ADHD Symptoms in Women Adults
Women who have ADHD often experience a variety of symptoms that affect the way they live at school, home, work, and in relationships. ADHD is treated with medication and psychotherapy by an expert in mental health who has expertise in treating adults with ADHD.
The symptoms of ADHD can be made worse due to hormonal changes that occur during menstrual cycles, pregnancy and perimenopausal or menopausal changes.
Inattention or lack of Focus
Women who suffer from ADHD often find that they lack the ability to focus, and may feel like their concentration is declining. They can lose the track of time, forget appointments or other obligations, and struggle with poor work performance. They also tend to be more likely to suffer from co-occurring disorders such as depression or anxiety and have relationship issues which can lead to intimate partner violence.
As we get older, hormone changes can make it difficult for girls who suffer from ADHD, to concentrate. This is due to estrogen levels decrease around the time of menstrual flow and later in the time of Ovulation. These fluctuations, when coupled with progesterone, a hormone that is high in adolescent's brains can make symptoms more noticeable. These fluctuations also increase the likelihood of being mistakenly diagnosed as a mental disorder, and being treated incorrectly.
Girls with ADHD are more likely to have the inattentive subtype of the condition, rather than the hyperactive/impulsive or mixed subtypes. This makes it more difficult for them to get diagnosed as they grow older, since adults are less likely to see the same issues with behavior that parents or teachers might notice in kids with ADHD. Girls with ADHD are also better at disguising their symptoms and rely on aids to alleviate their attention problems. This can create an untrue sense of self-worth and a deep sense of self-doubt that can affect financial and career achievement.
The impulsivity associated with ADHD in girls and women can also lead them to be more sexually active than their peers and at a younger age. This can result in unhealthy relationships, and a higher risk of being pressured into sexual activities that are not desired or being the victim of sexual assault. It can also lead to disordered eating, and could increase the risk of substance or alcohol abuse.
Regular physical activity can improve focus and release neurotransmitters that enhance alertness and working memory. It can also alleviate stress and improve sleeping and sleep, both of which are frequent issues for people suffering from ADHD. Try walking, yoga, swimming, or playing any sport.
Disorganization
Women who suffer from ADHD are often confronted with clutter and disorder. While you may spend time cleaning and organizing your home, your home and workplace life can feel chaotic. Late payments, missed appointments and lost papers can negatively impact your work and personal relationships. You may also experience health issues as a result of a poor nutrition, skipping doctor visits or not taking medications according to instructions.
When you have ADHD it is difficult to maintain your normal level of organization because your symptoms become more severe when you are faced with certain stressors. Your office desk may be a jumbled mess of receipts, 17 chapsticks and tickets from the Kings of Leon show you attended in 2008. Your grocery cart may be overflowing with items that you don't need. Your handbag may contain an assortment of random items such as a pair scissors keys, a pen, keys paper, or an extra set of headphones.
Inattentional ADHD is the most prevalent type of the disorder. It is characterized by difficulty paying attention, following directions or being active in social settings. You might lose your keys, forget to schedule appointments or be too gentle with others because you do not realize the trouble they are in. You may have difficulty completing tasks, get overwhelmed at school or work and feel like you don't fit in with your friends.
Many women and girls aren't diagnosed with ADHD because they don't display symptoms that fit the stereotypes of hyperactivity that are prevalent among boys and men. Girls and women are more likely to exhibit inattention instead of hyperactivity, which can make them harder to diagnose, and a gender bias could prevent health care experts from considering ADHD as the reason for their behavior.
If your clutter and disorganization are caused by stress, you should try to minimize the stress factors to reduce your stress levels. Try mindfulness and meditation exercises which will help you control your emotions, stay in the present moment, and manage impulsivity. A healthy diet could aid in reducing your symptoms. Avoiding foods that are high in sugars or fats, as well as chemicals can make you feel more focused and relaxed.
Making decisions can be difficult
Women with ADHD often struggle with difficulty making decisions due to being so easily distracted. This can lead to difficulties both in their professional and personal lives. They may not be able to stick to on their plans or meet appointments or bill payments. In addition, their inattentive ADHD symptoms may make them more likely to lose or misplace things, which can lead to many issues.
Another common ADHD characteristic of women who are adults is mood swings as well as issues with their self-esteem. These issues can be made worse by hormonal fluctuations, similar to the ones that occur during menstrual cycle, pregnancy, and menopause. Women with ADHD may also experience anxiety or depression. These symptoms can trigger these conditions, or they may develop independently. They are more likely to have co-occurring disorders, such as eating disorders or tics.
Symptoms of ADHD for women may be harder to diagnose as they are for males and boys. This is because they are more likely to have inattentive ADHD symptoms and be less prone to hyperactive/impulsive ADHD symptoms, especially in the mixed subtype of the disorder. This makes it difficult to diagnose and may cause people to dismiss their symptoms as "character imperfections" or as something they simply have to deal with.
Women may be unable to recognize their ADHD symptoms, especially those who have had them for some time. They can get so used to their inattention and disorganization that they think it's normal. This could stop them from getting a diagnosis and treatment.
For women who are diagnosed with ADHD the most effective treatment is generally medication. The most frequently prescribed drugs are stimulants, which function by increasing levels of certain neurotransmitters within the brain. They include methylphenidate, dextroamphetamine, amphetamines and salts (Adderall), lisdexamfetamine and Lisdexamfetamine. Non-stimulants, such as Atomoxetine (Strattera) and viloxazine (Qelbree) or antidepressants, such as imipramine (Tofranil), desipramine (Norpramin) and nortriptyline (Pamelor) are also able to aid in controlling ADHD symptoms.
Women can lessen the symptoms of ADHD by making lifestyle changes, in addition to taking medication. For instance, exercising can boost mood and increase energy levels. It can also improve social abilities. Participating in adhd traits in women support group could be beneficial for women with ADHD who have a harder time dealing with their symptoms around other people.
Anxiety
Women suffering from ADHD are often afflicted with an anxiety level that is high. This is due to a variety of factors, including low self-esteem, difficulties in relationships, and a lack of understanding and support from other people. It may also be related to problems at work like having trouble keeping the job or observing workplace rules and procedures. Women who suffer from ADHD also have higher rates of depression that is comorbid which can lead to increased feelings of self-doubt and anxiety. In addition, women with ADHD are more likely to experience eating disorders, like anorexia or bulimia.
Inattentive-type symptoms, which cause you to lose or misplace things, forget important appointments, or have trouble remembering what people tell you, are more common in females with adhd than hyperactive/impulsive ADHD. adhd in women checklist with this type of adhd have six or more of the following symptoms lasting for at least six months: struggle to stay focused on tasks at home as well as at school. You are easily distracted by the surroundings or your own thoughts and actions. You have trouble sitting still or focusing on a specific task (you are prone to a look that spans a mile). You're having trouble following instructions or meeting deadlines at the workplace or at school. You're forgetful when it comes to daily tasks such as paying bills or tracking medication.
Some women with ADHD mask their symptoms better than males. This makes it difficult to identify. Women can hide their lack of attention by dressing up or using tools to assist them in staying focused. The symptoms may also change due to hormonal changes, especially estrogen during ovulation and the menstrual cycle.
The moment you receive an adhd diagnosis could be a life changing moment for many adults with this disease. It can be a great relief to have a clear explanation of your issues and aid in accepting yourself more fully. It can also serve as a catalyst for making beneficial lifestyle changes.
adhd traits in women refers to the internal perception that a person has of being female, male or nonbinary. It can also refer to a different gender. Sex refers to a person's chromosomal makeup, hormones, and anatomy, and is determined by birth.