ADHD in Adults Symptoms Women May Not Be Aware Of
Women suffering from ADHD are often misdiagnosed or are left undiagnosed because their symptoms are not as obvious as those of boys. Many develop coping mechanisms to disguise their symptoms, and blame themselves for their issues.
The symptoms include difficulty staying organized, high distractibility and memory problems. Medicines can help with these symptoms.
Self-Esteem Issues
Women with ADHD often feel that they're not as skilled or capable of making the same strides as their peers. They may have a hard to deal with frustration or disappointment caused by every day struggles to keep on top of appointments, keep the deadlines and commitments and stay organized at home or work. This can create a vicious circle of self-criticism, depression, and anxiety (Foster & Wolpe 2010).
Women may be struggling to develop healthy strategies for coping. They may find themselves turning to harmful or unhealthy behaviors to try to control their symptoms especially in adolescence like excessive drinking and substance use. These unhealthy ways of coping can make their problems worse and negatively impact their lives. In addition, they may make it difficult for professionals to recognize their symptoms and delay a proper diagnosis.
Impulsivity can lead to reckless behaviour or outbursts that are not in accordance with the values one holds. This can lead to feelings of shame. Many women with ADHD also have trouble regulating 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 keep relationships, and over time, this can contribute to feelings of shame and loneliness.
Missing birthdays, forgetting meetings, or getting behind on assignments can cause frustration with loved ones, particularly if they don't know why these things happen. Women who suffer from ADHD might also have issues expressing their feelings. They might unintentionally make statements that are hurtful to others or get them in trouble at work or in school.
People suffering from ADHD tend to delay their work and have a difficult time start or complete tasks. This can result in being late for health checks or other important appointments, which can leave them feeling overwhelmed and uncontrollable.
It's more common now for professionals to recognize adult ADHD symptoms in women and send them to treatment. In addition, the understanding of the differences between men suffering from ADHD and women has led to more effective treatment options that allow women to manage their symptoms, regain self-esteem and confidence.
Relationship Issues
ADHD can make it hard to maintain healthy relationships. Women may experience difficulties communicating with their friends and loved ones due to their impulsivity and inability concentrate on conversations. These issues can lead to misunderstandings and hurtful feelings. The good news is that with proper treatment and care women can build positive and supportive relationships.
Love bombing, also known as "showing affection and love to your partner in the beginning of the relationship" is among the most frequent issues people with ADHD face in relationships. This tactic is employed to create a sense of dependency in order to ignore undesirable behaviors and to generate strong feelings. This behavior is often caused by untreated ADHD.
ADHD can also cause people to be in a position to not plan ahead. This is crucial to ensure the health of a relationship. For instance when a person with neurotypical symptoms asks their ADHD partner to help with the dishes, they could be distracted by three other chores and never get around to completing them. People with ADHD are also prone to jumping from hobby to hobby, and putting time and money into their latest obsession. This can result in financial issues and a messy house.
Mood swings are an issue for those with ADHD in relationships. They may lash out in anger at their partners or experience sudden, sweeping mood swings ranging from anxiety to extreme happiness. They may be overwhelmed and unable control the situation.
It's important for people with ADHD to work on self-control, such as slowing down and avoiding triggers that might elicit emotional outbursts. They should also engage in relaxation techniques, such as deep breathing and mindfulness meditation. Lastly they should seek help from an expert in mental health or ADHD specialist to discover coping strategies and develop a treatment plan.
It's important that people who suffer from ADHD be aware of how their behavior impact others. Particularly in intimate relationships, it's essential for both partners to cultivate compassion and understanding. ADHD hyperactivity symptoms in adults is also important to establish clear boundaries to prevent 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 deal with their symptoms in the workplace and school.
Work Problems
For women who suffer from ADHD, work can feel overwhelming. No matter if you work from home or in a formal office dealing with emails, calls, and meetings throughout the day can be difficult. Then, when you add to that the agitation and disorganization, along with the difficulty with focusing on tasks and juggling deadlines triggered by ADHD it can be like your job is impossible.
There are a myriad of ways to assist. One option is to speak with your health doctor or mental health specialist. They can evaluate your symptoms and suggest the diagnosis. They may ask what aspects of ADHD affects your daily life and suggest ways to manage it. They may suggest using a calendar to schedule appointments or arranging your workspace. Some people with ADHD also benefit from a regular routine of taking medications on a regular basis and limiting distractions like television or social media.
Women with ADHD might have symptoms that are made worse by hormonal changes, such as menstrual cycle or pregnancy. They are more likely to experience mood fluctuations or feelings of discontent in their lives. This could make them difficult to understand by male coworkers or partners.
The good news is that a combination of self-care and treatment can assist you in overcoming these issues. Your doctor can prescribe medication, such as stimulants and non-stimulants that can help alleviate your symptoms. They may also recommend a group of women who support women with ADHD.
The NIMH's Tips to Talk with Your Health Care Provider fact sheet can assist you in preparing for this conversation. The fact sheet contains a script for practice and questions that you can ask. You can also download a downloadable version of the fact sheet. NIMH has resources that can assist you in finding a mental health professional or health care provider who is skilled in treating ADHD among adults. A thorough evaluation can be performed to determine if ADHD is the cause of your issues. You can also get a referral to a specialist, if needed. You can learn more about this issue on NIMH's Adult ADHD page.
Social Problems
Women suffering from ADHD are more likely than men to experience mood-related or anxiety-related issues and may struggle to navigate social situations due to their inability pick up on social cues or interpret body language. These challenges can cause difficulties in relationships with loved ones and also in working and family life. Additionally, the signs of adult ADHD can interfere with physical health, leading to obesity-related issues as well as anxiety, stress, and depression.
Because of their tendency to be more adept at hiding their ADHD symptoms, women often have a difficult time getting diagnosed and being treated as adults. Many of these women be referred to treatment for other ailments prior to being diagnosed with ADHD. Through the years, they may have developed coping skills and learned to hide their attention deficit disorder. This can result in an internalized sense of blame or the feeling that their lives will never be in order.
When you finally get a correct diagnosis, it's an enormous relief for those who suffer from ADHD to know that they're not the cause for their problems and that the issues aren't caused by an individual flaw or weaknesses. A diagnosis can be a fantastic source of motivation and hope for those with ADHD as they now have the tools to reach their potential.
There are ADHD and adults symptoms of resources to help women find solutions to ease symptoms and improve the quality of life. This can include psychotherapy, cognitive behavioral 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)). Those who prefer not to take stimulants can choose non-stimulant alternatives such as atomoxetine (Strattera(r)) or viloxazine (Qelbree(r)), or clonidine (Kapvay(r)).
It is essential to seek the advice of a trusted healthcare provider to receive a clear diagnosis. In addition to medications treatments, other options for treatment include lifestyle changes and a combination of other treatments.