ADHD Symptoms in Women
Adult women with ADHD face challenges that many do not realize. Untreated symptoms can cause chaos in work and relationships.
Gender bias and a tendency for girls and women to hide their symptoms cause underdiagnosis. The increased awareness has resulted in more adults receiving the assistance they require. ADHD symptoms in women differ from men's and can be exacerbated by hormonal fluctuations during the menstrual cycle, pregnancy and menopausal.
The Signs of Inattention Type
Women who have inattention ADHD might have difficulty staying on task and completing tasks, often making mistakes or misunderstanding instructions. They may have trouble organizing and may find it difficult to keep the track of their commitments, including paying bills and returning phone calls, or sending birthday cards. They may also be unable 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 aren't treated for their symptoms suffer emotional distress, which can lead to poor relationships and co-occurring conditions such as depression or anxiety.
In the end, the challenges of living with untreated ADHD can be overwhelming. For certain people, it can lead to self-blame and unhealthy coping behaviors like excessive drinking and drug abuse. Some people resort to unhealthy habits, such as dieting or overeating. For some young girls and teens, the anger of not being capable of meeting social expectations can result in non-suicidal self-injury, which may look like cutting, burning or scratching.
It's not surprising that women with inattention ADHD are more likely to suffer from depression and anxiety. This can make it harder to manage ADHD symptoms. They may also suffer from low self-esteem which makes it hard to acknowledge that the issue is a mental illness and not the result of their own fault.
Girls with inattentive ADHD may also have trouble understanding social signals. This can cause them to appear aloof and oblivious. They may miss jokes, miss interpret body language, and be accused of being rude or obnoxious. They may also have difficulties in controlling their impulses, so they may interrupt others or shout out hurtful phrases.
Women with inattentive ADHD should get enough sleep each night and stay away from stimulants and caffeine to improve their focus. They should also try to exercise regularly, which helps increase neurotransmitters that aid in concentration and may reduce 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 a messy house and to difficulty paying bills on schedule. They might also forget appointments or the names of family and friends members. They tend to be easily distracted or bored and are unable to wait for their turn to speak. They are less likely to exhibit the internalizing symptoms of depression or anxiety, which tends to 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 prevalent in boys and men healthcare professionals may not recognize these symptoms in women and girls or may ignore these symptoms, putting them down to gender stereotypes or mood issues. ADHD rating scales tend to be skewed toward male behavior, making these symptoms harder to determine and recognize in women.
The good news is that there are options to manage ADHD as an adult woman as well as taking medication. The key is finding a therapist and a doctor who are experienced in treating ADHD for women and girls. The type of therapy recommended will be based on your specific conditions and lifestyle and may include cognitive behavioral therapy that helps you validate your experience and reframe negative thinking patterns, family psychoeducation, or help with group work.
Some people can manage their symptoms by adhering to a regular sleep schedule exercise regularly, and eating a healthy diet. For others, stimulant medications like dextroamphetamine/amphetamine (Adderall), methylphenidate (Ritalin) or lisdexamfetamine (Vyvanse) may be required.
Many of the symptoms of ADHD can worsen during menopause as hormone levels drop. During this period you must stay on top of things and keep the track of your symptoms and your treatment plan. You may also request that your doctor adjust the dosage or the type of medication you're taking as needed. Talk with your counselor or therapist about the challenges you face in managing your symptoms and how they affect you at work as well as at home and in relationships. They may also suggest ways to improve communication with other people and your partner.
Mixed adult female adhd symptoms with mixed type ADHD struggle at school and at work, but they do not show the impulsive or hyperactive behaviors of the other subtypes. They might forget important documents, pay bills or forget to schedule appointments. This form of disorder can also cause people to interrupt others, talk without thinking, and speak without thinking. Women with this presentation of the disorder also have difficulties maintaining relationships and friendships and are often unable to live an independent life.
In many instances, the inattention symptoms of ADHD are the only ones noticed by family, friends or teachers. This results in girls and young women not being diagnosed. The underdiagnosis is also due to gender bias and the tendency for people with ADHD symptoms to conceal their symptoms.
The symptoms of this kind of ADHD are influenced by hormone fluctuations, especially in puberty as well as during menopausal and prenatal. In these instances estrogen levels decrease, and progesterone levels increase. This combination accentuates ADHD symptoms. The symptoms can also change from day to day, depending on the levels of progesterone and estrogen. This could lead to a wrong diagnosis or inadequate treatment.
In addition to medication psychotherapy can be utilized to manage symptoms of the combined type. This includes cognitive behavioral therapy, which helps people overcome negative thoughts and behaviors, and psychoeducational counseling. Both are accessible via the internet as well as through local mental clinics.
Getting regular physical exercise, like swimming, walking or running can help improve attention and focus. It also releases neurotransmitters that help boost brain activity and help reduce anxiety or stress. Regular breaks, establishing routines throughout the day and employing strategies for organization are also ways to better manage ADHD. A support group can help in learning about lifestyle changes and improving your coping skills. A professional ADHD coach can provide customized individual guidance to those who have. Certain people with ADHD benefit from cognitive-behavioral or interpersonal therapy. A therapist can assist the patient to recognize their behavior and how it affects others. They may also improve their communication skills.
Adult Type symptoms
Women who suffer from ADHD may exhibit symptoms that are different than those of males. The gender roles of women can make it difficult for parents and teachers to diagnose the condition. The disorder can also be masked by depression or other mental health issues that make it less apparent to people who are around you. Symptoms can also fluctuate in response to hormones, such as those that occur during menstrual cycles or during menopausal pregnancy.
Women who suffer from ADHD are more likely to suffer from inattention symptoms. You tend to forget things, have trouble recalling details, and are distracted by other people or your thoughts. Your naive ADHD symptoms can interfere with marriage, school, and other relationships. Your family and friends could observe that you have trouble following directions or keeping track of appointments, or paying bills. Your teacher or boss may be concerned that you aren't completing tasks in time or have trouble staying focused in meetings.
If you have the hyperactive/impulsive type of ADHD, your symptoms are more noticeable than inattentive ones. You're constantly at a loss for time, interrupt others, talk too much or use a lot of nonsense words without considering what you're saying. You're unable to wait for your turn or maintain eye contact. You can be impatient and suffer from mood swings that can be difficult for your family and friends to tolerate.
You may find it difficult to manage your emotions, especially during times of stress and trauma. You may overreact to criticism or be more likely to engage in fights, even if the situation isn't that serious. You may find it easier to manage these emotions by engaging in self-destructive behavior, like drug and alcohol consumption or unhealthy eating habits.
The best treatment can help women suffering from ADHD improve their lives. Think about working with a coach or joining an online ADHD support group. You may also seek advice from a professional counselor with experience treating women with this disorder. You may want to talk to a psychiatrist who will assist you in understanding how your genetics or brain activity can influence your ADHD symptoms.