Symptoms of ADHD in Women
Women who suffer from ADHD might be hyperactive, running through life at full speed until they collapse from the overload. They may also be a hypoactive individual with a lack of energy required to accomplish daily tasks.
Girls and women may also suffer from co-occurring disorders such as disordered eating and anxiety, mood disorders, depression, tic disorders, and fibromyalgia.
Symptoms
ADHD is not a recognized condition in women, largely because of societal expectations and coping mechanisms that women employ to disguise their symptoms. This can cause difficulties with school, work relationships, and everyday tasks. It can also lead to depression and anxiety. ADHD symptoms for women include executive functioning issues, memory and organization issues, impulsivity and difficulty with social boundaries.
A diagnosis of ADHD for women can be a turning point and help explain why they've struggled throughout their lives and giving them an external reason for why they behave the way they do. A diagnosis can help give them the confidence and support they need to manage their symptoms.
The symptoms of ADHD in women may vary according to the time of year and the fluctuation in hormones, specifically estrogen. Estrogen levels decrease during ovulation, at the middle of menstrual cycle, pregnancy and after menopause. This can cause an extreme fluctuation in ADHD symptoms, as they can fluctuate throughout the day.
Women with ADHD frequently experience mood swings, an inclination to react in a way that is excessive or become easily frustrated by minor things. These are difficult to understand for others, particularly male colleagues or partners who might interpret these behavior patterns as emotional instability or uncontrollable anger. They may not believe that these symptoms are related to ADHD, and as a result, these women are frequently dismissed even by medical professionals.
Hormones can impact the effectiveness of medications or their interaction with other mental disorders. It is common for other mental health conditions to occur along with ADHD, including depression and anxiety which can cause or worsen ADHD symptoms. This is why it's crucial to have a full diagnostic assessment by an expert in ADHD.
Exercise is a great way to aid in reducing ADHD symptoms, as it releases neurotransmitters that improve attention and improve focus. Regular exercise can also help reduce stress and anxiety, both of which are common for people with ADHD. It's a good idea to choose a type of exercise that you enjoy, so you stick with it and incorporate it into of your daily routine.
Treatment
Untreated ADHD symptoms continue affecting the lives of girls as they mature into women. Women who don't get treatment may face difficulties to manage their careers or care for their families. It can also be challenging to maintain healthy relationships. Women who suffer from ADHD may be dissatisfied when they are unable to meet their peers' expectations or face the challenges of life.
As puberty progresses, female ADHD symptoms can be more subtle than those of males or boys. The symptoms of ADHD can differ based on the fluctuation in hormones particularly estrogen and progesterone. These changes can cause symptoms to be misinterpreted and exacerbate them. When estrogen levels decrease around ovulation, during menstruation, or when progesterone levels are elevated in anticipation for pregnancy or menopausal or other hormonal changes, emotional symptoms of ADHD can become more prominent.
In adulthood, symptoms of impulsivity and hyperactivity become more apparent than in childhood. Women are more likely to be diagnosed with ADHD because of this. However, adhd in older women of adults suffering from the disorder aren't diagnosed because their symptoms are concealed by life stresses and poor coping skills.
The good news is that there are effective treatments for women suffering from ADHD. They include psychotherapy and medication. It's important to find a doctor and therapist who are experienced in treating ADHD both in girls and women. It's also helpful to seek out an online support group where you can interact with other women who have ADHD and discuss ideas on how to manage the condition in your unique way.
The NIMH's Clinical Trials Search page allows you to find studies that may be appropriate for you. You can also talk to your doctor to participate in a study. The benefits of participating in a clinical trial is that you are able to gain new scientific knowledge and could be able to help researchers learn more about ways to reduce, treat and treat conditions and diseases. Talk to your doctor about the advantages and disadvantages of taking part in a clinical study. In some cases, researchers will cover the costs of taking part in a research study.
Gender
The symptoms of ADHD stem from issues with executive functions, which are the brain-based processes that help you manage focus, emotional regulation and control of impulses. Symptoms are different for everyone who suffers from ADHD however, generally the impulsive and hyperactive symptoms are more common in males and females, while the inattentive symptoms are more common in women. Experts don't know what causes these differences but they do know that females suffer from inattentive ADHD symptoms later than males. This makes it more difficult for them be identified and treated.
Inattentive symptoms are common in women, which include problems with attention, forgetting details, and having difficulty focusing on work. These difficulties can make it difficult for them to perform well at work or at school. In addition, women with ADHD might struggle to maintain romantic relationships or friendships due to their difficulties in regulating emotions and expressing themselves.
Females who suffer from ADHD also have more difficulty finding and retaining jobs, despite being more qualified than male counterparts. The reason behind this disparity isn't understood fully, but it could be because gender-based stereotypes lead employers and teachers to be less likely to recommend women suffering from ADHD for treatment.
Certain researchers have discovered that women who suffer from ADHD tend to mask their symptoms. This includes developing strategies to deal with the symptoms and meeting social expectations. This is helpful in the short term however it's not sustainable over the long term. Women suffering from ADHD are often forced to seek treatment only when their lives get out of control, whether at work or home.
Women with ADHD are more likely to have depression or other mental health conditions, which makes it more difficult to recognize and treat the condition. In combination with their shame-inducing internalization, this can result in feelings of despair and a low self-esteem. Women with ADHD are also more likely to experience suicidal thoughts and suicide attempts, which can be fatal in the event that they are not addressed promptly. It's important to seek professional treatment and diagnosis as soon as you begin to notice signs of ADHD.
Self-Esteem
Women with adhd can struggle to maintain a positive self-image. They may think they are inferior to their peers, and they may have a hard time accepting compliments. They tend to make negative assumptions, make generalizations and catastrophize.
This can be particularly problematic because people suffering from ADHD tend to be sensitive to criticism and rejection. This can lead to low self-perception in a variety of areas such as schoolwork as well as sports and physical appearance. Also, people who suffer from ADHD tend to be more likely to face criticism from their parents and teachers for making errors (Manning 2010).
Many people with adhd feel feelings of despair and failure throughout their lives as they aren't able to manage their symptoms well. This can result in feelings of low self-esteem, which makes them more hesitant to engage in future activities and conversations.
Some studies suggest that ADHD symptoms can affect self-esteem. However more research is needed to confirm this correlation. For example, in one study, severe inattentive symptoms decreased self-perceptions of scholastic competence, but hyperactive-impulsive symptoms did not affect these domains. In addition, oppositional defiant disorder (ODD) symptoms directly influenced depression, however these effects were not affected by self-esteem (Dan & Raz, 2015).
If you're having a difficult time overcoming your self-esteem issues The good news is that it is possible to change it. There are several strategies that can be used to boost self-esteem, such as cognitive behavioral therapy. The first step is to notice what beliefs and thoughts hinder you. Examine these thoughts and patterns and determine if they are grounded in actual evidence or in irrational beliefs and self-criticisms. Then replace these negative beliefs with more constructive ones.
Focusing on the positive aspects of your personality and accomplishments can also help boost your self-esteem. Keeping a journal can be helpful, as it helps you to identify your strengths and successes. You can then put these in a spot where you will be reminded of them frequently. You could also participate in charitable work or even volunteer to boost your self-esteem.
It is also important to find a therapist or therapist with experience in treating women with ADHD. They can show you how to deal with difficulties and boost your self-esteem. They can also assist you with accommodations at workplace or school which can boost your efficiency and productivity.