Skip to main content

Blog entry by Rosita Gatewood

The 10 Scariest Things About ADHD In Women

The 10 Scariest Things About ADHD In Women

Symptoms of adhd in women (linked site)

Women suffering from ADHD often complain of frustrations or misunderstandings in their relationships. Some people mistake symptoms such as forgetting appointments, being late for meetings, or zoning out in conversations as boredom or disinterest.

Women and girls who suffer from adhd for adult women also struggle to be referred for evaluation because of gender-based discrimination. Clinicians must reconsider approaches to identifying and treating female patients.

1. Disorganization

You may find it difficult to stay on top of your daily chores at work or school If you're unorganized. You could also lose or misplace important items, like your keys or phone. You may struggle to follow the schedule or forget important dates, such as birthdays and anniversary celebrations. You might also have trouble remembering names, which can make it hard to make new friends or maintain relationships.

There are a lot of resources to help you if you aren't aware that your disorganization is ADHD. Begin by talking to your primary healthcare provider. They might refer you to a mental health professional or a therapist who has expertise in treating ADHD.

Women and girls with ADHD are often not diagnosed. This could be due to the strategies they use to mask their symptoms. They may be depressed or blame their problems on factors outside their control such as relationships issues or their gender.

Stereotypes regarding gender, sex and behavior can also make getting the help women suffering from ADHD require more difficult. Impulsive and hyperactive behavior is usually viewed as more appropriate for males and boys. In the end, many women with ADHD suppress or hide their symptoms to blend in and avoid criticism and embarrassment.

A diagnosis of ADHD does not solve these social or cultural problems. However, it can teach you how to manage your symptoms. You can enhance the quality of your life by receiving treatment and making lifestyle changes for example, adhering to a set schedule and focusing on your health, as well as eating a balanced diet.

You can also boost your ability to focus and complete tasks by taking ADHD medication. It's crucial to speak to your healthcare professional about the medication and any potential side effects you may experience. They could adjust your medication, such as lowering doses or changing when you take them. They can also assist you in identifying other strategies to improve your everyday functioning, including making accommodations at school or at work to compensate for your ADHD symptoms.

2. attention deficit in women

general-medical-council-logo.pngYou could be a woman with ADHD who suffers from "time blindness" which means you are often late for appointments and can't keep track of deadlines. You may also have trouble concentrating or getting started, particularly on mundane or boring tasks. These symptoms can be frustrating for friends and coworkers. However, the truth is that you're not intentionally being rude or inconsiderate. You're just dealing with the challenges signs of adhd in women living with ADHD.

Women and girls are more likely to be diagnosed with inattentive adhd in women ADHD than those with hyperactive or impulsive symptoms. These traits can make it harder for girls and women to receive treatment as they are less obvious. Women and girls develop coping strategies that can mask the symptoms of ADHD. This can lead to a misdiagnosis or underdiagnosis. Depression or anxiety-related symptoms could, for instance be mistaken for the inattentive symptoms of ADHD and treated for these disorders instead.

It's also possible that girls and women aren't able to get diagnosed due to the fact that they blame themselves for the problems caused by their ADHD. They may be embarrassed by missing appointments or failing to meet deadlines, and so do not inform a doctor about the symptoms. If they seek out medical professionals, they will likely be told that the behavior is normal and not the fault of the patient. This can only increase their anger and shame.

It is essential to find the appropriate treatment for your symptoms and for you. Stimulant drugs are generally the first option, but in the event that you're not able to tolerate stimulants or they don't have an impact on your symptoms your doctor may recommend non-stimulant medications or antidepressants. They'll also look into whether your symptoms have been exacerbated due to hormonal changes like those that occur during the menstrual cycle, pregnancy, or menopause. These fluctuations can affect the way your body process medication and how effective they are. This is another reason why it's important to be diagnosed early. The use of medication can help you manage your adhd in women treatment symptoms, and also improve your ability at work and home.

3. Impulsivity

Women suffering from ADHD struggle to regulate their emotions. The symptoms can include feelings of anxiety, frustration and depression as well as mood swings. Being unable to manage these emotions can impact relationships and performance. Women can also have trouble maintaining friendships, and their love life can be more unstable, with more frequent romantic attachments. They also face higher risk of being abused from intimate relationships.

The impulse-control symptoms of adhd in women can be more difficult to notice and identify than the hyperactive/impulsive symptoms seen in boys and men/people AMAB. This is because women and girls are better at developing coping mechanisms that conceal or mask their ADHD symptoms, in order to conform to the expectations of society based on gender (Quinn & Madhoo, 2014). This can cause women with adhd to be incorrectly diagnosed and receive less effective treatment.

For example women with ADHD struggle to resist temptations or avoid acting on their emotions, so they find it hard to control their spending habits. This can result in financial issues, and could mean they not pay their bills or pay their bills on time. Women who are impulsive are more likely to shop because they are bored or seek stimulation and excitement, which could cause them to develop problems with their relationship to food. This can result in unhealthy and unbalanced eating patterns and can cause other health issues.

The research on adults suffering from adhd in women is very limited, however we do know that the symptoms are more common among females than males. This could be due to the fact that earlier research on ADHD was primarily focused on men and people with AMAB. It was therefore easier to identify the symptoms. It is also possible that the criteria used to diagnose ADHD aren't as useful to identify women suffering from the condition.

A diagnosis of adhd, particularly late in life, may be a game changer. It can help them understand who they are and why they behave in the ways that they do. It can make them feel like a lightbulb has been turned on, giving them an explanation for their struggles.

4. Anxiety

Most often, women with ADHD suffer from anxiety and stress. Anxiety can lead to problems in relationships, at work, and at school. It can manifest itself physically, such as a fast heartbeat, shallow breathing and muscle tension or headaches. It can also interfere with sleep. Insufficient sleep can intensify anxiety symptoms, making them more difficult to manage. A vicious cycle could develop, with anxiety causing delay due to fear that things won't be done correctly and this causing more anxiety.

It is important to be aware of yourself and be aware of if you suffer from an anxiety disorder. If you experience symptoms that hinder your daily activities, talk to a doctor or mental health specialist for assistance. They will examine your situation and utilize recognized criteria to determine if anxiety is present. This may be based on how long you've been suffering from symptoms and how intense they are. They may recommend a variety of tests and tools to rule out any other medical conditions that may cause them.

psychology-today-logo.pngIt can be more difficult for women with ADHD to get diagnosed than men, as they tend to conceal their symptoms more effectively. These women may come up with strategies to help them function. However they can be unsustainable over time. Women who suffer from ADHD can control their impulsiveness through planning ahead for meetings or by using the phone to remind them. These strategies aren't able to address the underlying causes of their ADHD. This could lead to problems at home, work and at school.

It can be challenging to obtain a correct ADHD diagnosis as many of the rating scales are biased towards male behaviors and symptoms. Women can also be more reluctant to seek treatment due to the fact that they may not be convinced that they suffer from ADHD or that the diagnosis could affect their career or personal relationships.

If you find that your ADHD symptoms are hindering your work or studies It is important to speak out and ask for assistance from supervisors and colleagues. They'll likely be willing to make accommodations to help you achieve success in your school or at work.

  • Share

Reviews