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attention deficit disorder symptoms adults in Women
Adult women with ADHD face challenges that many don't realize. Inadequate treatment can cause havoc in the workplace and in relationships.
Underdiagnosis is a result of gender discrimination and the tendency of girls and women to conceal their symptoms. The growing awareness has led to more people receiving the assistance they require. ADHD symptoms for women differ from those experienced by men and can be aggravated by hormonal fluctuations during the menstrual cycle, pregnancy, and menopausal.
Inattentive Type Signs
Women with inattention ADHD might have difficulty staying on task and completing tasks, often making careless mistakes or misunderstand instructions. They may struggle to keep on top of their obligations, like paying bills, returning calls, or even sending birthday cards. They also struggle to remember appointments and can often skip meetings or be 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 suffer 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 addressed can be overwhelming. Many people blame themselves and engage in unhealthy strategies for coping like drinking excessively and substance abuse. Some people turn to unhealthy behaviors, such as dieting or overeating. For some girls and teenagers, the stress of not being in a position to meet social expectations can lead to self-injury that is not suicide-related, and could look like cutting, burning or scratching.
Because of these challenges, it's not surprising that women who suffer from inattentive type ADHD are more prone to depression and anxiety which can make it more difficult to manage their ADHD symptoms. In addition women with these conditions may also have low self-esteem, which can make it difficult to acknowledge that their issues stem from an illness of the mind rather than being the result of their own fault.
Girls with inattentive ADHD might also have difficulties understanding social cues, which can make them appear aloof or oblivious to others. They may miss jokes or misread body language and be accused of being rude or offensive. They may be unable to control their impulses and may blurt out hurtful comments or interrupt others.
To improve their concentration, it is essential for women with inattention type ADHD to get enough rest each night and avoid caffeine, nicotine and stimulants. They should also exercise regularly, which helps raise neurotransmitters that help with concentration and can help reduce mood swings.
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 house and to difficulties in paying bills on time. They might also forget their appointments, or the names and faces of family members or friends. They often get easily distracted or bored and have trouble waiting for their turn in a conversation. They are less likely to display the internalizing symptoms of depression or anxiety, which tends to be more frequent in men and boys.
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 healthcare 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 are also known to be biased toward male behavior, making these symptoms more difficult to measure and identify in women.
There are a variety of ways to deal with ADHD in a woman of adulthood. This includes taking medication. Finding a therapist or clinician who is skilled in treating ADHD for women and girls is crucial. The kind of treatment suggested will be based on the signs and the lifestyle. It may include cognitive behavioral therapies to validate your experience and help reframe negative thought patterns and family psychoeducation, or even 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.
Many symptoms of ADHD can worsen during menopause 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 to have your doctor modify the dosage or the type of medication you're taking if needed. Speak to your therapist about the difficulties you face managing your symptoms, and how they affect your daily life at home, work, and in your relationships. They may also suggest ways to improve your communication with your family members and partner.
Signs of Mixed Type
Women who suffer from mixed type ADHD struggle at school and at work, but they do not exhibit the hyperactive or impulsive behaviors of the other subtypes. They may miss appointments, lose important documents or pay bills and have trouble getting things done at home. This form of the disorder can also cause people to interrupt others, talk without thinking, and talk without thinking. Women with this presentation of the disorder also have difficulties maintaining relationships and friendships and are often unable to live an independent life.
In many cases, family or friends are the only ones who can notice the apathy symptom of ADHD. This results in girls and young women being underdiagnosed. A bias towards gender and the tendency of those with ADHD to camouflage their symptoms is another reason for underdiagnosis.
The symptoms of this kind of ADHD are caused by hormonal changes, especially in puberty and during menopausal and pregnancy. In these instances estrogen levels decrease, and progesterone levels increase. This can cause ADHD symptoms. Moreover the symptoms can fluctuate from day to day, based on the levels of progesterone and estrogen. This can lead incorrect diagnosis or inadequate treatment.
Psychotherapy can be used in conjunction with medication to treat symptoms of the combined type. This includes cognitive behavior therapy, which helps to change negative thoughts and behavior and psychoeducational counseling. Both are available via the internet as well as through local mental clinics.
Regular physical activity, such as running, walking or swimming can improve focus and attention. It also helps release neurotransmitters that boost the brain and reduce anxiety or stress, which are common in people suffering from ADHD. Making sure to take regular breaks, setting up routines throughout the day and employing strategies for organization are also ways to manage ADHD. Support groups can be extremely beneficial in learning about lifestyle changes and coping techniques. For some professionals, an ADHD coach is a great option for individual, individualized guidance. Some people with this condition also benefit from cognitive or interpersonal therapy. Therapists can assist the patient to recognize their behavior and how it affects other people. They can also improve their communication skills.
Symptoms of Adult Type
Women who suffer from ADHD can have different symptoms than men. Diagnosing and treating the condition in women is a challenge due to gender role expectations, which makes it difficult for parents or teachers to notice when the girl is struggling with her attention or hyperactivity. It can also be concealed by depression or mental health issues which makes it difficult to identify. The symptoms can also change in response to hormones, such as those that occur during menstrual cycles or during menopausal pregnancy.
Women suffering from ADHD are more likely to suffer from inattention symptoms. You are prone to losing things, having trouble remembering details and tend to be distracted by what other people are doing or your thoughts. Your inattentive ADHD can affect your school, work as well as marriages and other relationships. Your family and friends may observe that you have trouble following directions and keeping track of appointments or paying bills. Your boss or teacher might notice that you are struggling to stay focused during meetings or completing tasks in time.
If you have the hyperactive/impulsive type of ADHD, your symptoms are more noticeable than inattentive ones. You are restless and always on the go, disrupt other people, speak too loudly or use a lot of nonsense words without being aware of what you're saying. You have trouble waiting for your turn, and you struggle to maintain eye contact with others. You're impatient and frequently suffer from mood swings, which could be difficult for your closest friends and family to tolerate.
You might have difficulty controlling your emotions, especially when you're dealing with trauma or stress. You may be more prone to react to criticism or fights, even when the situation isn't a serious one. It may be easier to manage these emotions by engaging in self-destructive behaviours such as alcohol and drug consumption or unhealthy eating habits.
Women diagnosed with ADHD are able to improve their lives by getting the proper treatment. You might consider working with a life-management coach or finding an online ADHD support group. You can also seek help from a professional counselor who has had experience working with women suffering from this disorder. You may want to speak to a psychiatrist who can help you understand how your genes and brain activity may impact your ADHD symptoms.