ADHD in Adults Symptoms Women May Not Be Aware Of
Women who suffer from ADHD are often misdiagnosed, or left undiagnosed, because their symptoms are not as evident like those of males. Many develop coping strategies to hide their symptoms and end up blaming themselves for their issues.
Some symptoms include issues with organization or focused, as well as memory issues. These symptoms can be managed with medication.
Self-Esteem Issues
Women who suffer from ADHD might feel they aren't as proficient or as deserving of success as their peers. They might have a difficult dealing with anger or disappointment caused by every day struggles to keep on top of appointments, keep the deadlines and commitments and stay organized at work or at home. This can create to a vicious cycle of self-criticism, depression and stress (Foster and Wolpe, 2010).
Women may be struggling to develop healthy coping strategies. They may find themselves turning to unhealthy or harmful behaviors to try to control their symptoms, especially during adolescence, like excessive drinking and substance use. These unhealthy ways of coping can exacerbate their issues and negatively impact their lives. They can also make it difficult for professionals to detect signs and delay a proper diagnose.
Impulsivity can lead to reckless behaviour or outbursts that are not in accordance with the values one holds. This can cause feelings of shame. Many women suffering from ADHD struggle with expressing themselves or regulating their emotions, which can make social interactions difficult. This can make it difficult to make or keep relationships, and over time it can cause feelings of shame and isolation.
Inadvertently forgetting birthdays, missing meetings, or falling behind on assignments can lead to anger with family members, particularly when they don't know why these things happen. Women with ADHD may also have trouble communicating their feelings, and they may unintentionally blurt out things that hurt people around them or cause trouble at school or at work.
Additionally, those with ADHD are more likely to putting off tasks and find it hard to start or complete tasks. This can lead to being late for health checks or other important appointments which can leave them feeling overwhelmed and out of control.
Today, it's more common for professionals to identify the signs of adult ADHD in women and refer them to treatment. In addition, advances in understanding the differentiators between women and men with ADHD have resulted in more effective treatment options that allow women to manage their symptoms and restore confidence and self-esteem.
Relationship issues
Having ADHD can make it difficult to maintain healthy relationships. ADHD symptoms in women adults may have difficulty communicating with their friends and loved ones due to their impulsivity as well as their inability to concentrate on conversations. These signs can cause miscommunication and hurtful feelings. The good news is, with proper treatment and care women can build affectionate relationships.
Love bombing, also known as "showing the love and affection to your partner early in the relationship" is one of the most frequent problems people with ADHD face in relationships. This tactic is used to create a sense of dependency to avoid ignoring problematic behaviors and to create intense feelings. Most of the time, this behavior is a result of untreated ADHD.
ADHD can make it difficult for people with ADHD to plan ahead, which is a key aspect of maintaining a good relationship. For instance, if a neurotypical person is requesting their ADHD partner to help them with dishes, they may be distracted by three other tasks and never get to completing them. People with ADHD are also more prone to jumping from hobby to hobby and investing money and time into their latest obsession. This can result in financial problems and a messy home.
Mood swings are a common issue for couples who suffer from ADHD. They can be angry with their spouses or experience sudden, wide mood swings from extreme anxiety to extreme joy. Their partners may feel overwhelmed and in a state of panic. situation.
People suffering from ADHD need to work on self control and self-control, which includes calming down and avoiding triggers that can cause emotional outbursts. They should also use relaxation techniques, such as mindfulness meditation and deep breathing. They should also seek support from a mental health professional or ADHD specialist to learn coping skills and create a treatment plan.
It's also important for people who suffer from ADHD to recognize how their behavior impacts other people. In intimate relationships, both partners should cultivate compassion and empathy. They should also establish clear boundaries to avoid resentment. It is also beneficial for those who suffer from ADHD to learn about accommodations such as notetaking, organizing and taking breaks from conversations to help them cope with their issues in the workplace and at school.
Work-related Issues
For women with ADHD, work can feel overwhelming. Working at home or in the office can be challenging. You might have to manage phone calls, emails, and meetings all day. Add to that the agitation and disorganization, along with the difficulty with focusing on tasks and juggling deadlines that are associated with ADHD, it can feel as if your job is a struggle.
There are plenty of ways to assist. Talking to your doctor or mental health professional is one way. They can assess your symptoms and suggest a diagnostic. They may ask you to explain how your ADHD affects your life and they can suggest ways to manage your symptoms. For instance, they may suggest using a planner to track appointments or arranging your workspace. Some people with ADHD benefit from a routine and taking their medication regularly and limiting distracting activities such as TV or social media.
Women who suffer from ADHD may suffer from symptoms that are exacerbated by hormonal changes like menstrual cycles or pregnancy. They are more likely to experience mood fluctuation or feelings of unsatisfaction in their lives. This can make them harder to comprehend by male colleagues or partners.
The good news is that a combination of self-care and treatment could help you overcome this challenge. Your doctor may prescribe medications like stimulants and non-stimulants, that can help alleviate your symptoms. They can be a reference to a group of women with ADHD.
The NIMH's Tips for Talking with Your Health Care Provider fact sheet will aid you in preparing for this conversation. This fact sheet provides a script for practice and questions that you can ask. You can also download the factsheet. NIMH also offers resources to help you find a doctor or mental health professional who is experienced with treating ADHD in adults. A thorough assessment can be conducted to see whether ADHD is the primary cause of your troubles. You can also get a referral to a specialist, if needed. Learn more about Adult ADHD on the NIMH page.
Social Issues
Women who suffer from ADHD are more likely than men to suffer mood-related disorders or anxiety and may struggle to navigate social situations due to their inability discern social signals or detect body language. These challenges can cause difficulties in relationships with loved ones, as well as work and home life. Adult ADHD symptoms can also affect physical health, leading to weight issues as well as depression, anxiety and chronic stress.
Women often have difficulty getting diagnosed as adults since they are more adept at concealing ADHD symptoms. These women might have had treatment for other illnesses prior to receiving an ADHD diagnosis. They could have developed strategies to cope and developed strategies to disguise their ADHD through the years, leading to self-blame for a lack of ability or the fear that they'll never have their lives together.
When you finally get a correct diagnosis, it's an enormous relief for those with ADHD to know that they're not at fault for their issues and that the issues aren't caused by an insecurities or personal weaknesses. A diagnosis can also be an incredible source of inspiration and motivation to change, as the women now know what they need to accomplish to realize their full potential.
While the challenges of being diagnosed with adult ADHD can be a lot but there are plenty of resources to help women find effective solutions to ease their symptoms and improve their lives. These include psychotherapy, cognitive-behavioral 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)). If you don't want to take medication that is stimulant-like, there are other options like atomoxetine(Strattera(r), viloxazine(Qelbree[r]) or clonidine(Kapvay[rKAPVAY[r]).
For the most successful treatment, it's important that these women see an experienced healthcare professional who can provide an accurate diagnosis of their condition. In addition to medications treatments, other options for treatment include lifestyle changes and a mix of other treatments.