ADHD in Adults Symptoms Women May Not Be Aware Of
Women who suffer from ADHD are often not diagnosed or are misdiagnosed since their symptoms are less obvious than those of males. Many find ways to mask their symptoms, and blame themselves for their issues.
The symptoms include difficulty keeping track of things, a high level of distraction and memory issues. Medications can help manage these symptoms.
Self-Esteem Issues
Women who suffer from ADHD often feel like they're not as skilled or capable of making the same strides as their peers. They may struggle to cope with disappointment and anger due to everyday struggles such as keeping on top of appointments, keeping track on deadlines, commitments or getting organized at work or at home. This can result in a vicious cycle of internal self-criticism and depression, stress, and anxiety (Foster and Wolpe, 2010).
Women may find it difficult to establish healthy coping strategies. They might turn to harmful or unhealthy habits as a way of trying to control their symptoms particularly during adolescence like excessive drinking and substance use. These unhealthy coping strategies could further exacerbate their problems and negatively impact their lives. In addition, they may also make it harder for professionals to detect their symptoms and delay an accurate diagnosis.
The impulsivity that's often associated with ADHD can manifest itself in reckless behaviors or outbursts that don't align with one's values, which can lead to feelings of shame. Many women suffering from ADHD also struggle with controlling emotions or expressing themselves effectively which makes it difficult for them to interact in social situations. This can also make it difficult to form or maintain relationships and, over time this can lead to feelings of shame and loneliness.
When loved ones don't know why things happen like not being able to remember birthdays, ignoring appointments, or getting behind on assignments they may become frustrated. Women with ADHD may also have trouble articulating their feelings, so they might accidentally utter things that cause harm to people around them or cause trouble at school or at work.
People with ADHD tend to delay their work and have difficulty to begin or finish tasks. This can result in missing health check-ups or other important appointments. ADHD symptoms female adults might feel overwhelmed and out of control.
It's becoming more common for professionals to recognize the symptoms of adult ADHD in women and refer them for treatment. Additionally, the recognition of differences between men with ADHD and women has resulted in more effective treatment options for women that help them manage their symptoms, regain confidence and self-esteem.
Relationship issues
Having ADHD can make it difficult to maintain healthy relationships. Women may have trouble communicating with their loved ones due to their impulsivity and inability to concentrate on conversations. These symptoms can lead to misunderstandings and hurt feelings. The good news is, with proper care and treatments women can build loving relationships.
Love bombing, or "showing love and attention to your partner in the beginning of the relationship" is among the most frequent problems people with ADHD have to deal with in relationships. This tactic is employed to create a sense of dependence in order to ignore problematic behaviors and to create intense feelings. This behavior is often the result of untreated ADHD.
ADHD can also make people in a position to not plan ahead. This is important to maintain a healthy relationship. For example for instance, if a person with a neurotypical personality asks their ADHD partner to help with the dishes, they might be distracted by three other tasks and never get to completing them. People with ADHD are also prone to switching from hobby to hobby and investing time and money into their latest passion. This can cause financial problems and a messy home.
Mood swings are a common issue for couples with ADHD. They may lash out in anger at their spouses or experience sudden, sweeping mood changes from anxiety to extreme happiness. They may leave their loved ones feeling overwhelmed and unable to control the situation.
It is essential for those suffering from ADHD to develop self-control, such as slowing down and avoiding triggers that may cause emotional outbursts. They should also try techniques for relaxation, like deep breathing and meditation. They should also seek out help from a mental health professional or ADHD specialist in order to learn coping skills and create a treatment plan.
It's also crucial for those who suffer from ADHD to understand the ways in which their behavior affects other people. In intimate relationships, both partners should cultivate compassion and empathy. It is also important to establish the boundaries clearly to avoid anger. It is also beneficial for those who suffer from ADHD to learn about accommodations, such as notetaking, organizing, and taking breaks from conversations, to help them manage their issues in the workplace and at school.
Work-related Problems
The demands of work can be overwhelming for women who suffer from ADHD. Working from home or in an office can be a challenge. You might have to handle calls, emails, and meetings all day long. Then, when you add to that the agitation, disorganization, and difficulty in focusing on work and remembering deadlines associated with ADHD it can be as if your job is a struggle.
There are a myriad of ways to assist. Talking to your doctor or mental health professional is one method. They will be able to assess your symptoms and recommend an assessment. They may ask you to describe how your ADHD affects your life and suggest strategies to manage the symptoms. For instance, they could recommend using a calendar to keep track of your appointments or arranging your workspace. Some people suffering from ADHD benefit from having a plan, taking medication regularly, and limiting distracting activities like television or social media.
Women suffering from ADHD can have their symptoms worsened by hormonal changes, like the menstrual period or pregnancy. They are more likely to experience mood fluctuation or feelings of unsatisfaction in their lives. This can make them harder to understand by male colleagues or partners.
The good news is that a combination of treatment and self-care can help you overcome this challenge. Your doctor can suggest methods to alleviate your symptoms, including medication like stimulants or non-stimulants. They can also refer to a group of women suffering from ADHD.
NIMH's Tips for Talking With Your Health Care Provider fact sheet will help you prepare for this conversation. The fact sheet contains an exercise script and questions that you can ask. You can also download the fact sheet. NIMH offers resources to help you find a mental health professional or health professional who is skilled in treating ADHD in adults. Then a full evaluation can be conducted to determine if ADHD is the cause of your issues. You can also get a referral to an expert, if required. You can find out more about this on NIMH's Adult ADHD page.
Social Issues
Women suffering from ADHD are more likely than men to experience comorbid anxiety or mood-related conditions as well as struggle to navigate social situations because they are unable to recognize social cues or detect body language. These issues can cause problems in relationships with loved ones as well as in the home and work environment. In addition, the symptoms of adult ADHD can impact physical health and lead to weight problems, chronic stress, anxiety and depression.
Because of their tendency to be more adept at concealing their ADHD symptoms, women typically have a difficult time getting diagnosed and being treated as adult. Many of these women have been referred for treatment for other ailments prior to receiving a diagnosis of ADHD. They may have developed strategies to cope and learned to mask their attention deficit disorder over the years, leading to self-blame for their lack of abilities or the fear that they'll never get their lives back in order.
After receiving a final diagnosis, it can be an enormous relief for those with ADHD to realize that they're not the cause for their issues and that the issues aren't caused by a character flaw or personal weaknesses. A diagnosis can be a great source of motivation and optimism for those suffering from ADHD, as they now know what to do to reach their potential.
While the challenges of the diagnosis of adult ADHD can be a lot There are a variety of resources to help women find effective treatments that will alleviate their symptoms and improve their quality of life. These include psychotherapy, cognitive-behavioral therapy and specialized ADHD medication. Medications used to treat ADHD in adults are typically stimulants, such as methylphenidate (Ritalin(r)), dextroamphetamine/amphetamine salts (Adderall(r)) and lisdexamfetamine (Vyvanse(r)). If you don't want to take stimulant medications you can choose other alternatives such as atomoxetine(Strattera(r), viloxazine(Qelbree[r]), or clonidine(Kapvay[r]).
It is essential that these women seek advice from a trusted healthcare provider to obtain a precise diagnosis. Treatment options include medications, lifestyle changes, and the combination of other treatments.