ADHD Symptoms in Women Adults
Women suffering from ADHD experience a wide range of symptoms that affect their everyday functioning at work, school and at home. ADHD is treated with psychotherapy and medication by an expert in mental health who has experience treating adults with ADHD.
The symptoms of ADHD can be aggravated by hormonal changes that occur during pregnancy, menstruation and perimenopausal or menopausal changes.
Inattention and lack of Focus
Women suffering from ADHD often find that they lack the ability to concentrate and feel like their concentration is falling. They may lose the track of time, neglect appointments or other obligations, and struggle with poor work performance. They are also more likely to develop co-occurring disorders like depression or anxiety, and experience issues with relationships which can lead to intimate partner violence.
As we age, hormonal fluctuations make it more difficult for girls suffering from ADHD to concentrate. This is because estrogen decreases around the time of menstrual ovulation, and decreases even more near the start of menstrual cycles. These fluctuations, when paired with progesterone which is high in adolescent's brains can make symptoms more obvious. They also increase the chance of being mistakenly diagnosed with 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 makes it more difficult for them to be diagnosed as they grow older, since adults are less likely to see the same behavioral problems that parents and teachers may observe in children with ADHD. Girls with ADHD are also better at disguising their symptoms and rely on aids to help them overcome their attention issues. This can result in false sense of confidence and a deep-seated self-doubt, which can affect your career and financial performance.
The impulsivity that is associated with ADHD in women and girls can also lead them to be more sexually active than their peers and at a later age. This can lead them to have a bad relationships and a greater risk of being forced into inappropriate sexual activities or becoming a victim of sexual assault. It can also lead to an unhealthy food intake and increase the risk of alcohol and substance abuse.
Regular physical exercise can boost focus and release neurotransmitters which enhance alertness and working memory. It can also reduce anxiety and improve sleep, which are both frequent issues for people suffering from ADHD. Try yoga, walking, swimming, or playing an activity.
Disorganization
Women who suffer from ADHD frequently struggle with disorganization and clutter. Your work and home can be chaotic and messy, even if you spend time cleaning or trying to organize. Late bills, missed appointments and lost papers can negatively impact your work and personal relationships. You may also experience health issues if your do not eat well or miss doctor appointments, or don't take your medication as directed.
It's challenging to maintain your usual level of organization when you suffer from ADHD because your symptoms flare up when you're confronted with certain stressors. Your office desk may be a jumbled muddle of receipts, 17 different chapsticks, and even a ticket stub from the Kings of Leon concert you attended in 2008. Your cart at the grocery store could be full to the point of being overflowing with things you don't really need. Your purse could be filled with a random assortment of things, like scissors pen, keys, paper, and an additional set of headphones.
Inattentive ADHD symptoms are the most frequent subtype of the disorder, and may include difficulties paying attention or following instructions at school, work, or in social settings. You may easily lose your keys or forget about appointments and be too lenient towards others because you don't know how much trouble they're having. You may find it difficult to complete tasks, become overwhelmed at work or school and feel that you're not part of your friends.
Many girls and woman aren't diagnosed with ADHD because they don't display symptoms that fit the stereotypes of hyperactivity in boys and men. Girls and women tend to have inattentive symptoms instead of hyperactivity, which can make them harder to recognize, and a gender-based bias could prevent health care professionals from considering ADHD as the cause of their behavior.
If your clutter and disorder are the result of stress, you should try to minimize these factors to lessen your frustration levels. Engage in mindfulness and meditation which will help you control your emotions, focus on the present moment and control your the impulsivity. A healthy diet may also help improve your symptoms. Avoiding foods that are high in sugars as well as fats and chemicals can help you feel more focused and at peace.
Making decisions can be a challenge
Women with ADHD have a difficult time making decisions as they are easily distracted. This can cause issues in their personal and professional lives. They might have difficulty following through with their plans or failing to keep up with appointments and bills. Their inattentive ADHD can make them more likely than other people to misplace things or lose them, which could cause a number of problems.
Another common ADHD sign in women of adulthood is mood swings and issues with their self-esteem. These issues can be made worse by hormonal fluctuations, similar to those that occur during menstrual cycles, pregnancy, and menopause. Women who suffer from ADHD are also more likely to experience depression or anxiety, which can be caused by their symptoms or be unrelated to them. They are more likely to experience co-occurring disorders such as tics or eating disorders.
Symptoms of ADHD for women may be difficult to recognize 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 can make it difficult to recognize and cause people to dismiss symptoms as "character defects" or as something they have to deal.
It can be hard for women to identify their ADHD symptoms, particularly if they have had these symptoms for a long time. They may become so used to their lack of focus and disorganization, they begin to believe that it's normal. This could keep them from seeking diagnosis or treatment.
The most effective treatment for women diagnosed with ADHD is usually medication. The most frequently prescribed drugs are stimulants, which function by increasing levels of certain neurotransmitters within the brain. These include methylphenidate, amphetamines and dextroamphetamines (Adderall) and lisdexamfetamine, as well as the lisdexamfetamine. adhd in women checklist -stimulants like atomoxetine (Strattera) and viloxazine (Qelbree) or antidepressants such as imipramine (Tofranil) desipramine (Norpramin) and nortriptyline (Pamelor) are also able to help control ADHD symptoms.
In addition to medications, lifestyle changes can also help improve ADHD symptoms for women. Exercise, for example can improve mood and boost energy. It can also help improve social skills. Joining an ADHD support group could 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 are often afflicted with an increased level of anxiety. This is due to a variety of factors that include low self-esteem and difficulties in relationships. It could also be related to issues at work like having trouble keeping a job or adhering to the rules and regulations of the workplace. Women who suffer from ADHD are also more likely to suffer from depression that is comorbid. This can lead to feelings of self-doubt or anxiety. Women who suffer from 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. This type of adhd is marked by six or more symptoms that last for at least six month that make it difficult to stay focused on tasks at home and at school. You are easily distracted by your environment or by your own thoughts and behaviors. You're not able to sit still or keeping your mind focused on a task (you're prone to the thousand-yard stare). You're not able to follow instructions or making deadlines at work or school. You are forgetful in your daily routines, such as paying bills or tracking medications.
Some women with ADHD cover up their symptoms more effectively than men. This can make it difficult to diagnose. For instance some women resort to strategies to hide their inattention with the appearance of a busy person or employing tools to manage and stay on task. The symptoms can also change due to hormonal changes, especially estrogen during ovulation as well as menstrual cycles.
The moment you receive an adhd diagnosis could be a pivotal moment for many adults with this disease. It can be a relief when you have a clear understanding of your issues. It can help you accept yourself more. It could also be a catalyst for making beneficial lifestyle changes.
Gender refers to the internal feeling that a person has of being female, male nonbinary, or a different gender. Sex refers to the chromosomal makeup of a person, hormones, and anatomy, and is determined by birth.