Signs and Symptoms of ADHD in Women
Women suffering from ADHD are often afflicted by symptoms that are not recognized and inadequate treatment for an entire lifetime. This can lead to difficulties at work, in relationships, and in everyday life.
Women are expected to be competent in a variety of roles: motherhood, career and managing the household. If not treated, ADHD and the pressure to fulfill these expectations can lead to 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 the smallest details. These problems can result in cluttered homes, missed meetings and a general feeling disorder. They could also be more likely to lose their keys or phones or be frustrated when they can't find a specific item they need to attend school or work. Inattention can be a huge problem for relationships, too, since they are less likely to recall what other people have said in conversations or to note notes during meetings.
It is often harder to detect ADHD symptoms in women than in males or boys. They can also be exacerbated due to hormonal changes throughout the course of life, like those caused by menstrual period, pregnancy or childbirth, as well as the period leading up to perimenopausal and menopausal symptoms.
For example, a woman who is not diagnosed with ADHD may feel a sense of despair and frustration as she struggles to meet deadlines at school or at work. She might feel like she is not a good friend or partner because she doesn't attend important calls or events, and she is more likely to speak whatever is on her mind without thinking about it. She might be more susceptible than usual to impulsive behavior for example, like purchasing clothes and makeup without paying the bills.
A therapist who specializes in treating ADHD can teach you strategies to improve your memory and increase your ability to organize yourself. You might be prescribed medication that could help you manage your symptoms. You can also use techniques such as completing one task at a time, using a planner or checklist to keep track of your responsibilities. You could also need therapy to deal with related issues like depression or the history of non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI) like burning, cutting or scratching.
Impulsivity
Impulse control is a major problem for people suffering from ADHD. If you have ADHD the voice you hear is often hard to hear or may not even exist. This is referred to as a lack of prefrontal cortex function. Instinctiveness can cause you to make poor choices and make choices that could cause long-term harm like spending too much on something that you don't really require or making a comment that can be interpreted as offensive. As an adult, impulsive behavior can affect relationships, career and your personal life.
Women with ADHD may be more prone to internalize their symptoms and may be unable to recognize that they have a problem, particularly as they progress into adulthood. It can be difficult for those with ADHD to seek out help, as the coping mechanisms they utilized to manage their symptoms as children might not be effective in adult settings like work or college.
Women who suffer from ADHD are more likely to also have a co-occurring mental health problem, such a depression or anxiety. This can result in a misdiagnosis or delayed treatment. These co-occurring disorders can cause confusion and conceal ADHD symptoms.
Due to their increased sensitization to rejection, females with ADHD often have trouble expressing themselves and are more hesitant than males to seek support when they struggle. This can lead them to feel isolated and in a position of being unable to cope with their symptoms, which may turn into anxiety or depression. They are more likely to turn to unhealthy coping strategies, such as alcohol and addiction to drugs, to cope. This can exacerbate the effects of their untreated ADHD, leading to further problems with self-esteem and lack of focus and motivation.
Emotional Dysregulation
Emotional dysregulation is the inability to control intense emotions like sadness, anxiety or anger. People who suffer from this symptom are more likely to react to events in a distorted manner or feel that their emotions aren't proportionate to the circumstances and can result in anger and outbursts. This symptom can also cause difficulties maintaining relationships as it can cause misunderstandings and arguments, which can wear away at the trust of those who are close to them.
In some instances emotional dysregulation could be triggered by an specific person or event. In other cases the root cause is more complicated and could be influenced by genetic factors, trauma experiences or mental health disorders like depression.
It's common for women with ADHD to experience a range of symptoms. They may be struggling to cope with the demands of everyday life. As adults they have responsibilities that are higher than the parental responsibilities. This can include the demands of family, work and household chores. This can lead to many frustrations when they are trying to keep up.
Women with ADHD are also likely to have issues in their relationships due to their forgetfulness emotional dysregulation, and impulsivity. They can easily get lost in the details of a conversation, or get so involved in a project that they lose the track of time, which can result in misunderstandings and conflicts with friends and partners.
Some of these struggles may be made worse by hormonal changes like those that occur during menstrual cycles, pregnancy, and perimenopause. That's why it's important for women to find an therapist or a therapist who is experienced in treating ADHD for girls and women. Cognitive behavioral therapy can assist with self advocacy and changing negative thinking patterns.
Depression
Women who suffer from ADHD are more likely to suffer from depression symptoms than both men and boys. Due to their symptoms, they can also experience anxiety and low confidence. It's not surprising that many people struggle to receive an accurate diagnosis of ADHD.
Inattention, forgetfulness and emotional dysregulation can lead to confusion and conflict with coworkers and friends. These issues can make it difficult to maintain a job and can cause problems in relationships with family members. These issues are especially difficult for women suffering from ADHD who are often struggling to meet society's expectations.
The inattentive type of ADHD is more common in women than in men. It is characterized by difficulties paying attention, focusing and avoiding important events or dates. These symptoms can be confused with lazyness, poor time management or a lack of motivation. Women suffering from ADHD may be accused of "zoning out" in meetings or being not reliable in the workplace.
Adults with ADHD struggle with managing their emotions and sustaining a regular sleep schedule. They can become easily frustrated or angry, and could overreact when they experience minor difficulties.
Many adults who haven't been diagnosed with ADHD believe that their symptoms are normal or part of being an older adult. The correct treatment can help alleviate these symptoms, and increase your quality of life. A doctor will ask questions about your behavior and then perform diagnostic tests. Typically your doctor will speak with others who know you well to gather an accurate picture of your daily functioning.
Relationships
Women who suffer from ADHD often have difficulty maintaining healthy relationships due to their forgetfulness and impulsiveness. Their difficulties with emotional regulation can cause conflicts and miscommunications, leaving them feeling isolated. They could blame themselves for their issues and develop anxiety and depression.
It isn't always easy to identify ADHD in women due to hormonal changes, especially during puberty. These hormonal changes can cause symptoms to appear like other conditions like mood disorders and anxiety. In addition, the changes in estrogen that occur during puberty could influence how visible these symptoms are. Estrogen levels decrease before and during ovulation and then increase again at the beginning of menstrual flow. These fluctuations can make symptoms appear different each day, which could lead to misdiagnosis as well as a lack of effective treatment.
ADHD can affect girls and boys, but it is often not recognized or treated in girls. As they become adults and become mothers, many of them struggle with managing their home life and careers and struggle with relationships. Years of dealing with and misrepresenting their symptoms as personal can be detrimental to self-esteem. That's why having a clear diagnosis is so important.
While the effects of untreated ADHD on women can be very severe however, there are ways to improve their performance. Many women have found that medication and therapy along with lifestyle modifications and adjustments for work and school can be helpful. A qualified professional can evaluate women with ADHD and recommend the most appropriate treatment. This will help them live a a happier and more productive life.