ADHD Symptoms in Women
Adult women suffering from ADHD have challenges that a lot of don't realize. If not treated, the symptoms can cause havoc in relationships and work life.
Underdiagnosis is a result of gender discrimination and the tendency of women and girls to hide their symptoms. The increased awareness has led to more people receiving the care they need. ADHD symptoms in women differ from those experienced by men and are often aggravated by hormonal fluctuations during the menstrual cycle, pregnancy, and menopause.
The Signs of Inattention Type
Women who have inattention ADHD may have trouble staying on task and completing tasks, frequently making careless mistakes or misunderstand instructions. They may have trouble organizing and may have difficulty to keep track of their obligations such as paying bills, returning phone calls or sending birthday cards. They may also forget appointments and often miss social or work-related events or arrive late for meetings.
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. If they don't seek treatment for their symptoms may experience emotional stress. This can lead to poor relationships or co-occurring disorders, such as anxiety and depression.
The challenges of living with ADHD that isn't treated can be overwhelming. For some, it leads to self-blame and unhealthy coping habits that include excessive drinking and drug abuse. Some turn to unhealthy behaviors such as eating less and gaining weight. For some girls and teens, the anger of not being able to meet social expectations can lead to non-suicidal self-injury, which may look like cutting, burning or scratching.
Because of these difficulties It's not surprising that women who suffer from inattentive type ADHD are prone to depression and anxiety which can make it even harder to manage their ADHD symptoms. Additionally, these women may have low self-esteem, which can make it difficult to realize that their issues stem from an illness of the mind rather than being the result of their own responsibility.
Girls with inattentive ADHD might also have difficulty in interpreting social cues. This can cause them to appear aloof and oblivious. They may not be able to catch jokes or misunderstand body language and be accused of being rude or obnoxious. They may also be struggling with impulse control, which means they might disrupt others or utter offensive words.
Women with inattention ADHD need to get enough rest each night and avoid stimulants and caffeine to boost their focus. Exercise regularly can help increase neurotransmitters, which can help 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 a messy home and difficulty paying bills on time. They might forget appointments or the names of family and friends members. They are easily distracted or bored, and they can't wait to be heard. They are less likely than men and boys to experience internalizing symptoms such as depression or anxiety.
It can be harder to identify and diagnose hyperactive/impulsive ADHD in women than in boys or men. Because these symptoms are more common for both genders healthcare professionals might not be able to spot them in girls and women or ignore them, putting them down to gender stereotypes or mood issues. ADHD rating scales tend to be skewed towards male behavior, which makes these symptoms difficult to assess and detect in women.
The good news is that there are options to manage ADHD as an adult woman as well as taking medication. The key is finding an experienced therapist and clinician in treating ADHD for women and girls. The kind of treatment suggested will depend on the severity of the symptoms and the lifestyle. It may include cognitive behavioral therapies to validate your experience and help you reframe negative thought patterns, family psychoeducation or support group work.
For some, a regular sleep routine, regular exercise and a healthy diet can help reduce symptoms. For others, stimulant medications like dextroamphetamine/amphetamine (Adderall), methylphenidate (Ritalin) or lisdexamfetamine (Vyvanse) may be required.
When menopausal hormone levels decrease, a lot of symptoms of ADHD become more severe. During this time you must be on top of things and keep track of your symptoms and your treatment plan. You can also ask your health care provider to adjust the dosage or type of your medications as necessary. Talk to your therapist or counselor about the challenges you face in managing your symptoms and how they impact you at work, at home, and in relationships. They may also suggest strategies to improve your communication with your partner and with other people in your life.
Symptoms of Mixed Type
Women who have mixed type ADHD typically have difficulties in work and school however they do not exhibit the hyperactive or impulsive signs of the other subtypes. They might forget appointments, lose important documents or pay bills, and have difficulty working through home chores. The symptoms of this type of the disorder can include disrupting others, blurting out answers, and speaking without thinking. Women suffering from this form of the disorder also experience difficulties maintaining relationships and friendships and may find it difficult to be a self-sufficient person.
In many cases, family friends, teachers, or even family members are only able to notice the inattentive symptom of ADHD. This results in girls and young women being underdiagnosed. The underdiagnosis is also due to gender bias and the tendency of people who suffer from ADHD symptoms to conceal their symptoms.
The symptoms of this kind of ADHD are caused by hormonal changes that occur during puberty, and during menopausal and pregnancy. In these instances, estrogen levels decrease and progesterone levels rise. This combination makes ADHD symptoms more apparent and can cause them to worsen. The symptoms may also differ from day to day, based on estrogen and progesterone levels. This can lead to misdiagnosis and improper or insufficient treatment.
Psychotherapy can be combined with medications to treat symptoms of the combined type. This includes cognitive behavior therapy, which helps to change negative thoughts and behavior and psychoeducational counselling. Both are accessible on the internet and in local mental clinics.
Regular physical activity, such as running, walking or swimming can help improve concentration and focus. It can also help release brain-boosting neurotransmitters and reduce anxiety or stress which are common among those suffering from ADHD. Other strategies to manage ADHD include taking breaks on a regular basis, establishing daily routines, and using methods for organizing. Support groups can be extremely helpful in learning about lifestyle changes and strategies for coping. iampsychiatry can provide personalized individual guidance to those who have. Some people with this condition also benefit from cognitive or interpersonal therapy. A therapist can help the person to be aware of how their behavior affects others and help them develop their communication skills.
Symptoms of Adult Type
Women suffering from ADHD might have symptoms that are different than those of males. Finding and treating the problem in women is a challenge due to gender role expectations, which can make it difficult for parents or teachers to notice when the girl is struggling with her attention or hyperactivity. The disorder can also be masked by depression or other mental health issues, which makes it less evident to those close to you. The symptoms can also change in accordance in response to hormones, such as those experienced during the menstrual cycle or during menopausal pregnancy.
Inattentive symptoms are the most common for women suffering from ADHD. You lose things, have difficulty remembering details and tend to get distracted by what others are doing or your thoughts. Your naive ADHD symptoms can interfere with work, school, marriages and other relationships. Your family and friends may be aware that you are having difficulty following directions and keeping track of appointments or paying bills. Your teacher or boss might notice that you are having difficulty staying focused in meetings or completing tasks in a timely manner.
If you have the hyperactive/impulsive type of ADHD, your symptoms are more noticeable than inattentive ones. You're constantly on the move and interrupt others, talk too much or make comments that make no sense without thinking. You have trouble waiting for your turn, and you struggle to maintain eye contact with other people. You might be impatient and have mood swings that are difficult for your family and friends to bear.
You may struggle to control your emotions, particularly in times of stress or trauma. You might react more strongly to criticism or even start fights even if the issue isn't serious. 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.
The right treatment can help women with ADHD improve their lives. You may want to consider working with a life coach or locating an online ADHD support group. You may also seek out professional counseling from a professional who has worked with women suffering from this disorder. You may want to talk to a psychiatrist, who can help you understand how your genes and brain activity may influence your ADHD symptoms.