ADHD Symptoms in Women Adults
Women with ADHD experience a wide range of symptoms that can impact their everyday functioning at work, school and home. ADHD is treated with medication and psychotherapy by an expert in mental health who has experience treating adults suffering from ADHD.
The symptoms of ADHD are often exacerbated by hormonal changes that occur during the menstrual cycle, pregnancy, perimenopausal or menopausal.
Inattention or lack of Focus
Women suffering from ADHD may have difficulty to focus and feel as if their concentration is slipping. They might lose track of appointments, forget them, or other obligations and struggle with poor performance at work. They are also more likely to be suffering from co-occurring illnesses such as depression or anxiety, as well as relationship problems that can result in violence.
In adolescence, hormonal fluctuations can make it harder for girls who suffer from ADHD, to concentrate. This is due to estrogen levels decrease around time of menstruation and even later in the time of ovulation. When coupled with progesterone which is high in the adolescent brain these fluctuations can cause symptoms and make them more obvious. They also increase the risk of being mistakenly diagnosed with anxiety or a mood disorder and incorrectly treated.
Girls with ADHD are more likely to have the inattentive subtype of the condition, rather than the hyperactive/impulsive or mixed subtypes. It is often difficult to identify them as they age as adults are less likely than parents or teachers to notice the same behavioral issues that children with ADHD might have. Girls who suffer from ADHD are also more adept in hiding their symptoms and relying on tools to help them cope. This can lead to false confidence and deep-seated self-doubt which can hinder the financial and professional success of a person with ADHD.
In addition, the insanity of women and girls with ADHD can cause them to have more sexual experiences than their peers, and at an earlier age. This can lead them to have a bad relationships and a greater chance of being forced into unwanted sexual activity or being the victim of sexual assault. It can also lead to disordered food consumption and increase the risk of alcohol and substance abuse.
Regular exercise can boost focus and release neurotransmitters to increase alertness and working memory. It can also help reduce stress and improve sleep, both of which are typical issues for people suffering from ADHD. Try walking or yoga class, swimming, or playing a sport.
Disorganization
Women with ADHD frequently struggle with disorganization and clutter. Your home and work life can be chaotic and messy, even if you are busy organizing or cleaning. Your personal and professional relationships can suffer because of missed appointments, late bills, and misplaced documents. You could also suffer health problems from poor nutrition, skipping doctor appointments or not taking medication according to instructions.
When you have ADHD it is difficult to maintain your regular level of organization since your symptoms are exacerbated when you face certain stresses. Your desk at work could be a chaotic mess of receipts, 17 chapsticks and tickets from the Kings of Leon show you attended in 2008. Your shopping cart could be filled with items that you don't need. Your purse could be filled with a variety of items, including a pair of scissors keys, pen, keys, paper, and an additional pair of headphones.
Inattentional ADHD is the most prevalent type of disorder. It can be characterized by difficulties paying attention, following directions, or being active in social settings. You could easily lose your keys or forget to make appointments, and you might be too lenient towards others because you don't realize how much trouble they're in. You might have trouble completing tasks, get overwhelmed at school or at work and feel like you're not part of your friends.
Many girls and women are underdiagnosed with ADHD because their symptoms don't fit the stereotype of hyperactivity among males and boys. Girls and women are more likely to exhibit inattention instead of hyperactivity, which can make them harder to diagnose and a gender-based bias could hinder health professionals from considering ADHD as the reason for their behavior.
Reduce stress to reduce the level of your stress. Meditation and mindfulness exercises can help you control your impulsivity, manage your emotions, and remain in the present moment. A healthy diet may help with your symptoms, and avoiding foods that are high in sugar, fat, and chemicals might help you feel more calm and focused.
Trouble Making Decisions
Women with ADHD often have difficulty making decisions due to being easily distracted. This can lead to issues in their personal as well as professional life. They might not be able to stick to on their plans or meet appointments and bill payments. Their lack of attention ADHD could also make them more likely to lose or misplace items them, which can lead to a number of problems.
A mood swing and low self-esteem are also typical symptoms of ADHD for women. These issues can be caused by hormonal fluctuations, such as those that occur during menstrual cycles and pregnancy, as well as menopausal. Women who suffer from ADHD are also more likely to suffer from depression or anxiety, which may be caused by their symptoms or be unrelated to them. They are also more likely to experience co-occurring disorders, like eating disorders, tics or fibromyalgia.
The signs of ADHD are more difficult to diagnose for women than men or boys. This is because they are more likely to have inattentive ADHD symptoms and be less prone to hyperactive/impulsive ADHD symptoms, especially in the mixed subtype of the disorder. This can make it difficult to recognize and cause people to dismiss symptoms as "character imperfections" or a problem with which they have to deal.
Women may be unable to identify their ADHD symptoms, particularly those who have had these symptoms for a long time. adhd in young women can become accustomed to their lack of concentration and disorganization that they begin to believe that it's normal. This could prevent them from seeking out a diagnosis and getting treatment.
For women who are diagnosed with ADHD The most effective treatment is usually medication. The most frequently prescribed medication is stimulants. These medications are effective in increasing the levels of neurotransmitters in the brain. These include methylphenidate, amphetamines, dextroamphetamines and salts (Adderall), lisdexamfetamine and Lisdexamfetamine. Non-stimulants such as atomoxetine and viloxazine, as well as antidepressants such as imipramine nortriptyline and desipramine can help control ADHD.
In addition to medications lifestyle changes can help improve ADHD symptoms in women. Exercise, for instance can boost mood and increase energy. It can also help improve social skills. Women who suffer from ADHD have a better chance to manage their symptoms when they are around other people, therefore joining an ADHD support group can be beneficial.
Anxiety
Women with ADHD tend to be anxious. This is due to a variety of causes such as low self-esteem or difficulties in relationships. It could also be due to difficulties at work like having trouble keeping a job or following workplace rules and procedures. Women with ADHD also have higher rates of depression that is comorbid and anxiety, which can increase feelings of self-doubt and anxiety. Women with ADHD are also more likely to suffer from disordered eating such as anorexia and bulimia.
Inattentive-type symptoms, which cause you to lose or misplace things, forget important appointments, or have trouble remembering what people tell you, are more common in females with adhd than hyperactive/impulsive ADHD. The people with this subtype of adhd have at least six of the following symptoms that last for at least six months: struggle to stay focused on your work at home and at school. You are easily distracted by the environment or by your own thoughts and actions. You have trouble sitting still or focusing your attention on a task (you're prone to the thousand-yard stare). You're not able to follow instructions or meeting deadlines at work or school. You are forgetful or absentminded when it comes to daily tasks, such as paying bills and keeping track of medications.
Some women with ADHD are more successful in masking their symptoms than men and this can make getting an accurate diagnosis. For instance some women resort to strategies to hide their inattention with a busy appearance or using tools to organize and stay focused. The symptoms can also change with hormone changes, particularly estrogen during the ovulation period and menstrual cycle.
The diagnosis of adhd can change the lives of a lot of adults who suffer from this condition. It can be a relief to have a clear explanation for your issues and help you accept yourself more fully. It could also act as a catalyst for making positive lifestyle changes.
Gender is the internal sense that one has of being male, feminine, nonbinary, or another gender. Sex is determined by the chromosomal makeup of a person, hormones and anatomy.