ADHD Symptoms in Women Adults
Women suffering from ADHD suffer from a variety of symptoms which can affect their daily functioning at school, work and home. Treatments for ADHD include medication and psychotherapy with a mental health professional experienced in treating adults suffering from ADHD.
The symptoms of ADHD can be exacerbated by hormonal changes during the menstrual cycle, pregnancy, perimenopausal or menopausal.
Inattention or lack of Focus
Women suffering from ADHD may have difficulty to focus and feel like their concentration is failing. They may lose the track of time, neglect appointments or other obligations, and suffer from poor work performance. They are also more likely to suffer from co-occurring illnesses such as depression or anxiety, as well as relationship problems that can result in violence.
In adolescence, hormonal changes can make it more difficult for girls who suffer from ADHD, to concentrate. This is because estrogen levels decrease around time of menstruation and even later in the time of Ovulation. When combined with progesterone, which is high in the brain of adolescent girls, these fluctuations can exacerbate symptoms and make them more obvious. They also increase the likelihood of being misdiagnosed with anxiety or a mood disorder and incorrectly 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 diagnose them as they age since adults are less likely than teachers or parents to notice the same behavioral problems that children with ADHD might be suffering from. Girls with ADHD are also better in hiding their problems and relying on their tools to help them cope. This can result in false sense of confidence and a deep-seated self-doubt that can affect the financial and professional success of a person with ADHD.
Additionally the insanity of women and girls with ADHD can cause them to engage in more sexual activity than their peers and at a younger age. This can cause unhealthy relationships and an increased chance of being pushed into unintentional sexual activity or being the victim of sexual assault. It can also lead an unhealthy food intake and increase the risk of substance and alcohol abuse.
Regular physical activity can help improve focus and release neurotransmitters to increase 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 taking a walk, yoga, swimming or playing a sport.
Disorganization
Women who suffer from ADHD often struggle with disorganization and clutter. Your work and home can be chaotic and messy even though you are cleaning or trying to organize. Your personal and professional relationships can suffer because of missed appointments, late payments and lost or misplaced paperwork. You could also be suffering from health issues if your do not eat well, skip doctor visits, or fail to adhere to the prescriptions.
It's difficult to maintain your typical level of organization when you suffer from ADHD because the symptoms flare up when you are confronted with specific stressors. Your desk at work could be a jumbled mess of receipts 17 chapsticks, a ticket from the Kings of Leon show you attended in 2008. Your cart at the grocery store could be overflowing with items to the point of filling it with things you don't really need. Your purse could be filled with a random collection of things like a set of scissors keys, a pen, keys and paper, or even an additional set of headphones.
Inattentive ADHD symptoms are the most common subtype of the disorder, and can be characterized by difficulty paying attention or following directions at work, school or in social situations. You might lose your keys, forget to make appointments or be too gentle with others because you do not know the mess they are in. You may find it difficult to complete tasks, become overwhelmed at school or work and feel like you don't fit in with your peers.
Many girls and woman are not diagnosed with ADHD because they don't have symptoms that fit the stereotypes of hyperactivity that are prevalent among boys and men. Women and girls are often non-attentional symptoms instead of hyperactive which can make it harder to diagnose. A gender bias could also hinder health professionals from examining ADHD to be the cause of their behavior.
If your disorganization and clutter are a result of stress, try to decrease these factors to lessen your frustration levels. Meditation and mindfulness exercises can help you manage your impulsivity, manage your emotions and stay in the present moment. A healthy diet can help reduce the symptoms. Avoiding foods high in sugars, fats, and chemicals can make you feel more calm and at peace.
Problems in Making Decisions
Women with ADHD often struggle with difficulty making decisions because they are easily distracted. This can lead to problems both in their personal and professional life. They may struggle to follow through with their plans or failing to keep track of appointments and bills. Their inattention ADHD could also make them more likely than others to misplace things or lose them, which can cause a number of problems.
Another common ADHD sign in women of adulthood is mood swings and problems with self-esteem. These problems are sometimes worsened by hormone fluctuations, such as those that occur during menstrual cycles and pregnancy, as well as menopausal. Women suffering from ADHD may also experience depression or anxiety. These symptoms can trigger these conditions, or they may develop independently. They are also more likely to experience co-occurring disorders like eating disorders, tics, or fibromyalgia.
The signs of ADHD in women can be more difficult to identify than they are for men and 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 hard to identify and lead people to dismiss symptoms as "character defects" or something that they must deal with.
It can be difficult for women to recognize their ADHD symptoms, especially those who have been suffering from them for a long time. They can become accustomed to their lack of focus and disorganization that they begin to believe that it's normal. signs of adhd in women could stop them from getting a diagnosis and treatment.
For women who have been diagnosed with ADHD the most effective treatment is usually medication. The most frequently prescribed drugs are stimulants that work by increasing the levels of certain neurotransmitters that are present in the brain. These include the drugs methylphenidate (Ritalin), dextroamphetamine and amphetamine salts (Adderall), and lisdexamfetamine (Vyvanse). Non-stimulants, such as atomoxetine or viloxazine, or antidepressants like imipramine, nortriptyline and desipramine can help control ADHD.
Women can reduce their symptoms of ADHD by making lifestyle changes in addition to taking medication. For instance, exercise can improve the mood and boost energy levels. It can also help improve social skills. Participating in an ADHD support group could be beneficial to women suffering from ADHD who have a harder time dealing with their symptoms around other people.
Anxiety
Women who suffer from ADHD are often anxious. This is related to many factors, including low self-esteem, difficulties in relationships, as well as an inability to understand and support from others. It may also be related to issues at work such as difficulty maintaining a job or adhering to the rules and regulations of the workplace. Women with ADHD are also more likely to suffer from comorbid depression. This can increase feelings of anxiety or self-doubt. In addition, those with ADHD are more likely to suffer from disordered eating, 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 characterized by six or more symptoms that last at least six months you have trouble staying focused on tasks at home and at school. You are easily distracted by the environment or by your own thoughts or actions. You have trouble sitting still or focusing on a specific task (you are susceptible to a look that spans a mile). You're not able to follow instructions or making deadlines at school or work. You're prone to forgetfulness in your daily routines such as paying bills or keeping track of medications.
Women with ADHD mask their symptoms better than males. This makes it difficult to identify. For example some women employ strategies to hide their inattention with the appearance of a busy person or employing tools to manage and remain focused. The symptoms can also change with hormone changes, particularly estrogen during the ovulation period and menstrual cycle.
Obtaining an adhd diagnosis can be a life-changing event for a lot of adults suffering from this disease. It can be a relief to know the reason for your problems and can aid in accepting yourself more fully. It can also serve as a catalyst to initiate positive lifestyle changes.
Gender refers to the internal perception that one has of being female, male nonbinary, or a different gender. Sex is determined by the chromosomal makeup of a person and hormones as well as anatomy.