ADHD in Adults Symptoms Women May Not Be Aware Of
Women with ADHD are often misdiagnosed or left undiagnosed, because their symptoms aren't as obvious as those of men. Many find ways to hide their symptoms and blame themselves for their issues.
It is a sign of trouble staying organized, high distraction and memory issues. These symptoms can be treated by taking medication.
Self-Esteem Issues
Women who suffer from ADHD may feel that they are not as competent or worthy of success as their peers. They may have a hard dealing with anger or discontent caused by their daily struggles to keep on top of appointments, keep the deadlines and commitments, and get organized at work or at home. This can create a vicious circle of self-criticism, depression, and anxiety (Foster and Wolpe, 2010).
Women may have difficulty developing healthy strategies to cope. They might turn to harmful or unhealthy habits as a way of trying to cope with their issues, especially during adolescence, for example, excessive drinking and drug use. These unhealthy ways of coping can exacerbate their issues and negatively impact their lives. In addition, they may make it difficult for professionals to recognize their symptoms and delay a proper diagnosis.
Insanity can lead to reckless behavior or outbursts, which aren't in line with the values one holds. This can cause feelings of shame. Many women suffering from ADHD have trouble expressing themselves or regulating their emotions which can make social interactions a challenge. This can make it difficult to establish or keep relationships and, as time passes it can cause feelings of shame and depression.
If loved ones don't understand the reason for things happening, such as not being able to remember birthdays, ignoring appointments, or getting behind on assignments they may become angry. Women who suffer from ADHD might also have difficulty communicating their feelings. They may unintentionally say things that are hurtful to others, or even cause trouble at school or work.
Finally, symptoms of ADHD in adults female with ADHD are more likely to procrastinating and finding it hard to start or complete tasks. This can lead to being late for health checks or other important appointments, which can cause them to feel overwhelmed and out of control.
It's becoming more commonplace for professionals to spot adult ADHD symptoms in women and recommend treatment. Additionally advances in understanding the differentiators between women and men suffering from ADHD have resulted in more effective treatment options that allow women to manage their symptoms and gain confidence and self-esteem.
Relationship issues
ADHD can make it difficult to maintain healthy relationships. Women especially might have difficulty communicating with friends and loved ones because of their impulsivity, inability to concentrate on conversations, and tendency to drift off into diverging thoughts. These issues can lead to misunderstandings and hurtful feelings. The good news is, with the right treatment and care, women can develop loving relationships.
ADHD symptoms female adults of the most common issues in relationships for people who suffer from ADHD is "love bombing." Love bombing is a strategy where people shower their partners with love and attention as early as they begin a relationship to induce strong feelings of dependency and to ignore any problematic behavior. Oftentimes, this behavior is the result of untreated ADHD.
ADHD can also make it difficult for people to think ahead which is a major factor in maintaining a relationship. If a neurotypical partner wants an ADHD partner to wash the dishes, that person could be distracted by other chores, and may not finish them. Similar to this, people with ADHD tend to move from hobby to hobby spending time and money into their latest passion. This can result in financial issues and a messy home.
Mood swings can be a problem for people with ADHD in relationships. They may be averse to lashing out at their loved ones in anger or experience abrupt, broad mood swings from a burst of anxiety to extreme happiness. They may be overwhelmed and unable control the situation.
It is crucial for those with ADHD to work on self-control, such as slowing down and avoiding triggers that could elicit emotional outbursts. They should also use relaxation techniques, such as deep breathing and mindfulness meditation. They should also seek help from a mental health professional or ADHD specialist to learn coping skills and develop a treatment program.
It's important that people who suffer from ADHD be aware of how their behavior influence others. Particularly in intimate relationships, it's essential for both partners to develop compassion and empathy. It is also important to establish clear boundaries to avoid feelings of resentment. It's also helpful for those with ADHD to understand the importance of accommodating such as notetaking, organizing, and taking breaks from conversations, to help them manage their issues in the workplace and school.
Work-related Problems
For women who suffer from ADHD, work can feel overwhelming. Whether you work from home or in a formal office, dealing with calls, emails, and meetings throughout the day can be a challenge. Add to that the agitation, disorganization, and difficulty in focusing on work and juggling deadlines triggered by ADHD it can be like your job is impossible.
There are many ways to help. One method is to speak with your health medical professional or mental health professional. They can evaluate your symptoms and suggest an assessment. They might ask you to describe how your ADHD impacts your daily life, and suggest strategies to manage the symptoms. They may suggest using a planner for appointments or organizing your workspace. Some people suffering from ADHD benefit from a schedule and taking their medication regularly and limiting distracting activities such as TV or social media.
Women suffering from ADHD might suffer from symptoms that are exacerbated by hormonal changes like menstrual cycle or pregnancy. They are also more likely to have mood fluctuations and general dissatisfaction with their lives which could make them more susceptible to being overlooked by male friends or colleagues.
The good news is that a combination of self-care and treatment can aid you in overcoming this issue. Your doctor can recommend treatments that may alleviate your symptoms, including medications such as stimulants or non-stimulants. They can be a reference to a group of women who suffer from ADHD.
NIMH's Tips on Talking with Your Health Care Provider factsheet will help you prepare for the conversation. It has a script for practice and questions to ask. You can also download the factsheet. NIMH also has resources to help you locate a health care provider or mental health professional who is knowledgeable with treating ADHD in adults. A comprehensive evaluation will be performed to determine if ADHD is the cause of your issues. You can also get an appointment with an expert, if required. You can find out more about this on the NIMH's Adult ADHD page.
Social Issues
Women who suffer from ADHD are more likely than men to experience comorbid anxiety or mood-related conditions and may struggle to navigate social situations because they are unable to recognize social cues or read body language. These issues can cause problems in relationships with loved ones, as well as the home and work environment. Additionally, the signs of adult ADHD can interfere with physical health and cause weight problems and chronic stress, anxiety, and depression.
Women often have a difficult time getting diagnosed as adults since they are more adept at hiding ADHD symptoms. Many of these women may have been referred for treatment for other conditions prior to being diagnosed with ADHD. Over the years they might have developed coping skills and have learned to hide their attention deficit disorder. This could lead to an internalized sense of blame or the feeling that their lives will never be organized.
It can be a tremendous relief for women suffering from ADHD when they finally receive an accurate diagnosis. They can see that their issues aren't their own fault and that the issues do not originate from an individual weakness or flaw. A diagnosis can also be a great source of inspiration and motivation to change, since these women know what they need to accomplish to realize their maximum potential.
While the challenges of the diagnosis of adult ADHD can be overwhelming but there are plenty of resources to help women find effective treatments to alleviate their symptoms and improve their quality of life. This can include psychotherapy, cognitive behavior therapy, or specialized ADHD medications. Medications used to treat ADHD in adults are typically stimulants, such as methylphenidate (Ritalin(r)), dextroamphetamine/amphetamine salts (Adderall(r)) and lisdexamfetamine (Vyvanse(r)). People who do not want to take stimulants can opt for non-stimulant options such as atomoxetine (Strattera(r)), viloxazine (Qelbree(r)) or clonidine (Kapvay(r)).
To ensure the most effective treatment, it's important that women visit an experienced medical professional for an accurate diagnosis of their condition. Treatment options include medication or lifestyle changes and the combination of other treatments.