Symptoms of ADHD in Women Adults
The symptoms of ADHD in women adults are often difficult to spot. This is because a lot of women develop coping strategies to hide their ADHD symptoms.
This could mean using a checklist or planner to keep track of tasks, making notes at meetings and getting plenty of exercise. Women who suffer from ADHD might also find it easier express their emotions.
Attentive Symptoms
Women who suffer from inattention ADHD feel like their struggles aren't being noticed. They may miss deadlines, have difficulty managing the administrative tasks of life or struggle to remember details. They might also be struggling to keep up with their friends and family obligations while feeling constantly behind in their career or relationships, as well as other important milestones.
Adults may have more trouble identifying these symptoms than children, because women often develop strategies to hide their ADHD. They might develop a set of coping techniques to alleviate their symptoms, such as using planners or establishing phone reminders, but these strategies can be exhausting and ineffective over time.
Inattentive ADHD in women can cause low self-esteem, as well as feelings of shame and rejection. Women who have inattentive ADHD are more likely to be absorbed by the impairments they experience and feel stigmatized if they don't receive a diagnosis. Some of these women receive negative remarks about them being "lazy," "flaky," or "stupid." Others may notice their problems but dismiss them as "normal," especially if the symptoms aren't as evident as those of inattention ADHD in boys and men.
In addition to masking their symptoms, women with inattention ADHD may also rely on harmful or unhealthy coping mechanisms that can worsen their symptoms in time, like eating too much, binge-eating, an excessive dependence on caffeine and sugary foods and procrastination. These actions can have severe consequences over the long term especially when they contribute to health issues such as obesity, high blood pressure, and heart disease.
The good news is a combination medication and lifestyle changes may help improve symptoms for women with inattentive ADHD. Regular exercise, a consistent eating plan, and avoiding foods and drinks that trigger energy crashes can all help. Psychologists may prescribe stimulants to help women with ADHD improve their concentration, decrease hyperactivity, and control impulsive or distracting behaviors.
It is important to know that stimulants can interact with certain drugs like antidepressants. Therefore, it is recommended to consult an expert in health before starting any medication.
Hyperactive Symptoms
Women with ADHD are often hyperactive. They might be more distracted than others and find it difficult to complete everyday tasks such as paying bills or washing laundry. They may also have trouble keeping eye contact with other people and may find it difficult to stay on topic when speaking. Women with ADHD may also experience difficulty maintaining their fitness levels, and may feel frustrated when they are unable to reach the physical goals they have set for themselves.
Many women with untreated ADHD develop coping mechanisms to cover up their symptoms. They may employ healthy strategies to cope, such as using an agenda for the day or creating reminders on their phones to help remember important occasions. However, some women use unhealthy strategies for coping, like using alcohol or drugs, in an attempt to appear "normal" and to meet social expectations. These coping strategies that are not healthy can negatively impact their self-esteem, making it difficult to admit that they suffer from ADHD.
Even if women can manage their symptoms using drugs or strategies for managing their behavior however, they could still be suffering from emotional issues. mood swings can cause conflicts in their relationships with family and friends and work and can cause them to feel like they have no control over their lives. The stress they feel can make them more likely to blame themselves for their problems and this only increases the feeling of inadequacy and self-worth they might already be experiencing.
As women age as they age, their ADHD symptoms may alter in severity and form. They can become more severe during certain periods of the month or menopausal or pregnancy, and these fluctuations can be difficult to deal with. They may also be more prominent when there is stress or grief, as well as when trying to meet the demands of society's expectations.
The only way to tell whether a person suffers from ADHD is to be evaluated by a medical specialist who has expertise in treating adults suffering from the disorder. A doctor will assess the patient's history and conduct tests to rule other possible causes for their behavior out, before prescribing appropriate treatment options. Stimulant medications are the most common treatment for adult ADHD, but non-stimulant medications may be prescribed when stimulants aren't effective or appropriate for the patient.
Impulsive Symptoms
Women suffering from ADHD are often troubled by impulsive behavior. They feel overwhelmed and their lives seem chaotic. They may be unable to manage multiple tasks, and they struggle to remember important details at work or school. The feelings of inadequacy anxiety, stress and depression can all add up and cause depression and low self-esteem.
As with girls, the hyperactive/impulsive symptoms of ADHD in females are less easy to notice than those in boys and men, which can make it harder for them to receive a diagnosis. In addition, many are sexist towards women who suffer from ADHD because they believe that it's a primarily male-dominated condition. Women are often misdiagnosed or are unable to access treatment options that could be beneficial.
Hormonal fluctuations can impact the symptoms of women with impulsive ADHD. The symptoms may become more severe during ovulation, or during the middle of the menstrual cycle, when progesterone and estrogen are increasing. Women may be misdiagnosed as having problems with their mood or irritability, and not receive the appropriate treatment.
Girls and women with impulsive-type ADHD might be more likely to engage in risky sexual activity, putting them at greater risk of unwanted pregnancy or being victims of violence from intimate partners. They may also have trouble maintaining friendships or being assertive with their peers.
Regular exercise can help reduce the symptoms of impulsivity that affect adults and children suffering from ADHD. It releases neurotransmitters, which improve attention and focus and reduces symptoms of depression, anxiety and stress. Moving exercises are especially helpful, such as running or walking on a regular basis, swimming or dancing. Meditation, mindfulness training and taking calming supplements like omega-3 fatty acid and magnesium are other ways to manage the impulsive symptoms. A good night's sleep can help, as well as setting a consistent bedtime and limiting screen time prior to bed. Stimulants may help improve attention and focus, but your doctor also takes into consideration other health conditions prior to prescribing a medication. Ask your doctor if you can be part of a clinical study that will examine new medications or treatments for ADHD.
Emotional Signs and Symptoms
Women who suffer from ADHD frequently experience emotional issues like mood swings and difficulties in self-regulation, which can cause stress to relationships and professional interactions. These issues can also impact their finances since they could be unable to manage budgets and tracking bills. Additionally their inability to control themselves could lead to reckless spending and an inclination to take risks, particularly when they are under pressure.
In general, the symptoms of adult ADHD are more inattentive than impulsive or hyperactive. Due to this, many women are misdiagnosed or undiagnosed. As adults, symptoms can worsen during menstrual cycles, during menopausal or pregnancy. extreme ADHD symptoms adults can also be aggravated by other health issues, such as depression or anxiety.
This means that their symptoms are harder to detect for healthcare professionals than boys and men. This is because women tend to mask their ADHD symptoms by constructing strategies to cope. They may set up an agenda for the day or remind themselves to meet deadlines. They might also resort to alcohol or drugs to treat their feelings of restlessness and forgetfulness or insanity.
These coping strategies may be effective in the short term but they can be detrimental in the long-term. In time these strategies for coping can make women feel more stressed, depressed and overwhelmed, which could result in low self-esteem. They can also lead women to use unhealthy methods of coping with their symptoms, such as non-suicide self-harm (NSSI).
It is essential that women who suspect ADHD seek a medical professional for a thorough examination and diagnosis. A healthcare professional may recommend therapy and medication as a part of the treatment plan. The medications used to treat adult ADHD include stimulants as well as non-stimulants. The stimulants are the most frequently used because they can help improve focus and boost energy levels. They can also decrease anxiety and depression symptoms. People who are unable to take stimulants are often prescribed non-stimulants such as antidepressants or atomoxetine.
Women who suffer from ADHD can also benefit from a change in lifestyle. These include developing routines using tools for organizing such as planners and apps, breaking down tasks into smaller chunks and implementing mindfulness and relaxation techniques. Regular exercise as well as a balanced diet and a good night's sleep can be beneficial. It is also recommended for women to seek out a therapist who is experienced in treating ADHD as they will know the emotional and behavioral consequences of this condition.