Signs and Symptoms of ADHD in Women
Women suffering from ADHD often experience a lifetime of undiagnosed or under-treated symptoms. This can result in problems at work, with relationships, and in daily life.
Women are expected to be able to perform many roles: motherhood, job and running the household. If not treated, ADHD and the pressure to live up to these expectations can cause anxiety or depression.
Forgetfulness
Women suffering from ADHD frequently struggle with inattention, a tendency to misplace things and a tendency to overlook the smallest details. These issues can lead to cluttered homes as well as missed appointments and an overall feeling of disorganization. They are also more likely to misplace their phone or keys or be frustrated when they are unable to locate things they require for work or school. Inattention can also be a problem in relationships, since they're less likely to remember conversations or keep notes during meetings.
The signs of ADHD in women differ from those of men and boys, and this can make it difficult to spot them. They can also be exacerbated by hormone changes throughout life, such as those caused by menstrual cycles, pregnancy, childbirth, and the years leading up to perimenopause and menopausal symptoms.
A person who isn't diagnosed with ADHD might feel angry and helpless when she struggles to meet work or school deadlines. She might feel like she's not a great companion or friend due to the fact that she misses important events or calls and is more likely to speak whatever is on her mind without thinking about it. She could be more susceptible to impulsive behavior, such as spending money on clothes and makeup before she's even paid the bills.
A therapist who specializes in treating ADHD can help you develop strategies to lessen your lapses in memory and increase your organizational skills. You might be prescribed medication to manage your symptoms and can be extremely effective. You can also employ strategies such as completing a single task at a given time, and using an agenda or a planner to keep track of your responsibilities. You might also require therapy to tackle problems related to depression or the history of non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI) like cutting, burning, or scratching.
Impulsivity
Controlling impulses is a major concern for those with ADHD. If you have ADHD the voice you hear is often hard to hear or may not exist. This is referred to as a lack of prefrontal cortex function. Instinctiveness can cause you to make poor decisions and make choices that could have long-term effects for example, spending too much on something that you don't really require or making a statement that can be interpreted as offensive. As you grow older, impulsive behavior can affect relationships and personal and professional life.
Women with ADHD are more likely to internalize their symptoms and may be unable to recognize that they are suffering from a disorder, especially as they grow into adulthood. This makes it difficult to seek help because the coping strategies they employed to manage their symptoms as children might not work in the workplace, college or in other adult settings.
Women with ADHD are more likely to also have a mental health issue that is co-occurring like depression or anxiety. This can lead to a misdiagnosis or delayed treatment. adhd in adults symptoms co-occurring disorders can cause confusion and conceal ADHD symptoms.
Because of their heightened vulnerability to rejection, women who suffer from ADHD often struggle to express themselves and may be more reluctant than men to reach out for support when they struggle. This can make them feel isolated and helpless to cope with their symptoms. This can lead to depression and anxiety. They are more likely to turn to unhealthy coping strategies, such as alcohol and substance abuse, to cope. This can increase the negative effects of untreated ADHD and result in increased problems with self-esteem, motivation, and focus.
Emotional Dysregulation
Emotional dysregulation is when you are unable to control intense emotions, such as anxiety, sadness or anger. This disorder can cause people to react to events in a way that is excessive or to feel their emotions are not in sync to the circumstances. This can cause anger, or even outbursts. This can lead to an end to relationships since it can trigger misunderstandings and arguments that can wear down the trust of the people they love most.
In certain instances, emotional dysregulation can be caused by an individual or a specific event. In other instances it may be more complex and the root cause may be genetic factors, traumatic events, or mental health issues like depression.
It's normal for women with ADHD to experience a variety of symptoms. They may be struggling to cope with the demands of everyday life. As adults, they have more obligations than their parents did when they were younger, and that can mean that they have to manage work, family and housekeeping. This can cause many frustrations, as they struggle to keep up.
Women with ADHD are also likely to have issues in their relationships due to their forgetfulness, impulsivity and emotional dysregulation. They are prone to lose their focus or get so absorbed in conversation that they fail to pay attention. This can lead them to misunderstandings with family members and friends.
Some of these struggles may be made worse by hormonal changes, such as those that occur during menstrual period and pregnancy as well as during perimenopausal. It's crucial that women find a therapist or clinician who is experienced in treating ADHD in girls and women. Cognitive behavioral therapy can assist by empowering self and transforming negative thought patterns.
Depression
Women with ADHD are more likely to experience depression symptoms than boys or men. They also may have more emotional issues and low self-esteem due to having to deal with their symptoms throughout their lives. These symptoms are difficult to manage, and it's no wonder that many people are unable to get a diagnosis of ADHD.
Forgetfulness, impulsivity and emotional dysregulation can lead to conflicts with friends and coworkers. These issues can make it difficult to hold an occupation and may create problems with relationships with family members. These issues are especially difficult for women with ADHD who are often struggling to live up to society's expectations.
The inattention-deficit type of ADHD is more common in women than in men. It is characterized by difficulty paying attention, staying focused and avoiding important events and dates. These symptoms can be misinterpreted as lazy, bad time management, or a lack of motivation. Women suffering from ADHD may be accused of "zoning out" during meetings or being unreliable in the workplace.
In addition and irritability, people with ADHD also have difficulty managing emotions and maintaining a steady sleeping schedule. They can easily become frustrated or angry, and they may react too strongly to minor hiccups in their lives.
Many adults who haven't been diagnosed with ADHD believe that their symptoms are normal or a part of being an older adult. However, the proper treatment can alleviate these symptoms and improve the quality of life. In order to diagnose ADHD, a doctor will ask questions about your behavior and habits, and then run diagnostic tests. Typically the doctor will speak with others who know you well to obtain an accurate picture of your everyday functioning.
Relationships
Women suffering from ADHD frequently struggle to maintain healthy relationships because of their forgetfulness and impulsiveness. Their inability to manage their emotions can lead them to misunderstands and conflicts. This may leave them feeling lonely. They could blame themselves for their troubles, leading them to depression and anxiety.
It isn't easy to recognize ADHD in women due to hormonal changes, especially during puberty. These hormonal changes can cause symptoms appear like other conditions such as depression and anxiety. The fluctuations in estrogen during puberty can also impact the severity of these symptoms. Estrogen levels decrease prior to and during ovulation, but then increase again at the time of menstruation. These fluctuations can cause symptoms appear different each day, which can contribute to misdiagnosis and a lack of effective treatment.
ADHD can affect girls and boys, but it is rarely recognized or treated in girls. As they grow into adults and become mothers, many of them struggle to manage their personal lives and careers and struggle with relationships. Years of mislabeled symptoms and dealing with them can have a negative effect on self-esteem.
Although the effects of untreated ADHD on women can be severe, there are ways to improve their lives. Many women have found that therapy and medication along with lifestyle modifications as well as accommodations for work and school can help. An experienced clinician can provide an assessment and suggest appropriate treatments for women with ADHD. This can help them live a an enjoyable, productive life.