Blog entry by Shella Howse

Anyone in the world

Signs and Symptoms of ADHD in Women

Royal_College_of_Psychiatrists_logo.pngWomen suffering from ADHD often face different societal expectations about how they should manage their careers, family and home lives. This can cause you be irritated and embarrassed if your symptoms hinder your life.

psychology-today-logo.pngResearch has shown that girls are more likely to be diagnosed with ADHD than both males and females. This could be because they mask their symptoms or develop strategies to cope with their symptoms, such as:

1. Inattentiveness

Being unable to pay attention at school or work is among the most common indicators of adhd. People with adhd tend to forget important meetings or tasks or are misled by the instructions. They might also find it difficult to concentrate in noisy or crowded environments. Some people who suffer from ADHD are prone to what's called "thousand-yard stares" and can become distracted during conversations. These symptoms can lead to problems at work or in relationships.

Women and girls are more at risk of developing undiagnosed ADHD as they get older. They develop strategies to disguise their symptoms and continue to do this into adulthood. They may even start to see their symptoms as personal attributes, which can make it more difficult to seek help.

In addition, many teachers do not recommend ADHD assessments for girls as often as they do for men. However it is important to note that if a girl's ADHD symptoms have a negative effect on her school performance and social interactions, she should speak to a healthcare professional.

Inattention ADHD is a common cause of emotional stress. It can be difficult when you feel that you are not able meet the expectations of your friends or family members as well as colleagues. It can also be frustrating when you feel you are not able to get along with your children or siblings. Inattention and impulsivity can cause anxiety and depression in some people suffering from ADHD. You can decrease the severity of these symptoms by seeking assistance and doing other things. Regular exercise can help release neurotransmitters which boost concentration and attention. It can also help reduce anxiety and mood swings which are common in people who suffer from ADHD.

2. Impulsivity

ADHD symptoms can be difficult to manage. You may say things that you shouldn't or purchase items on impulse. You may also end up arrested by the police because of your actions. The urge to be impulsive can make it difficult to control your thoughts and emotions. Self-injury can manifest from cutting, burning, or scratching oneself. It can also lead to alcohol and drug abuse.

People who are impulsive often have problems with relationships and work or school performance. Your doctor can assist you to manage your impulsivity by prescribing medication. Drugs like amphetamine and dextroamphetamine (Adderall, Ritalin) or methylphenidate (Concerta, Daytrana, Methylin) can improve your impulse control. Non-stimulant medications like clonidine or guanfacine can also improve your ability to control yourself.

Women are more likely than men and boys to have a hyperactive/impulsive form of ADHD. This kind of ADHD can be difficult to recognize, leading to an incorrect diagnosis. Women may conceal their symptoms to conform to societal norms and expectations. This can be particularly problematic in adolescence and early adulthood. Some women use unhealthy strategies for coping such as excessive drinking and drug use, to conceal their ADHD challenges.

Women who have high-functioning ADHD might conceal their symptoms by excelling in specific areas of their lives, such as work or school. This could create a false impression that everything is fine and cause you to feel overwhelmed. Talk to your doctor about the accommodations that you can make at work or in school to help manage your ADHD symptoms. This is a great opportunity to educate your colleagues or professors about the challenges you have to face.

3. Disorganization

If you suffer from ADHD then avoiding appointments, turning up late for work, not remembering dates and not paying attention to conversations can result in anger and make others feel unimportant or offended. The condition can make it difficult to stay on top of tasks, manage finances and schedules. If you aren't able to remember what you need to get for groceries, you may be unable to eat, or spend too much on unnecessary items.

Women with ADHD struggle to keep the track of their daily chores, homework, and bills. The disorder can also result in messy and messy workplaces, and a tendency to accumulate. The "time blindness" that ADHD patients experience makes it difficult to determine how long has passed or how long they've worked on a specific task. Time management issues can cause feelings of guilt or shame when combined with difficulty staying organized.

While research suggests that girls and women are more likely to suffer from ADHD than boys and men, symptoms can be masked and not recognized. Many women are not diagnosed until they reach adulthood when their symptoms become more evident. Social stigma and stereotypes can also hinder women to access the treatment and support they require.

Your doctor might prescribe medication to help manage your ADHD symptoms. Stimulants like methylphenidate or amphetamine boost and balance neurotransmitters, the brain chemicals that communicate. Non-stimulant drugs like antidepressants and atomoxetine are also used to treat ADHD however they operate slower than stimulants. Your doctor could refer you to an expert in mental health, who can assist in developing a treatment program specific to your requirements.

4. Impulsiveness

Women who suffer from ADHD might have a difficult time controlling their emotions and are often more vulnerable to rejection. This is because the pathway of communication between brain regions that regulate emotional reactions and interpret what to do with these feelings is disrupted by the chemical imbalance that's associated with ADHD.

Moodiness and depression are common for those with ADHD, and the combination of these symptoms with difficulty keeping track of responsibilities can lead to trouble with romantic and family relationships. Women with ADHD also tend to have a lower self-esteem and may have difficulty forming friendships and navigating social situations. They may wander off in a tangent or have trouble understanding what others are saying. This could make it difficult for them to find a spot in a group.

Women suffering from adhd women uk may find it difficult to get motivated to finish mundane or boring tasks like washing dishes, cleaning, or doing laundry. This can result in unhealthy coping strategies, such as binge watching television shows or consuming substances. These are particularly risky for teens and girls with ADHD who are more likely than other kids to engage in risky behavior such as early sexual activities and fewer partners who are protected and casual sexual sex.

As adults, women with ADHD are more likely to go undiagnosed or be misdiagnosed than men because they tend to have inattentive symptoms instead of hyperactivity/impulsivity symptoms. In addition many women conceal their ADHD symptoms due to the multitude of expectations that society puts on them (managing the family home and household, for example). It isn't easy for doctors to determine if there is a problem since the symptoms are easier to recognize in both boys.

5. Hyperactivity

Women with adhd in women test can have difficulty managing their daily tasks. They may struggle with managing their lives, paying their bills on time and keeping up with work and school obligations. A variety of emotional symptoms, including mood swings and difficulty controlling emotions, may make it difficult to connect with other people and cause problems in personal relationships.

People with adhd symptoms in women adults are unable to discern body language or social cues. They may have difficulty following a conversation or go off on a tangent, causing problems at work or school and causing tension in relationships. They may also have difficulty making new friends, or finding a balance between work, home, and social life.

Symptoms of ADHD can be different throughout the day and be affected by hormone levels, such as those that occur during menstruation or pregnancy, or as they transition through perimenopausal (the menopausal phase). This could lead to confusion or the wrong medication being prescribed.

Everyone faces their own unique challenges when they live with ADHD, there are some common signs and symptoms that can help you recognize the condition for yourself or a loved one. It is essential to recognize these signs in order to receive the treatment and support you require to manage symptoms effectively.

It is important to understand that ADHD doesn't mean you are unaffected by other physical or mental disorders. Your therapist or doctor should perform a thorough assessment. They'll ask you questions regarding your past and current behavior, review your medical history, and talk about the impact of your symptoms in different settings.