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Blog entry by Rosita Gatewood

How To Explain ADHD Symptoms In Women To Your Mom

How To Explain ADHD Symptoms In Women To Your Mom

AdHD Symptoms in Women

Women who suffer from ADHD often struggle to meet the expectations of society in many ways. This includes caring for others, balancing work and home life, and navigating relationships.

Female ADHD symptoms are more likely to be inattentive-type symptoms than hyperactive/impulsive symptoms. A bias based on gender can cause health care professionals to misdiagnose or not recognize ADHD symptoms in women and girls.

1. Lack of Focus

One of the most common symptoms of adhd in women is the difficulty of in concentrating. This issue can manifest in a variety of ways, such as having trouble remembering appointments, being unable to complete tasks at work or being unable to concentrate when speaking to people. It's also a typical sign that makes it hard for women to manage their finances. It's often the reason they do not get jobs or financial opportunities.

It's possible that certain women are more adept at hiding their ADHD symptoms, which could make it harder to be diagnosed and treated as adults. Researchers don't know why, but they believe it could be due to gender roles and the expectation for girls and women to be more "restrained." The act of masking ADHD can lead to poor performance at work or at school, and hinder those with adhd assessment for Adult women from seeking out support and help.

Focus issues are also a common symptom and can be confused with other ailments, including depression and anxiety. Depression can affect your concentration by making you forgetful and demotivated. People suffering from generalized anxiety disorder usually have difficulties focusing because they are more likely to be overwhelmed by their thoughts and feelings.

The best way to increase your ability to concentrate is to control your ADHD symptoms by seeking treatment. This involves finding a therapist or clinician who is experienced in treating ADHD in girls and women. You should also learn about the accommodations you can request from your school or employer that allow for flexible working hours or working from home. A healthy sleep routine will assist you in having more peaceful nights and also help you stay focused throughout the day. This includes getting to bed every night at the same time, and listening to relaxing music or audiobooks, and limiting your screen time.

2. Impulsivity

Women who suffer from ADHD frequently exhibit impulsivity signs. They may be prone to interrupting others or shifting topics during a conversation, taking quick decisions without thinking and taking risks that are not the best for their interests. They may also have difficulty reading other people's body language or picking up on social cues. The signs of impulsivity may increase during perimenopausal - the time prior to menopausal onset - and when hormone levels begin to drop.

Girls and women with ADHD are more likely to have inattentive-type symptoms, which can be harder to notice than hyperactive/impulsive symptoms. This could lead health professionals to overlook ADHD in these individuals, or misdiagnose them or ignore their symptoms as anxiety or mood issues. Research on ADHD is focused on men and boys. This could lead to an imbalance in gender.

When children with ADHD are young, their parents and teachers often notice impulsive behavior. It's normal for kids to be irritable, restless or even impulsive in certain instances. However, those behaviors tend to improve over time as children grow up and learn to manage their symptoms.

In adults, the impulsive and distractible symptoms of adhd can impact school, work, and relationships. They can cause procrastination and forgetfulness as well as difficulty following through with commitments. They can also make it difficult to find and keep jobs, and can affect healthy eating habits.

Treatment for adult adhd in women ADHD generally involves taking medication. Your doctor will suggest various treatments based on your specific symptoms and lifestyle, as well as other health conditions you might have. They may also recommend psychotherapy such as cognitive behavioral therapy, which assists you to recognize and change negative thought patterns and couples counseling if your relationship is affected by ADHD, or even family therapy. Exercise can also help to calm your mind and reduce symptoms, especially in the case of impulsivity and distractibility. Try activities like yoga, dancing and group exercises, such as running and swimming.

3. Anxiety

Anxiety disorders are common and can cause a wide array of physical symptoms. These include dizziness, chest pain, heart palpitations, headaches and sweating. These symptoms can cause a person to believe they are suffering from a stroke or the world is close to ending. People who experience anxiety are often mistakenly diagnosed as having a heart issue due to these physical signs. This can lead to an extended journey of medical treatments that do not tackle the root of the issue. Fortunately, most anxiety disorders respond well to psychotherapy alone or in combination with medication. Particularly, cognitive behavioral therapy can help someone develop new ways of thinking and reacting that can help them feel less anxious.

Unlike men and boys, who are more likely to have hyperactive/impulsive adhd inattentive type in women, women are more likely to have the inattentive subtype of the disorder. Women are also more likely to have mixed subtypes. Women should discuss their ADHD symptoms with their doctor. will ask them specific questions regarding the disorder.

Women suffering from ADHD may have trouble getting the right diagnosis, as the majority of diagnostic tools are geared towards male behavior. Additionally, women often try to conceal their symptoms to fit in with society. They can be misdiagnosed and their ADHD treatment delayed. A trained professional, such as a psychiatrist, psychologist or advanced practice registered nurses can diagnose adhd inattentive type women. The professional will make use of an extensive medical history, physical examination and the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Health Disorders in order to determine the severity of a patient's symptoms and determine if any other medical conditions might be contributing to the symptoms.

4. Disorganization

Women suffering from ADHD might experience disorganization, which is a constant issue that can disrupt the way they work and school which can cause emotional stress and stress relationships and cause financial problems. Disorganization is often characterized by an inability to organize like not keeping track of bills or appointments, and having trouble making decisions. Often, disorganization is related to other issues, such as anxiety, traumatizing life event, or depression, and can be difficult to treat.

Women who suffer from ADHD have a high degree of functioning and their symptoms do not significantly impact their daily interactions and relationships. The condition is known as "high-functioning ADHD." This does not mean that they do not experience some of the symptoms. These include forgetfulness, difficulty concentration, or paying attention to the smallest of details.

For some, disorganization is a constant battle and it's not uncommon for people suffering from ADHD to spend time searching for lost items or putting off important tasks. The disorder also affects the quality of their work, and could result in strained relationships. It can also cause several health issues, such as anxiety or sleep disorders.

psychology-today-logo.pngAnother factor that can exacerbate disorder in women suffering from ADHD is the fluctuation in hormone levels. Estrogen levels decrease during ovulation, in the middle of menstruation and at the conclusion, whereas progesterone levels are higher. These fluctuations can exacerbate ADHD symptoms.

It's possible that, while biological differences can be a factor, some of the disorganization or impulsivity in women suffering from ADHD is due to social "norms." Young women and girls may be socialized to be quiet and reserved, which can lead them to suppress or hide their ADHD symptoms.

5. Attention!

Women are often able to hide their attention issues than men, which can lead to being underdiagnosed and delayed treatment. In reality, they may even think they have better focus and time-management abilities than they do. However, these people are likely to lose things and forget appointments, or not pay bills on time. They also face issues with organization both at work and at home.

Women suffering from ADHD are more likely to develop the inattentive subtype the disorder. They're less likely to have the hyperactive/impulsive or mixed symptoms, which must be present in at least two settings for six months to qualify as an ADHD diagnosis. They might also have difficulty being silent, and may even talk to themselves or make a variety of nonsensical sounds or phrases. However, they're less likely to suffer from these symptoms than men.

The first treatment is medication. option for many adults with ADHD. Stimulants such as methylphenidate and amphetamine are often prescribed, however nonstimulant medications that target the way neurotransmitters interact with your brain may also be a possibility. These include atomoxetine, guanfacine and guanfacine.

general-medical-council-logo.pngCognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is also beneficial for women with ADHD. These treatments can help you recognize thoughts that are irrational or automatic and teach you healthy ways to manage your mood and behavior. A healthy diet and exercise in addition to medications, can help control ADHD symptoms such as anxiety, impulsivity, and distractibility. For energy boosts, try activities like yoga, dancing, group classes such as swimming or aerobics, and biking. Make sure to exercise at the very least four to five sessions per week, each lasting about 30 minutes. Be sure to eat a variety of vegetables whole grains, healthy fats and protein to support your attention and mood.

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