ADHD Symptoms For Women
Girls and women with ADHD can experience a variety of symptoms, including inattention, hyperactivity-impulsivity, and anxiety. These symptoms are less apparent for women and girls than they are in boys and men. This can cause a misdiagnosis, or underdiagnosis.
Women may also notice their symptoms aggravated due to hormonal changes like menstrual cycles, pregnancy, and perimenopause (the four years leading up to menopause). ADHD treatment that includes lifestyle and medication can improve relationships and set people up for success at work and home.
Inattentiveness
People with inattentive ADHD are incapable of keeping the track of their daily activities. They may not remember to wash the laundry or empty the trash bins, and they may have trouble keeping pace in conversations. They might forget to clean up their laundry or empty the trash cans. They also have difficulty keeping up with conversations. Their homes are usually cluttered with dishes that have not been cleaned. They are prone to making mistakes that could have devastating consequences.
Inattentional ADHD for females is associated with more difficulty coping with social rejection, and academic failure compared to their peers. They may develop dysfunctional strategies for coping, like self-harming behavior and an inability to maintain friendships or access peer support. This can result in feelings of emotional distress and a depressed mood. They may attempt to overcome these issues by developing a self-confidence which could lead them into high risk activities such as drug and alcohol use, promiscuity or gang involvement.
For adults, it can be difficult to determine ADHD since symptoms can change as time. It's crucial to have a full mental and medical health assessment to ensure that a trained health professional can provide an accurate diagnosis. They'll take into account the patient's present and past behavior, as well as childhood experiences. They'll also look for any conditions that could cause similar symptoms. These include stress and anxiety mineral deficiencies hearing or vision issues, cognitive degeneration, sleep disorders and allergies, learning disabilities and certain medications.
Adults with inattentive ADHD can be treated using psychotherapy, lifestyle modifications and medications. Stimulants like dextroamphetamine or methylphenidate, are the most frequently prescribed ADHD medications because they improve focus and reduce the impulsivity. Nonstimulants, such as atomoxetine and clonidine, can be used when stimulants do not help or cause side negative effects. Therapy can also aid adults with inattention ADHD modify their environment and develop coping strategies to minimize their symptoms. They can also benefit from cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), which teaches them how to change negative thinking patterns and manage their emotions. A life coach or ADHD coach can be useful for adults, helping them establish a routine and set realistic expectations for themselves.
Hyperactivity
Women who suffer from ADHD often struggle to feel understood, and they may be unable to recognize the impact their conditions affect their lives. They may have a difficult to stay focused or organized, which could result in difficulties at school and work, as well as in their personal lives. They are also more likely to suffer from other conditions, such as depression or anxiety. These co-morbidities can have an immediate influence on their symptoms and how they manage them.
Women and girls who suffer from ADHD may experience low self-esteem or have trouble keeping friendships up, due to the way that their symptoms affect their social. It may also be more difficult for them to access treatment as they are less likely to receive a referral from their teachers or parents. Additionally, the scales of rating used to diagnose ADHD are still skewed toward male behaviors. Many women also have the ability to cover up their symptoms, which can result in them not being diagnosed and undertreated.
Another challenge is that the symptoms of adhd vary from day to day particularly during hormonal changes such as the menstrual cycle or pregnancy. In addition, hormones have an impact on the function of certain parts of the brain including executive functions such as sleep, verbal memory, and concentration.
For example, estrogen decreases after ovulation and during the middle of the menstrual cycle while progesterone rises. This can cause ADHD symptoms dramatically.
Young women and girls who have ADHD are more impulsive, impatient and more prone to conflict in their relationships. They are more likely to engage in sexual interactions with people they don't know and have a hard time asserting themselves. They could also be at risk of being victims of sexual abuse and domestic violence, since they might not have a method of contraception.
Girls and women with adhd may find effective coping techniques to help to manage the symptoms. They can also benefit from therapy, which could include cognitive behavioral therapy to help them learn how to better understand their thoughts and feelings, and to swap out bad habits for healthier ones. In certain instances, doctors may suggest couples therapy or family therapy in order to resolve the issues that women and girls with ADHD have in their relationships.
Impulsivity
Women and girls with ADHD may be more likely to struggle with managing their emotions. This could manifest as mood swings, difficulty in coping with stress or criticism and sensitivity to sexual assault and other types of victimization. They may also be more likely to experience psychosexual issues, such as promiscuity, or a higher chance of unwanted pregnancy or sexually transmitted diseases. Females with ADHD are more likely to seek help from an adult.
The same impulsive behaviors that boys and men with ADHD experience may also be observed in girls and women with the disorder, like being fidgety, always on the go, disruptive or restless, talking a lot, and making rash decisions without thinking it through. These issues can cause them to be abrasive, unkind and engaging in risky behaviours. Some women and girls who suffer from ADHD are also susceptible to non-suicidal self-harm (NSSI), which can include burning, cutting or scratching. This is especially true in adolescence.
Many women and girls with ADHD can mask these symptoms, even though they may be unable to function at school or at work. This can make them appear more conscientious or even perfectionists. This can prevent others noticing that they are easily distracted or having difficulty keeping their focus. Some women who suffer from ADHD develop unhealthy coping strategies that include drinking alcohol or drugs to deal with their difficulties.
The rating scales for diagnosing ADHD are still biased towards male behaviors which can result in a misdiagnosis of girls or women. The symptoms might not be recognized as being related to ADHD and may be internalized, resulting in feelings of shame and low self-esteem.
A diet that is rich in fruits and vegetables whole grains, whole grains, and healthy fats can help improve mood and attention for adults and teens with ADHD. Regular exercise can help improve focus and concentration and also release good neurotransmitters that reduce anxiety, stress, and depression. It is beneficial to talk with an experienced dietitian to develop the best plan for each individual.
Anxiety
Anxiety is a normal human emotion but when it gets out of control and affects your daily functioning you could be suffering from an anxiety disorder. The symptoms include anxiety, discontent and an excessive fear in normal or everyday situations. They can be present even when there's little or no reason to be worried and can cause physical symptoms like stomachaches, headaches or a fast heartbeat. Anxiety disorders are twice as common in women than men, and they can interfere with work and personal relationships.
Gender can also play a role in how your ADHD and anxiety are managed. Many women who have both ADHD and anxiety suffer from mood swings that may be mistaken by others as "overly emotional." This can lead to social problems like strained relationships or unfulfilling jobs. These mood swings can also make it harder to sleep enough, which can make your anxiety symptoms worse.
The symptoms of anxiety and ADHD can be more obvious at certain times of your life, based on your age, gender, and hormone levels. If you are an adult woman with ADHD your symptoms may fluctuate throughout the month, or during menopausal and pregnancy, due to hormonal changes. Symptoms of ADHD are also more apparent during menstrual cycles or when they be more severe during times of heightened stress such as the break-up of a relationship, a job loss, or an important life occasion.
To lessen the effects of ADHD and anxiety, try to sleep at the same time every night and set a regular time to wake up. Try listening to music that is calming or meditative before going to bed, and reduce screen time to increase your sleep quality. A healthy diet can help ease anxiety and ADHD symptoms. Try removing symptoms of add that cause allergies or sensitivities. Consume plenty of fruits and vegetables whole grains, healthy fats, and lean proteins. Exercise can help reduce symptoms of ADHD and anxiety. Try exercising for 30 minutes per day or make use of a light therapy device to increase exposure to sunlight.