ADHD Symptoms in Women<br /><br />Adult women suffering from ADHD have unique challenges. If left untreated, the symptoms can create havoc in relationships and work life.<br /><br />The reason for this is gender bias and the tendency for women and girls to hide their symptoms. However, increased awareness means that more adults are getting the help they need. ADHD symptoms for women differ from those in men. They can be made worse because of hormonal fluctuations during menstrual periods or pregnancy, as well as menopausal.<br /><br />Signs of Inattentive Type<br /><br />Women with inattentive ADHD might have trouble staying on task in completing tasks and making mistakes. They may also misunderstand or make careless errors. They may struggle with organization and find it difficult to keep track of their obligations like paying bills, returning phone calls or sending birthday cards. They may also be unable to remember appointments and can often skip meetings or be late for work or social events.<br /><br />The symptoms of inattentive type ADHD are less noticeable than hyperactivity-impulsivity symptoms in boys and men, so it's possible that women and girls who have these symptoms don't receive a diagnosis until adulthood. Many people who aren't treated for their symptoms suffer emotional distress, which could lead to bad relationships and co-occurring illnesses like anxiety or depression.<br /><br />The difficulties of living with ADHD that isn't addressed can be overwhelming. For some, it leads to self-blame and unhealthy coping strategies, such as excessive alcohol and substance abuse. Others resort to unhealthy habits such as dieting and overeating. Teenagers and young girls may self-injure to cope with their frustration over not being able meet social expectations. This could take the form of cutting or burning.<br /><br />Due to these issues It's not surprising that women with inattentive type ADHD are prone to anxiety and depression which can make it even harder to manage their ADHD symptoms. In addition they may suffer from low self-esteem, which makes it difficult to acknowledge that their problems stem from a mental health condition rather than being the result of their own responsibility.<br /><br />Girls with inattentive ADHD might also have difficulties in interpreting social signals, making them appear distant or unobservant to other people. They may miss jokes or misunderstand body language and be accused of being rude or obnoxious. They may also have difficulties in controlling their impulses, so they might disrupt others or utter offensive phrases.<br /><br />To increase their focus, it's important for women suffering from inattentive type ADHD to get enough sleep every night and avoid nicotine, caffeine and stimulants. Regular exercise can boost neurotransmitters, which can help in focusing.<br /><br />Symptoms of Hyperactive/Impulsive Type<br /><br />Women and adolescent girls with the hyperactive/impulsive type of ADHD can find it hard to concentrate or organize. This can lead to clutter in the home and problems paying bills on time. They might also forget their appointments, or the names and faces of their family members and friends. They are easily distracted or bored, and they can't wait to be heard. They are less likely than boys and men to show internalizing symptoms like anxiety or depression.<br /><br />It can be harder to identify and diagnose hyperactive/impulsive ADHD in women than in boys or men. Because these symptoms are more prevalent in boys and men, health care professionals may not recognize these symptoms in women and girls or ignore them, putting them down to mood issues or gender stereotypes. ADHD rating scales also tend to be biased towards male behavior, which makes these symptoms harder to determine and recognize in women.<br /><br />The good news is that there are methods to manage ADHD as an adult woman, including taking medication. The key is finding an experienced therapist and clinician in treating ADHD both in women and girls. The type of therapy recommended will be based on your specific conditions and lifestyle, but may include cognitive behavioral therapy to help you validate your experience and reframe negative patterns of thinking as well as family psychoeducation or group therapy for support.<br /><br />Some people can manage their symptoms by following regular sleeping schedules exercise regularly, and eating a healthy and balanced diet. For others, stimulant medications like dextroamphetamine/amphetamine (Adderall), methylphenidate (Ritalin) or lisdexamfetamine (Vyvanse) may be required.<br /><br />Many of the symptoms of ADHD can worsen during menopause when hormone levels fall. During this time, try to stay on top of your health and schedule regular doctor's appointments, monitor your symptoms, and follow your treatment plan carefully. You may also request that your doctor adjust the dosage or the type of medication you are taking as required. Talk to your therapist or counselor about the difficulties you face in managing your symptoms and how they impact you at work at home, at work, and in relationships. They might also suggest strategies to improve your communication with your partner as well as other people in your life.<br /><br />Mixed Type symptoms<br /><br />Women with mixed type ADHD typically have difficulties in school and work but they don't have the hyperactive or impulsive signs of the other subtypes. They might forget important documents, pay bills or forget to schedule appointments. This form of the disorder can also cause people to interrupt others, talk without thinking and speak without thinking. Women with this form of the disorder also experience difficulties maintaining relationships and friendships and are unable to be self-sufficient.<br /><br />In a lot of instances, family members, friends, or teachers are only able to notice the apathy symptom of ADHD. This means that young women and girls suffering from ADHD are not diagnosed. A bias towards gender and the tendency of people with ADHD to conceal their symptoms also contributes to underdiagnosis.<br /><br />The symptoms of this type are affected by hormonal changes, particularly during pregnancy, puberty and menopausal. In these instances estrogen levels decrease and progesterone levels rise. This makes ADHD symptoms more evident and can cause them to worsen. Furthermore the symptoms are likely to change from day to day, depending on the levels of estrogen and progesterone. This can result in misdiagnosis, and in the wrong or insufficient treatment.<br /><br /><br /><br />Psychotherapy can be used in conjunction with medications to treat symptoms of the combined type. <a href="https://output.jsbin.com/qolezafuwo/">related</a> includes cognitive behavior therapy, which assists change negative thoughts and behaviours and psychoeducational counseling. Both are accessible online and through local mental clinics.<br /><br />Engaging in regular physical activity, such as running, swimming, or walking can improve focus and attention. It can also release brain-boosting neurotransmitters and reduce feelings of stress or anxiety that are common among people with ADHD. Other strategies to manage ADHD include taking breaks regularly, creating routines for your day, and employing organizational techniques. Support groups can be beneficial in learning about lifestyle changes and coping strategies. A professional ADHD coach can provide customized individual guidance for certain. Certain people with ADHD benefit from interpersonal or cognitive-behavioral therapy. A therapist can assist the patient to become aware of their behavior and how it impacts other people. They can also develop communication skills.<br /><br />Symptoms of Adult Type<br /><br />Women with ADHD are likely to suffer from different symptoms than males. Diagnosing and treating the condition in women is a challenge due to gender-based expectations. This can make it harder for parents or teachers to recognize when the girl is struggling with her attention or hyperactivity. It is also hidden by depression or mental health issues which makes it difficult to detect. The symptoms can also fluctuate depending on hormone levels. For example when you are pregnant or going through menstruation and menopausal.<br /><br />Women suffering from ADHD are more likely to experience inattentive symptoms. You lose things, have trouble recalling details, and often get distracted by what your friends are doing or your thoughts. Your lack of attention ADHD could affect your school, work as well as marriages and other relationships. You might have difficulty paying bills, following directions or keeping track of appointments. Your family and friends may notice. Your teacher or boss may observe that you are having trouble completing tasks in time or have trouble staying focused in meetings.<br /><br />If you have the hyperactive/impulsive type of ADHD, your symptoms are more noticeable than inattentive ones. You are restless, always moving and can disturb others, talk too much or make statements that are illogical without thinking. You can't wait for your turn or keep eye contact. You can be impatient and suffer from mood swings that are difficult for your family and friends to accept.<br /><br />You may have trouble controlling your emotions, especially during times of trauma or stress. You may overreact to criticism or be more prone to start fights, even when the situation isn't threatening. It may be easier to deal with these feelings by engaging in self-destructive behavior such as alcohol and drug consumption or unhealthy eating habits.<br /><br />The right treatment can help women with ADHD improve their lives. You may want to consider working with a life-management coach or locating an online ADHD support group. You can also seek help from a professional counselor with had experience working with women suffering from this disorder. You may want to speak with a psychiatrist, who can assist you in understanding how your genes and brain activity could affect your ADHD symptoms.<br /><br />