ADHD in Adults Symptoms Women May Not Be Aware Of
Women with ADHD are often misdiagnosed, or left undiagnosed, because their symptoms aren't as evident as those of boys. Many develop coping mechanisms to disguise their symptoms, and end up blaming themselves for their problems.
It is a sign of trouble staying organized, high distraction and memory issues. These symptoms can be controlled by taking medication.
Self-Esteem Issues
Women who suffer from ADHD might feel they aren't as skilled or deserving of the same success as their peers. They may have a difficult to deal with frustration or disappointment triggered by daily struggles to keep track of appointments, follow commitments and deadlines and stay organized at work or at home. This can result in a vicious cycle of internal self-criticism and depression, stress, and anxiety (Foster and Wolpe, 2010,).
Women may struggle to develop healthy strategies to cope. As a way to deal with their issues women can resort to harmful or unhealthy behaviors particularly in the adolescent years. These unhealthy ways of coping can worsen their problems and negatively impact their lives. They can also make it difficult for professionals to recognize symptoms and delay an accurate diagnosis.
The urge to be reckless can lead to irresponsible behaviour or outbursts that are not in line with the values one holds. This can cause feelings of shame. Many women with ADHD have trouble expressing themselves or regulating their emotions which can make social interactions difficult. This can make it difficult to make or maintain relationships and, as time passes it can cause feelings of shame and depression.
If family members don't know why things happen like not remembering birthdays, missing appointments, or getting behind on assignments, they can become annoyed. Women with ADHD may also have trouble communicating their feelings, and they might accidentally utter things that hurt people around them or cause trouble at school or at work.
People with ADHD tend to delay their work and have difficulty to begin or finish tasks. This could lead to being late for health checks or other important appointments. They might feel overwhelmed and out-of-control.
Today, it's more common for professionals to recognize the symptoms of adult ADHD in women and refer them for treatment. In addition, advances in understanding the differentiators between men and women with ADHD have resulted in more effective treatment options that allow women to manage their symptoms and gain confidence and self-esteem.
Relationship Issues
Having ADHD can make it difficult to maintain healthy relationships. Women especially might have difficulty communicating with family members and friends ones due to their impulsivity, inability focus on conversations, and tendency to go off on diverging thoughts. These issues can lead to misunderstandings and hurt feelings. The good news is that with proper care and treatments women can establish loving relationships.
One of the most prevalent problems in relationships for those who suffer from ADHD is "love bombing." Love bombing is a tactic where someone showers their partner with affection and love as early as they begin a relationship to induce strong feelings of dependency and to ignore any problematic behavior. This behavior is often caused by untreated ADHD.
ADHD can also make it difficult for people to think ahead which is a major aspect in maintaining a relationship. For example, if a neurotypical person would like their ADHD partner to help them with dishes, they might be distracted by three other chores and never get to finishing them. People with ADHD are also more prone to hopping from one hobby to another hobby and investing money and time into their latest obsession. This can cause financial problems and a messy home.
Mood swings are another frequent issue in relationships for those with ADHD. They might lash out at their partners in anger or have sudden, wide mood swings from a burst of anxiety to extreme happiness. This can leave their partners feeling overwhelmed and unable to manage the situation.
It is crucial for those with ADHD to develop self-control, including slowing down and avoiding triggers that might cause emotional outbursts. They should also practice techniques for relaxation, like deep breathing and meditation. Additionally they should seek help from a mental health professional or ADHD specialist to learn coping strategies and create a treatment plan.
It's crucial that people who suffer from ADHD understand how their actions affect other people. Particularly in intimate relationships, it's important for both partners to develop compassion and empathy. They should also establish boundaries that are clear to avoid resentment. It's also helpful for people with ADHD to be aware of accommodations like notetaking, organizing, and taking breaks from conversations to help them manage their symptoms in the workplace and school.
Work-related Issues
For women who suffer from ADHD working can be overwhelming. Working from home or at an office can be difficult. You may have to manage emails, phone calls, and meetings throughout the day. Then, when you add to that the agitation and disorganization, along with the difficulty in focusing on work and juggling deadlines that are associated with ADHD, it can feel like your job is unattainable.
Fortunately, there are many ways to assist. One method is to speak with your health care provider or mental health professional. They can evaluate your symptoms and suggest an assessment. They may ask you to explain how your ADHD affects your life, and they can suggest ways to manage your symptoms. They may suggest using a calendar to schedule appointments or organizing your workspace. Some people suffering from ADHD benefit from a schedule and taking their medication regularly and limiting distractions like TV or social media.
Women suffering from ADHD are often afflicted with symptoms that are caused by hormonal changes like the menstrual cycle or pregnancy. They are also more likely to have mood fluctuation and general dissatisfaction with their lives which could make them more susceptible to being dismissed by male partners or colleagues.
The good news is a combination of self-care and treatment can assist you in overcoming this problem. Your doctor can suggest treatments that may improve your symptoms, such as medications like stimulants or non-stimulants. They may also refer you to a group of women who support women suffering from ADHD.
NIMH's Tips on Talking with Your Health Care Provider factsheet can help you prepare for the conversation. This fact sheet includes a practice script and questions that you can ask. You can also download the factsheet. NIMH also offers resources to help you find a health care provider or mental health professional who is experienced with treating ADHD in adults. Then, a complete assessment can be conducted to determine whether ADHD is the cause of your troubles. You can also request an appointment with a specialist, if needed. signs and symptoms of ADHD in adults can find out more about this on the NIMH's Adult ADHD page.
Social Problems
Women with ADHD are more likely than men to experience mood-related or anxiety-related issues and may be unable to handle social situations because they are unable to pick up on social cues or detect body language. These challenges can cause difficulties in relationships with others as well as at work and at home. Additionally, the signs of adult ADHD can impact physical health and lead to weight problems and anxiety, stress and depression.
Women are often unable to be diagnosed as adults since they are more adept at concealing ADHD symptoms. They might have had treatment for other illnesses prior to receiving an ADHD diagnosis. They might have developed strategies for coping and developed strategies to hide their ADHD over the years which can lead to self-blame for their lack of abilities or a fear that they'll never have their lives back in order.
After receiving a final diagnosis, it's an immense relief for women who suffer from ADHD to know that they're not responsible for their difficulties and that the issues aren't caused by an insecurities or personal weaknesses. ADHD hyperactivity symptoms in adults can also be a great source of hope and motivation to make changes, since these women know what they must do to reach their maximum potential.
Although the difficulties associated with the diagnosis of adult ADHD can be considerable There are a variety of resources to assist women in finding effective treatments to alleviate their symptoms and improve their quality of life. These include cognitive-behavioral therapy, psychotherapy therapy and specific 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)). Those who prefer not to take stimulant medications may choose to use non-stimulant medications like atomoxetine (Strattera(r)) and viloxazine (Qelbree(r)) or Clonidine (Kapvay(r)).
For the most successful treatment, it's crucial that these women see an experienced healthcare professional who can provide an accurate diagnosis of their condition. Treatment options include medication or lifestyle changes and an amalgamation of other treatments.