15 Reasons To Love ADHD Symptoms In Women
AdHD Symptoms in Women
Women with ADHD often have difficulty meeting the various expectations of society. Women with ADHD often struggle to meet societal expectations such as caring for others, balancing home and work life, and navigating relationships.
Female ADHD symptoms are more likely to be inattentive-type symptoms than hyperactive/impulsive symptoms. The gender bias can also cause health care professionals to misdiagnose or not recognize ADHD symptoms in women and girls.
1. Inattention and lack of Focus
Having trouble concentrating is one of the most frequent symptoms of adhd among women. It's a problem that can show up in many different ways, from not remembering appointments to not being able to finish work, to losing focus during conversations, making people feel disregarded. It's also a common sign that makes it difficult for women to keep track of their finances, and it's often the reason why they aren't able to take advantage of jobs or financial opportunities.
It's possible that certain women are more adept at masked their ADHD symptoms, which may make it difficult for them to be diagnosed and treated as adults. Researchers aren't sure what the reason is, but they theorize that it may be due to traditional gender roles and the notion that girls and women should be more "restrained." Masking ADHD symptoms could lead to underperforming at work or school and could make it difficult for them to seek the help and support they need.
Lack of focus can also be misinterpreted as a sign of other illnesses such as anxiety or depression. Depression can affect your concentration by making you forgetful and demotivated. People suffering from generalized anxiety disorder are unable to concentrate because they are often overwhelmed by their thoughts and emotions.
Treatment is the best way to increase your concentration. This means locating a doctor or therapist who is experienced in treating ADHD for girls and women. It's also an excellent idea to find out about accommodations that you can request your employer or school for like flexible hours or working from home. Practicing good sleep hygiene will also help you enjoy more restful nights and become more focused throughout the day, including sleeping at the same time each evening, listening to calming music or an audiobook prior sleeping and limiting time spent on screens.
2. Impulsivity
Women who suffer from ADHD are typically impulsive. They can interrupt other people or change topics during a discussion, make quick decisions without thinking about the consequences, and make decisions that are not beneficial to you. They might also have trouble understanding body language or social signals. The symptoms of impulsivity are often worse during perimenopausal, the phase that precedes menopausal and after which hormone levels start to decline.
Girls and women with ADHD are more likely to have inattentive-type symptoms, which can be harder to notice than hyperactive/impulsive symptoms. This could lead to health professionals not seeing ADHD in girls and women and misdiagnosing their symptoms, or dismissing their symptoms as a mood or anxiety issue. Gender bias may also play a role, because research on ADHD is mostly focused on males and females.
Teachers and parents might notice impulsive behavior in children who suffer from ADHD. It's normal for children to be impatient, restless or even impulsive in certain instances. However, these behaviors tend to improve over time as children grow up and learn how to manage their symptoms.
Adults with adhd may have impulsive behavior and distracting which can affect their relationships, work, and school. They can lead to procrastination and forgetfulness as well as difficulty adhering to commitments. They can also make it difficult for people to find and keep jobs. They also can disrupt healthy eating habits.
Treatment for adult ADHD generally involves taking medication. Your doctor may recommend an individualized treatment based on your lifestyle, symptoms, and any other health conditions. They may also recommend psychotherapy like cognitive behavioral therapy, which can help you recognize and alter negative thinking patterns or couples counseling when your relationship is impacted by ADHD or family therapy. Physical exercise can also help to calm your mind and lessen symptoms, particularly when it comes to disorientation and impulsivity. Try activities like dancing, yoga and group workouts, like swimming and running.
3. Anxiety
Anxiety disorders can trigger a variety of physical symptoms. These include dizziness, chest pain and heart palpitations, headaches and sweating. They can make people feel as if they are suffering from an attack on their heart or that the world is closing. People who suffer from anxiety are often mistakenly diagnosed as having a heart condition because of these physical symptoms. This can lead to an extended journey of medical treatment that does not tackle the root of the issue. Psychotherapy is effective for the majority of anxiety disorders, whether used alone or when combined with medications. Cognitive behavioral therapy, in particular can help someone discover new ways of thinking or reacting to situations that may reduce anxiety.
Unlike men and boys, who are more likely to have hyperactive/impulsive ADHD, women are more likely to have the inattentive subtype of the disorder. Women are also more likely to suffer from mixed subtypes. Women should discuss their ADHD symptoms and their doctor will ask them detailed questions about the disorder.
add women with ADHD may have difficulty obtaining a correct diagnosis, as the majority of diagnostic tools are geared toward male behavior. In addition, women often attempt to conceal their symptoms to fit into the society. They may be misdiagnosed, and their ADHD treatment may be delayed. A qualified professional such as a psychiatrist, psychologist, or advanced practice registered nurse, can identify ADHD. The professional will conduct an extensive background, physical examination, and the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Health Disorders to assess a person's symptoms and determine if there are any other conditions contributing to them.
4. Disorganization
Women who suffer from ADHD may experience disordered behavior. This is a chronic problem that can cause disruptions in work and schoolwork emotional stress, strain relationships, and financial problems. Disorganization is often characterized by a lack of organizational skills, such as not keeping track of bills or appointments, and difficulty making decisions. Most often, the disorder is linked to other issues, such as anxiety, traumatizing a life event, or depression and is often difficult to treat.
Certain women with ADHD are able to function at a high level, and their symptoms do not affect their daily activities or relationships. This condition is called "high-functioning ADHD." However, this does not mean they don't suffer from certain symptoms. This includes difficulty in staying focused or paying attention to things, feeling anxious and unfocused.
Many people experience disorganization on a regular basis. They may be looking for lost objects or delay important tasks. The disorder can affect the quality of their work, and could cause tension in relationships. It can also cause a number of health problems like insomnia or anxiety.
Hormone fluctuations can also contribute to the disorganization of women with ADHD. Estrogen levels decrease during ovulation, the middle of menstrual cycle and at the end of, whereas progesterone levels are higher. These fluctuations can cause ADHD symptoms.
It's possible, though biological differences can play a part, some of the disorder or impulsivity in women with ADHD is due to social "norms." Young women and girls can be socialized to be quiet and reserved and can cause them to hide or suppress their ADHD symptoms.
5. Attention
Women often find it easier to mask their attention problems than men do and can result in being underdiagnosed and delayed treatment. They may even think they are more adept at managing time and concentration than they actually are. In reality, they're more likely to misplace things or forget appointments, pay bills on time and have trouble coordinating their work and home.
Women with ADHD are more prone to develop the inattentive subtype the disorder. They're less likely to have the hyperactive/impulsive or mixed symptoms, which must be present in at least two settings for six months to qualify as an ADHD diagnosis. They might also have difficulty in calming down and may talk to themselves constantly or use nonsensical phrases or sounds, but they're less likely to have these symptoms than men are.
For many people suffering from ADHD the first method of treatment is medication. Stimulants such as methylphenidate and amphetamine are frequently prescribed, but nonstimulant drugs that target the way neurotransmitters interact with the brain could also be effective. These include atomoxetine and guanfacine.
Women with ADHD also may benefit from cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). These therapies can help identify thoughts that are irrational or automatic and teach you healthy ways to control your mood and behavior. In addition to medications exercising and a balanced diet can help control ADHD symptoms of anxiety, impulsivity, and restlessness. Try activities such as dancing, yoga or group classes such as aerobics or swimming, and biking to boost energy levels. Make sure you get 4 to 5 hours of exercise every week for about 30 minutes per session. Make sure to eat a variety of vegetables and whole grains, as well as healthy fats, and protein to boost your focus and mood.