Why We Love ADHD Symptoms In Women (And You Should, Too!)

AdHD Symptoms in Women Women with ADHD struggle to live up to society's expectations. Women with ADHD typically struggle to meet societal expectations 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 girls and women or misdiagnose them. 1. Lack of Focus One of the most frequent symptoms of adhd in women is difficulty concentration. It can manifest in a variety of different ways, from forgetting appointments to being unable to complete tasks at work, or snoring during conversations, making people feel unimportant. It's also a typical symptom that can make it difficult for women to keep up with their finances, and is often the reason why they do not get jobs or financial opportunities. Women are more adept at masked ADHD symptoms than others 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 notion that girls and women should be more “restrained.” The act of masking ADHD symptoms can result in being under-performing at school or at work, and it might prevent them from seeking the help and assistance they require. Lack of focus is also a common symptom and can be confused with other ailments, including depression and anxiety. For instance, depression can affect your focus by making you more forgetful and irritable. People with generalized anxieties disorder are unable to concentrate because they tend to be overwhelmed by their thoughts and emotions. Treatment is the best method to increase your concentration. That means finding a clinician or therapist with experience in ADHD for both girls and women. It's also an excellent idea to find out about accommodations that you can request your employer or educational institution for like flexible hours or working from home. Good sleep hygiene will also help you to have more restful nights, and to be more focused throughout the day. This means getting to bed every night at the same time, listening to soothing music or an audiobook and limiting screen time. 2. Impulsivity Women who suffer from ADHD are often highly impulsive. They may be prone to interrupting others or switching topics during a conversation, taking quick decisions without thinking, and taking risks that are not in their best interests. They might also have trouble understanding body language or social cues. The signs of impulsivity may increase during perimenopausal – the time before menopause – 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 lead to health care professionals missing ADHD in women and girls and misdiagnosing their symptoms, or dismissing their symptoms as a mood or anxiety problem. Gender bias can also play a role, as research on ADHD is mostly focused on men and boys. Parents and teachers may notice the impulsive behavior of children suffering from ADHD. It's not uncommon for children to be restless or even impatient at times. These behaviors tend to improve as children get older and begin to manage their symptoms. Adults with adhd may be prone to impulsive behavior and distraction which can affect their work, relationships, and school. They can lead to procrastination and forgetfulness, as well as difficulties following through with commitments. They can make it difficult to find and keep jobs. They also can interfere with healthy eating habits. Treatment for adults with ADHD usually involves medication. Your doctor might recommend a combination treatment depending on your symptoms, lifestyle, and any other health issues. They may also recommend psychotherapy such as cognitive behavioral therapy, which can help you recognize and alter negative thinking patterns and couples counseling when your relationship is impacted by ADHD, or even family therapy. Exercise can also help to calm your mind and reduce symptoms, especially in the case of impulsivity and distractibility. Try activities such as yoga, dancing, and group exercises like running and swimming. 3. Anxiety Anxiety disorders are common and can cause a wide range of physical symptoms. They can cause dizziness, chest pain, headaches, heart palpitations, and sweating. They can make people feel like they are having an attack of the heart or that the world is closing. People who suffer from anxiety are often mistakenly diagnosed as having a heart problem because of these physical symptoms. This can result in lengthy medical treatments without addressing the root cause. Psychotherapy is effective for the majority of anxiety disorders, regardless of whether it's used on its own or when combined with medications. Particularly, cognitive behavioral therapy can help a person develop new ways of thinking and reacting that can 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 be diagnosed with mixed subtypes. Women should talk to their doctor about their ADHD symptoms with their doctor and will ask them specific questions regarding the disorder. Women with ADHD may have difficulty obtaining the right diagnosis, as the majority of diagnostic tools are geared toward male behavior. Women may also hide their symptoms to fit with society. They could be misdiagnosed and their ADHD treatment delayed. A qualified professional such as a psychiatrist, psychologist, or advanced practice registered nurse, can diagnose ADHD. The provider will use a detailed medical history, physical examination and the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Health Disorders to be able to evaluate a patient's symptoms and determine if there are other conditions that might be contributing to the symptoms. 4. Disorganization Women suffering from ADHD can experience disorganization. This is a persistent issue that can cause disruptions in work and schoolwork, emotional stress, strain relationships, and financial problems. Disorganization is often characterized by the lack of organization skills like not keeping track of bills or appointments, and difficulty making decisions. It can be caused by other issues like anxiety, traumatic event in life, or depression. It can be difficult to treat. Some women who suffer from ADHD have a high degree of functioning, and their symptoms don't significantly affect their day-to-day activities and relationships. This condition is referred to as “high-functioning ADHD.” However, this does not mean they do not experience some of the symptoms. This includes difficulty in staying focused or paying attention to details, feeling restless, and being in a state of forgetfulness. Many people experience disorganization on a regular basis. They may spend time searching for lost items or delaying important tasks. It can also lead to low productivity and stressed relationships. It can also lead to various health issues like anxiety or sleep disorders. Hormone fluctuations can further aggravate the disorder of women suffering from ADHD. Estrogen levels decrease during ovulation and in the middle of menstrual cycle while progesterone is higher and these fluctuations can make ADHD symptoms worse. While differences in the biological makeup of sexes can play a role however, it's also possible that some of the disorder and impulsivity associated with ADHD in women is due to social “norms.” Young women and girls are often socialized to be more reserved and quiet, so they may not be able to hide their ADHD symptoms. 5. Inattention Women tend to find it easier to mask their attention problems than men, which can lead to underdiagnosis and delayed treatment. In reality, they might even think that they have better concentration and time-management abilities than they do. In reality, they tend to lose things and miss appointments, or pay their bills on time. They also face problems with organization at work and at home. adult female adhd symptoms who suffer from ADHD are more likely to develop the inattentive subtype 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 issues speaking to themselves or make nonsensical sounds or phrases. However, they are less likely to experience these symptoms than men. For many adults with ADHD the first option for treatment is medication. Stimulants such as methylphenidate and amphetamine are commonly prescribed, but nonstimulant drugs that focus on how neurotransmitters interact with the brain may also be a possibility. These include atomoxetine and guanfacine. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is also beneficial for women suffering from ADHD. These treatments can help you identify your automatic or irrational thoughts, and also learn healthy ways to control your emotions and behavior. A healthy diet and exercise, in addition to medication can help manage ADHD symptoms such as inattention, restlessness and disorientation. To boost your energy levels Try activities such as yoga, dancing, group classes such as swimming or aerobics, and biking. Try to get at least four to five sessions of exercise each week of approximately 30 minutes per session. To support your mood and focus consume a variety of vegetables, whole grains and healthy fats.