Women With Attention Deficit
Women who have ADHD might have difficulty dealing with relationships, work and even life in general. They are prone to becoming impatient, and minor nuisances like waiting in line or being in a hold for long periods of time could be major sources of irritation.
Many women have difficulty to obtain an accurate adult ADHD diagnosis. A bias towards gender and the fact that a lot of studies focus on children and cisgender males can be a contributing factor to this.
Impatience
Women with attention deficits often struggle to handle their daily responsibilities and juggle many tasks. Others may mistakenly interpret their anger as irritability, moodiness, or lack of commitment to work or relationships. In fact, these struggles could be a sign of a disorder that is often not recognized by adults such as adult ADHD.
A typical symptom of ADD is being in a hurry. Women with ADD might be rushed through tasks or projects without planning, leading to errors and a feeling of overwhelm. They are easily distracted by the things that occur around them. This makes it difficult for them to complete tasks and keep a conversation going.
The inattention-deficit symptoms of ADHD like difficulty getting things done procrastination, apathy, forgetting and needing help in keeping track of appointments or belongings is a major problem for women. Many of these women are extremely self-critical, and their problems can be worsened by depression or anxiety which often coexist with the disorder. They aren't able to accept criticism and are at greater risk of violence from their intimate partners and aren't able to deal with conflict or discontent in their relationships.
Hormonal fluctuations can increase or decrease a woman's symptoms of ADD. For example, as women reach puberty they are affected by changes in estrogen levels that could cause ADD symptoms worse. These fluctuations can persist throughout menstrual cycle and perimenopausal phase, when estrogen levels are low. The symptoms of women can be aggravated due to menopausal changes, pregnancy or hormonal fluctuations, especially in women who suffer from bipolar disorders.
It is important for women suffering from ADHD to locate a medical professional who understands their needs and is well-trained in its diagnosis and treatment. Before making an appointment, consider reading the books recommended in this article to gain a more understanding of ADHD and its signs.
You might consider participating in a clinical study if you are unable to find a doctor who is specialized in treating ADHD. Clinical trials are research studies that seek for new ways to identify, treat or prevent illnesses and disorders. Learn more about clinical trials and determine if they are suitable for you by visiting NIMH's Clinical Trials webpage.
Impulsivity
Women suffering from ADHD frequently have difficulty controlling their emotions and can result in an impulsive behavior which can be extremely damaging. Examples include buying things on impulse, jumping into marriage and relationships before they are ready and causing disruptions to others during conversations or shouting out answers without listening. They might also have an sensitivity to rejection that could trigger intense emotional reactions to real or perceived rejection.
Women with attention deficit disorder are faced with the same problems as men, but their issues are different. For example, their hormones can influence how their symptoms are expressed and how they respond to treatment.
For some women with ADD one task can seem endless as they struggle to remain focused. Being distracted and lost in her thoughts or daydreaming are common for them particularly during boring tasks like grocery shopping or writing letters, or even doing chores. They can easily become bored and have a difficult time switching their attention from one task to another. This can affect school and work.
When it comes to organizing, women with ADD frequently have difficulty keeping things in order, whether it's events or possessions. They tend to forget things and have a hard time remembering details of conversations or events, which can result in embarrassing mistakes at work, school or social situations. They can also procrastinate or become overwhelmed by multitasking. This can lead to anxiety.
In addition to the issues of impulsivity and inattention women suffering from ADD may also have a combined subtype, which also includes hyperactivity or a prefrontal cortex disorder. Women who suffer from a combination type can have both hyperactivity and inattentive symptoms. However they can be difficult to identify, particularly when young.
Regular exercise can help reduce ADHD symptoms. Physical activity can boost the mood and concentration by increasing neurotransmitters. Stress, a problem many women with ADHD suffer from can be alleviated through exercising. Women with ADHD must try to perform at least four to five times of 30 minutes or more each week of cardio or aerobic exercises, like running, swimming, cycling or playing team sports, or doing yoga.
Lack of Organization
Women with ADHD are unable to keep track of their daily activities and activities. This can lead them to an unorganized home or office, financial problems and a lack of organization in their personal or work lives.
They may have difficulty completing tasks or projects that aren't immediately satisfying or exciting and may not plan ahead for the future obligations. Women who suffer from ADHD are also having trouble focusing and remembering the words of others in conversations. They frequently skip appointments and meetings and have trouble following directions at work or school and are more likely than other people to have a frustrating miscommunication with their loved ones.
It is crucial to consult a qualified physician for a clear diagnosis. Adult ADD is often misdiagnosed and a lot of doctors have a limited understanding of the disorder. Consider asking doctors for recommended reading materials and a list of questions to help ensure they are knowledgeable about the disorder.
The gender roles that women are expected to play can contribute to the difficulties of ADHD for women. It is common for women to feel pressure to succeed in their careers and take on more family responsibilities, maintain happy relationships and perform well in the community. In some instances the pressures of society can make it difficult to recognize symptoms of ADHD, because the disorder can interfere with the ability to meet these expectations.
The signs of ADHD are less evident in girls and adolescent women than in boys and men, which can contribute to underdiagnosis. This is because societal and family expectations typically dictate that girls and women are focused on their appearance and social skills rather than recognizing any difficulties in their performance or concentration. Additionally, females with ADHD often have more inattentive symptoms than hyperactivity and tend to suffer from co-existing anxiety and mood disorders, which can further mask the presence of the disorder.
There are things you can do to improve your health and manage your symptoms. Regular exercise releases neurotransmitters, which boost attention and reduce anxiety. Try jogging, swimming and dancing or attending group classes like yoga or Pilates. Include these activities into your routine to help control ADHD symptoms. You can make use of planners, checklists, or a post-it notepad to keep track of your day-to-day tasks. Make sure to take frequent breaks and eat foods rich in omega-3 fatty acids, which can boost mental clarity and regulate attention.
Social Awkwardness
Social awkwardness is not the same as social anxiety. It is not triggered by fear of judgement but rather a lack of capacity to navigate the complexities of social interaction. This could be due to a lack of experiences, a neurological condition such as autism spectrum disorders, or personality traits that make it difficult to adjust to social situations.
A person who is uncomfortable in social situations might say or do inappropriate things in a conversation, appear off-balance and miss nonverbal cues that tell them how to proceed. They might also have trouble understanding social norms, such as humor and sarcasm. They may also shy away from group activities or be overly self-conscious about how they perform in social situations, leading to feelings of rejection and embarrassment.
Socially awkward people often avoid social activities, and instead rely on self care strategies like overeating or watching television, or exercising in order to feel better. These habits can exacerbate the feelings of social awkwardness by limiting their social outlets.
Trauma can lead to social awkwardness. Trauma can manifest when a person's needs for trust, attunement, or autonomy go unmet in the early years of life, and they develop a rigid behavior pattern to cope with the threat. This can result in an uncomfortable feeling of social isolation if environmental sensory information triggers the trauma.
Children with giftedness may be uncomfortable socially because their superior intellect makes them appear older and more mature. They may also be too focused on their own interests and appear to know more than others, which could result in them speaking in an academic or unbalanced tone.
adhd in women signs of being judged or criticized by other people for their appearance or behaviour is a further reason for social awkwardness. This can result in poor body language, not making eye contact, or adopting an uncontrollable posture that signals the degree of discomfort they feel. The majority of social awkwardness symptoms can be resolved with therapy. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) assists individuals in overcoming and change negative thinking patterns, while exposure therapy gradually exposes people to anxiety-inducing situations to build confidence and tolerance.