How To Outsmart Your Boss On Signs And Symptoms Of ADHD In Women
Signs and Symptoms of ADHD in Women
Women with ADHD are often subject to different expectations from society regarding how they can manage their families, careers, and home life. This can lead to feelings of shame and frustration when your symptoms are getting in the way.
Research shows that girls are more likely to be diagnosed with ADHD than men and boys. This could be due to the fact that they mask their symptoms or use strategies to cope with the signs, for example:
1. Inattentiveness
Finding it difficult to focus at work or school is among the most common indicators of adhd. People with this condition frequently miss important meetings, get behind on projects or get misguided when trying to follow instructions. They may be unable to concentrate in noisy or crowded environments. Some people who suffer from ADHD may have "thousand-yard gazes" or a tendency to lose focus during conversation. These symptoms can lead to difficulties at work or in relationships.
Women and girls are at greater risk of developing undiagnosed ADHD as they age. They develop strategies to cope that cover up their symptoms and continue to do so into adulthood. They may even start to recognize their symptoms as personal characteristics, which could make it difficult for them to seek help.
A lot of teachers do not recommend ADHD evaluations as often for girls as they do for males. However should a girl's lack of attention ADHD symptoms are causing a negative impact on her school performance and social interactions, she should speak to a health care professional.
Inattentive ADHD is a frequent reason for emotional stress. It can be a frustrating experience to feel as if you're not being able to meet the standards of your friends, co-workers and family members. It can be a bit depressing to feel like you're unable to get along well with your kids or siblings. Inattention and impulsivity can exacerbate depression and anxiety in some people with ADHD. You can decrease the severity of these symptoms by seeking out help and doing other activities. Regular exercise can help release the neurotransmitters that improve concentration and attention. It can also help reduce anxiety, mood swings and other symptoms that are common among people suffering from ADHD.
2. Impulsivity
The unpredictable symptoms of ADHD can be difficult to manage. You might make comments that you shouldn't or purchase items on impulse. You may also end up in trouble with the law enforcement because of your behavior. It can be difficult to control your thoughts and emotions. This could lead to self-harm, such as burning, cutting, or scratching yourself. adhd in women uk can cause alcohol or drug dependence.
People who are impulsive often have issues with relationships and work or school performance. You can manage your impulsivity by taking medication prescribed by your doctor. The use of amphetamine, dextroamphetamine (Adderall, Ritalin) or methylphenidate (Concerta, Daytrana, Methylin) can improve your impulse control. Non-stimulant medications such as clonidine and guanfacine could also help to control your impulses.
Women are more likely than men and boys to have a hyperactive/impulsive form of ADHD. However, this type of ADHD is harder to notice and could result in underdiagnosis. Women may conceal their symptoms in order to conform to social standards and expectations. This masking is especially problematic during adolescence or early adulthood. Some women resort to unhealthy coping mechanisms that include excessive drinking and drug abuse, to cover up their ADHD challenges.
Women who suffer from high functioning ADHD may mask their symptoms by having the success they desire in certain areas of their life like school or at work. This can lead to an illusion of security and can cause you to feel overwhelmed by the demands of life. Talk to your doctor about the accommodations you can receive at school or work to aid you in managing your ADHD symptoms. This is a great chance to raise awareness among your colleagues or professors of the difficulties you have to face.
3. Disorganization
If you suffer from ADHD, missing appointments or turning up late to work, forgetting dates and becoming oblivious during conversations can lead to frustration, and leave others feeling at a loss or offended. The disorder can also make it difficult to manage finances and keep track of your schedule, and follow through on tasks. If you aren't able to remember what you'll need for groceries, then you could be unable to eat or spend too much on unnecessary items.
Women suffering from ADHD typically have a difficult time keeping track of everyday chores, homework and expenses. adhd women uk may also contribute to messy workspaces, messy homes and a tendency to hoard. The "time blindness" that ADHD sufferers are prone to makes it difficult to know how long has been spent or how long they've worked on a specific task. Together with the difficulty of staying focused, issues with time management can cause feelings of guilt and shame about being unorganized.
While research has shown that girls and women are more likely to suffer from ADHD than boys and men, symptoms can be masked and underdiagnosed. A lot of women don't receive an diagnosis until they reach adulthood when their symptoms become more evident. Additionally, social stigma and stereotypes can hinder women to get the support and treatment they need.
Your doctor might recommend medication to help you manage your ADHD symptoms. Stimulants such as methylphenidate and amphetamine are able to boost and balance levels of neurotransmitters. These are the brain chemicals that communicate with one another. Antidepressants, as well as atomoxetine that are nonstimulant medications are also used to treat ADHD. However they are slower to work than stimulants. Your doctor could refer you to a specialist in mental health who will assist in developing a treatment program tailored to your requirements.
4. Impulsiveness
Women with ADHD may have a difficult time controlling their emotions and often feel more sensitive to rejection. This is because the communication trail between key brain areas that regulate emotional responses and determine what to do with those feelings is impaired by the chemical imbalance connected to ADHD.
Depression and moodiness are typical for people suffering from ADHD, and the combination of these issues with difficulties in managing obligations can cause problems with family and romantic relationships. Women with ADHD are also more likely to have lower self-esteem and may struggle to form friendships and managing social situations. They may wander off in a tangent or struggle to comprehend what others are saying. This can make it hard for them to find a place in the group.
Women suffering from ADHD may have difficulty to get motivated to finish mundane or boring tasks such as washing dishes, cleaning, or doing laundry. This can cause them to develop unhealthy coping methods like binge-watching TV shows or abusing substances. These types of behaviors are particularly risky for young girls and adolescents with ADHD who are more likely to engage in risky sexual behaviors, including early initiation of sexual activity, having fewer protected sexual partners and more casual sex than their peers.
As adults, women with ADHD are more likely to go undiagnosed or be misdiagnosed than men because they tend to have inattentive symptoms instead of hyperactivity/impulsivity symptoms. Many women conceal their ADHD due to the numerous expectations set by society (managing home and family, for instance). It isn't always easy for doctors to determine if there is a problem, as the symptoms are easier to recognize in both males.
5. Hyperactivity
Women suffering from ADHD can have difficulty managing their daily tasks. They may have difficulty organizing their lives, paying their bills on time, and keeping up with school/work requirements. Emotional symptoms, like mood swings and trouble regulating emotions, can also make it difficult to get along with others and create issues in relationships between people.
People with ADHD are often unable to pick social cues or reading body language. They might have trouble following conversations or wander off on a tangent, creating problems at work or school and causing tension in relationships. They may also have a difficult time making new friends or achieving the right balance between their home, work, and social life.
Symptoms of ADHD can be different throughout the day and may be influenced by hormone levels, for instance those during menstrual cycles or pregnancy, or as they progress through perimenopause (the menopausal phase). This could lead to misdiagnosis or the wrong type of medication being taken.
There are certain symptoms and signs common to ADHD that can aid you or someone you love to identify the disorder. Recognizing these signs is the first step to getting the support and treatment you need to manage your symptoms effectively.
The fact that you have ADHD does not mean that you don't have other mental health or physical conditions, so it's important that your doctor or therapist conducts a thorough examination. They will need to ask questions about your past and present behavior and experiences, look at any medical history, and talk with you about how your symptoms affect you in a variety of settings.