Inattentive ADHD in Women Signs and Symptoms
Women suffering from ADHD often experience symptoms of inattentive ADHD. Hyperactive/impulsive symptoms tend to be more common in boys and men.
Many women hide their ADHD symptoms to avoid being judged. This can lead low self-esteem, to strained relationships and work issues.
Seeking a professional diagnosis and treatment could help you overcome these difficulties. It can also give you the feeling of confidence and relief.
1. Forgetfulness
Women with ADHD often have trouble to remember even the smallest details such as appointments and important dates. This forgetfulness can make it difficult to plan ahead and cause a lot of frustration. It may also lead to absences from school, work, and health checkups.
Women suffering from ADHD might feel embarrassed about their symptoms, especially when they weren't diagnosed in childhood. This can have a long-lasting effect on their lives, and could lead them to anxiety, depression or other mental health problems.
Because of the stigma and shame of the condition, many women with ADHD are not diagnosed until adulthood, according to CHADD. This can have a significant impact on their lives as they are less likely than men to receive the help required to be successful at school or work. It can also affect their relationships with their spouses and families.
The inattention and forgetfulness symptoms of ADHD can become more severe when a woman goes through the hormonal changes associated with menopausal and perimenopausal women. This is due to estrogen levels and progesterone decline, which can affect the release of the neurotransmitters dopamine and serotonin, which are essential for focus and concentration (35).
Because of adhd symptoms in adult women , women with ADHD should monitor their symptoms throughout their menstrual cycle so they can notify their doctors when the symptoms are at their worst. It's also a good idea to try meditation and mindfulness exercises since they can help improve attention and control impulsiveness. In the end, it is essential to eat a healthy diet that is rich in vegetables and fruits, whole grains, protein, and healthy fats. This will help maintain hormone balance and improve mood.
2. Disorganization
Women suffering from ADHD struggle to keep track of their daily tasks, appointments and personal possessions. This persistent disorganization could cause broken deadlines, difficult relationships, and financial problems.
If you're struggling with disorganization, it's important to collaborate with your partner to split household chores so that only one person is responsible for certain issues, like paying bills on time or shopping for groceries. It can also be helpful to set up a regular reminder system via your smartphone or tablet for tasks that are crucial to you.
If you're trying to finish a task whether at home or work, shut the door to minimize distractions. You can also put on headphones to block out background noise. If your workspace is soiled make sure you clean it regularly or hire an expert cleaning service.
Some people suffering from ADHD suffer from a condition known as "time blindness," which means they are so focused on their task that their attention gets diverted and they lose track of the time. This could cause people to forget important dates, such as birthdays and anniversary dates. It's common for people to forget names, too which can lead to embarrassing situations in social settings.
Inattention and forgetfulness is a major reason why many girls suffering from ADHD go undiagnosed. They're generally better at developing strategies to deal with their symptoms. This can include establishing healthy habits like making use of a planner or setting phone reminders, however, they may also develop unhealthy coping habits that can cause problems in different areas of their lives.
Symptoms of ADHD in women of adulthood could also include emotional dysregulation, impulsivity, difficulty switching between tasks, procrastination that is persistent, and low self-esteem. If you're experiencing these symptoms, it's recommended to consult a medical professional for an accurate diagnosis and treatment.
3. Attention
Women suffering from inattention-type ADHD often feel overwhelmed by their obligations and struggle to stay organized. They might forget important dates, or fall behind on their work. They may be unable to concentrate on business or college lecture meetings. They are prone to procrastination and often put off school or chores tasks until the last minute. They also tend to get easily distracted and lose their place when reading, listening to music or working on the computer.
These symptoms are different from the hyperactive/impulsive-type of ADHD, and they can be more difficult to recognize in adults than children because these women have learned to mask their symptoms by building coping mechanisms. For instance, they may use a planner, or create reminders on their phones. However, these strategies for coping might not be sustainable and could cause exhaustion.
Additionally, women who suffer from inattentive-type ADHD might struggle to regulate their emotions, and may be unable to control their moods. This could lead to frustration and even disappointment. In addition, they may be unable to comprehend or empathize with others. They may also make statements without thinking about the consequences. They probably have many embarrassing "foot in mouth" moments with their family and friends.
Women suffering from ADHD might benefit from a diet with fewer sugars that is high in fruits, vegetables and whole grains. Furthermore regular exercise can increase dopamine levels and help reduce impulsivity and restlessness. Meditation is a great tool to help women with ADHD manage their symptoms. It can help them relax their bodies and minds and be in the present moment. It can also reduce stress and anxiety which are common among women with ADHD.
4. Impulsivity
Women who suffer from ADHD often have difficulty controlling their emotions, and they tend to react emotionally instead of rationally. This is often why they have trouble understanding the intentions of others and are more likely to misread social cues. They might also struggle with self-regulation, and are more susceptible to emotional outbursts which could harm relationships, lower their self-esteem or trigger depression and anxiety.
Women and adolescent girls with ADHD are more likely to experience inattentive symptoms rather than hyperactive/impulsive or mixed subtypes of the disorder. It isn't easy to recognize the condition in adults. This could be due several factors, which include a gender bias (ADHD is more common in boys and men) and the fact that some girls and women hide their symptoms.
To be diagnosed with ADHD, you must have five ongoing symptoms of inattention and/or hyperactivity/impulsivity that interfere with your life. Additionally, you must have symptoms that began before the age of 12 years old. You must also have a history of symptoms that started before the age of 12.
In addition to medications, lifestyle changes can help manage ADHD symptoms. Regular exercise releases neurotransmitters, which can improve attention and decrease anxiety. A healthy diet that includes fruits, vegetables and whole grains, as well as lean protein, and healthy fats may also improve focus. Many people with ADHD benefit from meditation and other mindfulness techniques, as they can aid in calming the mind and body, block out distractions, and reduce the urge to be impulsive. Lastly, reducing alcohol or caffeine consumption, as well as nicotine can significantly reduce ADHD symptoms.
5. Hyperactivity
Women suffering from ADHD might have a difficult to accept their difficulties and may not be diagnosed or treated until the symptoms start to affect their relationships, their work performance, and their overall health. Gender bias may also cause it to be less likely for parents and teachers to refer girls for an ADHD diagnosis than boys, leading to underdiagnosis.
Women who have the hyperactive/impulsive subtype of ADHD might have trouble managing their emotions and behaviors in certain situations. Their behavior can appear out of control and disrupt conversations. They could also cause others to believe that they lack self-control or don't know how to set the boundaries. You may fumble around, talk a lot (sometimes without thinking) or interrupt or interfere on other people and struggle to wait for your turn.
It might be difficult to concentrate in a lecture or meeting You may have chew gum, drink coffee or sit up during meetings to sit still for long periods of time. You could be distracted by your smartphone, television, or an exchange with your friends. You're always thinking about the next task even if the current one isn't related to it.
Many people with ADHD can improve their symptoms by taking medications and lifestyle adjustments. Talk with your doctor about your options, including nutrition therapy and talking therapy. You may also want to inquire about participating in an investigational study to find out more about the new treatment options. The NIMH Clinical Trials Search Tool can help you find research relevant to your particular interests. *ADHD affects men and women equally throughout childhood, however it's more common in males and females as adults.