Attention Deficit Disorder in Women
Many women with ADHD aren't aware of it. The majority of research on attention deficit disorder is focused on men and boys. In fact, women who are cisgender in their adult lives have the highest rates of undiagnosed ADHD.
These women often mask their symptoms and struggle to find help for their struggles. The symptoms vary with hormonal changes, such as the menstrual cycle or pregnancy, as well as menopausal.
Impatient
If you are finding yourself becoming impatient with everyday tasks such as housework or studying it could be due to your ADHD is making it hard to concentrate. Inattention ADHD symptoms include apathy, forgetfulness, and frequent changes in topic.
You may also lose or misplace things or have trouble keeping track of your schedules, appointments, and belongings. Women who have this type of personality tend to have trouble concentrating on conversations and often talk without thinking or wander off in unrelated topics. The impulsiveness of their behavior can lead them to interrupt other people or make comments they regret.
The issues with concentration and attention can also create issues at home or at work. Some women who suffer from ADD are unable to hold jobs due to their poor performance. Others struggle to keep friendships and find time to leave the house. Women who suffer from ADD are less confident in themselves and are more likely to be suffering from depression than women without ADD. Depression can be a co-occurring condition or the result of ADHD.
Women who suffer from ADD have a difficult to deal with the frustration and misperceptions that ADHD symptoms can bring about. It's not unusual for their lack of attention to be perceived as a lack of interest or commitment by family and acquaintances, while they feel like their partners and bosses are constantly criticizing or micromanaging them.
Due to their impulsivity women and girls who suffer from ADHD are more likely of becoming sexually active early in life. This is due to their inability to regulate their emotions and their insanity. This can lead to sexually unprotected and more sexually transmitted infections and more unplanned pregnancy. They also face a greater risk of being victimized by intimate partners due to their inability to manage their relationships and manage their behavior.
If you're having difficulty managing your work, think about seeking help for your ADHD. Break large projects down into smaller tasks and create a system to keep all important information in order like deadlines and appointments. You can make use of a planner or calendar to accomplish this. Organise your home to make it easier to keep track of chores and errands like using a label maker for cupboards and closets, and creating lists of events and tasks.
Impulsive
The term "impulsive" describes behaviors that happen without much forethought or consideration of the potential consequences. People who are prone to the urge to make decisions without consulting friends or family members for advice, and could be more likely to engage in risky behavior like alcohol and drug gambling, abuse or driving recklessly. These behaviors could also be caused by mental illness such as borderline personality disorders or a history of abuse and trauma. They could also be a result of certain prescription medications.
It's important to recognize that even though girls and women who suffer from ADHD have different symptoms than boys and men but the condition is underdiagnosed in many instances. This is due to gender bias and the fact that research is usually done on children, teenagers or cisgender men.
Psychologists are trying to change the circumstances, as there is little research on the effects ADHD can have on women of adult age. They are focusing on expanding the existing knowledge base and investigating how women with ADHD can be able to manage their symptoms.
Women with ADHD are usually susceptible to sensitivity to rejection. They are highly emotional to rejection, whether it's real or perceived. This makes it difficult for them to navigate through social situations. They may also struggle with self-control which can lead them to engage in risky sexual behaviors or use drugs that are addictive as a way to cope with their feelings.
Compulsive behaviors are also common among women with ADHD, and these can be described as repetitive actions driven by a desire to relieve anxiety or discomfort. These behaviors are different from impulsive behaviors, however they can coexist in some people and are linked to conditions such as anxiety disorders, bipolar disorder, and fetal alcohol spectrum disorder.
There are many options to stop an impulsive behavior, even when it's not due to a diagnosed mental health condition. Start by taking stock of your surroundings and identifying triggers that set off your behavior. Try to limit your exposure as much as you can to these scenarios. You can also talk through your options prior to making decisions with family or friends and seek out professional advice from a therapist or psychiatrist whenever necessary.
Trouble focusing
Women who suffer from ADHD are prone to having difficulty to remain focused or focused. They can be easily distracted and be prone to daydreaming or staring at the ceiling, especially when doing mundane or unstimulating tasks. They may also veer off course during conversations, go off on wandering off or ignore social cues. Their inattention or lack of concentration can impact their the way they conduct business and personal relationships. For example if they are susceptible to forgetting things, or failing to pay bills on time, this can affect their work and personal relationships.
Certain people with ADHD struggle with controlling their emotions. They may become frustrated more often or lose their temper when they are overwhelmed. For instance, they could suffer from a low tolerance for frustration and become more anxious or agitated than other people when stressed or criticised. Be aware that these symptoms are not character flaws they are the result of a medical condition.
While many people with ADHD grew up thinking that the only people who could have the disorder were hyper little boys, scientific research shows that ADHD is just as common in women and girls as it is in males and females. It's also possible to have a combination of the inattentive and hyperactive/impulsive subtypes of the disorder.
The symptoms of inattention ADHD in women and girls typically change in response to the cycle of hormones and can make it difficult to obtain a diagnosis or receive treatment. Women with ADHD may have difficulty to concentrate, follow instructions and remain organized throughout menstrual cycle, puberty menopausal and pregnancy.
Because of these differences in the way ADHD manifests in women and girls they are more likely to go undiagnosed or misdiagnosed as compared to men and those who are assigned male at birth (AMAB). This can lead to anger and a feeling that you are in a position of powerlessness. Women with undiagnosed ADHD or ADHD that isn't being treated may also have difficulties at home, work and in their relationships. They may have difficulty to manage their school work or responsibilities and they can struggle in social situations because of problems with self-esteem, low frustration tolerance and difficulty reading body language. They also may experience difficulties in forming new friendships and are more likely to struggle with making or keeping marriages.
Poor Organization
If you are struggling with disorganization and forgetfulness, or have difficulty keeping track of your work or school tasks, and find it hard to establish strong social and professional relationships If so, your ADHD symptoms could be to blame. You might be overwhelmed by the number of things happening simultaneously, or be frustrated by your tendency to put off tasks.
Women suffering from ADHD often are not diagnosed or misdiagnosed, in part because their symptoms show up differently than those of men. They are more likely than men to be diagnosed with the inattention-based type of ADHD. This can be seen in being easily distracted, forgetful, having trouble staying focused and paying attention, and often "zoning out" or focusing on daydreams when talking to others.
While the challenges associated with ADHD are numerous, these same traits can also bring incredible energy, enthusiasm, creativity, and out-of-the-box thinking. Learning to recognize your strengths, creating solid relationships and structures in your life, and finding ways to reduce your weaknesses will help you live your best life.
Participants in this study were highly educated, had high professional status, and had very few comorbid conditions, which limits their applicability to other populations. They were also diagnosed as adults, which means their experiences might differ from that of those who are diagnosed as children or adolescence.
However, these interviews offer an in-depth understanding of the unique experiences of these women and how their ADHD impacts their lives and identities. I Am Psychiatry provide valuable insights for researchers and clinicians who work with this group.
Many women with ADHD struggle with accepting their symptoms and living with them. The disorder can lead to feelings of shame and anger when women notice their symptoms in other people. A diagnosis could be an "lightbulb" moment for someone, since it provides them with an explanation of their struggles and allows them to accept themselves better.