Symptoms of ADHD in Women
Women who suffer from ADHD might be extremely active, racing through life at a high speed until they collapse due to the stress. They can also be hypoactive, unable to muster up energy to get through everyday tasks.
Girls and women may also suffer from co-occurring disorders such as disordered eating, mood disorders, anxiety and depression, tic disorders and fibromyalgia.
Signs and symptoms
ADHD is not recognized for women, in part due to societal expectations and coping strategies that women employ to disguise their symptoms. This can lead to challenges for life in school, work relationships, as well as daily tasks. It can also trigger depression and anxiety. ADHD symptoms in women include executive function issues, memory and organizational issues, impulsivity and difficulty with social boundaries.
A diagnosis of ADHD for women can be a lightbulb moment, helping to explain the reasons why they've struggled through their lives and giving them an external reason why they behave as they do. Receiving a diagnosis can also provide them with the confidence and support they need to manage their symptoms.
The symptoms of ADHD for women can differ depending on the time of year, and hormonal fluctuations, specifically estrogen. Estrogen levels drop during ovulation, and during the middle of the menstrual cycle as well as during pregnancy and after menopause. This can cause a significant fluctuation in ADHD symptoms, as they can rise and fall throughout the day.
A few signs of ADHD among women that are often ignored are mood swings and a tendency to react too quickly or become easily frustrated by seemingly insignificant things. They can be hard to be understood by others, particularly male colleagues or partners who may interpret these behaviors as emotional instability. Women may not believe that these symptoms are related to ADHD. As a result, they are often dismissed by medical professionals.
Hormones can alter the efficacy of medication or their interaction with other mental disorders. It is not uncommon for other mental health disorders to occur along with ADHD, including depression and anxiety, which can cause or worsen ADHD symptoms. It is crucial to get an accurate ADHD diagnosis from a qualified.
Getting enough exercise can aid in the treatment of ADHD symptoms because it releases neurotransmitters that boost focus and attention. Regular exercise can decrease anxiety and stress which are common among people with ADHD. Find an exercise you enjoy and keep doing it.
Treatment
As girls become women and become mothers, untreated ADHD symptoms persist to hinder their lives. Women who do not receive treatment may find it difficult to manage their careers or take care of their families. It can also be difficult to maintain healthy relationships. Women who suffer from ADHD might be frustrated when they're not able to meet the expectations of others or cope with the many challenges of life.
During puberty female ADHD symptoms may be subtler than those of men or boys. The symptoms vary with hormone changes, including estrogen and progesterone. These fluctuations can result in symptoms that are misinterpreted and even worsen. For instance when estrogen levels decrease around ovulation and during the menstrual cycle or when progesterone levels are high in anticipation of menopausal changes or pregnancy emotional symptoms can become more prominent a part of the ADHD experience.
In adulthood, hyperactivity and impulsivity symptoms are more apparent than in childhood. This can cause women to be more likely to receive a diagnosis of ADHD. However, a lot of adults suffering from the disorder don't get diagnosed because their symptoms are obscured by life stresses and poor management skills.
The good news is that there are effective treatments available for women suffering from ADHD. This includes psychotherapy and medication. It is essential to find a therapist or specialist who has experience in treating ADHD for both women and girls. There is also an online support group to connect with other women suffering from ADHD and to discuss ideas for managing your condition.
The NIMH's Clinical Trials Search page allows you to search for studies that might be appropriate for you. You can also talk to your doctor about participating in an investigational study. The benefits of participating in a clinical trial is that you have the opportunity to gain new scientific knowledge and also help researchers learn more about ways to prevent, treat and improve diseases and conditions. Speak to your doctor about the advantages and disadvantages of participating in a clinical trial. In some cases researchers will cover the costs of taking part in a research study.
Gender
ADHD symptoms result of an issue with executive function, which is the brain-based activity that helps you manage your emotions and focus, as well as controlling your impulses. The symptoms vary for everyone who suffers from ADHD however, in general, the hyperactive and impulsive symptoms are more common in boys and men and the inattention symptoms are more prevalent for women. Experts aren't certain of the cause for these differences but they do know that females suffer from inattentive ADHD symptoms earlier than males. This makes it harder for them to be identified and treated.
Women are often plagued by the inattention symptoms of ADHD which can include difficulties paying attention, focusing on tasks and losing track of details. These problems can cause them to suffer at school or at work. Women with ADHD might also have trouble maintaining friendships or romantic relationships due to their inability to communicate and regulate emotions.
Females who suffer from ADHD also have more difficulty finding and keeping jobs, despite being more qualified than male counterparts. This disparity isn't completely acknowledged. However, it could be due to sexist stereotypes that cause teachers and employers to be less likely to suggest treatment for women suffering from ADHD.
Researchers have found that women who suffer from ADHD tend to hide their symptoms. This means they develop strategies to deal with their challenges and meet societal expectations. This might be beneficial in the short-term however, it's not long-term sustainable. This is why women with ADHD often need treatment for the disorder only after their lives spin out of control at home or at work.
Women suffering from ADHD may also suffer from depression or other mental disorders, which makes it difficult to treat and diagnose. In combination with their shame-inducing internalization, this can lead to a sense of despair and an insecure self-esteem. Women with ADHD are also more likely to experience suicidal thoughts and suicide attempts which could lead to death when not dealt with promptly. It's important to seek professional treatment and diagnosis as soon as you start to notice symptoms of ADHD.
Self-Esteem
Women who have adhd may struggle to build a positive image of themselves. They may feel less than their peers and have a difficult time accepting compliments. They can also be prone to overgeneralize, catastrophizing and make assumptions that lead to negative self-talk.
This can be especially troublesome because people with ADHD are sensitive to criticism and rejection. This can cause people to feel self-conscious particularly in areas such as physical appearance. People who suffer from ADHD tend to be more likely to receive criticism from their parents and teachers for making errors (Manning 2010).
Many people suffering from adhd are frustrated and feel like they're failing throughout their lives, as they're unable to manage their symptoms. This can result in lower self-esteem as well as a lack of desire to participate in conversations or activities.
Some studies suggest that ADHD symptoms can lower self-esteem. However, more research is required to verify this connection. For example, in one study, severe inattentive symptoms decreased self-perceptions of scholastic competence, but hyperactive-impulsive symptoms did not affect these domains. Additionally, the symptoms of oppositional defiant disorder (ODDs) were a direct effect on depression. However, these effects were not mediated through self-esteem (Dan and Raz, 2015).
You can boost your self-esteem. There are many methods that can be employed to boost self-esteem, including cognitive behavioral therapy. I Am Psychiatry is to notice what thoughts and beliefs hinder you. Interrogate these thought patterns and identify whether they are rooted in concrete evidence or in irrational beliefs and self-criticisms. Then replace these negative beliefs with more constructive ones.
Another method to boost self-esteem is to focus on the positive aspects of your character and achievements. A journal can be useful in identifying your strengths and accomplishments. You can then put these in a spot where you'll be reminded of them regularly. You could also participate in volunteering or charitable work to feel more confident about yourself.
It is also important to find a clinician or therapist who has experience in treating women with ADHD. They can assist you in finding ways to increase your self-esteem and teach you strategies to deal with difficulties. They can also assist you to get accommodations at work or school that can increase your productivity and increase your chances of success.