Attention Deficit Disorder in Women
While the majority of research into attention deficit disorders is focused on men and boys but many people with ADHD are women. Females who are cisgender have the highest percentage of undiagnosed ADHD.
These women may conceal their symptoms which makes it difficult to seek assistance. Symptoms can vary during hormonal changes like menstruation, pregnancy and menopause.
Impatient
You may be unable to concentrate on everyday activities like studying or housework because of ADHD. Inattentive ADHD symptoms include procrastination, forgetfulness and frequent changes to topics.
You might also lose or misplace items, or have difficulty keeping track of your appointments, schedules and other belongings. Women who have this type of personality tend to have trouble concentrating when they talk and often talk without thinking or wander off in wanderings. In addition, their impulsiveness can cause them to interrupt others or make statements they regret.
The issues with attention and concentration can also lead to issues at home or at work. Some women with ADD struggle to keep their jobs due to inadequate performance, whereas others have trouble keeping friendships or even finding the time to leave the house. Women with ADD are less confident in themselves and are more likely to be suffering from depression as compared to women who don't have ADD. Depression can be a co-occurring condition or caused by ADHD.
In relationships, women with ADD often struggle with frustration and misunderstandings caused by their ADHD symptoms. It's not uncommon for their inattention to be perceived as lack of interest or commitment by family and friends, while they feel like their partners and bosses are constantly criticizing or directing them.
Women and girls with ADHD are more likely than other girls and women to be sexually active early because of their impulsivity and difficulties in controlling their emotions. This could lead to unprotected sexual activity to more sexually transmitted diseases and unplanned pregnancy. In addition, they are more likely to be victimized by their intimate partners as a result of their inability to control their behavior and manage their relationships.
You may want to seek help for your ADHD if you are having trouble managing your tasks. Break down large projects into smaller tasks and create a system for keeping the track of important information, such as deadlines and appointments. You can use a planner or a calendar to accomplish this. Organize your house to help you stay on top of chores and errands, such as using the label maker for your cupboards and closets or making lists of events and tasks.
Impulsive
The term "impulsive" describes actions that occur without a lot of thought or consideration of potential consequences. People who suffer from the urge to make decisions without consulting their friends or family members for advice, and could be more likely to engage in risky behavior like drug and alcohol abuse, gambling or reckless driving. These behaviors can also result from a mental health issue such as borderline personality disorder, the history of trauma and abuse, or be a side effect of prescription drugs.
Women and girls with ADHD exhibit different symptoms than males and females and boys, the condition is often underdiagnosed. This is due to gender bias, and the fact that research is mostly conducted on teenagers, children, or cisgender males.
Psychologists are trying to improve the situation because there isn't much research on the effects ADHD can have on women of adult age. They are focusing on building upon the existing body of knowledge and exploring how women with ADHD may be able to manage their symptoms.
Women with ADHD are often vulnerable to sensitivity to rejection. They have a strong emotional reaction to rejection, whether it's real or perceived. This makes it difficult for them to manage social situations. They may also have trouble with self-control, which could cause risky sexual behaviours or the use of addictive substances to manage their emotions.
Compulsive behaviors are a common problem for women with ADHD, and these are defined as recurring actions that are driven by a need to alleviate anxiety or discomfort. These behaviors are very different from impulsive behaviors, however they can be present in certain people and are associated with conditions like bipolar disorder, anxiety disorders and fetal alcohol spectrum disorders.
There are several things you can do to get rid of impulsive behavior, even when it's not due to an illness that is diagnosed as mental health-related. Start by taking stock of your surroundings and identifying the factors that trigger your behavior. Try to limit your exposure to these triggers as much as you can. You can also practice discussing your options with family and friends before you act or deciding to seek a professional therapist or psychiatrist for advice if needed.
Problems with Focusing
Women with ADHD may have difficulty to stay focused on an activity. They might be more easily distracted than others and regularly think about themselves or stare at a thousand-yard stare, especially during mundane or uninteresting tasks. They can also wander off course during conversations, go off on wandering off or ignore social cues. Their forgetfulness or inability to concentrate can affect their personal and professional relationships. For adhd in women adult , they might be prone to losing things or not paying bills on time.
Certain people suffering from ADHD struggle to control their emotions. They may become frustrated more easily, or lose their temper, when they are overwhelmed. They may have a lower tolerance to frustration and be more agitated or anxious than others when stressed or criticised. Be aware that these symptoms are not character flaws, but rather the result of a medical condition.
While many adults with ADHD were raised to believe that the only ones who could have the disorder were hyper boys, scientific research shows that ADHD is as prevalent for women and girls just as it is in boys and men. It's also possible to have a combination of the inattentive and hyperactive/impulsive subtypes of the disorder.
The signs of inattention ADHD in girls and women tend to change as they go through the hormonal cycle which makes it difficult for them to get a diagnosis or receive treatment. Women with ADHD may have difficulty to concentrate, follow directions and stay organized during puberty, menstruation, the menopausal cycle and pregnancy.
Due to these differences in the way ADHD manifests in girls and women, they are more likely to be undiagnosed or misdiagnosed compared to men and those who are assigned male at birth (AMAB). This can lead to frustration and feelings that you are powerless. Women who are not diagnosed with ADHD or ADHD that isn't being treated may face problems at work, home and in their relationships. They may find it difficult to keep up with their school work or responsibilities and they may have difficulty in social situations because of issues with self-esteem, inability to handle frustration and difficulties reading body language. They may also have difficulties making new connections and are more likely to be able to sustain or create marriages.
Poor Organization
ADHD symptoms could be the cause for your disorganization or forgetfulness, having trouble in keeping track of assignments or work assignments, and difficulty building strong interpersonal and professional relationships. You might also feel overwhelmed by the number of things going on at the same time, or become annoyed by the way you tend to put off tasks.
Women with ADHD are often not diagnosed or receive misdiagnoses, partly because their symptoms show up differently than those of men. They are more likely than men to suffer from the inattentive type of ADHD. This includes being easily distracted, forgetful, having trouble staying focused and paying attention and frequently "zoning out" or daydreaming when talking to others.
These characteristics can also bring enthusiasm, energy, and outside of the box thinking. Knowing your strengths, creating strong relationships and structures and finding ways to reduce your weaknesses can help you live your best life.
Participants in this study were highly educated, held high professional status and had a only a few comorbidities which limit their application to other groups. They were also diagnosed as adults, meaning their experiences might differ from that of those who are diagnosed in childhood or adolescence.
Nevertheless, these interviews provide an understanding of the specific experiences of these women and how ADHD impacts their lives and identities. They offer valuable perspectives for clinicians and researchers who work with this population.
Many women suffering from ADHD struggle to accept their problems and manage their symptoms. The disorder can cause feelings of guilt and anger when people notice their symptoms in other people. Being diagnosed can be a moment of clarity that gives them an external explanation for their difficulties and giving them the chance to accept themselves more fully.