ADHD Symptoms In Women Explained In Fewer Than 140 Characters
AdHD Symptoms in Women Women who suffer from ADHD struggle to meet societal expectations. Women with ADHD typically struggle to live up to expectations of society that include 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 care professionals to not recognize ADHD in women and girls or misdiagnose them. 1. Inattention and lack of Focus Having trouble concentrating is one of the most frequent symptoms of adhd in women. This issue can manifest in many ways, including forgetting appointments, not being able to finish tasks at the office or being unable to concentrate when talking to others. It can also make it difficult for women to manage their finances and can result in them missing out on financial or job opportunities. It's possible that some women are better at masking their ADHD symptoms, which could make it harder for them to get diagnosed and treated as adults. Researchers aren't sure why, but they think it may be due to gender roles and the expectation for girls and women to be more “restrained.” The act of masking ADHD can lead to poor performance at work or at school and prevent those with ADHD from seeking out support and assistance. The lack of focus can be misinterpreted as a sign of other illnesses such as depression or anxiety. For instance, depression can affect your focus by making you less attentive and irritable. People suffering from generalized anxiety disorder are unable to concentrate because they tend to be overwhelmed by their thoughts and emotions. The best way to improve your concentration is to control your ADHD symptoms through treatment. This means hiring a professional or therapist who has experience working with ADHD both in women and girls. Also, you should be aware of the options for accommodations from your school or employer, such as flexible working hours or working from home. A healthy sleep routine will aid you in having more peaceful nights and help you to stay focused throughout the day. This includes sleeping each night at the same time, listening to soothing music or an audiobook, and limiting screen time. 2. Impulsivity Women with ADHD are often driven. They may interrupt others or change topics during discussions, make snap decisions without thinking about the consequences, and take risks that are not beneficial to you. They may also have trouble understanding body language or interpreting social signals. The signs of impulsivity may increase during perimenopause – the period prior to menopausal symptoms – and also when hormone levels begin to decrease. 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 women and girls and misdiagnosing their symptoms, or dismissing their symptoms as anxiety or a mood issue. Gender bias may be a factor, because research on ADHD is predominantly focused on males and females. Parents and teachers may notice an impulsive behavior among children suffering from ADHD. It's not unusual for children to be irritable or irritable at times. However, these behaviors tend to improve over time as they grow older and learn to manage their issues. Adults can experience impulsive and distractible symptoms of adhd can negatively impact school, work and relationships. They can lead to procrastination, forgetfulness as well as difficulty keeping commitments. They can also make locating and keeping jobs difficult and hinder healthy eating habits. Treatment for adult ADHD generally involves taking medication. Your doctor may recommend a combination treatment depending on your symptoms, lifestyle and any other health issues. They may also suggest psychotherapy which includes cognitive behavioral therapy to help you identify and change negative thoughts patterns, couples counseling if your relationship has been affected by your ADHD, or family therapy. Physical exercise can aid in calming your brain and lessen symptoms, particularly in the case of disorientation and impulsivity. Try activities such as dancing, yoga, and group exercises like running and swimming. 3. Anxiety Anxiety disorders can lead to a variety of physical symptoms. They can cause dizziness, chest pain and headaches, heart palpitations and sweating. They can also make someone feel like they are having a heart attack or that the world is ending. People who experience anxiety are often mistakenly diagnosed as having a heart issue due to these physical signs. This can result in a long medical treatment without addressing the root cause. Fortunately, the majority of anxiety disorders respond well to psychotherapy alone or in combination with medication. Cognitive behavioral therapy, specifically, can help a person to develop new ways of thinking and 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. It's important for women to discuss their ADHD symptoms with their doctor, who will carry out an extensive physical exam and ask detailed questions about the way that the disorder impacts their life. Women with ADHD may have difficulty obtaining an accurate diagnosis due to the fact that many of the diagnostic tools used for the disorder are skewed toward male behavior. Women might also hide their symptoms to fit in with society. They could be misdiagnosed and their ADHD treatment delayed. A qualified professional, like a psychiatrist, psychologist, or advanced practice registered nurse, can diagnose ADHD. The doctor will take an extensive history, a physical examination and the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Health Disorders in order to determine the severity of a patient's symptoms and determine if there are other conditions that might be contributing. 4. Disorganization Women with ADHD may experience disorganization, which is a persistent issue that can cause disruption to work and schoolwork habits as well as cause emotional stress. It can strain relationships and contribute to financial problems. Disorganization is often characterized by a lack of organizational skills, such as not paying bills on time or keeping appointments, or a difficulty in making decisions. Most often, the disorder is linked to other issues, such as anxiety, traumatizing life incident, or depression and can be difficult to treat. Women who suffer from ADHD can perform at a high degree, and their symptoms do not significantly affect their daily lives or relationships. This condition is called “high-functioning ADHD.” However, this does not mean they don't suffer from some of the symptoms. They may experience forgetfulness, trouble concentration, or paying attention to the smallest of details. Some people struggle with disorganization every day. They may be looking for lost items or putting off important tasks. It can also cause poor work quality and strained relationships. It can also trigger various health issues, such as anxiety or sleep disorders. Hormone fluctuations can also exacerbate the disorder of women suffering from ADHD. Estrogen levels are lower during ovulation, in the middle of menstrual cycle and at the end of the cycle, while progesterone levels are higher. These fluctuations can worsen ADHD symptoms. While biological differences between the genders could play a role, it's also possible that some of the disorganization and impulsivity associated with ADHD in women is linked to social “norms.” Young women and girls are typically viewed as quiet and reserved, which is why they might suppress or hide their ADHD symptoms. 5. Inattention Women are often able to hide their attention issues than men and can result in underdiagnosis and delayed treatment. They might even believe they're more adept at managing time and concentration than they are. In attention deficit in women , these people are likely to lose things and miss appointments, or pay their bills on time. They also face issues with organization both at work and at home. Women with ADHD tend to develop the inattentive form 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 may also have trouble speaking to themselves or make a variety of nonsensical sounds or phrases. However, they're less likely to suffer from these symptoms than men. For many adults with ADHD, the first method of treatment is medication. The stimulants methylphenidate and amphetamine are often prescribed, however nonstimulant medications that focus on how neurotransmitters interact with your brain are also possible. These include atomoxetine and guanfacine. Women with ADHD can also benefit from cognitive behavior therapy (CBT). These therapies can help you identify the irrational or automatic thinking that is present and teach you healthy ways to self regulate your mood and behavior. A healthy diet and exercise, in addition to medication can help manage ADHD symptoms such as restlessness, impulsivity, and distractibility. Try activities such as yoga, dancing or group classes such as swimming or aerobics, and biking to boost energy levels. Try to exercise for at minimum four to five times per week, each lasting around 30 minutes. To support your mood and focus take a varied diet of vegetables, whole grains and healthy fats.