ADHD in Adults Symptoms Women May Not Be Aware Of
Women suffering from ADHD are often misdiagnosed, or left undiagnosed, as their symptoms are not as evident as those of boys. Many develop coping strategies to hide their symptoms and blame themselves for their issues.
It is a sign of trouble keeping track of things, a high level of distraction and memory issues. The use of medication can help treat these symptoms.
Self-Esteem Issues
Women with ADHD may feel that they aren't as skilled or deserving of the same success as their peers. They may be struggling to deal with disappointment and anger because of daily struggles such as keeping the track of appointments, keeping track on commitments, deadlines, or staying organized at home or at work. This can create a vicious circle of self-criticism and depression and stress (Foster and Wolpe, 2010).
Women may have difficulty developing healthy coping strategies. They may turn to unhealthy or harmful behaviors to try to manage their symptoms particularly during adolescence such as excessive alcohol and substance use. These unhealthy coping strategies can worsen their issues and negatively impact their lives. They can also make it difficult for professionals to detect the signs and delay an accurate diagnose.
The urge to be reckless can lead to irresponsible behavior or outbursts, which aren't in line with the values one holds. This can cause feelings of shame. Many women suffering from ADHD have difficulty expressing themselves or regulating their emotions, which can make social interactions a challenge. This can make it difficult for those who suffer from ADHD to build or maintain relationships. In time this can result in feelings of guilt and loneliness.
If loved ones don't understand why things happen, such as not remembering birthdays, missing appointments, or getting behind on their assignments they may become frustrated. Women who suffer from ADHD may also have trouble in expressing their feelings, which is why they might accidentally utter things that hurt people around them or cause trouble at work or school.
People suffering from ADHD tend to delay their work and find it difficult to begin or finish tasks. This could lead to being late for health checks or other important appointments, which can cause them to feel overwhelmed and out of control.
It's more common now for professionals to recognize adult ADHD symptoms in women and refer them to treatment. Furthermore advancements in understanding the differentiators between women and men suffering from ADHD have resulted in more effective treatment options 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 may experience difficulties communicating with their friends and loved ones due to their impulsivity as well as their inability to concentrate on conversations. These symptoms can cause confusion and hurt feelings. The good news is that with proper treatment and care women can form loving and supportive relationships.
Love bombing, also known as "showing the love and affection to your partner in the beginning of the relationship" is among the most frequent issues people with ADHD encounter in relationships. This tactic is employed to create a sense of dependence in order to ignore problematic behaviors and to create strong feelings. This behavior is often caused by untreated ADHD.
ADHD can also make it difficult for people with ADHD to think ahead which is a crucial aspect of maintaining a good relationship. For example when a person with neurotypical symptoms is requesting their ADHD partner to help them with dishes, they might be distracted by three other chores and never get around to finishing them. People with ADHD are also more prone to jumping from hobby to hobby, and putting time and money into their latest passion. This can cause financial problems and a messy home.
Mood swings are another common problem in relationships for people with ADHD. adult ADHD symptoms in men may be angry with their spouses or experience sudden, sweeping mood swings from extreme anxiety to extreme joy. Their partners may feel overwhelmed and unable control the situation.
It is essential for those suffering from ADHD to work on self-control, including slowing down and avoiding triggers that may cause emotional outbursts. They should also use relaxation methods, such as meditation and deep breathing. Finally, they should seek support from a mental health professional or ADHD specialist to develop strategies for coping and develop a treatment plan.
It's also important for people with ADHD to understand how their behavior impacts other people. Particularly in intimate relationships, it's crucial for both partners to develop compassion and understanding. They should also establish clear boundaries to avoid resentment. It's also helpful for those with ADHD to learn about accommodations such as taking notes, organizing their time, and taking breaks from conversations to help them deal with their issues at work and school.
Work Issues
For women who suffer from ADHD, work can feel overwhelming. If you work from home or in a formal office environment, dealing with calls, emails, and meetings throughout the day can be a challenge. Add to that the anxiety, disorganization and difficulty keeping track of tasks or deadlines that are associated with ADHD and it can feel like your job is a nightmare.
Fortunately, there are many ways to help. Talking with your doctor or a mental health professional is a good way. They will evaluate your symptoms and suggest an assessment. They might ask you what aspects of ADHD affects your everyday life and suggest ways to manage it. They might suggest using a calendar to schedule appointments or arranging your workspace. Some people suffering from ADHD benefit from a routine and taking their medication regularly and limiting distracting activities such as television or social media.
Women with ADHD may suffer from symptoms that are exacerbated by hormonal changes like menstrual cycle or pregnancy. They are also more likely to feel mood fluctuations and general dissatisfaction with their lives and could make them more susceptible to being dismissed by male partners or colleagues.
The good news is that a combination of self-care and treatment can assist you in overcoming these issues. Your doctor may prescribe medications, such as stimulants and non-stimulants that could help ease your symptoms. They may also refer to a group of women who suffer from ADHD.
The NIMH's Tips to Talk with Your Health Care Provider fact sheet will help you prepare for this conversation. It contains a script to practice and questions to ask. You can also download the factsheet. NIMH offers resources to help you locate a mental health professional or health care provider who is skilled in treating ADHD among adults. A thorough evaluation can be performed to determine whether ADHD is causing your problems. You can also get an appointment with a specialist, if needed. You can learn more about this on the NIMH's Adult ADHD page.
Social Problems
Women suffering from ADHD might experience mood disorders or anxiety in addition to ADHD. They could be unable to navigate social situations because they are unable to read body language or recognize social signals. These issues can cause difficulties in relationships with others as well as at home and at work. Adult ADHD symptoms can affect physical health, leading to weight issues as well as depression, anxiety and chronic stress.
Women are often unable to be diagnosed as adults because they are more adept at hiding ADHD symptoms. These women might have had treatment for other ailments prior to receiving an ADHD diagnosis. Over time, they may have developed coping skills and have learned to conceal their attention deficit disorder. This could lead to a feeling of self-blame or that their lives will never be arranged.
It can be a huge relief for women with ADHD when they finally get a diagnosis that is accurate. They realize that their problems are not their own fault and that the problems are not a result of a personal weakness or character flaw. A diagnosis can also be a powerful source of inspiration and motivation to make changes, since these women know what they need to do to reach their maximum potential.
While the challenges of a diagnosis of adult ADHD can be a lot, there are also many options to assist women in finding effective treatments that will alleviate their symptoms and improve their quality of life. These include psychotherapy, cognitive behavior therapy, or specialized 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 do not wish to take stimulant medication can opt for non-stimulant options such as atomoxetine (Strattera(r)), viloxazine (Qelbree(r)) or clonidine (Kapvay(r)).
For the most effective 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 as well as a combination of other treatments.