Symptoms of ADHD in Women
Women who suffer from ADHD can be hyperactive and can be a whirlwind of activity at a high rate until they crash. They could also be a hypoactive individual with a lack of energy required to accomplish daily tasks.
Girls and women may also suffer from co-occurring illnesses such as eating disorders, anxiety, mood disorders, depression, tic disorders, and fibromyalgia.
Symptoms
ADHD is not recognized for women, in part due to the expectations of society and the coping strategies women employ to disguise their symptoms. This can result in lifelong challenges with work, school as well as relationships and everyday tasks. It can also lead to anxiety and depression. ADHD symptoms in women include executive function issues, memory and organization issues, impulsivity, and problems with social boundaries.
A diagnosis of ADHD in women could be a moment of light and help explain why they've struggled throughout their lives, and giving them an external reason why they behave as they do. Receiving signs and symptoms of adhd in women can also provide them with the confidence and help they need to manage their symptoms.
Symptoms of ADHD in women can vary depending on the season and hormone fluctuations, particularly estrogen. Estrogen decreases during ovulation and in the middle of the menstrual cycle, as well as during pregnancy and after menopause. This can lead to a significant fluctuation in ADHD symptoms, since they fluctuate from daily.
Women who suffer from ADHD often experience mood changes as well as an inclination to react in a way that is excessive or get easily frustrated over minor things. They can be difficult to be understood by male friends or colleagues, who may mistakenly interpret these behavior changes as emotional instability. These women may not think that these symptoms are connected to ADHD. Because of this they are often ignored by medical professionals.
Alongside a change in the severity of ADHD symptoms, hormones can also affect how well medications work or interact with other mental health conditions that may be present. Other mental health conditions, such as depression and anxiety, can be a part of ADHD. These conditions can cause or worsen the symptoms of ADHD. It is crucial to get an accurate ADHD diagnosis from an expert.
Exercise can help reduce ADHD symptoms because it releases neurotransmitters which enhance focus and attention. Regular exercise can decrease stress and anxiety, which are common among people with ADHD. It is a good idea to find a kind of exercise that you like so that you can stick with it and incorporate it into of your routine.
Treatment
As girls grow into women, untreated ADHD symptoms continue to interfere with their lives. Women who don't receive treatment may face difficulties to manage their careers or care for their families. It can also be challenging to maintain healthy relationships with loved ones. Women who suffer from ADHD might be frustrated because they aren't able to meet the expectations of others or deal with the many challenges of life.
When women enter puberty, ADHD symptoms can be more subtle than the male counterparts. The symptoms of ADHD can differ based on the fluctuation in hormones including estrogen and progesterone. These changes can cause symptoms to be misinterpreted, and may cause further. For example, when estrogen decreases in the ovulation period and during the menstrual cycle or when progesterone levels are high in anticipation of pregnancy or menopause, emotional symptoms can become more prominent a part of the ADHD experience.
In adulthood, hyperactivity and impulsivity symptoms are more evident than in childhood. Women are more likely to be diagnosed with ADHD because of this. Many adults with ADHD are not diagnosed because their symptoms are often concealed by stress and ineffective methods of coping.
The good news is that there are effective treatments for women with ADHD. These include psychotherapy and medications. It is important to find a clinician and therapist with experience in treating ADHD in women and girls. You can also join a support group to interact with other women who suffer from ADHD and to discuss ideas on how to manage your condition.
The NIMH's Clinical Trials Search page allows you to find studies that might be suitable for you. You can also talk to your doctor about participating in any research study. You could gain new scientific knowledge by participating in a trial. You might also be able to help researchers to learn more about ways to prevent, treat and improve diseases. Consult your physician about the advantages and disadvantages of participating in a clinical trial. In some cases, costs of participating in a clinical study are paid by the researcher.
Gender
The symptoms of ADHD stem from a problem with executive functions, which are brain-based activities that help you manage the emotional state and control of impulses. The symptoms of ADHD vary for each person, but the hyperactive, impulsive and inattentive signs tend to be more common in males and boys. Experts aren't sure what is causing these differences but they do know that females are more likely to develop inattentive ADHD symptoms later than males. This makes it more difficult for them to be diagnosed and treated.
Attention deficit symptoms are common among women, which include problems with attention, forgetting details, and focusing on the task at hand. These difficulties can make it hard for them to do well at school or work. In addition, women who suffer from ADHD might have difficulty maintaining friendships or romantic relationships because of their inability to control emotions and communicating.
Females with ADHD also have more difficulty finding and retaining jobs, even though they're more skilled than their male counterparts. This gap is not fully acknowledged. However, it could be due to stereotypes about women which cause employers and teachers to less likely recommend treatment for women with ADHD.
Researchers have found that women suffering from ADHD tend to mask their symptoms. This means they develop strategies to overcome their challenges and meet societal expectations. This can be helpful in the short-term however it's not sustainable in the long run. Women with ADHD are often forced to seek treatment only when their lives are spiraling out of control, be it at home or at work.
Women who suffer from ADHD may also suffer from depression or other mental disorders, making it harder to diagnose and treat. Internalized shame can lead to despair and low self-esteem. Women with ADHD also have a higher chance of having suicidal thoughts or attempts, which could be fatal if not dealt with immediately. It's important to seek out professional treatment and diagnosis as soon as you start to notice symptoms of ADHD.
Self-Esteem
Women who have adhd may have difficulty to maintain a positive self-image. They may feel less than their peers, and they might have a hard time accepting compliments. They are more likely to make negative assumptions, make generalizations and catastrophize.
This can be particularly difficult because people with ADHD are prone to being criticized and rejection. This can lead to low self-esteem in a variety of domains such as schoolwork as well as sports and physical appearance. Also, people who suffer from ADHD tend to be more likely to receive criticism from their parents and teachers for making errors (Manning 2010).
Many adults with adhd experience frustration and struggle throughout their lives, because they can't manage their symptoms. This can result in a lower sense of self-esteem, which makes them less likely to participate in future activities and discussions.
Certain studies suggest that all ADHD symptoms can affect self-esteem, although more research is needed to establish 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, oppositional defiant disorders (ODD) symptoms directly influenced depression, but these effects weren't caused 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. You can utilize various strategies to boost self-esteem. Cognitive behavioral therapy is just one of them. The first step is to recognize what thoughts and beliefs are holding you back. Examine these patterns of thought and identify whether they are rooted in concrete evidence or irrational assumptions and self-criticisms. Then replace these negative beliefs with more productive ones.
Focusing on the positives in your character and accomplishments can also help boost your self-esteem. Keeping a journal is beneficial, since it can help you identify your strengths and accomplishments. You can then put these in a place where you will be reminded of them frequently. You could also consider volunteering or performing other charitable activities to feel good about yourself.
It's also important to seek out a therapist or a professional who has worked with women suffering from ADHD. They can help you learn how to handle setbacks and boost your self-esteem. They can also help you find accommodations at school or work that can increase your efficiency and boost your success.