ADHD Symptoms in Women
Adult women with ADHD face unique challenges. Inadequate treatment can cause havoc in relationships and work.
A tendency to discriminate against gender and a tendency for girls and women to hide their symptoms make it difficult to diagnose. The growing awareness has led to more people receiving the assistance they require. ADHD symptoms in women are different from those experienced by men and can be aggravated by hormone fluctuations throughout the menstrual cycle, pregnancy and menopausal.
Inattentive Type symptoms
Women with inattention ADHD can have difficulty staying on task performing tasks and making mistakes. They may also misunderstand or make a mistake. They may struggle with organization and may find it difficult to keep on top of their obligations like paying bills, returning phone calls or sending birthday cards. They also struggle to remember appointments and may often miss meetings or arrive 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. Many people who don't get treated for their symptoms experience emotional distress. This can lead to poor relationships as well as co-occurring disorders like anxiety or depression.
As a result, the difficulties of living with untreated ADHD can be overwhelming. Some people blame themselves and adopt unhealthy strategies for coping that include drinking too much and substance abuse. Some people fall into unhealthy behaviors, such as eating too much or losing weight. Teenagers and young girls might self-injure in order to deal with their anger at not being able to meet their social expectations. This can be done by cutting or burning.
It's no surprise that women with inattentive ADHD are more likely to suffer from depression and anxiety. This can make it more difficult to manage ADHD symptoms. They may also suffer from low self-esteem that makes it hard to recognize that the problem is a mental illness and not their fault.
Girls with inattentive ADHD might also have difficulties understanding social cues, which can make them appear aloof or oblivious to other people. They may miss jokes, misread body language, or be criticized as being rude or obnoxious. They may also have difficulties in controlling their impulses, so they may interrupt others or blurt out hurtful words.
Women who suffer from inattention ADHD should ensure they get enough sleep every night and avoid caffeine and stimulants to help improve their focus. They should also exercise regularly, which helps raise neurotransmitters that help with concentration and can decrease 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 a messy home and having difficulty paying bills on time. They may also forget their appointments or the names and faces of family members and friends. They are easily distracted or bored, and they can't wait to be heard. They are less likely to display the symptoms of depression that are internalized or anxiety, which may be more prevalent in boys and men.
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 professionals may not recognize them in girls and women or might ignore these symptoms, putting them down to gender stereotypes or mood issues. ADHD rating scales tend to be biased toward male behavior, making these symptoms difficult to determine and recognize in women.
There are a variety of ways to manage ADHD in women who are adults. This includes taking medication. The most important thing is to find a clinician and therapist experienced in treating ADHD both in women and girls. The type of therapy recommended will be based on your specific symptoms and lifestyle and may include cognitive behavioral therapy to help identify your symptoms and change negative thinking patterns as well as family psychoeducation or help with group work.
For some, a sleep routine, regular exercise, and a healthy diet can help reduce symptoms. For others, stimulant medications like dextroamphetamine/amphetamine (Adderall), methylphenidate (Ritalin) or lisdexamfetamine (Vyvanse) may be required.
Many symptoms of ADHD are exacerbated during menopausal changes when hormone levels decrease. During this time, try to keep track of your health and schedule doctor's appointments, track your symptoms, and adhere to your treatment plan closely. You may also seek advice from your health care professional to modify the type or dosage of your medications if required. Speak with your therapist about the issues you have with managing your symptoms, and how they affect your daily life at home, work, and in your relationships. They might also suggest strategies to improve communication with your partner as well as other people in your life.
The symptoms of mixed type
Women who have mixed type ADHD often experience difficulties at working and at school, but do not have the hyperactive or impulsive signs of the other subtypes. They may miss appointments, lose important documents or pay bills, and have difficulty working through home chores. This type of disorder can also cause people to interrupt others, talk without thinking and speak without thinking. Women with this presentation of the condition also have problems maintaining friendships and relationships and often find it difficult to live independently.
In many instances, family members, friends, or teachers are only able to notice the symptoms of inattention ADHD. This results in girls and young women not being diagnosed. This is caused by gender bias as well as the tendency for people with ADHD symptoms to conceal their symptoms.
The symptoms of this kind of ADHD are caused by hormonal changes, especially in puberty as well as during menopausal and prenatal. In these instances, estrogen levels decrease and progesterone levels rise. This combination makes ADHD symptoms more evident and exacerbates them. The symptoms can also change from day to day, based on the levels of estrogen and progesterone. This can lead to an incorrect diagnosis as well as inadequate or ineffective treatment.
Psychotherapy can be combined with medication to treat symptoms of the combination type. This includes cognitive behavior therapy, which assists change negative thoughts and behaviors and psychoeducational counseling. Both are offered through local mental health clinics as well as on the internet.
Engaging in regular physical exercise, like walking, swimming or running can help improve attention and focus. It can also help release neurotransmitters that boost the brain and reduce anxiety or stress that are common among people suffering from ADHD. Regular breaks, establishing routines for the day and implementing strategies for organizing are some other methods to help manage ADHD. Support groups can be very helpful in learning about changes in lifestyle and coping strategies. symptoms of adhd can provide individualized individual guidance for certain. Some people with this condition also benefit from cognitive or interpersonal therapy. A therapist can assist the patient to be aware of their behavior and how it impacts other people. They may also improve their communication skills.
Adult Type Symptoms
Women who suffer from ADHD are likely to have different symptoms than men. The gender roles of women can make it difficult for teachers and parents to recognize the problem. The disorder may be disguised by depression or other mental health issues and makes it less apparent to others who are around you. The symptoms can also change in response to hormone levels. For instance during menstrual cycles or pregnancy and menopausal.
Women suffering from ADHD are more likely to experience inattentive symptoms. You are more likely to forget things, have trouble remembering details, and get distracted by other people or your thoughts. Your inattention ADHD symptoms could affect your school, work, marriages and other relationships. Your family and friends could notice that you have difficulty following instructions and keeping track of appointments, or paying bills. Your teacher or boss may observe that you are having 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 are restless and always in motion, you disrupt other people, speak too loudly or use a lot of nonsense words without considering what you're saying. You struggle to wait for your turn, and you struggle to keep eye contact with others. You are impatient and often have mood swings, which can be difficult for your closest family and friends to accept.
You may have trouble controlling your emotions, especially when you're dealing with stress or trauma. You might react more strongly to criticism or start fights even if the issue is not serious. It could be easier for you to cope with these feelings by engaging in self destructive behavior such as drug or alcohol abuse, or unhealthy eating patterns.
The right treatment can help women with ADHD improve their lives. Consider working with a life coach or joining an online ADHD support group. You may also seek advice from a professional counselor with had experience working with women suffering from this disorder. You might want to talk to a psychiatrist who can assist you in understanding how your genes or brain activity may affect your ADHD symptoms.