ADHD Symptoms in Women Adults
Women with ADHD often suffer from a variety of symptoms that can affect their daily functioning at home, school or at work, as well as in relationships. ADHD is treated with psychotherapy and medication by a mental health professional who has experience treating adults suffering from ADHD.
The symptoms of ADHD can be aggravated by hormonal changes that occur during the menstrual cycle, pregnancy, perimenopausal, or menopause.
Inattention and lack of Focus
Women suffering from ADHD often notice that they lack the ability to concentrate and feel like their concentration is slipping. They can lose track of time, forget appointments or other obligations, and suffer from poor performance at work. They are also more likely to be suffering from co-occurring disorders like depression or anxiety, and relationship problems that can result in violence.
As we get older, hormone fluctuations can make it harder for girls who suffer from ADHD, to concentrate. This is because estrogen levels drop at the time of the ovulation cycle, and falls even more at the beginning of menstruation. When coupled with progesterone which is abundant in the brain of adolescents these fluctuations can cause symptoms and make them more apparent. They also increase the risk of being misdiagnosed as anxiety or a mood disorder and improperly treated.
Girls with ADHD are more likely to have the inattentive subtype of the condition, rather than the hyperactive/impulsive or mixed subtypes. This can make it harder to diagnose them as they age because adults are less likely to spot the same behavioral problems that parents or teachers might notice in kids with ADHD. Girls with ADHD are also better in hiding their symptoms and relying on their tools to cope. This can result in an untrue sense of competence, as well as a deep sense of self-doubt that can influence financial and career achievement.
In addition, the insanity of women and girls with ADHD can lead them to engage in more sexual activities than their peers, and at a younger age. This can lead to unhealthy relationships and a higher likelihood of being forced to engage in inappropriate sexual activities, or being a victim of sexual assault. It can also lead disordered food consumption and increase the risk of alcohol and substance abuse.
Regular exercise can help improve concentration and release neurotransmitters that enhance alertness and working memory. It can also help reduce stress and improve sleep as well, both of which are common problems for people with ADHD. Try yoga, walking or swimming, or even playing a sports.
Disorganization
Women suffering from ADHD are often affected by clutter and disorganization. Even though you may be able to spend time cleaning and organizing, your home and work life can be chaotic. Your work and personal relationships may suffer due to late appointments, unpaid bills, and misplaced paperwork. There is also the possibility of health problems from lack of proper nutrition, skipping doctor visits or failing to take medications as directed.
It's challenging to maintain your normal level of organization when you suffer from ADHD because your symptoms flare up when you are confronted with specific stressors. Your office desk may be a mess of receipts, 17 chapsticks, and even a ticket to the Kings of Leon concert you went to in 2008. Your shopping cart could be overflowing with items you don't use. Your purse could be filled with a variety of things, like scissors keys, a pen and paper, as well as an additional pair of headphones.
Attention-deficit ADHD symptoms are the most common type of the disorder and may include difficulties paying attention or following directions at work, school or in social settings. You could easily lose your keys or forget to make appointments or be overly lenient with others because you aren't aware of how much trouble they're in. You may find it difficult to complete tasks, get overwhelmed at school or work, and feel like you're not part of your friends.
Many girls and woman aren't diagnosed with ADHD because they don't exhibit symptoms that fit the stereotypes of hyperactivity among males and females. Women and girls are often inattentive instead of hyperactive symptoms which makes it harder to diagnose. A gender bias may hinder health professionals from evaluating ADHD to be the reason of their behavior.
If your disorganization and clutter are a result of stress, try to reduce those factors to lower your stress levels. Meditation and mindfulness exercises can help you manage your impulsivity, control your emotions, and remain in the moment. A healthy diet can help you manage your symptoms, and avoiding foods that are high in sugar, fat and other chemicals could help you feel more calm and focused.
Making the right decision can be difficult.
Women with ADHD often struggle with difficulty making decisions because they are easily distracted. This can cause issues in their professional and personal lives. They might have difficulty following the plan or failing to keep track of appointments and expenses. Their inattentive ADHD could also make them more likely to misplace things or lose them, which can lead to a number of problems.
Another frequent ADHD sign in women of adulthood is mood swings and issues with self-esteem. These problems are sometimes exacerbated by hormone changes, such as those that occur during menstrual cycles or during pregnancy, or menopausal. Women suffering from ADHD may also experience anxiety or depression. These symptoms can trigger these conditions or they may develop independently. They are more likely to have co-occurring disorders such as tics or eating disorders.
The signs of ADHD in women are more difficult to identify as they are for males and males. 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 makes it difficult to diagnose and cause people to dismiss symptoms as "character imperfections" or a problem with which they have to deal with.
Women may be unable to recognize their ADHD symptoms, especially when they've been suffering from them for some time. They can become so accustomed to their inattention and disorganization that they think it's normal. This can keep them from seeking a diagnosis or receiving treatment.
For women diagnosed with ADHD the most effective treatment is usually medication. The most frequently prescribed drugs are stimulants, which work by increasing the levels of certain neurotransmitters that are present in the brain. These include methylphenidate (Ritalin) dextroamphetamine, amphetamine salts (Adderall) and the lisdexamfetamine (Vyvanse). Non-stimulants like Atomoxetine (Strattera) and viloxazine (Qelbree) or antidepressants, such as imipramine (Tofranil) desipramine (Norpramin) and nortriptyline (Pamelor) can help to manage ADHD symptoms.
Women can lessen the symptoms of ADHD by making lifestyle changes in addition to taking medication. Exercise, for instance can boost mood and increase energy levels. It can also be beneficial for social skills. Participating in an ADHD support group can be beneficial for some women suffering from ADHD who find it easier to deal with their issues around other people.
Anxiety
Women who suffer from ADHD tend to be anxious. This is due to a number of causes that include low self-esteem and difficulty in relationships. It could also be related to issues at work such as difficulty maintaining the job or observing the rules and regulations of the workplace. Women who suffer from ADHD also have higher levels of depression comorbidity, which can further increase feelings of anxiety and self-doubt. Women with ADHD are more likely to suffer from disordered eating disorders such as anorexia or 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. This kind of adhd is marked by a series of symptoms that last at least six month: You have difficulty staying focused on your tasks at home and at school. You are easily distracted either by the environment or your own thoughts or behaviors. You have trouble sitting still or focusing your attention on a specific task (you are susceptible to a thousand-yard look). You have difficulty following instructions or meeting deadlines in the workplace or at school. You're forgetful or unfocused in your daily routines like paying bills or keeping track of medications.
Some women who suffer from ADHD conceal their symptoms better than men. This can make it difficult to diagnose. Women can hide their inattention by dressing up or using devices that assist them in staying on task. adhd in young women can also fluctuate due to hormonal changes, particularly estrogen during ovulation and the menstrual cycle.
The diagnosis of adhd can change the life of many adults suffering from this disease. It can be a relief to have a clear explanation of your issues and aid in accepting yourself more fully. It could also be a catalyst for making beneficial lifestyle changes.
Gender refers to an individual's internal perception of being male gender, female, nonbinary or of a different gender. Sex refers to the chromosomal makeup of a person, hormones, and anatomy, and is determined by birth.