Signs and Symptoms of ADHD in Women
Women who suffer from ADHD typically have different social expectations regarding how they should manage their careers, family and home lives. This can cause you be embarrassed and frustrated if your symptoms hinder your life.
Research shows that women and girls are often under-diagnosed for ADHD as compared to boys and men. This could be due to the fact that they cover up their symptoms or develop strategies to conceal them.
1. Inattentiveness
Finding it difficult to focus at school or at work is among the most common indicators of adhd. Women with adhd are more likely to forget important meetings or tasks or are misled by instructions. They may also have trouble concentration in noisy or crowded environments. People who suffer from ADHD may have "thousand-yard gazes" or zone out when they are talking. These symptoms can lead to problems at work or in relationships.
Women and girls are particularly at risk for undiagnosed ADHD especially as they grow older. They develop strategies to cope that cover up their symptoms and continue to do this into adulthood. They may even begin to identify their symptoms as particular to them, which could make it harder for them to seek help.
Teachers are not recommending ADHD assessments as often for girls as they do for males. However should a girl's lack of attention ADHD symptoms have a negative effect on her school performance or social interactions, she should talk to a health care professional.
Being a bit inattentional ADHD can create an abundance of emotional stress. It can be a frustrating experience when you feel like you're not meeting the expectations of your friends, family members and co-workers. adhd in women checklist can also be upsetting when you feel that you are unable to get along with your siblings or children. Some people with ADHD have anxiety and depression that can be exacerbated by their inattention and impulsivity. You can lessen the severity of these symptoms by seeking assistance and doing other activities. Regular exercise can release neurotransmitters that improve concentration and attention. It can also help reduce anxiety and mood swings, which are common among those with ADHD.
2. Impulsivity
The impulse-driven symptoms of ADHD can be difficult to manage. You might say things that you shouldn't or purchase items on impulse. You could also get in trouble with the law enforcement because of your behavior. In addition, it can be difficult to manage your emotions and emotions. Self-injury can result, such as burning, cutting or scratching yourself. It can also lead to drug and alcohol abuse.
People who are impulsive can face difficulties with their relationships, work or school performance. You can control your impulsivity using medications prescribed by your doctor. Medications like amphetamine and dextroamphetamine (Adderall Ritalin, Adderall) or methylphenidate (Concerta, Daytrana, Methylin) can improve your ability to control your impulses. Nonstimulant medications like clonidine or guanfacine may also help you to manage your impulses better.
Women are more likely than men and boys to have a hyperactive/impulsive form of ADHD. add in women test of ADHD can be harder to detect, resulting in the wrong diagnosis. Women can hide their symptoms to conform to societal norms and expectations. This can be particularly problematic in adolescence and early adulthood. Women may employ unhealthy coping strategies, like excessive drinking and substance use to cover up their ADHD challenges.
Women with high-functioning ADHD might conceal their symptoms by succeeding in particular areas of their lives, such as school or at work. This can lead to a false sense of security and cause you to feel overwhelmed by the demands of everyday life. Consult your doctor for accommodations at school or at work that will aid you in managing your ADHD symptoms. This is a great chance to raise awareness among your colleagues or professors of the issues you are facing.
3. Disorganization
If you suffer from ADHD then avoiding appointments, arriving late for work, forgetting dates, or avoiding conversations can lead to anger and make others feel snubbed or offended. The condition can make it difficult to keep track of your tasks and manage your finances and schedules. For example, if you struggle to remember what you'll need for groceries, you may be unable to eat or spend money on unnecessary things.
Women suffering from ADHD typically have a difficult to keep track of their the daily chores, homework assignments and bills. The disorder can also lead to messy workspaces, messy homes and a propensity to hoard. People who suffer from ADHD experience a concept called "time blindness," which makes it difficult to determine how long it has taken and the length of time you've spent on a project. Together with the difficulty of staying focused, time management problems can cause feelings of guilt and shame about being unorganized.
While research suggests that women and girls are more likely to be diagnosed with ADHD than boys and men, symptoms can be masked and not recognized. Women are often not given an diagnosis until they reach adulthood and their symptoms become more evident. Additionally, social stigma and stereotypes could make it harder for women to receive the help and treatment they require.
Your doctor might recommend medication to help you manage your ADHD symptoms. The stimulants methylphenidate and amphetamine increase and balance neurotransmitters - the brain chemicals that transmit information. Antidepressants and atomoxetine which are non-stimulant drugs are also used to treat ADHD. However, they work more slowly than stimulants. Your doctor might refer you to a specialist in mental health, who can assist in creating a treatment plan specific to your needs.
4. Impulsiveness
Women with ADHD may have a difficult to control their emotions and are often more sensitive to rejection. This is because the pathway of communication between brain regions that regulate emotional responses and interpret what to do with those emotions is impaired by the chemical imbalance that's caused by ADHD.
Depression and moodiness are common for people suffering from ADHD, and the combination of these symptoms with difficulties in keeping track of responsibilities can lead to trouble with family and romantic relationships. Women who suffer from ADHD might also suffer from low self-esteem and have difficulty forming relationships and navigating social situations. They might wander off in conversations or have difficulty understanding what others are saying, which could make it difficult for them to determine their place in a group.
Women with ADHD may find it difficult to keep themselves motivated to complete routine or boring tasks, like washing dishes cleaning, and washing laundry. This can lead to unhealthy coping behaviors like binge watching television shows or consuming substances. These behaviors are especially dangerous for teens and girls with ADHD who are more likely than their peers to engage in risky behaviors like early sexual activity with fewer protected partners and informal sex.
As adults, women with ADHD are more likely to go undiagnosed or be misdiagnosed than men because they tend to have inattentive symptoms instead of hyperactivity/impulsivity symptoms. Many women hide their ADHD due to the many expectations that society places on them (managing the household and children for example). This makes it difficult for health professionals to see that there's a problem, especially because the symptoms are more easily identified for men and boys.
5. Hyperactivity
Women with ADHD can have difficulty managing their daily tasks. They may have trouble managing their lives, paying off bills on time and keeping track of appointments or school/work requirements. Emotional symptoms, like mood swings and trouble controlling emotions, may make it difficult to interact with other people and cause issues in relationships between people.
People with ADHD have difficulty reading social cues or body language. They might have trouble following a conversation or going off on a tangent creating issues at school or at work and causing tension in relationships. They may also have difficulty making new friends, or finding a balance between work, home and social life.
The symptoms of ADHD can change throughout the day and may be affected by hormones like during menstrual cycles, pregnancy or perimenopause. This could result in misdiagnosis or the wrong kinds of medications being prescribed.
There are some symptoms and signs that are common to ADHD that can aid you or someone you love to recognize the condition. Recognizing these symptoms is a good first step towards obtaining the help and treatment you require to manage your symptoms effectively.
It is important to understand that ADHD doesn't mean you are free of other physical or mental conditions. Your therapist or doctor should perform a thorough assessment. They'll have to inquire about your past and present behaviors and experiences, review any medical history, and discuss with you about how your ADHD symptoms affect your life in a variety of settings.