ADHD in Adults Symptoms Women May Not Be Aware Of
Women who suffer from ADHD are often left undiagnosed or misdiagnosed as their symptoms are more subtle than those of males. Many develop coping mechanisms to disguise their symptoms, and end up blaming themselves for their own problems.
The symptoms include difficulty staying organized, high distractibility and memory problems. These symptoms can be treated by taking medication.
Self-Esteem Issues
Women who suffer from ADHD often feel like they aren't as competent or worthy of success as their peers. They might have a difficult time coping with frustration or discontent caused by their daily struggles to keep track of appointments, follow commitments and deadlines and organize at work or at home. This can create to a vicious cycle of self-criticism, depression, and anxiety (Foster and Wolpe, 2010).
Women may struggle to develop healthy coping strategies. They might turn to harmful or unhealthy habits as a way of trying to manage 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 make it more difficult for professionals to recognize their symptoms and delay an accurate diagnosis.
The impulsivity that's often associated with ADHD can manifest as reckless behaviors or outbursts that aren't in line with one's values, leading to feelings of shame. Many women suffering from ADHD also have trouble regulating emotions or effectively expressing themselves, which can make it challenging for them to interact in social settings. This makes it difficult for those with ADHD to establish or maintain relationships. In time it can cause feelings of guilt and loneliness.
Inadvertently forgetting birthdays, missing meetings, or getting behind on assignments can cause anger with loved ones, especially when they aren't sure why these things happen. Women with ADHD are also prone to having difficulty articulating their feelings, so they can accidentally say things that cause harm to others or cause trouble at work or school.
In addition, people suffering from ADHD are more likely to putting off tasks and find it difficult to begin or complete tasks. This could lead to missing health check-ups or other important appointments. They might be overwhelmed and uncontrollable.
It's more common now for professionals to spot adult ADHD symptoms in women and send them to treatment. In addition advances in understanding the differences between men and women with ADHD have resulted in more effective treatments that allow women to manage their symptoms and restore confidence and self-esteem.
Relationship Issues
Being diagnosed with ADHD can make it difficult to maintain healthy relationships. Women with ADHD may have trouble communicating with friends and loved ones because of their impulsivity, inability to focus on conversations, and inclination to go off on tangents. These symptoms can cause misunderstandings and hurt feelings. The good news is that with the right treatment and care women can build positive and supportive relationships.
Love bombing, also known as "showing love and attention to your partner early in the relationship" is one of the most frequent issues people with ADHD have to deal with in relationships. This tactic is used to create a sense of dependency in order to ignore problematic behaviors and to create intense feelings. This is usually the result of untreated ADHD.
ADHD can also cause people to be incapable of planning ahead. This is important for maintaining the health of a relationship. If a neurotypical partner asks an ADHD partner to wash dishes, the person may be distracted by other chores, and may not finish them. Similarly those with ADHD tend to jump from hobby to hobby, investing time and money into their latest passion. This can lead to financial issues and a messy home.
Mood swings are an issue for those with ADHD in relationships. They can be angry with their partner or experience sudden, wide mood swings from extreme anxiety to extreme joy. They may be overwhelmed and feel unable to control the situation.
People with ADHD need to be able to control their emotions and self-control, which includes calming down and avoiding triggers that can trigger emotional outbursts. They should also use relaxation methods, such as deep breathing and meditation. They should also seek help from a mental health professional or ADHD specialist to learn coping skills and develop a treatment program.
It's also important for people who suffer from ADHD to understand how their behavior affects other people. Particularly in intimate relationships, it's essential for both partners to develop compassion and empathy. It is also important to establish clear boundaries to avoid anger. It's also helpful for those who suffer from ADHD to learn about accommodations like notetaking, organizing, and taking breaks from conversations, to help them manage their issues in the workplace and school.
Work Problems
It can be a challenge to work for women suffering from ADHD. Working from home or in the office can be challenging. You may have to handle phone calls, emails and meetings all day long. Add to that the anxiety, disorganization and difficulty keeping track of tasks or deadlines that are associated with ADHD and it could seem as if your job is unattainable.
There are a myriad of ways to assist. Talking with your doctor or mental health professional is one way. They will be able to assess your symptoms and suggest a diagnosis. They might ask you to describe how your ADHD affects your life and they may suggest strategies to manage your symptoms. For instance, they could recommend using a calendar to keep track of your appointments or arranging your workspace. Some people with ADHD benefit from a schedule or taking medication regularly and limiting distracting activities like TV or social media.
Women suffering from ADHD are often afflicted with symptoms that are caused by hormonal changes such as the menstrual cycle or pregnancy. They are more likely to experience mood swings or feelings of dissatisfaction in their lives. This could make them difficult to understand by male coworkers or partners.
The good news is that a combination of treatment and self-care can aid you in overcoming these difficulties. ADHD symptoms in women adults can prescribe medications, such as stimulants and non-stimulants, which may help improve your symptoms. They can also refer to a group of women with ADHD.
NIMH's Tips on Talking with Your Health Care Provider factsheet can help you prepare for the conversation. It contains a script to practice and questions to ask. You can also download a downloadable version of the fact sheet. NIMH offers resources to help you find a mental health professional or health professional who is experienced in treating ADHD among adults. A comprehensive evaluation will be conducted to determine whether ADHD is causing your problems. You can also get a referral to an expert, if required. Find out more about Adult ADHD on the NIMH page.
Social Problems
Women who suffer from ADHD may experience mood disorders or anxiety in addition to ADHD. They could also have trouble navigating social situations because they are incapable of reading body language or detect social signals. These issues can lead to difficulties in romantic relationships as well as in the home and work environment. Additionally, the signs of adult ADHD can impact physical health and lead to weight problems and chronic stress, anxiety, and depression.
Due to their tendency be more adept at concealing their ADHD symptoms, women often have a difficult time getting diagnosed and being treated as adult. These women might have had treatment for other conditions prior to receiving an ADHD diagnosis. Over the years, they may have developed coping skills and have learned to conceal their ADHD. This could lead to feelings of guilt or the feeling that their lives will never be in order.
After receiving a final diagnosis, it's an enormous relief for those suffering from ADHD to realize that they're not at fault for their problems and that the problems do not stem from an individual flaw or weakness. A diagnosis can be a fantastic source of motivation and hope for women with ADHD, as they now know what they can do to realize their potential.
There are many resources that can help women find ways to manage symptoms and improve quality of life. These include cognitive-behavioral therapy, psychotherapy therapy, and special 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 do not want to take stimulant medications you can choose other alternatives such as atomoxetine(Strattera(r), viloxazine(Qelbree[r]) or clonidine(Kapvay[r[r]).
It is essential to seek the advice of an experienced healthcare professional to get an accurate diagnosis. In addition, to medication treatments, other options for treatment include lifestyle changes and a mix of other treatments.