Symptoms of ADHD in Women
Women with ADHD can be extremely active and rush through life at a high rate until they fall over. They can also be hypoactive, unable to find the energy needed to get through daily tasks.
Girls and women can suffer from co-occurring illnesses such as disordered eating, anxiety disorders, mood disorders, depression, tic disorders, and fibromyalgia.
Signs and symptoms
ADHD is not diagnosed in women, largely due to societal expectations and coping strategies that women use to hide their symptoms. This can result in lifelong difficulties with school, work relationships, and everyday tasks. It can also trigger depression and anxiety. ADHD symptoms in women include executive functioning problems, memory and organization issues, impulsivity and difficulties with social boundaries.
A diagnosis of ADHD could be a lightbulb moment for women. It helps explain the reasons why they've struggled throughout their lives and gives them an external reason for in the way they do. A diagnosis can give women the confidence and strength to manage their symptoms.
The symptoms of ADHD for women can differ according to the season, and hormonal fluctuations, particularly estrogen. Estrogen levels decrease during ovulation and in the middle of menstrual cycles, and also during pregnancy and during or after menopause. This could cause ADHD symptoms to fluctuate from day to day.
A few signs of ADHD in women that are often ignored are mood changes and a tendency to react too quickly or be easily frustrated over small issues. They can be hard to understand by male friends or colleagues, who may mistakenly believe that these symptoms are a sign of emotional instability. These women may not think that these symptoms are linked to ADHD. In the end, they are often dismissed by medical professionals.
Hormones can affect the effectiveness of medications or their interaction with other mental disorders. It is common for other mental health issues to manifest alongside ADHD such as depression and anxiety disorders which can mask or exacerbate ADHD symptoms. This is why it's crucial to have a full diagnosis by a specialist in ADHD.
Getting enough exercise can help with ADHD symptoms as it releases neurotransmitters that boost attention and improve focus. Regular exercise can also reduce stress and anxiety, which are common among people who suffer from ADHD. It's a great idea to find a form of exercise you enjoy and stick to it and incorporate it into of your daily routine.
Treatment
Untreated ADHD symptoms continue to impact the lives of girls as they develop into women. Women who don't receive treatment may find it difficult to manage their work or take care of their families. It can also be challenging to maintain healthy relationships with loved ones. Women who suffer from ADHD may be unhappy when they aren't able to meet the expectations of others or face the challenges of life.
As puberty progresses, female ADHD symptoms may be more subtle than the male counterparts. The symptoms of ADHD can differ based on the fluctuation in hormones, especially estrogen and progesterone. These fluctuations can result in symptoms being misinterpreted, or even worsen. When estrogen levels decrease around ovulation, during menstruation, or when progesterone levels are high in anticipation for pregnancy or menopausal or other hormonal changes, emotional symptoms of ADHD may become more prominent.
In adulthood, signs of impulsivity and hyperactivity are more evident than they were in childhood. Women are more likely to be diagnosed with ADHD because of this. However, many people with the disorder aren't diagnosed because their symptoms are masked by the stress of life and poor management skills.
The good news is that there are effective treatments for women suffering from ADHD. They include medications and psychotherapy. It is important to find a doctor and therapist with experience in treating ADHD in women and girls. It's also beneficial to seek out an online support group where you can connect with other women who suffer from ADHD and exchange ideas on how to manage the condition in your own unique way.
NIMH's Clinical Trials Search page allows you to search for studies that may be appropriate for you. You can also talk to your doctor about joining any research study. The advantages of participating in a clinical study is that you can to gain new scientific knowledge and also help researchers learn more about ways to help prevent, treat and improve conditions and diseases. Talk to your health care provider about the pros and cons of taking part in a research study. In some cases, the costs of taking part in a clinical study are paid by the researcher.
Gender
Symptoms of ADHD are based on a problem with executive functions, which are brain-based processes that aid in managing focus, emotional regulation and control of impulses. The symptoms of ADHD are different for each person, but the hyperactive, impulsive, and inattentive symptoms tend be more common in boys and men. Experts aren't certain of the cause for these differences but they do know that females are more likely to develop inattentive ADHD symptoms earlier than males. This makes it harder for them to be identified and treated.
Women often have the inattentive symptoms of ADHD, which include trouble paying attention to tasks, focusing on them and forgetting details. These issues can make it hard for them to succeed at work or school. Women with ADHD may also have difficulties maintaining friendships or romantic relationships due to their inability communicate and manage emotions.
Women who suffer from ADHD have a difficult time finding and retaining a job, despite having more qualifications than their male counterparts. This gap is not fully acknowledged. It could be due to sexist stereotypes that cause teachers and employers to be less likely to recommend treatment for women with ADHD.
Certain researchers have discovered that women suffering from ADHD tend to mask their symptoms. This includes developing strategies to cope and meet social expectations. This may be helpful in the short-term, but is not sustainable in the long-term. Women suffering from ADHD are typically forced to seek treatment when their lives spiral out of control, whether at home or at work.
Women with ADHD may also suffer from depression or other mental disorders, making it more difficult to identify and treat. The internalized shame that they experience can lead to depression and low self-esteem. Women who suffer from ADHD also have a greater likelihood of suicide thoughts or attempts, which could be fatal if not dealt with immediately. It's important to seek professional help and diagnosis when you first start to notice symptoms of ADHD.
Self-Esteem
Women with adhd may have difficulty to build a positive image of themselves. They may feel less than their peers and may have trouble accepting compliments. They can also be prone to overgeneralize catastrophizing, and make assumptions that lead to negative self-talk.
This can be particularly problematic due to the fact that people with ADHD tend to be prone to rejection and criticism. This can cause people to be self-conscious especially in regards to schoolwork, sports, and physical appearance. Additionally, high functioning adhd in women who suffer from ADHD are often more likely to receive rebukes from their parents and teachers when they make mistakes (Manning, 2010).
Many people who suffer from adhd experience a sense of failure and frustration throughout their lives because they are unable to manage their symptoms well. This can result in lower self-esteem and a reluctance to participate in conversations or activities.
Some studies suggest that ADHD symptoms generally can affect 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. In addition, oppositional defiant disorder (ODD) symptoms had a direct impact on depression, but these effects weren't caused by self-esteem (Dan Raz and Raz, 2015).
If you're struggling with low self-esteem the good news is that it is possible to change it. You can utilize a variety of strategies to boost your self-esteem. Cognitive behavioral therapy is a good example. The first step is to recognize what thoughts and beliefs hold you back. Analyze these patterns of thought to determine if they are based on tangible evidence or irrational beliefs and self-criticisms. Then replace these negative beliefs with more constructive ones.
Focusing on the positive aspects of your personality and accomplishments is another way to boost self-esteem. Keeping a journal can be beneficial, as it can help you identify your strengths and achievements. Then, you can place them in a place that you'll find yourself reminded frequently. You can also try volunteering or other charitable tasks to feel good about yourself.
In the end, it's essential to find a professional or therapist who is experienced in treating women suffering from ADHD. They can help you learn how to deal with difficulties and boost your self-esteem. They can also assist you with accommodations at work or at school which can boost your productivity and achieve success.