ADHD in Adults Symptoms Women May Not Be Aware Of
Women suffering from ADHD often go undiagnosed or are misdiagnosed because their symptoms are less obvious than those of boys. Many develop coping mechanisms to hide their symptoms and end up blaming themselves for their issues.
The symptoms include difficulty keeping track of things, a high level of distraction and memory problems. These symptoms can be controlled by taking medication.
Self-Esteem Issues
Women who suffer from ADHD often feel like they're not as skilled or capable of making the same strides as their peers. They may have a difficult dealing with anger or disappointment triggered by the daily struggle to keep track of appointments, follow the deadlines and commitments and organize at home or work. This can create a vicious circle of self-criticism, depression, and anxiety (Foster and Wolpe, 2010).
Women may find it difficult to establish healthy coping strategies. They might turn to unhealthy or harmful behaviors in order to manage their symptoms, especially during adolescence, such as excessive alcohol and drug use. These harmful coping strategies can worsen their problems and negatively affect their lives. They can also make it difficult for professionals to detect symptoms and delay an accurate diagnose.
The impulsivity that often comes with ADHD can manifest itself in reckless behaviors or rants that don't match the values of one's life, resulting in feelings of shame. Many women with ADHD also have trouble regulating emotions or expressing themselves effectively, which can make it challenging for them to be a part of social situations. This can make it difficult to make or maintain relationships, and over time this can lead to feelings of shame and depression.
Missing birthdays, forgetting meetings, or getting behind on assignments can cause anger with loved ones, especially when they aren't sure the reason behind these events. Women with ADHD may also have trouble communicating their feelings, and they can accidentally say things that hurt others or get them into trouble at work or school.
People suffering from ADHD tend to delay their work and have a difficult time start or complete tasks. This could lead to missed health checkups or other important appointments which can leave them feeling overwhelmed and out of control.
It's now more common for professionals to detect adult ADHD symptoms in women and refer them to treatment. Furthermore advances in understanding the differences between men and women with ADHD have led to more effective treatments that allow women to manage their symptoms and regain confidence and self-esteem.
Relationship Issues
Having ADHD can make it difficult to maintain healthy relationships. Women especially might have difficulties communicating with friends and loved ones because of their impulsivity, inability to focus on conversations, and the tendency to wander off into diverging thoughts. These issues can cause confusion and hurt feelings. The good news is that with proper treatment and care women can build positive and supportive relationships.
One of the most frequent issues that couples face when they have someone who suffer from ADHD is "love bombing." Love bombing is a strategy where someone showers their partner with affection and attention early on in the relationship to induce intense feelings of dependency and to overlook concerning behaviors. This behavior is often the result of untreated ADHD.
ADHD can make it difficult for people with ADHD to plan ahead, which is a key aspect of maintaining a good relationship. If a neurotypical spouse asks an ADHD partner to help with the dishes, that person may be distracted by other chores, and not complete them. Similar to this those with ADHD tend to jump between hobbies, investing time and money into their latest obsession. This can cause financial issues and a messy home.
Mood swings are another frequent issue for couples with ADHD. They may lash out at their partners in anger or have abrupt, broad mood swings from a burst of anxiety to extreme happiness. Their loved ones may feel overwhelmed and feel unable to control the situation.
People with ADHD should be able to control their emotions and self-control, which includes calming down and avoiding triggers that can cause emotional outbursts. They should also use relaxation techniques, such as mindfulness meditation and deep breathing. Lastly they should seek help from a mental health professional or ADHD specialist to learn coping strategies and develop a treatment plan.
It's also crucial for those who suffer from ADHD to be aware of the ways in which their behavior affects others. In intimate relationships, both partners must cultivate compassion and empathy. It is also important to establish clear boundaries to avoid feelings of resentment. It's also helpful for those with ADHD to be aware of accommodations like taking notes, organizing their time and taking breaks from conversations, to help them cope with their issues in the workplace and at school.
Work-related Problems
For women who suffer from ADHD, work can feel overwhelming. No matter if you work from home or in a formal office, dealing with emails, calls, and meetings throughout the day can be challenging. Add to that the agitation and disorganization as well as the difficulty in focusing on tasks or remembering deadlines that are a hallmark of ADHD and it could seem as if your job is unattainable.
There are a myriad of ways you can assist. Talking to your doctor or a mental health professional is a good way. They will be able to assess your symptoms and recommend the diagnosis. They might ask you to explain how your ADHD impacts your daily life, and suggest ways to manage them. They may suggest using a planner for appointments or arranging your workspace. Some people with ADHD also benefit from a routine and taking their medication on a regular schedule and limiting distractions like TV or social media.
Women with ADHD are often afflicted with symptoms that are caused by hormonal changes like the menstrual cycle or pregnancy. They are also more likely to have mood fluctuations and general discontent, which can make them more easily dismissed by male partners or colleagues.
The good news is that a combination of treatment and self-care can help you overcome these challenges. Your doctor may prescribe medications including stimulants and non-stimulants, that could help ease your symptoms. They can also refer to a group of women with ADHD.
The NIMH's Tips for Talking with Your Health Care Provider fact sheet will help you prepare for this conversation. It includes a practice script and questions to ask. combined ADHD symptoms in adults can also download a downloadable version of the fact sheet. NIMH also has resources to help you locate a health care provider or mental health professional who is experienced with treating ADHD in adults. Then, a thorough assessment can be conducted to see whether ADHD is the cause of your troubles. You can also get an appointment with an expert, if you need. Find out more about Adult ADHD on the NIMH page.
Social Issues
Women suffering from ADHD may suffer from mood disorders or anxiety in addition to ADHD. They might also have difficulty navigating social situations because they are unable to read body language or recognize social signals. These challenges can cause difficulties in romantic relationships and also in working and family life. Adult ADHD symptoms can also affect physical health, causing weight problems as well as depression, anxiety and chronic stress.
Women are often unable to be diagnosed as adults since they are more adept at hiding ADHD symptoms. Many of these women may be referred to treatment for other ailments prior to being diagnosed with ADHD. Over the years, they might have developed coping strategies and have learned to conceal their attention deficit disorder. This could lead to a feeling of self-blame or the feeling that their lives will never be organized.
After receiving a final diagnosis, it can be an enormous relief for women with ADHD to realize that they're not at fault for their difficulties and that the problems do not stem from a character flaw or personal weakness. A diagnosis can be a great source of motivation and optimism for those with ADHD because they now know what to do to achieve their goals.
There are many resources to help women find ways to manage symptoms and improve quality of life. These include psychotherapy, cognitive-behavioral therapy and special 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 stimulant medications may choose to use non-stimulant medications like atomoxetine (Strattera(r)), viloxazine (Qelbree(r)) or clonidine (Kapvay(r)).
It is crucial that these women seek the advice of an experienced healthcare professional to get an accurate diagnosis. In addition to medication treatment options, treatments can include lifestyle changes as well as a combination of other treatments.