Symptoms of ADHD in Women
Women suffering from ADHD may be extremely active, racing through life at a high speed until they collapse from the stress. They can also be a hypoactive person with a lack of energy to complete daily tasks.
Girls and women may also suffer from co-occurring conditions like disordered eating, anxiety disorders, mood disorders, depression, tic disorders, and fibromyalgia.
Symptoms
ADHD in women is underdiagnosed, partly due to social expectations for girls and women and the strategies they use to disguise their symptoms. This can lead to lifelong struggles with school, work, relationships and daily tasks. It can also cause depression and anxiety. ADHD symptoms for women include executive functioning issues, memory and organizational issues, impulsivity and difficulty with social boundaries.
A diagnosis of ADHD for women can be a moment of light, helping to explain why they have struggled all their lives and providing them with an external explanation for why they behave the way they do. A diagnosis can give women the confidence and support to manage their symptoms.
Symptoms of ADHD in women can differ according to the time of year and the fluctuation in hormones, specifically estrogen. Estrogen levels drop during ovulation, and in the middle of menstrual cycles, as well as during pregnancy, and also during or after menopause. This can cause ADHD symptoms to change from day to day.
Some symptoms of ADHD for women that are often overlooked are mood changes and a tendency for women to overreact or be easily frustrated by small things. They can be hard to interpret by other people, especially male friends or colleagues, who may mistakenly interpret these behaviors as emotional instability. They may not believe that these symptoms are linked to ADHD and, consequently these women are often dismissed, even by medical professionals.
In addition to a fluctuation in the severity of ADHD symptoms, hormones can also affect the effectiveness of medications, or interact with other mental health conditions that may be present. It is not uncommon for other mental health conditions to be present alongside ADHD such as depression and anxiety disorders that can mask or exacerbate ADHD symptoms. This is why it's crucial to have a full diagnosis by a specialist in ADHD.
Exercise can reduce ADHD symptoms as it releases neurotransmitters, which improve attention and focus. Regular exercise can help reduce stress and anxiety, which are common among people who suffer from ADHD. It is a good idea to find a form of exercise that you enjoy and stick to it and make it a part of your routine.
Treatment
As girls become women, untreated ADHD symptoms persist to hinder their lives. Women who don't get treatment may have difficulty to manage their work or take care of their families. Maintaining a healthy relationship with a partner can be difficult. Women with ADHD might be frustrated because they're not able to meet the expectations of others or cope with life's many challenges.
During puberty, female ADHD symptoms can be more subtle than those of males or boys. The symptoms of ADHD can be different depending on the hormone fluctuations particularly estrogen and progesterone. These fluctuations can cause symptoms to be misinterpreted, and may cause further. For example when estrogen levels drop at the time of ovulation, and during menstrual cycles or when progesterone levels are high in anticipation of menopausal or pregnancy emotional symptoms can be a more prominent aspect of the ADHD experience.
As we age, the signs of hyperactivity and impulsivity are more noticeable than in childhood. This can cause women to be more likely to be diagnosed of ADHD. Many people with ADHD are not diagnosed because their symptoms are often concealed by stress and poor coping techniques.
There are effective treatments available for women with ADHD. They include psychotherapy and medicines. It is important to find a therapist or clinician who has experience treating ADHD both in women and girls. You can also join an online support group to connect with other women suffering from ADHD and to share suggestions on how to manage your condition.
You can look up studies on the NIMH Clinical Trials Search Page. You can also ask your physician about taking part in a research study. You can gain new knowledge about science by participating in a trial. You might also be able to assist researchers in understanding how to prevent, treat, and improve the quality of life for patients. Talk to your health care provider about the pros and cons of participating in a study. In some instances researchers will cover the costs associated with participating in a study.
Gender
Symptoms of ADHD revolve around issues with executive functions, which are brain-based activities which help you control attention, emotional regulation and control of impulses. The symptoms of ADHD differ for every person, however the hyperactive, impulsive and inattentive signs tend to be more common in males and boys. Experts aren't certain of the cause for these differences, but they do know that females develop inattentive ADHD symptoms later than males. This makes it more difficult for them be identified and treated.
Women are often plagued by the inattention symptoms of ADHD that include difficulty paying attention in their work, focusing on the task at hand and forgetting details. These difficulties can make it hard for them to perform well at school or work. Additionally, women with ADHD may struggle to maintain friendships or romantic relationships due to their difficulties in regulating emotions and communicating.
Females who suffer from ADHD also have more trouble finding and keeping jobs, even though they are more skilled than male counterparts. This disparity isn't completely understood. It could be due to sexist stereotypes which cause employers and teachers to be less likely to recommend treatment for women with ADHD.
Researchers have found that women who suffer from ADHD tend to hide their symptoms. This can include developing strategies to manage and meet social expectations. This can be helpful in the short-term, but it isn't sustainable over the long term. Women with ADHD are often required to seek treatment only when their lives are spiraling out of control, whether at work or home.
Women with ADHD are more likely to suffer from depression or other mental health issues, which can make it even harder to identify and treat the disorder. Combined with their internalized shame, this can lead to feeling depressed and an unsatisfactory self-esteem. Women who suffer from ADHD are also more likely to have suicidal thoughts and attempts, which can be fatal if not stopped promptly. This is why it's so important to seek a professional diagnosis and treatment if you notice the first symptoms of ADHD regardless of your gender.
Self-Esteem
Women with adhd may have difficulty to maintain a positive self-image. They may feel like they are less than their peers and have a difficult time accepting compliments. They tend to make negative assumptions, make generalizations and catastrophize.
This can be a problem due to the fact that people with ADHD tend to be sensitive to rejection and criticism. This can lead to a lower self-esteem in a range of fields, including schoolwork as well as sports and physical appearance. Additionally, those with ADHD tend to be more likely to receive criticism from their parents and teachers for making errors (Manning 2010).
Many people with adhd feel a sense of despair and failure throughout their lives due to the fact that they are unable to effectively manage their symptoms. This can result in low self-esteem and a refusal to participate in discussions or activities.
Some studies suggest that all ADHD symptoms can lower self-esteem, however more research is needed to determine this connection. 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 had a direct impact on depression, but these effects weren't caused by self-esteem (Dan & Raz 2015).
If you're struggling with low self-esteem, the good news is that it is possible to change it. There are many methods that can be employed to build self-esteem, including cognitive behavioral therapy. The first step is to recognize the thoughts and beliefs that hinder you. Analyze these patterns of thought to determine if they are based on tangible evidence or irrational beliefs and self-criticisms. Replace these negative beliefs by positive ones.
Focusing on the positive aspects of your personality and accomplishments can also help boost your self-esteem. A journal can be extremely helpful in identifying your strengths and accomplishments. Then, you can put them in a place that you can be reminded of them often. You could also participate in charitable work or volunteer to feel more confident about yourself.
It's also crucial to find a therapist or clinician who has worked with women suffering from ADHD. They can teach you how to manage setbacks and boost your self-esteem. They can also help you get accommodations at school or work, which can improve your productivity and increase your chances of success.