ADHD in Adults Symptoms Women May Not Be Aware Of
Women with ADHD are often misdiagnosed, or left undiagnosed, because their symptoms are not as obvious like those of males. Many develop coping strategies to hide their symptoms and blame themselves for their problems.
It is a sign of trouble staying organized, high distractibility and memory problems. These symptoms can be controlled with medication.
Self-Esteem Issues
Women who suffer from ADHD often feel they're not as skilled or capable of achieving the same level as their peers. They may struggle to cope with disappointment and anger due to daily difficulties like keeping the track of appointments, following through on commitments, deadlines, or staying organized at home or at work. This can result in a vicious cycle of internal self-criticism, stress, and depression (Foster & Wolpe, 2010).
Women may have difficulty developing healthy coping strategies. They may find themselves turning to unhealthy or harmful behaviors as a way of trying to cope with their issues especially in adolescence for example, excessive drinking and substance use. These unhealthy coping strategies can worsen their issues and negatively impact their lives. In addition, they can also make it harder for professionals to detect their symptoms and delay an accurate diagnosis.
The impulsivity that often comes with ADHD can manifest itself in reckless behavior or outbursts that don't match the values of one's life, resulting in feelings of shame. Many women with ADHD also have difficulty controlling their emotions or effectively expressing themselves, which can make it challenging for them to be a part of social situations. This can also make it difficult to form or keep relationships, and over time it can cause feelings of shame and isolation.
If family members don't know why things happen like not being able to remember birthdays, ignoring appointments, or being behind on assignments they may become angry. Women with ADHD might also have difficulty expressing their emotions. They might unintentionally say things that are hurtful to others or cause trouble at work or at school.
In addition, people suffering from ADHD are more likely to procrastinating and finding it difficult to begin or finish tasks. This can result in being late for health checks or other important appointments. They may feel overwhelmed and out-of-control.
It's becoming more normal for professionals to recognize the signs of adult ADHD in women and refer them to treatment. In addition advancements in understanding the differences between men and women with ADHD have resulted in more effective treatments that help women 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 might have difficulty communicating with loved ones because of their impulsivity, inability focus on conversations, and inclination to drift off into diverging thoughts. These signs can cause miscommunication and hurtful feelings. The good news is, with proper treatment and care women can establish loving relationships.
Love bombing, or "showing the love and affection to your partner early in the relationship" is one of the most frequent issues people with ADHD encounter in relationships. This tactic is used to create feelings of dependency in order to ignore undesirable behaviors and to generate intense feelings. In most cases, this is a result of untreated ADHD.
ADHD can also make people in a position to not plan ahead. This is important for maintaining the health of a relationship. For example when a person with neurotypical symptoms is requesting their ADHD partner to help wash dishes, they may be distracted by three other chores and never get to finishing them. People with ADHD are also prone to hopping from one hobby to another interest and putting time and money into their latest obsession. This can result in financial issues and a messy home.
Mood swings are a problem for people with ADHD in relationships. They may be averse to lashing out at their loved ones in anger or have abrupt, broad mood swings ranging from a flurry of anxiety to extreme happiness. They may be overwhelmed and unable control the situation.
People with ADHD must be able to control their emotions and self-control, which includes calming down and avoiding triggers which could trigger emotional outbursts. They should also practice techniques for relaxation, like meditation and deep breathing. They should also seek out help from a mental health professional or ADHD specialist to develop coping strategies and develop a treatment program.
It's crucial that people who suffer from ADHD be aware of how their behavior affect other people. In intimate relationships, both parties should cultivate empathy and compassion. They should also establish clear boundaries to avoid feelings of resentment. ADHD symptoms in adults quiz is also beneficial for people with ADHD, to learn about accommodations such as notetaking and organizing or taking breaks from conversations to cope with their issues at school and at work.
Work-related Issues
Work can be overwhelming for women with ADHD. Whether you work from home or a formal office environment, dealing with emails, calls and meetings throughout the day can be a challenge. Add to this the restlessness, disorganization and difficulty keeping track of tasks or deadlines that are common to ADHD and it can feel as if your job is unattainable.
Fortunately, there are many ways to assist. One method is to speak with your health doctor or a mental health professional. They can evaluate your symptoms and suggest the diagnosis. They may ask you how ADHD affects your daily life and suggest ways to manage it. For instance, they could suggest using a planner to keep track of appointments or arranging your workspace. Some people with ADHD also benefit from a routine, taking medications on a regular basis and limiting distractions like TV or social media.
Women who suffer from ADHD might experience symptoms that are worsened by hormonal changes such as menstruation or pregnancy. They are also more likely to feel mood fluctuation and general discontent with their lives which could make them more susceptible to being overlooked by male friends or colleagues.
The good news is a combination of self-care and treatment can aid you in overcoming this issue. Your doctor can prescribe medication, such as stimulants and non-stimulants, that could help ease your symptoms. They may 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. This fact sheet includes an exercise script and questions that you can ask. You can also download a printable version of the fact sheet. NIMH offers resources to help you find an expert in mental health or health professional who is experienced in treating ADHD among adults. Then a full evaluation can be conducted to determine whether ADHD is causing your problems. You can also get a referral to a specialist, if needed. You can find out more about this on NIMH's Adult ADHD page.
Social Issues
Women who suffer from ADHD are more likely than men to suffer mood-related or anxiety-related issues as well as be unable to handle social situations due to their inability to discern social signals or interpret body language. These challenges can cause difficulties in romantic relationships and also in working and family life. Additionally, the signs of adult ADHD can impact physical health, leading to issues with weight, anxiety, stress and depression.
Women often have a difficult time getting diagnosed as adults since they are more adept at hiding ADHD symptoms. These women might have had treatment for other conditions prior to receiving an ADHD diagnosis. They might have developed strategies for coping and developed strategies to hide their ADHD over time which can lead to self-blame for their lack of abilities or a sense that they'll never be able to get their lives in order.
It can be a tremendous relief for women with ADHD when they finally get a diagnosis that is accurate. They realize that their problems aren't their fault and that the issues do not stem from an individual weakness or character flaw. A diagnosis can be a great source of motivation and optimism for those suffering from ADHD, as they now know what to do to realize their potential.
There are a variety of resources to help women find treatments to alleviate symptoms and improve quality of life. These include psychotherapy, cognitive behavioral 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)). If you don't want to take stimulant medications there are alternatives like atomoxetine(Strattera(r), viloxazine(Qelbree[r]) or clonidine(Kapvay[r]).
For the most effective treatment, it's crucial that women visit an experienced medical professional for an accurate diagnosis of their condition. Treatment options include medication or lifestyle changes and a combination with other treatments.