ADHD in Adults Symptoms Women May Not Be Aware Of
Women who suffer from ADHD are often misdiagnosed, or are left undiagnosed because their symptoms are not as obvious as those of boys. 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 by taking medication.
Self-Esteem Issues
Women who suffer from ADHD might feel that they aren't as proficient or deserving of the same success as their peers. They may have a difficult time coping with frustration or disappointment caused by every day struggles to keep track of appointments, follow through on commitments and deadlines and stay organized at home or work. This can result in a vicious cycle of inner self-criticism, stress, and depression (Foster & Wolpe, 2010).
Women may have difficulty to develop healthy coping mechanisms. They may turn to unhealthy or harmful behaviors as a way of trying to cope with their issues especially in adolescence such as excessive alcohol and drug use. These harmful coping strategies can make their problems worse and negatively impact their lives. They can also make it difficult for professionals to detect the signs and delay an accurate diagnose.
Insanity can lead to reckless behavior or outbursts, that aren't in line with the values one holds. This can result in feelings of shame. Many women with ADHD have difficulty in expressing themselves or controlling their emotions which can make social interactions a challenge. This makes it difficult for those with ADHD to establish or keep relationships. Over time this can result in feelings of guilt and loneliness.
When loved ones don't know what causes things to happen, such as not being able to remember birthdays, ignoring appointments, or being behind on assignments, they can become annoyed. Women who suffer from ADHD are also prone to having difficulty articulating their feelings, so they can accidentally say things that hurt others or get them into trouble at work or school.
Finally, people with ADHD tend to procrastination and finding it difficult to begin or finish tasks. This can lead to missed health checkups or other important appointments which can cause them to feel overwhelmed and uncontrollable.
It's becoming more commonplace for professionals to recognize adult ADHD symptoms in women and refer them to treatment. Additionally, the recognition of the differentiators between men with ADHD and women has resulted in more effective treatment options that help women manage their symptoms and gain self-esteem and confidence.
Relationship Issues
A person with ADHD can make it difficult to maintain healthy relationships. Women with ADHD might have difficulties communicating with family members and friends ones due to their impulsivity, inability to concentrate on conversations, and inclination to wander off into diverging thoughts. These issues can lead to misunderstandings and hurt feelings. The good news is that with proper care and treatments women can build loving relationships.
Love bombing, or "showing affection and love to your partner in the beginning of the relationship" is among the most common issues that people with ADHD have to deal with in relationships. This tactic is employed to create a sense of dependency to avoid ignoring the problematic behavior and to create strong feelings. This behavior is often caused by untreated ADHD.
ADHD can also make people incapable of planning ahead. This is crucial to ensure an enduring relationship. If a neurotypical partner asks an ADHD partner to wash the dishes, that person may be distracted by other chores and not complete them. People with ADHD are also more prone to jumping from hobby to hobby and investing time and money into their latest passion. This can result in financial issues and a messy home.
Mood swings are an issue for people suffering from ADHD in relationships. They can be angry with their partner or experience sudden, sweeping mood swings from extreme anxiety to extreme joy. This can leave their partners feeling overwhelmed and unable control the situation.
People suffering from ADHD need to work on self control and self-control, which includes calming down and avoiding triggers that could trigger emotional outbursts. They should also use relaxation techniques such as deep breathing and mindfulness meditation. 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 also essential for people with ADHD to be aware of how their behavior affects other people. In intimate relationships, both parties should cultivate compassion and empathy. They should also set clear boundaries to avoid resentment. It is also beneficial for those with ADHD to understand accommodations for notetaking, organizing or taking breaks from conversations to deal with their problems at school and work.
ADHD in adult men symptoms of work can be overwhelming for women with ADHD. Whether you work from home or a formal office setting managing calls, emails, and meetings throughout the day can be a challenge. Add to that the restlessness 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.
There are many ways to help. One method is to speak with your health care provider or a mental health specialist. They can assess your symptoms and suggest the diagnosis. They may ask you to describe how your ADHD impacts your daily life, and suggest strategies to manage them. For instance, they could suggest using a calendar to keep track of your appointments or organizing your workspace. Some people with ADHD benefit from a routine and taking their medication regularly and limiting distracting activities like television or social media.
Women with ADHD might have symptoms that are made worse by hormonal changes such as menstrual cycles or pregnancy. They are also more likely to feel mood swings and feelings of general discontent which can make them more easily misunderstood by male partners or colleagues.
The good news is that a combination of self-care and treatment can help you overcome these challenges. Your doctor can recommend treatments that could help alleviate your symptoms, including medication like stimulants or non-stimulants. They can also refer you to a group of women who support women suffering from ADHD.
The NIMH's Tips to Talk with Your Health Care Provider fact sheet will help you prepare for this conversation. It has a script for practice and questions to ask. You can download the fact sheet. NIMH also offers resources to help you find a doctor or mental health professional who is experienced with treating ADHD in adults. Then a full evaluation can be performed to determine whether ADHD is the reason for your problems. If needed, you can also be referred to a specialist. You can learn more about this issue on NIMH's Adult ADHD page.
Social Problems
Women who suffer from ADHD may suffer from mood disorders or anxiety in addition to ADHD. They could be unable to navigate social situations since they are incapable of reading body language or recognize social signals. These challenges can cause difficulties in romantic relationships as well as at work and at home. Adult ADHD symptoms can also affect physical health, leading to weight issues, anxiety, depression, and chronic stress.
Women often have difficulty getting diagnosed as adults, since they are more adept at hiding ADHD symptoms. Many of these women may be referred to treatment for other conditions before being diagnosed with ADHD. They may have developed strategies to cope and developed strategies to disguise their attention deficit disorder through the years and then blame themselves for their lack of abilities or a fear that they'll never be able to get their lives back in order.
When you finally get a correct diagnosis, it can be an enormous relief for those with ADHD to realize that they're not responsible for their problems and that the issues aren't caused by a character flaw or personal weakness. A diagnosis can also be an incredible source of motivation and hope to make changes, since these women are aware of what they must do to achieve their full potential.
There are many resources to help women find solutions to ease symptoms and improve their quality of life. These include psychotherapy, cognitive-behavioral therapy and 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 prefer not to take stimulants may choose to use non-stimulant medications like atomoxetine (Strattera(r)) and viloxazine (Qelbree(r)) or clonidine (Kapvay(r)).
It is crucial that these women seek advice from a trusted healthcare provider to get an accurate diagnosis. In addition, to medication treatments, other options for treatment include lifestyle changes as well as a combination of other treatments.