Signs and Symptoms of ADHD in Women
Women suffering from ADHD often experience a lifetime of undiagnosed or under-treated symptoms. This can lead to issues at work, in relationships and in daily life.
Women are expected to be able to perform a variety of roles: motherhood, job and running the household. Untreated ADHD and the pressure to live up to these expectations can cause depression or anxiety.
Forgetfulness
Women suffering from ADHD are often affected by forgetfulness and a tendency to lose things, and a failure to pay attention to details. These problems can result in messy homes, missed meetings, and a general feeling of chaos. They may also be more likely to lose their keys or phone, or they might get frustrated when they are unable to locate a specific item they need for work or school. Inattention could also cause problems in relationships, since they are less likely to recall conversations or keep notes during meetings.
It is often difficult to recognize ADHD symptoms in women than in men or boys. The symptoms of ADHD can be exacerbated by hormonal changes that take place throughout life, such as those that are caused by childbirth, pregnancy menstrual cycles, the time between and after menopausal.
A person who isn't diagnosed with ADHD might feel frustrated and overwhelmed when she struggles to meet work or school deadlines. It is possible that she's not a great partner or friend because she misses important calls or events and is more likely to speak whatever comes to mind without thinking it through. She might be more prone to impulsive behaviors, like buying makeup and clothes before she has even paid the bills.
A therapist who is skilled in treating ADHD can help you learn strategies to lessen your lapses in memory and increase your organizational skills. You may be prescribed medication to help manage your symptoms and can be extremely efficient. You can also utilize techniques like completing a task at a particular time, and using a planner or checklist to ensure you are on top of your responsibilities. You could also benefit from therapy to address related issues such as depression or the history of non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI) such as cutting, burning, or scratching.
Impulsivity
Controlling impulses is a major problem for people with ADHD. In normal circumstances, there is a small voice in your head that asks "Is this a good idea?" When you have ADHD it can be difficult to hear this voice, or it may not exist at all. This is known as a deficiency in the prefrontal cortex. Impulsivity can lead to poor decisions and take actions that may cause long-term harm, such as spending too much money on something you don't need or making a comment that can be interpreted as offensive. In adulthood, impulsive behaviour can affect relationships, career and your personal life.
Women who suffer from ADHD are more likely to hide their symptoms and struggle to acknowledge they have a problem. This is especially when they reach adulthood. This makes it difficult to seek help because the strategies they used to manage their symptoms as children might not be successful in college, the workplace or in other adult situations.
Females with ADHD are also more likely to have a co-occurring mental illness such as depression or anxiety that can cause delays in diagnosis and delayed treatment. These co-occurring conditions can cause confusion and obscurance of ADHD symptoms.
Due to their increased sensitivity to rejection, women who suffer from ADHD often have difficulty expressing themselves and are more hesitant than males to seek support when they are struggling. This can make them feel isolated and helpless to manage their symptoms. This can lead to depression or anxiety. This means they tend to turn to unhealthy ways of dealing with their symptoms, such as drinking the use of alcohol or drugs. This can increase the negative effects of untreated ADHD and cause issues with self-esteem, motivation and focus.
Emotional Dysregulation
Emotional dysregulation is when you are unable to control intense emotions such as sadness, anxiety, or anger. People who suffer from this symptom tend to react to events in an overblown way or feel that their emotions aren't proportionate to the current situation which can cause anger and outbursts. This can lead to the breaking of relationships because it can lead to misunderstandings and arguments that can cause distrust among the people closest to them.
In some cases emotional dysregulation could be triggered by an individual or event. In other instances the cause is more complex and could be influenced by genetic factors, trauma experiences or mental health disorders like depression.
It's normal for women with ADHD to experience a variety of symptoms. This means that they can struggle with the demands of daily life. As adults their responsibilities are more than the parental responsibilities. This could mean managing work, family and household chores. add symptoms in women can lead to lots of stress as they struggle to keep up.
Women who suffer from ADHD can also have relationship problems due to their lack of memory or impulsivity. They may also experience emotional dysregulation. They are prone to lose their focus or get so absorbed in a conversation that they fail to pay attention. This can lead to confusion with their friends and partners.
Certain of these issues could be made worse by hormonal changes like those that occur during menstrual period, pregnancy, and perimenopause. It is essential that women find a therapist who has experience in treating ADHD both in women and girls. Treatment options include cognitive behavioral therapy, which can help in self-advocacy and transforming negative thoughts patterns.
Here are a few of the ways to reduce your risk:
Women with ADHD are more likely to suffer from depression symptoms than boys or men. Because of their symptoms, they can be afflicted with emotional distress and low self-confidence. These symptoms are difficult to deal with, and it's not surprising that many people find it difficult to be diagnosed with ADHD.
Inattention, emotional dysregulation and impulsivity could lead to conflict and miscommunication with colleagues and friends. Symptoms can make it hard to keep an occupation that is steady, and they can lead to difficulties in relationships with your family. These issues are especially difficult for women with ADHD who are often struggling to meet society's expectations.
The inattention type of ADHD is more prevalent for women than males. It is characterized by difficulties paying attention, staying focused and avoiding important events or dates. These symptoms can be confused with lazyness, poor time management or a lack of motivation. Women who suffer from ADHD are often accused of "zoning out" during meetings or unreliable in the workplace.
Adults suffering from ADHD have trouble managing their emotions and sustaining the same routine of sleep. They can easily become angry or irritable and may overreact to minor hiccups in their lives.
Many adults who haven't been diagnosed with ADHD think that their symptoms are just part of being an older adult. However, the right treatment can alleviate these symptoms and improve the quality of life. To determine if you suffer from ADHD, a doctor will inquire about your behaviour and behaviors and then run tests to diagnose. Typically your doctor will consult with other people who know you well to get an accurate picture of your everyday functioning.
Relationships
Women with ADHD struggle to maintain healthy relationships due to their forgetfulness and impulsiveness. Their inability to regulate their emotions can lead to misinterpret and conflict. This can make them feel lonely. They may even blame themselves for the problems, which can cause depression and anxiety, which can further exacerbate symptoms of ADHD.
Symptoms of ADHD in women are often difficult to recognize because of hormonal changes, particularly during puberty. These hormonal changes can make symptoms appear like other conditions like anxiety and mood disorders. The fluctuations in estrogen during puberty can also impact the severity of these symptoms. Estrogen levels decrease before and during ovulation, but then increase again at the time of menstrual flow. These fluctuations can cause symptoms appear different from day to day, which can contribute to misdiagnosis as well as a lack of effective treatment.
While women who are assigned females at birth can have ADHD like boys, the disorder often goes untreated and undiagnosed among girls. As they grow older, many of these girls struggle to manage their careers and personal lives, and have difficulties in relationships. Years of mislabeled symptoms and dealing with them can have a negative impact on self-esteem.
While the negative consequences of untreated ADHD for women can be severe however, there are ways to enhance their quality of life. Many women have found that therapy and medication, lifestyle modifications, and accommodations at school and work can be helpful. An experienced clinician can provide an assessment and suggest appropriate treatments for women with ADHD. This will help them live a more productive and happier life.