10 ADHD Symptoms In Women Tricks Experts Recommend
ADHD Symptoms in Women
Adult women with ADHD have their own unique difficulties. Untreated, symptoms can wreak havoc on relationships and work life.
Gender bias and a tendency for girls and women to camouflage their symptoms contribute to underdiagnosis. The increase in awareness has resulted in more adults getting the help they require. ADHD symptoms in women differ from those of men, and can be exacerbated by hormonal fluctuations during the menstrual cycle, pregnancy and menopausal.
Signs of Inattentive Type
Women who have inattention ADHD may have trouble staying on task and completing tasks, often making a mistake or failing to understand instructions. They may have trouble organizing and may have difficulty to keep the track of their commitments, including paying bills, returning phone calls or sending birthday cards. They also struggle to remember appointments and may often miss meetings or be late to 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. This can lead to poor relationships and co-occurring conditions such as depression or anxiety.
In the end, the problems of living with untreated ADHD can be overwhelming. For certain people, it can lead to self-blame and unhealthy coping strategies like excessive drinking and drug abuse. Some people turn to unhealthy behaviors, like eating more or dieting. For some girls, especially teens, the frustration 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 no surprise that women who have inattentive adhd symptoms female adults are more likely to experience anxiety and depression. This makes it harder to manage ADHD symptoms. In addition women with these conditions may also have low self-esteem, which can make it difficult to recognize that their issues are caused by an illness of the mind rather than being the result of their own fault.
Girls with inattention ADHD might also have difficulties in interpreting social signals, making them appear aloof or oblivious to other people. They may miss jokes, misread body language, and be accused of being rude or obnoxious. They might also have issues with impulse control, which means they might disrupt others or utter offensive words.
Women with inattentive ADHD should get enough sleep each night and avoid caffeine and stimulants to help improve their focus. Regular exercise can increase neurotransmitters that can aid in focusing.
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 result in clutter in the home and problems paying bills on time. They might also forget appointments, or the names of family and friends members. They are often bored or distracted easily and have trouble waiting for their turn to speak. They are less likely than boys and men to exhibit internalizing symptoms like anxiety or depression.
It can be harder to identify and diagnose hyperactive/impulsive ADHD in women than in boys or men. Because these symptoms are more prevalent for both genders, health care professionals may not recognize them in women or girls or might ignore them, putting them down to mood issues or gender stereotypes. adhd ocd symptoms rating scales are also known to be biased towards male behavior, which makes these symptoms difficult to assess and detect in women.
The good news is that there are ways to manage high-functioning adhd in females symptoms as a woman in adulthood and this includes taking medication. The most important thing is to find a therapist and a doctor who are experienced in treating ADHD both in women and girls. The type of treatment recommended will depend on the severity of the symptoms and lifestyle. It could include cognitive behavioral therapies to validate your experience and help change negative thinking patterns and family psychoeducation, or even support group work.
For some, a sleep routine, regular exercise and a balanced diet can ease symptoms. For others, stimulant medications like dextroamphetamine/amphetamine (Adderall), methylphenidate (Ritalin) or lisdexamfetamine (Vyvanse) may be required.
When menopausal hormone levels decrease, many symptoms of ADHD worsen. During this period, try to keep track of your health and schedule regular doctor's appointments, monitor your symptoms, and follow your treatment plan closely. You can also ask your health care provider to adjust the type or dosage of your medications as needed. Talk with your counselor or therapist about the difficulties you encounter in managing your symptoms and how they impact you at work as well as at home and in relationships. They might also suggest strategies to improve your communication with your partner and other people in your life.
Mixed Type symptoms
Women who suffer from mixed type high functioning adhd symptoms have difficulties at school and at work, but they don't exhibit the impulsive or hyperactive behavior of the other subtypes. They may forget appointments, lose important documents or pay bills and have trouble working through home chores. This form of disorder can also cause people to interrupt others, talk without thinking, and speak without thinking. Women with this type of the disorder also experience problems maintaining friendships and relationships and often find it difficult to live a life of their own.
In many cases, the inattentive symptoms of ADHD are the only ones observed by family, friends or teachers. As a result, girls and young women with ADHD are not diagnosed. This is caused by gender bias as well as the tendency of people who suffer from ADHD symptoms to conceal them.
The symptoms of this type of ADHD are caused by hormonal changes, especially in puberty and during pregnancy and menopause. In these instances estrogen levels decrease, and progesterone levels rise. This combo can intensify ADHD symptoms. Furthermore the symptoms are likely to fluctuate from day to day, based on the levels of progesterone and estrogen. This can lead to misdiagnosis and improper or inadequate treatment.
In addition to medications, psychotherapy can be used to treat symptoms of the combined type. This includes cognitive therapy for behavioral disorders, which assists people overcome negative thoughts and behaviors, and psychoeducational counseling. Both are available through local mental health clinics, as well as on the internet.
Regular physical activity, such as walking, running or swimming can improve focus and attention. It can also release neurotransmitters that boost the brain and reduce feelings of stress or anxiety, which are common in those suffering from ADHD. Other ways to manage ADHD include taking regular breaks, establishing routines for the day, and using organizational techniques. A support group can be helpful for developing lifestyle changes and strategies for coping. For certain people, a professional ADHD coach is a great option for individual, personalized guidance. Some people with ADHD also benefit from a cognitive-behavioral or interpersonal therapy. Therapists can help a person recognize their behavior and how it impacts other people. They may also improve their communication skills.
Adult Type symptoms
Women with ADHD may suffer from different symptoms than males. The gender roles of women can make it difficult for parents and teachers to recognize the problem. It can also be hidden by depression or mental health issues, making it harder to identify. The symptoms can also vary depending on hormone levels. For instance when you are pregnant or going through menstruation and menopause.
Attention deficit symptoms are the most common for women suffering from ADHD. You lose things, have difficulty remembering details, and get distracted by what others are doing or your thoughts. Your inattention ADHD symptoms can interfere with work, school, marriages and other relationships. Your family and friends might notice that you have difficulty adhering to instructions and keeping track of appointments, or paying bills. Your boss or teacher may observe that you are having trouble completing tasks on time or have difficulty staying focused in meetings.
If you have the hyperactive/impulsive type of ADHD, your symptoms are more noticeable than inattentive ones. You are restless and always at a loss for time, interrupt others, talk too much or say nonsensical things without thinking about what you're saying. You are unable to wait for your turn or keep eye contact. You might be impatient and suffer from mood swings that are difficult for your family and friends to accept.
You may have trouble controlling your emotions, particularly when you're dealing with stress or trauma. You may be more prone to react to criticism or even start fights even if the issue isn't a serious one. It could be easier to deal with these emotions by engaging in self destructive behavior such as drug or alcohol abuse, or unhealthy eating patterns.
Women who are diagnosed with ADHD are able to improve their lives with the right treatment. You might consider working with a life coach or finding an online ADHD support group. You may also seek advice from an experienced counselor who has experience treating women with this disorder. You may want to talk to a psychiatrist who can help you understand how your genes and brain activity may affect your ADHD symptoms.