ADHD in Adults Symptoms Women May Not Be Aware Of
Women with ADHD are often misdiagnosed, or left undiagnosed, as their symptoms aren't as evident as those of boys. Many develop strategies to hide their symptoms and blame themselves for their troubles.
Symptoms include trouble staying organized, high distractibility and memory issues. These symptoms can be managed by taking medication.
Self-Esteem Issues
Women with ADHD often feel they're not as skilled or worthy of success as their peers. They may have a hard to deal with frustration or discontent caused by their every day struggles to keep the track of appointments, adhere through on commitments and deadlines and stay organized at home or work. This can lead to a vicious cycle of self-criticism, depression and stress (Foster & Wolpe 2010).
Women may have difficulty developing healthy coping strategies. To deal with their issues, women may turn to harmful or unhealthy behavior particularly in the adolescent stage. These unhealthy coping methods can exacerbate their issues and negatively impact 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 as reckless behaviors or rants that don't align with one's values, leading to feelings of shame. Many women suffering from ADHD also struggle with controlling emotions or communicating effectively which makes it difficult for them to interact in social settings. This can also make it difficult to establish or keep relationships and, over time this can lead to feelings of shame and depression.
When loved ones don't know why things happen, such as not remembering birthdays, missing appointments, or being behind in their work, they can become annoyed. Women with ADHD may also have trouble expressing their emotions. They might unintentionally say things that hurt to others or be a target for trouble at school or work.
People suffering from ADHD often procrastinate and find it difficult to begin or finish tasks. This could lead to missed health checkups or other important appointments, which can leave them feeling overwhelmed and uncontrollable.
It's now more common for professionals to recognize adult ADHD symptoms in women and refer them to treatment. Additionally, the understanding of differences between men with ADHD and women has led to more effective treatment options that allow women to manage their symptoms, regain confidence and self-esteem.
Relationship Issues
Having ADHD can make it difficult to maintain healthy relationships. Women especially may have trouble communicating with friends and loved ones because of their impulsivity, inability focus on conversations, and inclination to drift off into off-topic topics. These symptoms can lead to misunderstandings and hurt feelings. The good news is that with proper treatment and care, women can develop positive and supportive relationships.
One of the most prevalent issues that couples face when they have someone with ADHD is "love bombing." Love bombing is a method of ensuring that someone showers their partner with affection and attention as early as they begin a relationship to trigger intense feelings of dependency and to avoid noticing problematic behaviors. In most cases, this is the result of untreated ADHD.
ADHD can also cause people to be unable to plan ahead. This is crucial to maintain the health of a relationship. For example for instance, if a person with a neurotypical personality is requesting their ADHD partner to help wash dishes, they might be distracted by three other tasks and never get to finishing them. People with ADHD are also more prone to switching from hobby to interest and putting time and money into their latest obsession. This can result in financial difficulties and a messy home.
Mood swings can be an issue for those with ADHD in relationships. They can lash out in anger at their partner or experience sudden, broad mood swings from anxiety to extreme happiness. They may leave their loved ones feeling overwhelmed and unable control the situation.
People suffering from ADHD must work on self control and self-control, which includes calming down and avoiding triggers that could cause emotional outbursts. They should also try relaxation methods, such as meditation and deep breathing. Finally they should seek out help from a mental health professional or ADHD specialist to develop strategies for coping and formulate a treatment strategy.
It's crucial that people who suffer from ADHD recognize how their behaviors affect other people. In intimate relationships, both partners must cultivate empathy and compassion. They should also establish clear boundaries to avoid resentment. It is also beneficial for those who suffer from ADHD to be aware of accommodations such as notetaking and organizing or taking breaks from conversations in order to deal with their problems at work and school.
Work Problems
The demands of work can be overwhelming for women who suffer from ADHD. Working from home or at an office can be a challenge. You might have to handle phone calls, emails and meetings all day long. When extreme ADHD symptoms adults add to that the anxiety and disorganization, along with the difficulties in focusing on tasks and remembering deadlines associated with ADHD it can seem as if your job is a struggle.
Fortunately, there are many ways to help. One option is to speak with your health doctor or a mental health specialist. They can evaluate your symptoms and suggest a diagnostic. They might ask you what aspects of ADHD affects your everyday life and suggest ways to manage it. For example, they might suggest using a planner to keep track of your appointments or arranging your workspace. Some people suffering from ADHD also benefit from a routine, taking medication on a regular schedule and limiting distractions like television or social media.
Women who suffer from ADHD might experience symptoms that are worsened by hormonal changes like menstrual cycle or pregnancy. They are more likely to have mood swings or feelings of dissatisfaction in their lives. This can make them harder to understand by male friends or colleagues.
The good news is that a combination of self-care and treatment could aid you in overcoming this issue. Your doctor may recommend treatments that may improve your symptoms, including medication like stimulants or non-stimulants. They can be a reference to a group of women with ADHD.
The NIMH Tips for Talking to Your Health Care Provider factsheet will assist you in preparing for the conversation. It contains a script to practice and questions to ask. You can download the fact sheet. NIMH has resources that can help you locate an expert in mental health or health professional who is skilled in treating ADHD among adults. Then a full evaluation can be performed to determine whether ADHD is the reason for your problems. You can also seek an appointment with a specialist, if needed. Learn more about Adult ADHD on the NIMH page.
Social Problems
Women suffering from ADHD are more likely than men to experience mood-related disorders or anxiety and may struggle to navigate social situations due to their inability recognize social cues or detect body language. These challenges can cause problems in relationships with loved ones as well as at work and at home. Adult ADHD symptoms can also affect physical health, leading to weight issues as well as depression, anxiety and chronic stress.
Women often have difficulty getting diagnosed as adults because they are more adept at concealing ADHD symptoms. Many of these women may have been referred for treatment for other conditions prior to being diagnosed with ADHD. They could have developed coping strategies and learned to mask their attention deficit disorder over time and then blame themselves for their inability or the fear that they'll never have 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 issues aren't their fault and that the issues do not originate from an individual weakness or character flaw. A diagnosis can also be a powerful source of motivation and hope to change, as the women now know what they must accomplish to realize their full potential.
Although the difficulties associated with a diagnosis of adult ADHD can be overwhelming but there are plenty of resources available to assist women in finding effective treatments to alleviate their symptoms and improve their lives. 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 do not wish to take stimulant medications can choose non-stimulant alternatives like atomoxetine (Strattera(r)) or viloxazine (Qelbree(r)), or clonidine (Kapvay(r)).
To ensure the most effective treatment, it's crucial that these women see a trusted healthcare professional for an accurate diagnosis of their condition. In addition to medications treatments, other options for treatment include lifestyle changes and a mix of other treatments.