Inattentive ADHD in Women Signs and Symptoms
Women suffering from ADHD typically experience symptoms of inattention ADHD. Hyperactive/impulsive symptoms tend to be more common in boys and men.
Women hide their ADHD symptoms in order to avoid being stigmatized. This can cause low self-esteem, to strained relationships, and even to problems at work.
A professional diagnosis and treatment can help you overcome these challenges. It can also provide you with a a sense of validation and relief.
1. Forgetfulness
Women with ADHD often find it hard to remember the smallest details, such as appointments and important dates. This lack of memory can make it difficult to plan ahead and can result in a lot of frustration. This can lead to missed school or work and health checks.
Women suffering from ADHD might feel ashamed of their symptoms, especially when they weren't diagnosed in childhood. This can have a long-lasting influence on their lives and could lead them to depression, anxiety or other mental health problems.
According to CHADD, this happens because of shame and stigma. adhd in women symptoms suffering from ADHD are not diagnosed until they reach adulthood. This can have a major impact on their lives as they are less likely than men to receive the treatment needed to be successful in school or work. It could also impact their relationships and marriages.
As a woman enters perimenopause or menopausal age, her memory loss and other signs of ADHD could get worse. This is because the levels of estrogens and progesterone decrease which affects the release of neurotransmitters dopamine and serotonin, which are essential for focus and concentration (35).
Due to these changes, women suffering from ADHD should track their symptoms throughout their menstrual cycle, so they can inform their doctor when the symptoms are the most severe. Meditation and mindfulness exercises can also aid in improving the ability to focus and control impulsiveness. It is important to consume a balanced diet that includes fruits, vegetables and whole grains as well as healthy fats. This will help maintain hormone balance and improve mood.
2. Disorganization
Women with ADHD often struggle to keep on top of their schedules, tasks and personal possessions. This chronic disorganization may lead to delayed deadlines, tensions in relationships and financial difficulties.
If you're struggling with disorganization, it's essential to work with your spouse to share household chores so that one person is responsible for handling specific issues, such as paying bills on time or shopping for groceries. You can also create a reminder system for important tasks on your smartphone or tablet.
If you're trying to complete a task at home or at work, shut the door to minimize distractions. You can also put on headphones to block out noise. If your workspace is cluttered, clean it regularly or hire professional cleaning services.
Some people with ADHD experience a phenomenon called "time blindness," meaning they can get so caught up in their work that they lose track of time. This can result in forgetting birthdays, anniversaries, and other important dates or deadlines. It is also common to forget names, which can result in embarrassing situations in social settings.
Disorganization and forgetfulness is a major reason why many girls suffering from ADHD go undiagnosed. They are more adept at hiding their symptoms by developing healthy habits like keeping a calendar and making phone reminders. However, they may also develop unhealthy coping behaviors which create issues in other areas of their lives.
Symptoms of ADHD in women who are adults could also include emotional dysregulation, impulsivity, difficulty switching between tasks, chronic procrastination, as well as low self-esteem. If you are experiencing these symptoms, it's worth consulting a healthcare professional to get an accurate diagnosis and treatment.
3. Inattention
Women with inattentive-type ADHD often find themselves overwhelmed by their duties and find it difficult to stay organized. They may forget important dates, or get behind in their tasks. They might be unable to concentrate on college lectures or business meetings. They are more likely to delay their work and tend to put off school or chores tasks until the last minute. They can easily become distracted and lose track of time while listening to music, reading or working on the computer.
These symptoms are different from the hyperactive/impulsive-type of ADHD, and they can be more difficult to recognize in adults than children because these women have learned to mask their symptoms by building coping mechanisms. They might utilize a planner, or set up reminders on their phones. These strategies for coping are not viable and could lead to exhaustion.
Women who have inattention ADHD may also have difficulty managing their emotions. This could lead to frustration and discontent. They might also have a difficult time empathizing or understanding other people. They may be prone to make statements without thinking about the consequences. They probably have an extensive list of "foot-in-mouth" moments that could be embarrassing for family and friends.
Women with ADHD could benefit from a diet low in sugar that is rich in fruits, vegetables and whole grains. Regular exercise can also increase dopamine levels and aid to manage the impulsivity. Meditation can be an effective method to control the symptoms of women suffering from ADHD. It can help them to calm their body and mind and concentrate on the present moment. It can also reduce anxiety and stress which are common among women with ADHD.
4. Impulsivity
Women with ADHD have trouble controlling their emotions and tend to respond emotionally instead of rationally. This is often why they have trouble understanding the intentions of others and are more likely to misinterpret social cues. They may also be struggling with self-regulation and are more susceptible to emotional outbursts which can hurt relationships, damage their self-esteem and trigger anxiety or depression.
Women and adolescent girls with ADHD are more likely to experience inattentive symptoms rather than hyperactive/impulsive or mixed subtypes of the disorder. This means that the disorder is more difficult to recognize in adults. This may be due to the combination of factors including a gender bias (ADHD is more often seen in men and boys) and the fact that some women and girls are unable to recognize their symptoms.
To be diagnosed with ADHD, you must have five ongoing symptoms of inattention and/or hyperactivity/impulsivity that interfere with your life. Additionally, you must have a history of the symptoms that started before the age of 12. It is crucial to understand that other mental health issues physical ailments, stress can cause similar symptoms as ADHD, so an in-depth examination by a Salience Healthcare Provider is essential.
In addition to medication lifestyle changes can also aid in managing ADHD symptoms. Regular exercise releases neurotransmitters that boost concentration and reduce stress. Focus can be improved by eating a healthy diet that is rich in fruits, vegetables and whole grain, as well as lean proteins and healthy fats. Many people with ADHD benefit from meditation and other mindfulness techniques, as they can help to calm the body and mind and block out distractions and control impulsivity. Reduced alcohol, caffeine and nicotine can help reduce ADHD symptoms.
5. Hyperactivity
Women with ADHD may have a difficult time accepting their struggles and may not be diagnosed or treated until the problems start to affect their relationships, their work performance, and their overall health. Teachers and parents might be less likely to recommend girls to get an ADHD diagnosis because of gender bias. This can lead them to underdiagnose.
Women who have the hyperactive/impulsive subtype of ADHD might have trouble managing their emotions and behaviors in certain situations. Their behavior can appear out of control and cause disruption to conversations. They may also cause others to think that they are insecure or don't know how to set boundaries. You might fidget excessively or talk frequently (sometimes without thinking) or interrupt or impose yourself on other people, and find it difficult to wait for your turn.
You may find it challenging to concentrate during a lecture or meeting, and you might need chew gum or drink coffee, or stand up during meetings in order to sit still for long periods of time. You might be easily distracted by TV, your phone or a conversation with friends. Your brain is always moving, and you're constantly thinking about the next thing to do even if it's nothing to do with the current task at hand.
Many people with ADHD can reduce their symptoms by changing their lifestyle and taking medication. Discuss with your doctor your options, including talking therapy and nutritional support. You might also inquire about taking part in an clinical trial to find out more about new treatments. NIMH's Clinical Trials Search Tool can assist you in finding studies that align with your interest. *ADHD is prevalent in both women and men in the early years, but is more prevalent in boys and men when they reach adulthood.