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ADHD Symptoms in Women
Adult women with ADHD face unique difficulties. Inadequate treatment can cause havoc in relationships and work.
A tendency to discriminate against gender and a tendency for girls and women to camouflage their symptoms contribute to underdiagnosis. However, the increased awareness means more adults are receiving the treatment they need. ADHD symptoms in women are different from those experienced by men and are often aggravated by hormone fluctuations throughout the menstrual cycle, pregnancy, and menopausal.
Signs of Inattentive Type
Women who have inattention ADHD might have difficulty 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 and returning phone calls, or sending birthday cards. They also struggle to remember appointments and may often miss meetings or arrive 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. Patients who don't seek help for their symptoms may experience emotional stress. This could lead to a breakdown in relationships or co-occurring disorders, such as depression and anxiety.
The difficulties of living with ADHD that is not treated can be overwhelming. For some, it leads to self-blame and unhealthy coping strategies like excessive drinking and drug abuse. Others turn to unhealthy habits such as dieting and overeating. For some girls, especially teenagers, the stress of not being able to meet social expectations can lead to non-suicidal self-injury, which may appear as burning, cutting or scratching.
Because of these challenges it's no surprise that women who suffer from inattentive type ADHD are prone to depression and anxiety which can make it more difficult to manage their ADHD symptoms. They may also suffer from low self-esteem, which makes it difficult to recognize that the problem is a mental illness and not their fault.
Girls with inattention ADHD might also have difficulty understanding social cues. This could cause them to appear aloof and oblivious. They may miss jokes, miss interpret body language, and be accused of being rude or offensive. They may also have difficulties in controlling their impulses, so they might interrupt others or shout out insulting phrases.
To improve their concentration, it's essential for women suffering from inattentive type ADHD to get enough rest each night and avoid nicotine, caffeine and stimulants. Exercise regularly can help increase neurotransmitters that can aid with concentration.
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 to a messy home and difficulty paying bills on time. They might also forget their appointments or the names and faces of their family members and friends. They tend to be easily distracted or bored and struggle to wait for their turn to speak. They are less likely to exhibit the internalizing symptoms of depression or anxiety, which may be more prevalent in boys and men.
It can be harder to identify and diagnose hyperactive/impulsive ADHD in women than in boys or men. Because these symptoms are more common in boys and men health professionals might not be able to spot them in girls and women or might ignore them, putting them down to mood issues or gender stereotypes. ADHD rating scales also tend to be biased towards male behavior, which makes these symptoms difficult to determine and recognize for women.
There are a myriad of ways to manage ADHD in an adult woman. This includes taking medication. The key is finding a therapist and a doctor who are experienced in treating ADHD in girls and women. The type of treatment recommended will depend on the severity of the symptoms and lifestyle. It may include cognitive behavioral therapy to prove your experience and help you reframe negative thought patterns as well as family psychoeducation or group work.
Some people can manage their symptoms by observing a regular sleep schedule exercise regularly, and eating a healthy diet. For others, stimulant medications like dextroamphetamine/amphetamine (Adderall), methylphenidate (Ritalin) or lisdexamfetamine (Vyvanse) may be required.
Many of the symptoms of ADHD are exacerbated during menopausal changes when hormone levels fall. During this time it is important to stay on top of things and keep on top of your symptoms as well as your treatment plan. You can also request that your doctor adjust the dosage or the type of medication you're taking if needed. Talk to your therapist or counselor about the difficulties you encounter in managing your symptoms and how they affect you at work at home, at work, and in relationships. They may also suggest strategies to improve communication with your partner and other people in your life.
Signs of Mixed Type
Women with mixed type ADHD often experience difficulties at school and work however they do not exhibit the hyperactive or impulsive symptoms of the other subtypes. They might miss appointments and documents, or lose important documents or pay bills, and have difficulty working through home chores. The signs of this form of the disorder can include disrupting others, blurting out answers, or speaking without thinking. Women who suffer from this type of the disorder also experience difficulties maintaining relationships and friendships and may find it difficult to be a self-sufficient person.
In a lot of cases, family or friends are the only ones to be able to recognize the inattentive symptom of ADHD. In the end, young women and girls with this disorder are underdiagnosed. The underdiagnosis is also due to gender bias and the tendency for people with ADHD symptoms to conceal their symptoms.
The symptoms of this type are affected by hormonal fluctuations, particularly during pregnancy, puberty and menopausal. During these times hormone levels decrease, and progesterone increases. This combination accentuates ADHD symptoms. Additionally the symptoms are likely to vary day-to-day, depending on the levels of estrogen and progesterone. This can lead to an incorrect diagnosis as well as inadequate or ineffective treatment.
In addition to medications, psychotherapy can be used to treat the symptoms of the mixed type. This includes cognitive behavior therapy, which can help to change negative thoughts and behavior and psychoeducational counseling. Both are available through local mental health clinics and online.
Regular physical activity such as walking, running or swimming can increase focus and attention. add symptoms in women can also release neurotransmitters that boost the brain and help reduce anxiety or stress. Other methods to manage ADHD include taking regular breaks, establishing routines for the day, and using strategies for organization. A support group can be beneficial in learning lifestyle changes and strategies for coping. A professional ADHD coach can provide individualized individual guidance to those who have. Some people with this condition benefit from cognitive behavior or interpersonal therapy. A therapist can help the person to be aware of how their behavior affects others and help them develop communication skills.
The signs of an adult type
Women with ADHD may exhibit symptoms that are different from men. The gender roles of women can make it difficult for teachers and parents to identify the condition. The condition can be disguised by depression or other mental health issues, which makes it less evident to people close to you. The symptoms can also change depending on hormone levels. For instance when you are pregnant or going through menstruation and menopausal.
Attention-deficit symptoms are the most frequent for women with ADHD. You lose things, have difficulty remembering details, and be distracted by what other people are doing or by your thoughts. Your inattention ADHD symptoms could affect your work, school, marriages and other relationships. Your family and friends could notice that you have difficulty following directions or keeping track of appointments or paying bills. Your teacher or boss might note that you have trouble getting tasks completed on time or having difficulty staying focused during meetings.
If you have the hyperactive/impulsive type of ADHD, your symptoms are more noticeable than inattentive ones. You're always on the go, disrupt other people, talk excessively or say nonsensical things without thinking about what you're saying. You are unable to wait for your turn or keep eye contact. You are impatient and often exhibit mood swings that could be difficult for your closest family members and friends to bear.
It may be difficult to manage your emotions, especially in times of stress and trauma. You might react more strongly to criticism or even start fights even if the situation isn't a serious one. It may be easier to cope with these emotions by engaging in self-destructive behavior, like drug and alcohol abuse or unhealthy eating patterns.
The best treatment can help women suffering from ADHD improve their lives. You might consider working with a life management coach or finding an online ADHD support group. You could also seek professional counseling from a professional who has treated women with this disorder. You may want to speak with a psychiatrist who can help you better understand the way your genes or brain activity may impact your ADHD symptoms.
