Attention Deficit Disorder in Women
Many women suffering from ADHD are not aware of the condition. The majority of research on the subject is focused on men and boys. Females who are transgender adults have the highest percentage of undiagnosed ADHD.
These women can mask their symptoms, making it difficult to seek assistance. Symptoms can vary during hormonal changes like menstruation or pregnancy, as well as menopausal.
Impatient
You might not be able to concentrate on daily tasks like housework or study due to ADHD. Inattention ADHD symptoms include procrastination, forgetfulness and frequent changes in topics.
You might also have trouble keeping the track of appointments, schedules and belongings or, more often, lose or misplace things. Women with this type tend to be unable to concentrate in conversation, and they often talk without thinking, or go off on wanderings. The impulsiveness of their behavior can lead people to interrupt others or make comments they regret.
adhd in women checklist in attention and concentration could also create issues at home or at work. Some women with ADD struggle to hold down jobs due to their poor performance. Others struggle to keep friendships and find time to leave the home. Women with ADD are less confident in themselves and are more likely to suffer from depression as compared to women who don't have ADD. Depression is a common occurrence or caused by ADHD.
In relationships, women with ADD frequently struggle with the frustration and miscommunications due to their ADHD symptoms. It's not unusual for their inattention to be perceived as lack of interest or commitment by family and friends, while they feel that their spouses and bosses are constantly judging or micromanaging them.
Due to their impulsivity women and girls with ADHD are more likely of being sexually active early in life. This is because they are unable to regulate their emotions and their impulses. This can lead to unprotected sexual activities, which can lead to sexually transmitted illnesses and an unplanned pregnancy. They also have a greater chance of being abused by their intimate partners due to their inability to manage their relationships and control their behavior.
If you're having trouble handling your responsibilities, consider getting help to manage your ADHD. Divide large projects into smaller tasks and create a system for keeping track of important information like deadlines and appointments. You can use a planner or a calendar to do this. Organize the house to keep on top of your chores and other chores. Use a label maker to label closets and cabinets and create lists of tasks and events.
Impulsive
The term "impulsive" describes actions that happen without much forethought or consideration of potential consequences. People who suffer from impulsivity often make decisions without consulting their friends or family members for advice, and could be more likely to engage in risky activities like alcohol and drug abuse, gambling, or reckless driving. These behaviors may also be caused by mental illness such as borderline personality disorders or a history trauma and abuse. They could also be a side-effect of prescription medications.
It's important to recognize that even though girls and women who have ADHD exhibit different symptoms than men and boys but the condition is under-diagnosed in a lot of instances. This is due to gender bias and the fact that the majority of research is done on children, teens or cisgender people.
Some psychologists are trying to improve the situation since there isn't much research on the effects ADHD can have on women of adult age. They are focused on building upon the existing knowledge base and examining how women suffering from ADHD may be able to manage their symptoms.
Women with ADHD are usually susceptible to sensitivity to rejection. They are highly emotional to rejection, whether real or perceived. This makes it difficult to navigate social situations. They might also have issues controlling their self, which can cause risky sexual behaviours or the use of addictive substances to manage their emotions.
Compulsive behavior is also an issue for women suffering from ADHD. These behaviors can be described as repetitive actions driven by a desire to relieve anxiety or discomfort. These behaviors differ from impulsive ones, however, they can be associated with other conditions such as anxiety disorders, bipolar disorders, and fetal alcohol spectrum disorders.
There are a variety of ways to break free from impulsive behavior, even when it's not due to a diagnosed mental health condition. Begin by taking a look at your environment and identifying the triggers that trigger your behavior. Try to limit your exposure to the maximum extent you can to these types of situations. You can also practice talking through your options with family and friends before deciding to act, and seek out an experienced psychiatrist or therapist to help you when needed.
Problems with Focusing
Women suffering from ADHD may have difficulty to stay focused on the task at hand. They may be more easily distracted than others and regularly think about themselves or stare at a thousand-yard stare, especially during mundane or non-stimulating activities. They may also veer away from the conversation, go off on tangents, or miss social cues. Their lack of focus or forgetfulness can negatively impact the personal and professional relationships. For example, they might be prone to losing things or not paying bills on time.
Some people with ADHD struggle with controlling their emotions. They can become frustrated more easily or lose their temper when they are overwhelmed. For instance, they may have a low tolerance to frustration and may become more anxious or agitated than other people when they are stressed or criticised. It's important to keep in mind that these are signs of a medical issue and not a flaw in character.
Many adults with ADHD grew up thinking that the only people who could have the disorder were hyper boys, scientific research has proven that ADHD is as prevalent for women and girls just as it is in men and boys. It's also possible to have a combination of the inattentive and hyperactive/impulsive subtypes of the disorder.
Symptoms of inattentive ADHD in girls and women tend to change as they go through the cycle of hormonal changes, making it hard for them to get an assessment or get treatment. Women who suffer from ADHD might find it difficult to concentrate, follow directions and stay organized during puberty, menstruation, pregnancy and menopause.
Due to these different ways ADHD manifests in women and girls, they are more likely to go undiagnosed or misdiagnosed than men and those who are assigned male at birth (AMAB). This can result in frustration and feelings of powerlessness. Women who have not been diagnosed with ADHD or ADHD that isn't being treated may also have problems at work, home and in their relationships. They may have difficulty to manage their school work or responsibilities and may struggle in social situations due to problems with self-esteem, low tolerance to frustration and difficulty reading body language. They may also have difficulties in forming new friendships and are more likely to struggle with getting married or keeping it.
Poor Organization
If you have trouble focusing and forgetfulness, or have difficulty organizing your school or work assignments and have trouble to establish strong social and work relationships, your ADHD symptoms could be at fault. You might feel overwhelmed by a lot going on at the same time or be dissatisfied with your procrastination habits.
Women suffering from ADHD often are not diagnosed or misdiagnosed, in part because their symptoms show up differently than in men. They are more likely than men to be diagnosed with the inattentive kind of ADHD. This includes being easily distracted, forgetful, having trouble concentrating and paying close attention, and often "zoning out" or focusing on daydreams while talking to others.
While the challenges of living with ADHD are numerous, these same traits can bring great creativity, passion, energy and out-of-the-box thinking. Learning to recognize your strengths, creating supportive relationships and structures in your life, and discovering ways to mitigate your weaknesses can make you live your most fulfilling life.
Participants in this study were highly educated, held high professional statuses and very few comorbid conditions, which limits their applicability to other groups. The participants in this study were diagnosed as adults. Their experiences could differ from that of children or adolescents who are diagnosed at an earlier age.
Nevertheless, these interviews provide deep insight into the unique experiences of these women and how ADHD affects their lives and personal identities. They offer valuable perspectives for researchers and clinicians who work with this group.
Many women suffering from ADHD struggle to accept their issues and deal with their symptoms. The disorder can trigger feelings of shame and anger when they notice their symptoms in other people. A diagnosis can be an "lightbulb" moment for a person, since it gives them an explanation of their struggles and enables them to be more accepting of themselves.