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 men. Many develop coping strategies to mask their symptoms, and blame themselves for their problems.
Symptoms include trouble staying organized, high distraction and memory issues. These symptoms can be managed with medication.
Self-Esteem Issues
Women who suffer from ADHD often feel that they aren't as competent or capable of making the same strides as their peers. They may have difficulty coping with disappointment and anger due to everyday difficulties like keeping on top of appointments, keeping track on commitments, deadlines, or staying organized at work or home. This can lead a vicious circle of self-criticism, depression, and anxiety (Foster & Wolpe 2010).
Women may have difficulty developing healthy strategies for coping. They might turn to unhealthy or harmful behaviors to try to manage their symptoms especially in adolescence like excessive drinking and drug use. These unhealthy coping strategies can make their problems worse and negatively impact their lives. They can also make it difficult for professionals to identify symptoms and delay an accurate diagnosis.
Impulsivity can lead to reckless behavior or outbursts, which aren't in line with the values one holds. This can lead to feelings of shame. Many women with ADHD also have difficulty controlling their emotions or expressing themselves effectively which makes it challenging for them to interact in social situations. This can make it difficult for people with ADHD to form or keep relationships. Over time this can result in feelings of guilt and isolation.
Inadvertently forgetting birthdays, missing meetings, or falling behind on assignments can cause frustration for family members, particularly when they don't understand the reasons behind these incidents. Women with ADHD are also prone to having difficulty in expressing their feelings, which is why they might accidentally utter things that hurt others or get them into trouble at school or at work.
People with ADHD tend to delay their work and have difficulty to start or complete tasks. This can result in missed health checks or other important appointments. They might feel overwhelmed and out-of-control.
Today, it's more normal for professionals to recognize the symptoms of adult ADHD in women and refer them to treatment. In addition, the understanding of the differences between men suffering from ADHD and women has led to more effective treatment options that allow women to manage their symptoms and gain self-esteem and confidence.
Relationship issues
A person with ADHD can make it difficult to maintain healthy relationships. Women may have trouble communicating with their friends and loved ones due to their impulsivity and inability to concentrate on conversations. These problems can cause misunderstandings and hurt feelings. The good news is that with the right treatment and care, women can develop friendships that are supportive and loving.
One of the most common issues in relationships for people with 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 intense feelings of dependency and to avoid noticing problematic behaviors. Most of the time, this behavior is a result of untreated ADHD.
ADHD can also cause people to be incapable of planning ahead. This is crucial to ensure the health of a relationship. If a person with a neurotypical personality is asked by an ADHD partner to help with the dishes, that person may be distracted by other chores and may not finish the task. People with ADHD are also prone to jumping from hobby to hobby and investing money and time into their latest obsession. This can cause financial issues and a messy home.
Mood swings can be a problem for people with ADHD in relationships. They may lash out in anger at their spouses or experience sudden, sweeping mood swings from extreme anxiety to extreme joy. ADHD symptoms adults can leave their partners feeling overwhelmed and unable to control the situation.
It's important for people with ADHD to work on self-control, such as slowing down and avoiding triggers that could elicit emotional outbursts. They should also use relaxation techniques, such as deep breathing and mindfulness meditation. They should also seek help from a mental healthcare professional or ADHD specialist in order to develop coping strategies and develop a treatment program.
It's also essential for people with ADHD to be aware of how their behavior affects others. Especially in intimate relationships, it's essential for both parties to cultivate compassion and understanding. It is also important to establish the boundaries clearly to avoid anger. It 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 problems at school and at work.
Work-related Issues
Work can be overwhelming for women with ADHD. Working at home or in the office can be challenging. You might have to handle emails, phone calls and meetings all day long. Add to that the agitation, disorganization and difficulty focusing on tasks or remembering deadlines that are a hallmark of ADHD and it could seem as if your job is unattainable.
There are plenty of ways to help. Talking with your doctor or mental health professional is a good way. They will be able to assess your symptoms and recommend the diagnosis. They may ask you to describe how your ADHD affects your life, and suggest strategies to manage the symptoms. For instance, they may suggest using a calendar to keep track of appointments or arranging your workspace. Certain people with ADHD also benefit by having a routine and taking their medication on a regular schedule and limiting distractions like social media or television.
Women who suffer from ADHD may find their symptoms worsened by hormonal changes, like the menstrual period or pregnancy. They are also more likely to have mood fluctuations and general discontent, which could make them more susceptible to being misunderstood by male partners or colleagues.
The good news is a combination of self-care and treatment could aid you in overcoming this issue. Your doctor may recommend treatments that may improve your symptoms, such as medications such as stimulants or non-stimulants. They can also recommend an organization that helps women suffering from ADHD.
The NIMH Tips for Talking to Your Health Care Provider factsheet will help you prepare for the conversation. This fact sheet includes a practice script and questions you can ask. You can also download a printable version of the fact sheet. NIMH also offers resources to help you locate a health care provider or mental health professional who is familiar with treating ADHD in adults. Then, a thorough assessment can be conducted to see if ADHD is the primary reason behind your issues. If necessary, you could also be referred to a specialist. You can learn more about this on NIMH's Adult ADHD page.
Social Problems
Women suffering from ADHD may suffer from anxiety or mood disorders in addition to ADHD. They could also have difficulty navigating social situations since they are not able to read body language or pick up social cues. These challenges can lead to difficulties in relationships with others as well as at work and at home. Adult ADHD symptoms can also affect physical health, causing weight problems, anxiety, depression, and chronic stress.
Due to their tendency be more adept at concealing their ADHD symptoms, women frequently struggle to be diagnosed and being treated as adults. Many of these women be referred to treatment for other conditions before being diagnosed with ADHD. They could have developed coping strategies and learned to mask their ADHD over the years which can lead to self-blame for a lack of ability or a fear that they'll never be able to get their lives back in order.
After finally getting a proper diagnosis, it can be an enormous relief for women suffering from ADHD to realize that they're not at fault for their difficulties and that the problems don't stem from a character flaw or personal weakness. A diagnosis can also be a powerful source of motivation and hope to make changes, since these women now know what they must accomplish to realize their maximum potential.
While the challenges associated with the diagnosis of adult ADHD can be considerable There are a variety of resources available to help women find effective treatments that will alleviate 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 do not want to take stimulant medications there are alternatives such as atomoxetine(Strattera(r), viloxazine(Qelbree[r]) or clonidine(Kapvay[r[r]).
For the most successful treatment, it's important that women visit an experienced medical professional for an accurate diagnosis of their condition. In addition to medications, treatment options can also include lifestyle changes and a combination of other treatments.