Jonnie Erskine
Blog entry by Jonnie Erskine
AdHD Symptoms in Women
Women with ADHD struggle to live up to society's expectations. Women who suffer from ADHD are often struggling to live up to expectations of society, including caring for others while juggling work and home life, and navigating relationships.
Female ADHD symptoms are more likely to be inattentive-type symptoms than hyperactive/impulsive symptoms. The gender bias can cause health professionals to not recognize adhd test for women in women and girls or misdiagnose them.
1. Inattention and lack of Focus
One of the most prevalent symptoms of adhd in women and attention deficit disorder is having trouble concentration. This issue can manifest in a variety of ways, such as forgetting appointments, not being able complete tasks at work or zoning out when talking to others. It can also make it difficult for women to manage their finances and can cause them to miss out on job or financial opportunities.
Women are more adept in masked ADHD symptoms than other women and this makes it harder for them as adults to get diagnosed and treated. Researchers aren't sure why that is, but they speculate that it could be due to gender stereotypes and the belief that women and girls should be more "restrained." The act of masking ADHD symptoms can result in underperforming at work or school and could prevent them from seeking the help and assistance they need.
In addition, lack of focus is a common symptom that can be confused with other illnesses such as anxiety and depression. For instance, depression could influence your concentration by making you forgetful and unmotivated. People suffering from generalized anxiety disorder typically have difficulty focusing due to the fact that they are more likely to be overwhelmed by their thoughts and emotions.
Treatment is the best adhd medication for adult women method to increase your concentration. This involves hiring a professional or therapist who has experience working with ADHD both in women and girls. It's also recommended to be aware about accommodations that you can ask your employer or school for like flexible hours or working at home. Good sleep hygiene will also aid you in having more restful nights and also help you stay focused throughout the day. This includes going to bed each night at the same time, and listening to relaxing music or audiobooks, and limiting your screen time.
2. Impulsivity
Women with ADHD typically exhibit impulsivity symptoms. They might interrupt others or change topics during discussions, make snap decisions without thinking about the consequences, and take risks that aren't beneficial to you. They might also have difficulty understanding body language or recognizing social cues. Symptoms of impulsivity can worsen during perimenopausal - the time prior to menopausal onset - and when hormone levels begin to drop.
Girls and women with ADHD are more likely to have inattentive-type symptoms, which can be harder to notice than hyperactive/impulsive symptoms. This can cause health care professionals to miss ADHD in them, mistakenly diagnose them, or ignore their symptoms as anxiety or mood problems. Gender bias can also play a role because research on ADHD is predominantly focused on males and females.
Teachers and parents may observe the impulsive behavior of children suffering from ADHD. It's normal for kids to be restless, impatient or even impulsive in certain instances. However, these behaviors tend to improve as children grow up and learn how to manage their problems.
Adults who suffer from adhd in women adult may have impulsive behavior and distracting that can impact their work, relationships, and school. They can lead to procrastination and forgetfulness as well as difficulty keeping commitments. They can also make locating and keeping a job difficult and interfere with healthy eating habits.
Treatment for adult ADHD typically involves medication. Your doctor may recommend various treatments based on your particular symptoms as well as your lifestyle and other health conditions you might have. They may also suggest psychotherapy, such as cognitive behavior therapy, which can help you to recognize and change negative thoughts and couples counseling in the event that your relationship is affected by ADHD, or even family therapy. Physical exercise can also help to calm your mind and lessen symptoms, particularly in the case of impulsivity and distractibility. Try activities such as dancing, yoga and group workouts, like running and swimming.
3. Anxiety
Anxiety disorders can lead to a variety of physical symptoms. These include dizziness and chest pain, heart palpitations, headaches and sweating. They can make people feel like they are having an attack on their heart or that the world is coming to an end. Due to these physical signs those who experience anxiety are often mistakenly diagnosed with an issue with their heart. This can lead to a lengthy journey of medical treatment that fails to treat the root cause. Fortunately, many anxiety disorders respond well to psychotherapy on its own or in combination with medication. In particular, cognitive behavioral therapy can help people develop new ways of thinking and reacting that may help them feel less anxious.
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 be diagnosed with mixed subtypes. It is crucial for women to discuss their ADHD symptoms with their doctor, who will carry out an exhaustive physical exam and ask specific questions about how the disorder affects their lives.
Women suffering from ADHD may have trouble getting an accurate diagnosis, since many diagnostic tools are designed towards male behavior. In addition, women often attempt to conceal their symptoms to fit into society. They can be misdiagnosed and their ADHD treatment delayed. A trained professional such as a psychologist, psychiatrist or advanced registered nurses may be able to diagnose ADHD. The doctor will take an in-depth medical history, a physical exam and the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Health Disorders to be able to evaluate a patient's symptoms and determine if other conditions might be contributing to the symptoms.
4. Disorganization
Women who suffer from ADHD are prone to experiencing disordered behavior. This is a constant issue that can lead to interruptions in school and work emotional stress, strain relationships, and financial issues. Disorganization is often characterized by an inability to organize, such as not keeping track of bills or appointments, and having trouble making decisions. Disorganization can be caused by other issues like anxiety, traumatic event in life or depression. It is difficult to treat.
Some women with ADHD are able to function at a high level, and their symptoms do not significantly impact their daily lives or relationships. This condition is referred to as "high-functioning ADHD." However this doesn't mean they don't suffer from the common symptoms. This includes difficulty in paying attention or concentrating on details, feeling restless and in a state of forgetfulness.
For some, disorder is a constant struggle, and it's common for those with diagnosing adhd in adult women to spend a lot of time looking for lost objects or putting off important tasks. It can also lead to poor work performance and tension in relationships. It can also lead to a number of health problems such as insomnia or anxiety.
Another issue that can cause disorganization in women with ADHD is hormone fluctuations. Estrogen is lower during ovulation and at the middle of menstrual cycles, while progesterone is higher and these fluctuations can make ADHD symptoms worse.
While differences in the biological makeup of sexes can play a role, it's also possible that some of the disorder and impulsivity that is associated with ADHD in women is related to social "norms." Girls and young women may be conditioned to be quiet and reserved, which can lead them to suppress or hide their ADHD symptoms.
5. Attention
Women are often able to conceal their attention issues than men do and can result add in adult women being underdiagnosed and delayed treatment. In reality, they might even think that they have better concentration and time-management skills than they do. In reality, these people are likely to lose things and forget appointments, or not pay bills on time. They also face issues with organization both at work and at home.
Women suffering from ADHD tend to develop the inattentive version of 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 being quiet and can talk to themselves continuously or speak in a nonsensical manner or make sounds, however they're much less likely to have these symptoms than men are.
For many people suffering from ADHD the first option for treatment is medication. Drugs that stimulate the brain, such as methylphenidate or amphetamine are commonly prescribed, but nonstimulant medicines that focus on the way neurotransmitters interact with the brain are also possible. These include atomoxetine and Guanfacine.
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) can be beneficial for women with ADHD. These treatments can help you recognize automatic or irrational thoughts, and also learn healthy ways to control your emotions and behavior. A healthy diet and exercise in addition to medications can help manage ADHD symptoms such as inattention, restlessness and disorientation. To boost your energy levels try activities such as yoga, dancing, or classes in groups such as aerobics or swimming and biking. Try to exercise for at least four to five sessions every week, each lasting about 30 minutes. To boost your mood and concentration consume a variety of fruits, whole grains, and healthy fats.