Women With Attention Deficit
Women suffering from ADHD might have a difficult time in their relationships, careers and even life in general. They may become irritable easily and minor inconveniences such as waiting in line or on hold for long periods of time could be major irritations.
Many women find it difficult to obtain an accurate adult ADHD diagnosis. This is due to gender bias and the fact that many studies focus on children and cisgender males.
Impatience
Women with attention deficits often have difficulty juggling daily obligations. Some people mistake their anger as irritability, moodiness, or lack of commitment to their work or relationships. In fact, these struggles may be signs of a disorder that is often not recognized by adults such as adult ADHD.
A typical symptom of ADD is the tendency to be in a hurry. Women with ADD might take on projects or tasks without planning, leading to errors and a feeling of overwhelm. They are easily distracted by events that are happening around them. This makes it difficult for them to complete their tasks and keep a conversation going.
Women can face a lot of difficulty with the inattention ADHD symptoms, such as forgetfulness, procrastination and needing assistance to keep things in order with appointments or possessions. Many of these women have an excessive amount of self-criticism and their problems could be exacerbated by anxiety and depression that often coexist with the disorder. They have trouble accepting criticism, are at a higher risk of intimate partner violence and aren't able to deal with conflict or discontent in their relationships.
Hormonal fluctuations can either increase or decrease a woman's symptoms of ADD. For instance, when women reach puberty they notice changes in estrogen levels that could make ADD symptoms worse. These fluctuations can continue throughout menstrual cycle and perimenopausal phase when estrogen levels are low. Additionally, women's symptoms can be exacerbated by menopausal changes, pregnancy or hormonal fluctuations in women suffering from bipolar disorder.
Women with ADHD should consult a healthcare provider who is knowledgeable about the condition and is trained to diagnose and treat it. Consider reading the recommended books listed in this article before making an appointment to gain a better understanding of ADHD and its symptoms.
You might consider taking part in a study if you are unable to locate a doctor trained to treat ADHD. Clinical trials are research studies that look for new methods to diagnose, treat or prevent illnesses and disorders. Visit the NIMH Clinical Trials page to learn more about clinical trial and whether they're the right choice for you.
Impulsivity
Women suffering from ADHD often have trouble regulating their emotions which can result in an impulsive behavior which can be extremely damaging. Examples include spending impulsively, jumping into marriage and relationships before they're ready, and interrupting conversations and uttering responses before they've completed listening. They might also have a rejection sensitivity that could trigger extreme emotional reactions to real or perceived rejection.
The same issues that make it difficult for men to focus and stay organized can be observed in women with attention deficit disorder, however they have unique issues of their own. For example hormones can impact how their symptoms manifest and how they respond to treatment.
For some women suffering from ADD, a single task can seem endless as they struggle to remain focused. Getting distracted and lost in her thoughts or daydreaming is commonplace for these women particularly during boring tasks like grocery shopping or writing letters, or even doing chores. They can easily get bored and have difficulty switching their attention from one task to another. This can interfere with school and work.
When it is time to organize, women who suffer from ADD often have trouble keeping track of things to do or possessions. They tend to forget things and have a hard time remembering details of events or conversations, which can result in embarrassing mistakes at work, school or in social situations. They may also be prone to procrastinate or become overwhelmed by multitasking. This can cause anxiety.
Women who suffer from ADD may also experience a combination of symptoms, including hyperactivity and prefrontal cortex dysfunction. Women who have a combination subtype suffer from both inattentive as well as hyperactive symptoms, but they can be difficult to differentiate from one another particularly when they are young.
Getting regular exercise can help reduce ADHD symptoms. Physical exercise can boost neurotransmitters in the brain, which enhance mood and attention. Stress, another problem that many women who suffer from ADHD have can be cured through physical activity. Women with ADHD are advised to engage in at least four or five sessions of aerobic or cardio exercise of 30 minutes each week, including running, swimming, cycling or playing team sports.
Inorganizational issues
Women suffering from ADHD often have trouble keeping track of daily tasks or events. This can lead them to an unorganized home or office, financial problems and lack of organization in their personal or professional lives.
They may have trouble completing projects or tasks that are not immediately rewarding or exciting and may not plan ahead for the future obligations. Additionally, women with ADHD frequently have trouble focusing on and retaining what others have said in conversations. Because of this, they often miss meetings and appointments, struggle to follow instructions at school or work and are more likely to experience frustrating confusions in their relationships.
It is crucial to consult a qualified physician for a clear diagnosis. Adult ADD is often misdiagnosed, and many doctors are not aware of this disorder. Ask doctors you are considering for recommended reading resources and a list of questions that will help you ensure they have a solid understanding of the disorder.
Gender role expectations can add to the difficulties of ADHD in women. Women are often put under pressure to excel in their careers and to assume more responsibility in the home, to keep happy relationships, and perform well in the society. These societal pressures may make it difficult for women to recognize symptoms of ADHD because they hinder their ability to meet the expectations of society.
ADHD symptoms are less obvious in girls, adolescent females and men than in males or females. This can result in being underdiagnosed. This is because societal and family expectations often dictate that girls and women focus on their appearance and social skills rather than recognizing any difficulties in their performance or in their concentration. Furthermore, females who suffer from ADHD often have more inattentive symptoms than hyperactivity and tend to suffer from co-existing mood disorders and anxiety which can further mask the existence of the disorder.
The good news is that there are ways you can alleviate your symptoms and improve your performance. Regular exercise releases neurotransmitters which boost concentration and decrease anxiety. Try swimming or jogging dancing, or joining group classes like yoga or Pilates. Include these activities into your daily routine to control ADHD symptoms. It can also be helpful to keep a notebook and use post-it notes or checklists to manage your day-to-day tasks. Make sure to take frequent breaks and eat foods that are rich in omega-3 fatty acid, which can help improve mental clarity and regulate attention.
Social Awkwardness
Social awkwardness, unlike social anxiety, is not triggered by fear of judgement but rather a lack of capacity to navigate the complicated social interactions. This may be due to a lack of exposure as well as certain neurological conditions such as autism spectrum disorder or personality traits that make it difficult for people to adjust to social situations.
adhd women uk who is socially awkward may be prone to making inappropriate remarks in a conversation, appear off-balance, and fail to notice nonverbal signals that tell them the best way to proceed. They may also have difficulty understanding social conventions such as sarcasm and humor. They might also avoid group activities or be overly self-conscious about their performance in social situations, leading to feelings of shame and rejection.
People who are socially awkward tend to withdraw from social activities and resort to self-care methods such as overeating or shopping or watching television to try to feel better. These behaviors can increase the feeling of being awkward in social settings by limiting social outlets.
Trauma can lead to social awkwardness. Trauma can occur when a person's needs for trust, attunement, or autonomy are not met in the early years of childhood and they develop a rigid behaviour pattern to cope with the threat. This could lead to feeling social awkwardness, if sensory information from the environment triggers trauma.
Children with giftedness can also experience social awkwardness because their higher levels of intellectual ability make them appear more mature than their peers. They might also be focused on their own personal interests and appear to know more than others, which may result in them speaking in an unbalanced or academic tone.
Fear of being judged by others due to their appearance or behaviour is a different cause of social awkwardness. This can result in poor body language, not making eye contact, or adopting a frantic stance that telegraphs how uncomfortable they are. Fortunately that the majority of issues that are a result of social awkwardness can be resolved with therapy. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) helps individuals challenge and reframe negative thought patterns while exposure therapy gradually exposes people to anxiety-provoking situations to help build tolerance and confidence.