Attention Deficit Disorder in Women
While the majority of research into attention deficit disorders is focused on men and boys, many people who have ADHD are female. Females who are transgender adults have the highest percentage of not being diagnosed with ADHD.
Women with these conditions may hide their symptoms, making it difficult to get help. The symptoms can vary with hormonal changes like the menstrual cycle, pregnancy, and menopause.
Impatient
It is possible that you are unable to concentrate on everyday tasks like homework or studying because of ADHD. Inattentive ADHD symptoms include procrastination, forgetfulness and frequent changes to topics.
You might also have difficulty keeping your appointments, schedules and belongings and often get lost or misplaced things. Women who are this type are more likely to be distracted in conversation, and they often speak without thinking or go off in wanderings. In addition, impulsiveness can cause them to interrupt others or say things they later regret later.
The issues in attention and concentration could also create problems at work or home. Some women who suffer from ADD struggle to hold down jobs because of poor performance, while others have trouble keeping friendships or even finding the time to get out of the home. Women who suffer from ADD have lower self-esteem, and are more likely to suffer from depression than women without ADD. Depression can be a co-occurring condition or the result of ADHD.
In relationships, women who have ADD often struggle with the frustration and miscommunications due to their ADHD symptoms. Families and friends may mistake their inattention as a lack of interest or commitment, while their employers and partners may constantly criticize or micromanage them.
Due to their impulsivity, women and girls who suffer from ADHD have a higher chance of having sexual relations early in life. This is due to their inability to regulate their emotions and their insanity. This can lead to unprotected sex, more sexually transmitted infections and more unplanned pregnancies. In addition they are more likely to be abused by their partners due to of their inability to control their behavior and manage their relationships.
If you are having trouble managing your workload, think about seeking help to manage your ADHD. Break large projects down into smaller tasks and create a system to keep the track of important information like deadlines and appointments. You can make use of a planner or calendar to accomplish this. Organize the house to ensure you stay on top of your chores and errands. Utilize a label maker to label your cabinets and closets and create lists of events and tasks.
Impulsive
The term "impulsive" describes behaviors that happen without much forethought or consideration of potential consequences. People who are prone to impulsivity often make decisions without consulting friends or family members for advice, and could be more likely to engage in risky behavior like alcohol and drug abuse, gambling or reckless driving. These behaviors may also stem from a mental health condition such as borderline personality disorder, an history of trauma or abuse, or be a side effect of prescription drugs.
It's important to note that even though girls and women who have ADHD exhibit different symptoms than men and boys but the condition is not properly diagnosed in many instances. This is mostly due to gender bias and the fact that most research is done on teenagers, children, or cisgender men.
Psychologists are trying to change the situation, since there isn't much research on the effects ADHD affects women of all ages. They're working on expanding the body of knowledge that already exists and are looking into how women with ADHD can best manage their symptoms.
In addition to the impulsive behavior and impulsive behavior, people with ADHD often suffer from rejection sensitivity. They are highly emotional to rejection, real or perceived. This makes it difficult to navigate social situations. They may also have trouble controlling their self, which can lead to risky sexual behaviors or the use of substances that make them addicted to cope with their emotions.
Compulsive behaviors are common among women with ADHD and can be defined as repetitive actions driven by the need to ease anxiety or discomfort. These behaviors differ from those that are impulsive however, they can be associated with other conditions like anxiety disorders, bipolar disorders, and fetal-alcohol spectrum disorders.
There are a variety of things you can do to break free from the habit of impulsive behavior even when it's not due to an illness that is diagnosed as mental health-related. Begin by taking a look at your surroundings and identifying triggers that trigger your behavior. Be sure to reduce your exposure to the maximum extent you can to these situations. You can also practice talking through your options with friends and family before deciding to act or deciding to seek a professional therapist or psychiatrist for advice if needed.
Problems with Focusing
Women with ADHD might find it difficult to focus on the task at hand. They can be easily distracted and be prone to daydreaming or staring at the ceiling, particularly when performing mundane or boring tasks. They may also wander off away from the conversation, wander off into tangents, or ignore social cues. Their inattention or lack of concentration can impact their the personal and professional relationships. For instance, they could be more prone to losing items or forgetting to pay bills on time.
Some people suffering from ADHD also have trouble controlling their emotions. They can become annoyed more often or lose their temper when they are overwhelmed. They may have a lower tolerance for anger and may be more agitated or anxious than others being criticized or stressed. Be additional hints that these symptoms are not a sign of character flaws, they are the result of a medical problem.
Many people with ADHD were taught that only hyperactive boys could be diagnosed with ADHD. However, scientific studies have shown that ADHD can affect both girls and women just as much as it does boys and men. It's also possible to have a combination of the inattentive and hyperactive/impulsive subtypes of the disorder.
The symptoms of inattentive ADHD among women and girls are influenced by the hormonal cycle. This makes it difficult for them to get the diagnosis or treatment they need. Women with ADHD might find it difficult to focus, follow instructions and remain organized during menstrual cycles, puberty, menopausal and pregnancy.
Due to these differences, women and girls are more likely than males or those who were assigned a male at birth (AMAB) to be misdiagnosed. This can result in feelings of frustration and feeling that you are powerless. Women who are not diagnosed with ADHD or ADHD that isn't being treated may also have difficulties at home, work and in their relationships. They may have difficulty completing their schoolwork or meet their responsibilities. They can also have difficulties socially due to low self-esteem, a poor tolerance to anger and difficulty in understanding body language. They may also have difficulties in making new friends and are more likely to have difficulty creating or maintaining marriages.
Poor Organization
ADHD symptoms could be the cause for your disorganization and forgetfulness, a difficult time in keeping track of assignments or work assignments and having trouble forming strong relationships with your colleagues and friends. You might feel overwhelmed by multiple things happening at the same time or be frustrated by your procrastination tendencies.
Women with ADHD often are not diagnosed or are misdiagnosed, largely because their symptoms manifest differently than in men. They are more likely to suffer from the inattention subtype of ADHD which is characterized by being easily distracted and forgetful, having a difficult time staying focused and paying attention and often thinking about or "zoning out" when talking to others.
These traits can also bring enthusiasm, energy and innovative thinking. Understanding your strengths, forming positive relationships and structures, and identifying ways to minimize your weaknesses can help you live the best life you can.
Participants in this study were highly educated, held high professional status, and had very few comorbid conditions which limit their relevance to other groups. They were also diagnosed as adults, so their experiences may differ from those who are diagnosed in childhood or adolescence.
These interviews provide an in-depth insight into how ADHD affects the lives and the identities of these women. They provide valuable insights for researchers and clinicians who work with this group.
Many women suffering from ADHD struggle to accept their problems and cope with their symptoms. The disorder can cause feelings of shame and anger when women notice their symptoms in other people. A diagnosis could be a "lightbulb" moment for someone, since it gives them a reason of their issues and allows them to be more accepting of themselves.