Blog entry by Betsey Nestor
AdHD Symptoms in Women
Women who suffer from ADHD struggle to meet society's expectations. This includes caring for others as well as balancing work and family life, and navigating relationships.
Female ADHD symptoms are more likely to be inattentive-type symptoms than hyperactive/impulsive symptoms. Gender bias can also make health professionals not recognize ADHD in women and girls or misdiagnose them.
1. Inattention and lack of Focus
Being unable to concentrate is one of the most frequent adhd symptoms in women. This issue can manifest in a variety of ways, such as having trouble remembering appointments, not being able finish tasks at the office or zoning out when speaking to people. It's also a frequent symptom that can make it hard for women to keep up with their finances, and is often the reason why they aren't able to take advantage of jobs or financial opportunities.
Some women may be better at masking ADHD symptoms than other women, making it harder for them as adults to get diagnosed and treated. Researchers aren't sure why that is, but they theorize that it may be due to traditional gender roles and the notion that women and girls should be more "restrained." The act of masking adhd adult women treatment symptoms can lead to underperforming at work or school and may prevent them from seeking the help and assistance they need.
Lack of focus can also be mistaken for other conditions like anxiety or depression. Depression can affect concentration by making you forgetful and unmotivated. People with generalized anxiety disorder typically have difficulty focusing due to the fact that they tend to be overwhelmed by their thoughts and emotions.
Treatment is the best method to increase concentration. This involves hiring a professional or therapist who has experience working with ADHD both in women and girls. It's also a good idea to learn about any accommodations you could ask your employer or school for such as flexible hours or working at home. Good sleep hygiene practices can help you have more restful nights and become more focused throughout the day, including going to bed at the same time each night, listening to relaxing music or an audiobook prior sleeping, and limiting screen time.
2. Impulsivity
famous women with adhd with ADHD frequently exhibit impulsivity signs. These can include interrupting others or shifting topics during a conversation, taking quick decisions without thinking, and taking risks that aren't beneficial to their health. They might also have trouble understanding body language or social cues. Symptoms of impulsivity can worsen during perimenopausal - the time prior to menopausal onset - and when hormone levels begin to decline.
Girls and women with adhd for adult women are more likely to have inattentive-type symptoms, which can be harder to notice than hyperactive/impulsive symptoms. This could cause health professionals to overlook ADHD in their patients, not diagnosing them correctly, or ignore their symptoms as a result of anxiety or mood problems. Research on ADHD focuses mainly on boys and men. This may cause the perception of gender bias.
Teachers and parents may observe an impulsive behavior among children suffering from ADHD. It's not unusual for children to be anxious or even impatient at times. However, those behaviors tend to improve over time as they grow older and learn to manage their problems.
Adults with adhd can have impulsive behavior and distracting that can impact their relationships, work, and school. They can lead to procrastination and forgetfulness, as well as difficulties adhering to commitments. They can also make it difficult to find and keep jobs. They also can affect healthy eating habits.
Adult ADHD is usually treated by medication. Your doctor will recommend an array of treatments based on your specific symptoms and lifestyle, as well as other health conditions you might have. Psychotherapy may also be recommended, including cognitive behavioral therapy to help you identify and change negative thoughts patterns, couples counseling when your relationship has been affected by your ADHD, or family therapy. Exercise can also help calm your brain and reduce symptoms, especially when it comes to impulsivity and distractibility. You can try activities like dancing, yoga, and group exercises like running and swimming.
3. Anxiety
Anxiety disorders are common and can cause a wide array of physical symptoms. These include dizziness and chest pain, heart palpitations, headaches and sweating. They can also make someone feel as if they are suffering from an attack of the heart or that the world is ending. People who suffer from anxiety are often misdiagnosed as having a heart condition due to these physical signs. This can lead to a long medical treatment without addressing the root cause. Fortunately, most anxiety disorders respond well to psychotherapy by itself or in combination with medication. Particularly, cognitive behavioral therapy can help people develop new ways of thinking and reacting that could make them less anxious.
Unlike men and boys, who are more likely to have hyperactive/impulsive ADHD, women are more likely to have the inattentive subtype of the disorder. Women are also more likely to suffer from mixed subtypes. women with attention deficit disorder should discuss their ADHD symptoms with their doctor. will ask them specific questions about the disorder.
Women suffering from ADHD may have difficulty obtaining an accurate diagnosis as many of the diagnostic tools used to diagnose the disorder are biased towards male behavior. In addition, women often attempt to hide their symptoms in order to fit into the society. They can be misdiagnosed and their ADHD treatment may be delayed. A trained professional such as a psychiatrist, psychologist or advanced practice registered nurses can diagnose ADHD. The doctor will take a detailed medical history, a physical exam and the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Health Disorders in order to evaluate a patient's symptoms and determine if other conditions could be contributing.
4. Disorganization
Women with ADHD might experience disorganization, which is an ongoing problem that can affect work and schoolwork habits as well as cause emotional stress. It can create tension in relationships, and can lead to financial difficulties. Disorganization is defined as a lack of organizational skills that include not keeping track of bills or appointments, and difficulty making decisions. Most often, the disorder is linked to other issues, such as anxiety, traumatizing a life incident, or depression and can be difficult to treat.
Some women with ADHD are able to perform at a high level, and their symptoms don't affect their daily life or relationships. This condition is known as "high-functioning ADHD." This does not mean that they do not experience some of the symptoms. This includes forgetfulness, difficulty concentrating or paying attention to tiny details.
Some people struggle with disorganization on a daily basis. They may spend time looking for lost objects or delay important tasks. It can also cause poor work performance and tension in relationships. It can also cause many health issues, including anxiety or sleep disorders.
Hormone fluctuations can further aggravate the disorder of women suffering from ADHD. Estrogen levels decrease during ovulation and in the middle of the menstrual cycle, while progesterone levels are higher and these fluctuations can make ADHD symptoms worse.
Although biological differences between sexes can play a role, it's also possible that some of the disorder and impulsivity that is associated with ADHD in women is related to social "norms." Young women and girls can be socialized to be quiet and reserved, which can lead them to hide or suppress their ADHD symptoms.
5. Attention!
Women are often able to mask their attention problems than men do and can result in underdiagnosis and delayed treatment. In reality, they may even think they have better focus and time-management skills than they actually do. In reality, they tend to lose things and miss appointments, or pay bills on time. They also struggle with disorganization both at work and at home.
Women suffering from ADHD are more prone to develop the inattentive type of the disorder. They're less likely to have the hyperactive/impulsive or mixed symptoms, which must be present in at least two settings for six months to qualify as an adhd traits in women diagnosis. They might also have difficulty staying quiet and may speak to themselves continuously or speak unintelligible phrases or sounds, though they're less likely to have these symptoms than men are.
For many adults suffering from ADHD, the first method of treatment is medication. Drugs that stimulate the brain, such as methylphenidate or amphetamine are frequently prescribed, but nonstimulant drugs that focus on the way neurotransmitters interact with your brain may also be a possibility. These include atomoxetine, guanfacine and the guanfacine.
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) can also be beneficial for women suffering from ADHD. These therapies can help identify the irrational or automatic thinking that is present and teach you healthy ways to self regulate your emotions and behaviors. A healthy diet and exercise in addition to medications can help manage ADHD symptoms such as inattention, restlessness and disorientation. Try activities such as dancing, yoga, group classes like swimming or aerobics, and biking to increase your energy levels. Try to do at least four to five sessions of exercise each week of around 30 minutes each session. Be sure to consume a variety of fruits and vegetables whole grains, healthy fats, and protein to boost your focus and mood.