Symptoms of ADHD in Women
Women with ADHD are often hyperactive and rush through life in a frenzied manner until they collapse. They could also be hypoactive, unable to find the energy needed to complete daily tasks.
Women and girls can also suffer from co-occurring illnesses like disordered eating and mood disorders, anxiety and depression, tic disorders and fibromyalgia.
Signs and symptoms
ADHD is not diagnosed in women, partly due to societal expectations and coping strategies that women use to hide their symptoms. This can cause difficulties with school, work, relationships and daily tasks. It can also trigger anxiety and depression. Symptoms of ADHD for women could include trouble with executive functioning, memory and organization as well as impulsivity, difficulty with conversational self-restraint, and trouble understanding social boundaries.
A diagnosis of ADHD for women can be a moment of light and help explain the reasons why they've struggled through their lives, and giving them an external reason why they behave the way they do. A diagnosis can give women the confidence and strength to manage their symptoms.
Symptoms of ADHD in women can vary depending on the season and the fluctuation in hormones, specifically estrogen. Estrogen levels decrease during ovulation, at the middle of menstrual cycles, during pregnancy and after menopausal. This can cause ADHD symptoms to change from day to day.
A few signs of ADHD in women that are often ignored are mood swings and a tendency to react too quickly or be easily annoyed by seemingly insignificant things. They can be difficult to be understood by male colleagues or partners who may interpret these behavior changes as emotional instability. They may not believe that these symptoms are linked to ADHD and as a result they are often dismissed even by medical professionals.
Hormones can impact the effectiveness of medications or their interaction with other mental conditions. Other mental health conditions like anxiety and depression, can be present alongside ADHD. These conditions can exacerbate or mask ADHD's symptoms. This is the reason it's essential to have a full diagnostic assessment by an expert in ADHD.
Regular exercise can aid in reducing ADHD symptoms because it releases neurotransmitters to boost focus and attention. Regular exercise can reduce anxiety and stress which are common among those who suffer from ADHD. Find an exercise that you enjoy and stick with it.
Treatment
As girls grow into women as they become women, untreated ADHD symptoms persist to hinder their lives. If not treated, it can be difficult for women to maintain their work or take care of family members. Maintaining healthy romantic relationships can be difficult. Women with ADHD may feel frustrated that they're not able meet the expectations of others or cope with the many challenges of life.
During puberty, female ADHD symptoms may be more subtle than those of males or boys. The symptoms can vary based on hormone changes, including estrogen and progesterone. These fluctuations can cause symptoms to be misinterpreted, and may cause further. When estrogen levels drop around ovulation, during menstruation or when progesterone levels are elevated in anticipation for pregnancy or menopause or other hormonal changes, the emotional symptoms of ADHD are more apparent.
In adulthood, hyperactivity and impulsivity symptoms are more apparent than in childhood. This can lead women to be more likely to be diagnosed of ADHD. However, many adults with the disorder aren't diagnosed because their symptoms are masked by stress and lack of ability to cope.
The good news is that there are effective treatments for women with ADHD. These include psychotherapy and medications. It's important to find a therapist and therapist with experience in treating ADHD in women and girls. It's also beneficial to seek out an organization that supports you so that you can meet other women with ADHD and discuss ideas on how to manage the condition in your own unique method.
NIMH's Clinical Trials Search page allows you to find studies that may be appropriate for you. You can also inquire with your doctor to participate in a study. The benefits of participating in a clinical trial is that you can to acquire new knowledge in science and could be able to help researchers learn more about ways to prevent, treat and improve diseases and conditions. Consult your physician about the pros and cons of taking part in a clinical study. In some instances researchers will pay for the costs involved in taking part in a research study.
Gender
Symptoms of ADHD stem from issues with executive functions, which are brain-based activities which help you control focus, emotional regulation and control of impulses. The symptoms vary for everyone who has ADHD, but in general, the symptoms of impulsivity and hyperactivity are more prevalent for both genders and the inattention symptoms are more prevalent for women. Experts aren't certain what is causing these variations however they do know that females are more likely to experience the inattentive signs of ADHD at a later time than males, making it harder to be diagnosed and treated.
Attention deficit symptoms are common among women, including problems with attention, forgetting details, and focusing on tasks. These problems can cause them to struggle at school or at work. Additionally, women who suffer from ADHD may struggle to maintain romantic relationships or friendships because of their difficulty regulating emotions and communicating.
Females who suffer from ADHD also have more trouble finding and keeping jobs, despite being more qualified than their male counterparts. The reason for this disparity isn't completely understood, but it could be that gender-based stereotypes cause employers and teachers to be less likely to recommend women suffering from ADHD for treatment.
Researchers have found that women suffering from ADHD tend to mask their symptoms. This is when they come up with strategies to overcome their issues and meet social expectations. This is helpful in the short-term, but it isn't sustainable over the long term. Therefore, women suffering from ADHD typically need treatment for the disorder only after their lives spiral out of control at home or work.
Women who suffer from ADHD may also suffer from depression or other mental disorders, making it more difficult to treat and diagnose. When combined with their internalized shame, this can cause feeling depressed and an unsatisfactory self-esteem. Women with ADHD also have a higher chance of having suicidal thoughts or attempts, which can be fatal if they are not stopped immediately. It's important to seek professional help and diagnosis when you first begin to notice signs of ADHD.
Self-Esteem
Women with adhd may struggle to build a positive image of themselves. They may feel inferior to their peers, and they might have a hard time accepting compliments. They also tend to overgeneralize, catastrophizing and make assumptions that can lead to negative self-talk.
This can be particularly problematic due to the fact that people with ADHD tend to be prone to criticism and rejection. This can cause people to be self-conscious, especially in areas such as physical appearance. In addition, those who suffer from ADHD are more likely to be reprimanded from teachers and parents when they make mistakes (Manning 2010).
Many people with adhd feel a sense of frustration and failure throughout their lives due to the fact that they aren't able to manage their symptoms well. This can lead to a lower sense of self-esteem, which makes them less likely to participate in future activities and discussions.
Some studies suggest that all ADHD symptoms can lower self-esteem, but more research is needed to determine 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, adult add women (ODD) symptoms directly influenced depression, but these effects weren't caused by self-esteem (Dan Raz and Raz 2015).
If you're having a difficult time overcoming your self-esteem issues, the good news is that it can be changed. You can use a variety of strategies to boost self-esteem. Cognitive behavioral therapy is one example. The first step is to recognize what beliefs and thoughts hinder you. Examine these patterns of thought and determine if they're founded on concrete evidence or in irrational beliefs 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. Journals can be helpful, as it can help you identify your strengths and achievements. You can then put these in a place that you'll find yourself reminded frequently. You could also consider volunteering or other charitable activities to feel confident about yourself.
Lastly, it's important to find a clinician or therapist with experience in treating women suffering from ADHD. They can show you how to manage challenges and boost confidence in yourself. They can also help you get accommodations at school or at work which can boost your productivity and increase your success.