ADHD Symptoms in Women
Adult women suffering from ADHD have their own unique problems. If left untreated, the symptoms can create havoc in relationships and work life.
Underdiagnosis is the result of gender discrimination and the tendency for women and girls to hide their symptoms. However, increased awareness means more adults are receiving the treatment they need. ADHD symptoms for women differ from those in men. They can be made worse by hormonal fluctuations during the menstrual period as well as pregnancy and menopausal.
Signs of Inattentive Type
Women with inattention ADHD may have trouble staying on task and completing tasks, usually making careless mistakes or misunderstand instructions. They may have trouble organizing and may have difficulty to keep the track of their commitments, including paying bills or returning phone calls, as well as sending birthday cards. They may also forget appointments and often miss social or work events or show up 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. Many people who don't get treated for their symptoms suffer emotional distress. This can lead to poor relationships and co-occurring illnesses like anxiety or depression.
The challenges of living with untreated ADHD can feel overwhelming. For some, it leads to self-blame and unhealthy coping habits, such as excessive alcohol and substance abuse. Some people fall into unhealthy behaviors, such as eating too much or losing weight. Some teenagers and young girls might self-injure themselves to alleviate their frustration at not being able to meet their social expectations. This could take the form of cutting, burning, or scratching.
Because of these challenges it's no surprise that women who suffer from inattentive type ADHD are prone to anxiety and depression, which can make it harder to manage their ADHD symptoms. Additionally women with these conditions may also have low self-esteem, which can make it difficult to realize that their issues are caused by an illness of the mind instead of being their fault.
Girls with inattention ADHD might also have difficulties in interpreting social signals, making them appear aloof or oblivious to others. They might miss jokes, misread body language, or be criticised for being rude or offensive. They may be unable to control their impulses and may make insulting remarks or interrupt others.
To help improve their focus, it's important for women with inattentive type ADHD to get enough rest each night and avoid nicotine, caffeine and stimulants. Regular exercise can increase neurotransmitters, which may 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 lead a messy house and to having difficulty paying bills on time. They might also forget their appointments or the names and faces of their family members and friends. They often get bored or distracted easily and have trouble waiting for their turn in a conversation. They are less likely than males and females to exhibit 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 prevalent for both genders healthcare professionals may not recognize these symptoms in women and girls or might ignore them, putting them down to mood issues or gender stereotypes. ADHD rating scales are also biased towards male behavior, making it difficult to detect and measure these symptoms in women.
The good news is that there are ways to manage ADHD as a mature woman as well as taking medication. The key is finding a therapist and a doctor who are experienced in treating ADHD for women and girls. The type of therapy suggested will depend on your symptoms and lifestyle and may include cognitive behavioral therapy that helps you validate your experience and reframe negative thinking patterns Psychoeducation for the family, or group therapy for support.
For some, a consistent 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 become more severe. During this period, try to stay on top of your health and schedule regular doctor's appointments, track your symptoms, and follow your treatment plan closely. You may also consult your doctor to alter the dosage or type of your medications as required. Talk with symptoms of adult add or therapist about the difficulties you face in managing your symptoms and how they affect your 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 Signs and symptoms
Women with mixed type ADHD have issues at school and at work, but they don't exhibit the impulsive or hyperactive behavior of the other subtypes. They may lose important documents, pay bills or forget to schedule appointments. This form of the disorder can also cause people to interrupt others, talk without thinking and speak without thinking. Women with this presentation of the condition also have difficulties maintaining relationships and friendships and are often unable to live independently.
In many cases, family friends, teachers, or even family members are the only ones who can notice the symptoms of inattention ADHD. This means that young women and girls with this disorder are underdiagnosed. Gender bias and the tendency of people with ADHD to conceal their symptoms are also contributing factors to underdiagnosis.
The symptoms of this kind are influenced by hormonal fluctuations, especially during pregnancy, puberty and menopausal. During these periods hormone levels decrease, and progesterone rises. This combo can intensify ADHD symptoms. Furthermore the symptoms can fluctuate from day to day, based on the levels of estrogen and progesterone. This can result in misdiagnosis, and in the wrong or insufficient treatment.
In addition to medications psychotherapy can be utilized to manage symptoms of the combined type. This includes cognitive behavioral therapy, which helps people to change their negative thoughts and behaviors, and psychoeducational counseling. Both are accessible through local mental health clinics as well as on the internet.
Regular physical activity such as walking, running or swimming can help improve concentration and focus. It can also release neurotransmitters that boost the brain and decrease anxiety or stress. Other methods to manage ADHD include taking breaks regularly, creating routines for your day, and employing methods for organizing. Support groups can be helpful in learning about changes in lifestyles and coping strategies. A professional ADHD coach can provide customized, individual guidance for some. Certain people suffering from this condition benefit from cognitive behavior or interpersonal therapy. A therapist can help a person recognize their behavior and how it affects others. They may also improve their communication skills.
The signs of an adult type
Women who suffer from ADHD can exhibit different symptoms than men. Finding and treating the problem for women can be complicated due to gender-based expectations. This makes it difficult for teachers or parents to recognize when girls are having issues with her attention or hyperactivity. The disorder can also be masked by depression or other mental health problems and makes it less evident to those around you. Symptoms can also fluctuate with hormone levels, like those experienced during the menstrual cycle or during menopausal pregnancy.
Women with ADHD are more likely to suffer from inattention symptoms. You lose things, have difficulty remembering details and tend to get distracted by what your friends are doing or your thoughts. Your inattention ADHD can impact your work, school, marriages, and other relationships. You might have difficulty paying bills, following directions or keeping the track of appointments. Your family and friends might be aware. Your teacher or boss may be concerned that you aren't finishing tasks in time or have trouble staying focused during meetings.
If you have the hyperactive/impulsive type of ADHD, your symptoms are more noticeable than inattentive ones. You're constantly in motion, you disrupt others, talk too much or make up nonsense without thinking about what you're saying. You are unable to wait for your turn or maintain eye contact. You can be impatient and have mood swings that are difficult for your family and friends to accept.
It may be difficult to control your emotions, especially during times of stress and trauma. You may react more strongly to criticism or fights even if the issue isn't serious. It may be easier to deal with these emotions by engaging in self destructive behavior such as drug or alcohol consumption or unhealthy eating habits.
Women who are diagnosed with ADHD can make a difference in their lives by implementing the appropriate treatment. You might consider working with a life management 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 assist you in understanding the way your genes and brain activity could affect your ADHD symptoms.