Symptoms of ADHD in Women
Women with ADHD can be extremely active and can be a whirlwind of activity in a frenzied manner until they fall over. They can also be hypoactive, unable to muster up energy to get through everyday tasks.
Women and girls may also suffer from coexisting illnesses that include disordered eating habits, mood disorders, anxiety depression, tic disorders and fibromyalgia.
Symptoms
ADHD in women is underdiagnosed, partly due to social expectations for women and girls as well as the coping strategies they develop to disguise their symptoms. This can cause struggles with school, work as well as relationships and everyday tasks. It can also lead to anxiety and depression. ADHD symptoms in women include executive function issues, memory and organizational issues, impulsivity and difficulties with social boundaries.
A diagnosis of ADHD for women can be a moment of light, helping to explain why they've struggled throughout their lives and providing them with an external explanation for why they behave the way they do. Being diagnosed with ADHD can help give them the confidence and support they require to manage their symptoms.
The symptoms of ADHD in women can vary according to the season, and hormonal fluctuations, specifically estrogen. Estrogen levels drop during ovulation, and during the middle of menstrual cycles, as well as during pregnancy and after menopausal. This can cause ADHD symptoms to change from day to day.
Certain signs of ADHD in women that are often ignored are mood changes and a tendency for women to overreact or be easily annoyed by small things. They can be hard to understand by male colleagues or partners who might interpret these behavior changes as emotional instability. They may not believe that these symptoms are related to ADHD, and consequently they are often dismissed, even by medical professionals.
In addition to a variation in the severity of ADHD symptoms, hormones can also affect the effectiveness of medications, or how they interact with other mental health issues that might be present. It is not uncommon for other mental health conditions to be present in conjunction with ADHD which includes depression and anxiety which can exacerbate or mask ADHD symptoms. This is why it's important to undergo a thorough diagnosis by a specialist in ADHD.
Exercise can reduce ADHD symptoms since it releases neurotransmitters that enhance focus and attention. Regular exercise can reduce stress and anxiety, which are common among those who suffer from ADHD. Find an exercise that you enjoy and commit to it.
Treatment
As girls become women and become mothers, untreated ADHD symptoms persist to hinder their lives. Women who don't receive treatment may find it difficult to manage their work or take care of their families. Maintaining healthy relationships with loved ones can be difficult. Women who suffer from ADHD are often unhappy when they aren't able to meet their peers' expectations or cope with the difficulties of life.
As puberty progresses, female ADHD symptoms may be more subtle than those of boys or men. The symptoms can vary based on hormone fluctuations, particularly estrogen and progesterone. These fluctuations can result in symptoms that are misinterpreted and even exacerbated. When estrogen levels decrease around ovulation, during menstruation, or when progesterone levels are elevated in anticipation of pregnancy or menopausal or other hormonal changes, the emotional symptoms of ADHD may become more prominent.
In adulthood, impulsivity and hyperactivity symptoms are more evident than they were in childhood. This can lead women to be more likely to be diagnosed of ADHD. However, many people with the disorder aren't diagnosed because their symptoms are masked by life stresses and poor coping skills.
There are effective treatments for women with ADHD. These include psychotherapy and medications. It's important to find a doctor and therapist who are experienced in treating ADHD in women and girls. It is also beneficial to find a support group where you can connect with other women who have ADHD and share ideas about how to manage the condition in your own personal way.
NIMH's Clinical Trials Search page allows you to search for studies that might be appropriate for you. You can also talk to your physician to participate in a study. You will learn new information about science through participating in a study. You might also be able help researchers in learning more about ways to prevent, treat and improve the quality of life for patients. Talk with your doctor about the pros and cons of taking part in a study. In some cases researchers will pay for the costs of participating in a study.
Gender
The symptoms of ADHD stem from issues with executive functions, which are brain-based functions which help you control focus, emotional regulation and control of impulses. The symptoms of ADHD differ for each individual, however the hyperactive, impulsive and inattentive symptoms tend to be more prevalent among boys and men. Experts aren't certain of the cause for these differences but they do know females develop inattentive ADHD symptoms later than males. This makes it harder for them to be diagnosed and treated.
Women are more likely to exhibit the inattention symptoms of ADHD that include difficulty paying attention in their work, focusing on the task at hand and losing track of details. These difficulties can make it hard for them to succeed at work or at school. Women who suffer from ADHD might also have trouble maintaining relationships with friends or romantic partners due to their inability to communicate and regulate emotions.
Females with ADHD also have more trouble finding and keeping jobs even though they're more skilled than male counterparts. The reason for this gap isn't completely understood, but it could be due to sex-based stereotypes cause teachers and employers to be less likely to recommend women with ADHD for treatment.
Researchers have discovered that women with ADHD tend to hide their symptoms. This is when they come up with strategies to overcome their difficulties and to meet society expectations. This can be beneficial in a short-term, however, it's not sustainable in the long-term. undiagnosed adhd in women with ADHD are often forced to seek treatment only when their lives are spiraling out of control, whether at home or at work.
Women suffering from ADHD are more likely to have depression or other mental health problems which can make it even harder to recognize and treat the disorder. The internalized shame that they experience can lead to depression and low self-esteem. Women with ADHD are also more likely to experience suicidal thoughts and suicide attempts that could be fatal in the event that they are not addressed quickly. It's important to seek professional treatment and diagnosis as soon as you start to notice symptoms of ADHD.
Self-Esteem
Women who have adhd may struggle to build a positive image of themselves. They may view themselves as inferior to their peers and they might struggle to accept compliments. They can also be prone to overgeneralize, catastrophizing and make assumptions that can lead to negative self-talk.
This is especially problematic because people suffering from ADHD tend to be prone to criticism and rejection. This can lead to a low self-esteem in a variety of domains, including schoolwork as well as sports and physical appearance. People who suffer from ADHD tend to be more likely to receive criticism from their parents and teachers for committing mistakes (Manning 2010).
Many people with adhd feel feelings of despair and failure throughout their lives as they aren't able to effectively manage their symptoms. This can lead to a lower sense of self-esteem, which makes people less inclined to take part in any future activities or conversations.
Certain studies suggest that ADHD symptoms generally can affect self-esteem. However, more research is required to confirm this correlation. For example, in one study, severe inattentive symptoms decreased self-perceptions of scholastic competence, but hyperactive-impulsive symptoms did not affect these domains. Additionally, oppositional defiant disorders (ODD) symptoms have a direct effect on depression, but these effects weren't affected by self-esteem (Dan Raz and Raz, 2015).
If you're struggling with low self-esteem the good news is that it can be improved. You can employ various strategies to boost self-esteem. Cognitive behavioral therapy is just one of them. The first step is to identify the thoughts and beliefs that are holding you back. Examine these patterns of thought and determine if they are rooted in concrete evidence or in irrational beliefs and self-criticisms. Replace these negative beliefs by positive ones.
Focusing on the positives in your character and accomplishments can also help boost your self-esteem. A journal can be extremely useful in identifying your strengths and achievements. Then, you can put them in a place where you will be reminded of them regularly. You can also do some charitable work or volunteer to boost your self-esteem.
It's also crucial to seek out a therapist or a professional who has experience in treating women with ADHD. They can show you how to handle difficulties and boost your self-esteem. They can also assist you to find accommodations at school or at work that can increase the efficiency of your work and boost your chances of success.