ADHD Symptoms in Women Adults
Women who suffer from ADHD experience a wide range of symptoms that affect 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 with ADHD.
Symptoms of ADHD can be aggravated by hormonal changes that occur during the menstrual cycle, pregnancy, perimenopause, or menopause.
Inattention and lack of Focus
Women with ADHD typically find that they are unable to concentrate, and they may feel like their concentration is slipping. They can lose the track of time, forget appointments or other obligations, and struggle with poor work performance. They are also more likely to suffer from co-occurring disorders such as depression or anxiety, as well as issues with relationships that could cause them to commit violence.
In adolescence hormone changes can make it more difficult for girls suffering from ADHD to concentrate. This is because estrogen levels decrease around menstrual cycle and further near the onset of ovulation. When combined with progesterone, which is high in the adolescent brain, these fluctuations can exacerbate symptoms and make them more noticeable. They also increase the chance 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. It is often difficult to recognize these issues as they grow older, because adults are less likely than their parents or teachers to recognize the same behavioral issues that kids with ADHD might be suffering from. Girls who suffer from ADHD are also more adept in hiding their problems and relying on tools to compensate. This can create an illusion of self-worth and a deep sense of self-doubt that can impact career and financial success.
The impulsivity associated with ADHD in girls and women can also lead them to be more sexually active than their peers and at a later age. This can cause unhealthy relationships and a higher risk of being pressured into sexual activities that are not desired or being victims of sexual assault. It can also contribute to disordered eating and increase the risk of alcohol or substance abuse.
Regular physical activity can help increase focus and release neurotransmitters that increase alertness and working memory. It also helps reduce stress and improve sleep as well, which are common problems for people with ADHD. Try walking or yoga class, swimming, or engaging in a sport.
Disorganization
Women with ADHD are often confronted with clutter and disorder. Even though you may spend time cleaning and organizing your home, your work and home life can seem chaotic. Your work and personal relationships could suffer due to late appointments, unpaid bills and lost or misplaced documents. You may also experience health problems from inadequate nutrition, skipping doctor appointments or not taking medications according to the directions.
It's hard to maintain your typical level of organization when you have ADHD because your symptoms flare up when you face specific stressors. Your office desk may be a chaotic mess of receipts, 17 chapsticks and tickets from the Kings of Leon show you attended in 2008. Your grocery cart might be stuffed with items to the point of filling it with items you don't need. Your handbag may contain a few random things like a pair of scissors, keys, pen and paper, or even an additional set headphones.
Inattentive ADHD is the most prevalent type of the disorder. It can be characterized by difficulties paying attention, following directions or being socially active. You may lose your keys, forget to make appointments or be lenient with others due to the fact that you do not know the mess they are in. You might have trouble completing tasks, feel overwhelmed at school or at work and feel like you're not a part of your friends.
Many women and girls aren't diagnosed with ADHD because they don't have symptoms that match the stereotypes of hyperactivity that are prevalent among males and females. Girls and women are more likely to show signs of inattention instead of hyperactivity, which could make them harder to diagnose and a gender-based bias could keep health professionals from examining ADHD as the cause of their behavior.
Reduce stress and lower the level of your stress. Practice meditation and mindfulness exercises that can help you manage your emotions, remain in the present moment, and control your impulsivity. A healthy diet could aid in reducing your symptoms. Avoiding foods that are high in sugars as well as fats and chemicals can make you feel more focused and relaxed.
Making the right decision can be difficult.
Women with ADHD often have trouble making decisions because they are so easily distracted. This can cause problems in their personal and professional lives. They might have difficulty following the plan or failing to keep up with appointments and bills. In addition, their inattentive ADHD symptoms could cause them to lose or misplace items which could lead to a variety of problems.
A mood swing and low self-esteem are also common symptoms of ADHD for women. These issues can be caused by hormonal fluctuations, like those that occur during menstrual cycles, pregnancy, or menopause. Women with ADHD may also experience anxiety or depression. These symptoms may trigger these conditions or they can occur in isolation. They are also more likely to develop co-occurring disorders, such as eating disorders, tics or fibromyalgia.
The signs of ADHD can be more difficult to recognize in women than in males 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 identify, and can also cause people to dismiss their symptoms as "character flaws" or something they just need to manage.
It can be hard for women to identify their ADHD symptoms, particularly when they've had these symptoms for a long time. They may become accustomed to their inattention and disorganization that they believe it's normal. This could prevent them from seeking a diagnosis and receiving treatment.
For women diagnosed with ADHD the most effective treatment is usually medication. Most commonly prescribed medication are stimulants. These drugs are effective in increasing the levels of neurotransmitters in the brain. adhd in women treatment include the methylphenidate (Ritalin), dextroamphetamine and 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 also aid in controlling ADHD symptoms.
In addition to medications, lifestyle changes can also improve ADHD symptoms for women. Exercise, for instance can improve mood and increase energy. It can also improve social skills. Women with ADHD are able to manage their symptoms when they are with other people and therefore joining an ADHD support group can be beneficial.
Anxiety
Women suffering from ADHD are often afflicted with an anxiety level that is high. This is a result of a variety of reasons, such as low self-esteem and difficulty in relationships, and a lack of understanding and support from other people. It could also be related to issues at work like having trouble keeping an occupation or adhering to workplace rules and procedures. Women who suffer from ADHD also have higher rates of comorbid depression, which can further increase feelings of anxiety and self-doubt. Women with ADHD are also more likely to suffer from disorders of 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 type of adhd is characterized by a variety of symptoms that last at least six months you have trouble staying focused on tasks both at home and in school. You are easily distracted by the surroundings or your own thoughts and behavior. You are unable to sit still or focusing your attention on a particular task (you are prone to a glance at a mile). You're having trouble following directions or making deadlines at school or work. You're forgetful or unfocused in your daily routines like paying your bills and tracking medications.
Some women who suffer from ADHD are more adept at concealing their symptoms than males and can make getting the diagnosis difficult. For instance some women resort to strategies to hide their lack of attention with a busy appearance or employing tools to manage and remain focused. It is also possible for symptoms to change in response to hormone changes, particularly estrogen during the ovulation and menstrual cycle.
The moment you receive an adhd diagnosis could be a life changing moment for a lot of adults suffering from this disease. It can be a sigh of relief to know the reason for your issues and aid in accepting yourself more fully. It could also be an inspiration to make positive lifestyle changes.
Gender refers to the internal perception that an individual is female, male or nonbinary. It can also refer to a different gender. Sex refers to a person's chromosomal makeup, hormones, and anatomy and is determined by birth.