additionally, these women may have low self-esteem, making it difficult to acknowledge that their problems stem from an illness of the mind rather than being the result of their own blame.
Girls with inattention ADHD may also have difficulties understanding social signals. This can make them appear distant and unobservant. They may not be able to catch jokes, miss interpret body language, and even be accused of being rude or inconsiderate. They may also be struggling with impulse control, so they might interrupt others or blurt out hurtful words.
To increase their focus, it's important for women with inattention type ADHD to get enough rest every night and stay away from caffeine, nicotine and stimulants. They should also try to exercise regularly, which helps raise neurotransmitters that help with concentration and may reduce mood swings.
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 appointments, or the names of family members and friends members. signs of adhd in adults are easily distracted or bored and can't wait to be heard. They are less likely than men and boys 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. These symptoms are more common in both men and boys. Health professionals may not be attentive to the symptoms in women or girls, or ignore them, blaming them on mental health issues or societal stereotypes. ADHD rating scales are also biased towards male behavior, making it difficult to recognize and quantify these symptoms in women.
The good news is that there are ways to manage ADHD as a mature woman, including taking medication. The key is finding a clinician and therapist experienced in treating ADHD both in women and girls. The type of therapy recommended will depend on your conditions and lifestyle however, it could include cognitive behavioral therapy to help you clarify your experience and help you reframe negative patterns of thinking Psychoeducation for the family, or support group work.
Some people can manage their symptoms by adhering to an established schedule of sleep, exercising regularly, and eating a healthy diet. For others, stimulant medications like dextroamphetamine/amphetamine (Adderall), methylphenidate (Ritalin) or lisdexamfetamine (Vyvanse) may be required.
Many of the symptoms of ADHD can become worse during menopausal cycles when hormone levels decrease. During this time, you should stay on top of things and keep the track of your symptoms and your treatment plan. You can also ask that your doctor adjust the dosage or the type of medication you're taking if needed. Talk with your counselor or therapist about the difficulties you encounter in managing your symptoms and how they impact your work, at home, and in relationships. They might also suggest strategies to improve communication with your partner as well as other people in your life.
Symptoms of Mixed Type
Women who suffer from mixed type ADHD have issues at school and at work, however they do not show the impulsive or hyperactive behavior of the other subtypes. They may forget appointments and documents, or lose important documents or pay bills and have trouble getting things done at home. The signs of this form of the disorder may also include interrupting others, blurting out answers, and speaking without thinking. Women who suffer from this type of the disorder also have difficulty maintaining relationships and friendships and are unable to be a self-sufficient person.
In a lot of cases, family friends, teachers, or even family members are the only ones to be able to recognize the inattentive symptom of ADHD. This leads to girls and young women not being diagnosed. This is caused by gender bias and the tendency for people who suffer from ADHD symptoms to conceal their symptoms.
The symptoms of this kind of ADHD are influenced by hormone fluctuations, especially in puberty and during pregnancy and menopause. In these times estrogen levels decrease and progesterone increases. This combination accentuates ADHD symptoms. The symptoms may also differ from day to day, based on the levels of progesterone and estrogen. This could result in misdiagnosis, and in the wrong or inadequate treatment.
Psychotherapy can be combined with medications to treat symptoms of the combination type. This includes cognitive behavioral therapy, which helps people to change their negative behavior and thoughts, as well as psychoeducational counseling. Both are available via the internet as well as through local mental clinics.
Regular physical activity, such as running, swimming, or walking, can help to improve attention and focus. It can also help release neurotransmitters that boost the brain and reduce feelings of stress or anxiety which are common among those suffering from ADHD. Regular breaks, establishing routines for the day and implementing organizational strategies are other ways to better manage ADHD. Support groups can be helpful in learning about changes in lifestyle and coping techniques. For certain people, a professional ADHD coach is a great option for individual, individualized guidance. Certain people with ADHD benefit from cognitive-behavioral or interpersonal therapy. A therapist can assist the patient to be aware of their behavior and how it impacts others. They may also improve their communication skills.
Signs of an adult type
Women with ADHD can suffer from different symptoms than males. The gender roles of women can make it difficult for teachers and parents to diagnose the condition. The disorder can be disguised by depression or other mental health issues and makes it less obvious to people around you. The symptoms can also fluctuate depending on hormone levels. For example when you are pregnant or going through menstruation and menopausal.
Inattentive symptoms are the most common for women suffering from ADHD. You lose things, have difficulty remembering details, and get distracted by what your friends are doing or by your thoughts. Your naive ADHD symptoms can interfere with work, school, marriages and other relationships. You might have difficulty paying bills, following directions or keeping the track of appointments. Your family and friends might notice. Your boss or teacher may note that you have trouble completing tasks in time or have trouble staying focused during meetings.
If you have the hyperactive/impulsive type of ADHD, your symptoms are more noticeable than inattentive ones. You're constantly on the move and can disrupt others, talk excessively, or say things that are illogical without thinking. You have trouble waiting for your turn and struggle to keep eye contact with others. You're impatient and frequently exhibit mood swings that can be hard for your close family and friends to accept.
You may find it difficult to control your emotions, especially in times of stress and trauma. adult signs of adhd might react more strongly to criticism or fights even if the situation isn't a serious one. It may be easier to deal with these emotions by engaging in self-destructive behavior such as alcohol and drug consumption or unhealthy eating habits.
Women who are diagnosed with ADHD can improve their lives by implementing the appropriate treatment. Consider working with a life coach or joining an online ADHD support group. You could also seek professional counseling from a professional who has worked with women suffering from this disorder. You may want to talk to a psychiatrist who can help you better understand the way your genes or brain activity could influence your ADHD symptoms.
