Attention Deficit Disorder in Women
Many women with ADHD aren't aware of the condition. The majority of research on ADHD is focused on males and boys. In fact, women who are cisgender in their adult lives have the highest rate of undiagnosed ADHD.
Women with these conditions may hide their symptoms and make it difficult to get help. The symptoms 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 due to ADHD. The symptoms of inattentive ADHD include forgetfulness and procrastination. They also have frequent changes in subject matter and a tendency to hop from one task to another without finishing the first.
You might also have difficulty keeping your schedules, appointments and personal items or, more often, lose or misplace items. People with this kind of ADHD are more likely to have trouble concentrating during conversation and often go off on tangents or talk without thinking. Impulsiveness can also cause people to interrupt others or say things they regret.
These issues with concentration and attention can also cause issues at home or at work. Women who suffer from ADD struggle to hold down jobs due to poor performance. high functioning adhd in women 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 depressed than women who do not have ADD. Depression can be a co-occurring condition or a result of ADHD.
In relationships, women who have ADD often have trouble coping with the frustration and miscommunications caused by their ADHD symptoms. Friends and family members may misinterpret their inattention as a lack of interest or commitment, while their partners and employers can constantly criticize or micromanage them.
Women and girls who suffer from ADHD are more likely than other women and girls to be sexually active in their early years due to their impulsivity and difficulty in controlling their emotions. This could lead to unprotected sexual sex and more sexually transmitted infections and more unplanned pregnancy. They also have a greater chance of being targeted by intimate partners because they are unable to manage their relationships and manage their behavior.
If you're having difficulty managing your work, think about seeking help to manage your ADHD. Break down large projects into smaller tasks and develop a system for keeping track of important information, such as deadlines and appointments. You can use a planner or a calendar to do this. Organise your home to make it easier to keep track of chores and errands, such as using labels for your cupboards and closets or creating lists of tasks and events.
Impulsive
The term "impulsive' describes behaviors that are done without much thought or consideration of possible consequences. People who are prone to impulse control often make decisions without consulting friends or family members for advice, and they may be more likely to engage in risky activities like drug and alcohol gambling, abuse or reckless driving. These behaviors may also stem from a mental health condition such as borderline personality disorder or an history of trauma or abuse, or they could be a side effect of prescription drugs.
It's important to note that while women and girls who have ADHD have different symptoms than men and boys however, the condition is underdiagnosed in many instances. This is mostly due to gender bias and the fact that most studies are conducted on teenagers, children or cisgender males.
While there's little research specifically on the effects of ADHD in adult women, some psychologists are trying to change this. They are focusing on expanding the existing knowledge base and examining how women suffering from ADHD may be able to manage their symptoms.
In addition to having an impulsive personality and impulsive behavior, people with ADHD often suffer from sensitivity to rejection. They have a strong emotional reaction to rejection, real or perceived. This makes it difficult for them to manage social situations. They may also have trouble controlling their self, which can result in risky sexual behavior or the use of substances that make them addicted to deal with their emotions.
Compulsive behavior is also a common problem for women with ADHD and are defined as recurring actions motivated by a desire to relieve anxiety or discomfort. These behaviors are different from impulsive behaviors, however they can be present in certain people and are linked to conditions like anxiety disorders, bipolar disorder and fetal alcohol spectrum disorders.
There are a variety of ways 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 the triggers that trigger your behavior. Be sure to minimize your exposure to as much as you can to these scenarios. You can also practice talking through your options with friends and family before you act or deciding to seek a psychiatrist or therapist who is a professional for advice if needed.
Difficulty Focusing
Women suffering from ADHD may find it difficult to remain focused and focused. They are more likely to be distracted than other people and frequently daydream or have a thousand-yard stare, particularly during routine or uninteresting tasks. They may also veer from the topic of conversation, go off into tangents, or ignore social cues. Their inattention or lack of concentration can negatively impact work and personal relationships. For example, they might be prone to losing possessions or forgetting to pay bills on time.
Certain people with ADHD struggle to control their emotions. They may become frustrated more easily or lose their temper, when they are overwhelmed. For example, they might have a low frustration tolerance and become more anxious or agitated than other people when stressed or judged. It's important to remember that these are symptoms of a medical issue and not a character flaw.
Many adults suffering from ADHD were taught that only hyperactive boys be affected by ADHD. However, women and adhd have shown that ADHD can affect both girls and women just as much as it does men and boys. It's also possible to have a combination of the inattentive and hyperactive/impulsive subtypes of the disorder.
The signs of inattention ADHD in women and girls typically change in response to the cycle of hormones and can make it difficult for them to receive a diagnosis or receive treatment. Women who suffer from ADHD may have difficulty to concentrate, follow directions and stay organized during puberty, menstruation, menopausal and pregnancy.
Due to these differences, women and girls are more likely than males or people who were assigned males at birth (AMAB) to be misdiagnosed. This can lead to feelings of frustration and feeling that you are not able to do anything about it. Women who are not diagnosed with ADHD or ADHD that isn't being treated may face issues at home, at work and in their relationships. They may struggle to complete their schoolwork or meet their obligations. They might also experience difficulties socially due to low self-esteem, a low tolerance for frustration and a difficulty understanding body language. They may also have difficulty forming new relationships and are more likely not to be able to maintain or create marriages.
Poor Organization
If you struggle with disorganization and forgetfulness, are having trouble organizing your work or school tasks and have trouble to establish strong work and social relationships, your ADHD symptoms could be at fault. You might feel overwhelmed by multiple things happening at once or dissatisfied with your procrastination habits.
Women with ADHD are often misdiagnosed or left undiagnosed, in part because their symptoms differ from those of men. They are more likely than men to have the inattention type of ADHD. This includes being easily distracted or forgetful, having difficulty concentrating and paying close attention and frequently "zoning out" or focusing on daydreams while talking to others.
While the challenges associated with ADHD are many, the same traits can bring great imagination, passion, and out-of-the-box thinking. Knowing your strengths, creating supportive relationships and structures, and finding ways of minimizing your weaknesses can help to live the best life you can.
The participants in this study had very high academic levels, professional statuses and a small number of comorbidities which limit the application of the findings to other similar groups. They were also diagnosed as adults, so their experiences might differ from those who are diagnosed in childhood or adolescence.
Yet, these interviews provide deep insight into the unique experiences of these women and how ADHD impacts their lives and identities. They provide valuable insights for researchers and clinicians who work with this population.
Many women with ADHD struggle to accept their issues and manage their symptoms. The disorder can create feelings of shame and frustration particularly when they see their symptoms being mirrored by other people. Being diagnosed can be a turning point providing them with an external explanation for their problems and giving them the chance to accept their own uniqueness.