AdHD Symptoms in Women<br /><br />Women who suffer from ADHD often struggle to meet many societal expectations. Women with ADHD often struggle to meet the expectations of society such as caring for others, balancing home and work life, and navigating relationships.<br /><br />Female ADHD symptoms are more likely to be inattentive-type symptoms than hyperactive/impulsive symptoms. <a href="https://www.iampsychiatry.uk/adult-adhd-in-women/">add symptoms in women I Am Psychiatry</a> can also cause health care professionals to misdiagnose or fail to recognize ADHD symptoms in women and girls.<br /><br />1. Inattention and lack of Focus<br /><br />Being unable to concentrate is one of the most frequent symptoms of adhd among women. This problem can manifest in different ways, including having trouble remembering appointments, being unable to complete tasks at work or zoning out when talking to people. It's also a frequent sign that makes it difficult for women to keep track of their finances, and it's often the reason why they aren't able to take advantage of jobs or financial opportunities.<br /><br />It's possible that certain women are more adept at hiding their ADHD symptoms, which may make it difficult to be diagnosed and treated as adults. Researchers aren't sure why, but they believe it could be due to gender roles and the expectation for women and girls to be more "restrained." Masking ADHD could lead to underperformance at work or at school and prevent those with ADHD from seeking out support and help.<br /><br />The lack of focus can be misinterpreted as other signs such as anxiety or depression. Depression can affect your concentration by making you forgetful and demotivated. People suffering from generalized anxiety disorder typically have difficulties focusing because they are more likely to become overwhelmed by their thoughts and emotions.<br /><br />The best way to increase your ability to concentrate is to manage your ADHD symptoms by seeking treatment. This means finding a therapist or clinician who is experienced in treating ADHD in girls and women. Also, you should be aware of the accommodations you can request from your school or employer, such as flexible working hours or working from home. A good night's sleep will also help you enjoy more restful nights and become more focused throughout the day. It can include going to bed at the same time every evening, listening to calming music or an audiobook prior to sleeping and limiting time spent on screens.<br /><br />2. Impulsivity<br /><br />Women who suffer from ADHD are typically driven. They can interrupt other people or alter the topic of discussions, make snap decisions without thinking about the consequences and make decisions that are not beneficial to you. They might also have difficulty reading other people's body language or recognizing social cues. The signs of impulsivity may increase during perimenopause - the period prior to menopausal onset - and when hormone levels begin to decrease.<br /><br />Girls and women with ADHD are more likely to have inattentive-type symptoms, which can be harder to notice than hyperactive/impulsive symptoms. This could cause health care professionals to miss ADHD in these individuals, or mistakenly diagnose them, or ignore their symptoms as mood or anxiety issues. Gender bias may be a factor, because research on ADHD is predominantly focused on men and boys.<br /><br />When children with ADHD are young, teachers and parents sometimes notice impulsive behavior. It's not unusual for children to be anxious or irritable at times. These behaviors tend to improve as children age and begin to manage their symptoms.<br /><br />Adults can experience impulsive and distractible symptoms of adhd can affect work, school and relationships. They can cause delays and forgetfulness, as well as difficulty following through on commitments. They can make locating and maintaining a job difficult and hinder healthy eating.<br /><br />Treatment for adult ADHD generally involves taking 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 helps you to identify and change negative thinking patterns and couples counseling in the event that your relationship is affected by ADHD or other issues, or even family therapy. Physical exercise can help to calm your mind and reduce symptoms, especially in the case of disorientation and impulsivity. Try activities like yoga, dancing or group workouts like swimming and running.<br /><br />3. Anxiety<br /><br />Anxiety disorders can trigger various physical symptoms. These include dizziness, chest pain, headaches, heart palpitations and sweating. They can make people feel as if they are suffering from an attack of the heart or that the world is ending. People who suffer from anxiety are often mistakenly diagnosed as having a heart issue due to these physical signs. This can lead to a lengthy journey of medical treatments that do not treat the root cause. Psychotherapy is effective for most anxiety disorders, whether it's employed on its own or when combined with medications. Cognitive behavioral therapy, in particular, can help a person develop new ways of thinking and reacting to situations that could reduce anxiety.<br /><br />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 have mixed subtypes. Women should discuss their ADHD symptoms and their doctor will ask them specific questions regarding the disorder.<br /><br /><br /><br />Women suffering from ADHD may have difficulty obtaining an accurate diagnosis because many of the diagnostic tools used to diagnose the disorder are biased towards male behavior. Women can also conceal their symptoms in order to blend with society. In the end, they might be underdiagnosed and receive delayed treatment for their ADHD. A qualified professional, like a psychiatrist psychologist or advanced practice registered nurse, can identify ADHD. The provider will use an extensive history, a physical examination and the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Health Disorders in order to evaluate a patient's symptoms and determine if other conditions might be contributing to the symptoms.<br /><br />4. Disorganization<br /><br />Women with ADHD may experience disorganization. This is a chronic issue that can lead to disruptions in work and schoolwork, emotional stress, strain relationships, and financial difficulties. Disorganization is characterized by the lack of organization skills, such as not keeping track of bills or appointments, or having difficulty making decisions. Most often, the disorder is linked to other issues, like anxiety, traumatizing life incident, or depression and is often difficult to treat.<br /><br />Some women with ADHD have a high level of functioning, and their symptoms don't significantly affect their day-to-day interactions and relationships. This condition is referred to as "high-functioning ADHD." However it doesn't mean they don't experience some of the usual symptoms. This includes difficulty in staying focused or paying attention to particulars, feeling uneasy, and being in a state of forgetfulness.<br /><br />Some people struggle with disorganization on a regular basis. They may spend time looking for lost objects or delay important tasks. It can also result in poor work quality and strained relationships. It can also trigger various health issues like insomnia or anxiety.<br /><br />Hormone fluctuations can also contribute to the disorganization of women with ADHD. Estrogen is lower when ovulating and in the middle of menstrual cycle while progesterone is more abundant and these fluctuations could cause ADHD symptoms worse.<br /><br />It's possible that, although biological differences can be a factor, some of the disorder or impulsivity in women suffering from ADHD is due to social "norms." Girls and young women are typically socialized to be quiet and reserved, which is why they may not be able to hide their ADHD symptoms.<br /><br />5. Inattention<br /><br />Women are more likely than men to hide their attention issues, which can result in them being misdiagnosed and receive delayed treatment. In reality, they may even think they have better focus and time-management skills than they actually do. In reality, they're likely to lose things and forget appointments, or not pay bills on time, and have trouble coordinating their work and at home.<br /><br />Women suffering from ADHD are more prone 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 might also have difficulty speaking to themselves or make a variety of nonsensical sounds or phrases. However, they're less likely to experience these symptoms than males.<br /><br />For many people suffering from ADHD, the first method of treatment is medication. The stimulants methylphenidate and amphetamine are typically prescribed, but nonstimulant medications that target the way neurotransmitters interact with your brain are also available. These include atomoxetine and guanfacine.<br /><br />Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) can be beneficial for women with ADHD. These treatments can help you recognize automatic or irrational thinking and teach you healthy ways to manage your moods and behaviors. Alongside medication exercise and an appropriate diet can help manage ADHD symptoms like disorientation, impulsivity and restlessness. For energy boosts, try activities like yoga, dancing, group classes like cycling or swimming, and aerobics. Try to do at least four to five sessions of exercise per week, lasting about 30 minutes per session. To support your mood and concentration consume a variety of vegetables, whole grains and healthy fats.<br /><br />