What ADHD Symptoms In Women Could Be Your Next Big Obsession?

What ADHD Symptoms In Women Could Be Your Next Big Obsession?

ADHD Symptoms in Women

Adult women with ADHD have challenges that a lot of don't even realize. If not treated, the symptoms can cause havoc in relationships and work life.

Gender bias and a tendency for women and girls to hide their symptoms cause underdiagnosis. However, increased  adhd adult symptoms  means that more adults are getting the help they need. ADHD symptoms for women differ from those experienced by men. They can be made worse by hormonal changes during menstrual cycles, pregnancy, and menopause.

Symptoms of Inattentive Type

Women with inattention ADHD may have trouble staying focused and completing tasks, usually making careless mistakes or misunderstand instructions. They may have trouble keeping track of their obligations such as paying bills, returning calls, or even sending birthday cards. They may also be unable to remember appointments and often miss meetings or show up late for work or social events.

The symptoms of inattentive type ADHD are less noticeable than hyperactivity-impulsivity symptoms in boys and men, so it's possible that women and girls who have these symptoms don't receive a diagnosis until adulthood. Many people who aren't treated for their symptoms experience emotional distress, and that could lead to bad relationships and co-occurring illnesses like anxiety or depression.

As a result, the difficulties of living with untreated ADHD can be overwhelming. Many people blame themselves and resort to unhealthy strategies for coping like drinking excessively and drug abuse. Some turn to unhealthy behaviors such as dieting and overeating. Some teenagers and young girls may self-injure to cope with their frustration over not being able to meet social expectations. This could be in the form of cutting or burning.

Because of these difficulties, it's not surprising that women with inattentive type ADHD are more susceptible to anxiety and depression, which can make it even harder to manage their ADHD symptoms. In addition they may suffer from low self-esteem, which can make it difficult to realize that their problems stem from a mental health condition rather than being the result of their own blame.

Girls with inattentive ADHD can also have difficulty interpreting social cues, making them appear uninterested or indifferent to other people. They may miss jokes, miss interpret body language, and even be accused of being rude or obnoxious. They might also have issues with impulse control, so they may disrupt others or utter offensive words.

To improve their concentration, it is essential for women suffering from inattentive type ADHD to get enough rest each night and stay away from caffeine, nicotine and stimulants. They should also try to exercise regularly, which helps raise neurotransmitters that help with concentration and can decrease mood swings.

Symptoms of Hyperactive/Impulsive Type

Women and adolescent girls with the hyperactive/impulsive type of ADHD can find it hard to concentrate or organize. This can result in to a messy home and difficulties in paying bills on time. They might forget appointments or the names of family and friends members. They are easily distracted or bored, and they can't wait to be heard. They are less likely to show the symptoms of depression that are internalized or anxiety, which tends to be more frequent in men and boys.

It can be harder to identify and diagnose hyperactive/impulsive ADHD in women than in boys or men. These symptoms are more prevalent in both men and boys. Health care professionals may not be attentive to these symptoms in women or girls or even ignore these symptoms, and blame them on mood disorders or stereotypes. ADHD rating scales tend to be biased toward male behavior, making these symptoms more difficult to measure and identify in women.

The good news is that there are options to manage ADHD as a mature woman, including taking medication. Finding a clinician or therapist who has experience in treating ADHD for women and girls is key. The kind of treatment suggested will depend on the symptoms and the lifestyle. It may include cognitive behavioral therapy to prove your experience and assist you to change negative thinking patterns and family psychoeducation, or even support group work.

For some, a sleep routine, regular exercise and healthy eating can reduce symptoms. For others, stimulant medications like dextroamphetamine/amphetamine (Adderall), methylphenidate (Ritalin) or lisdexamfetamine (Vyvanse) may be required.

During menopause, when hormone levels drop, many symptoms of ADHD get worse. During this time it is important to be on top of things and keep track of your symptoms and your treatment plan. You can also ask that your doctor alter the dosage or the type of medication you are taking if needed. Speak with your therapist about the issues you have with dealing with your symptoms and how they impact your work, at home and in your relationships. They might also suggest ways to improve your communication with your partner and other people in your life.

Mixed Type Symptoms

Women who suffer from mixed type ADHD have difficulties at school and at work, but they do not show the impulsive or hyperactive behavior of the other subtypes. They might miss appointments and documents, or lose important documents or pay bills, and have difficulty finishing tasks at home. This type of disorder can also cause people to interrupt others, talk without thinking, and talk without thinking. Women with this presentation of the disorder also experience problems maintaining friendships and relationships and are often unable to live independently.

In a lot of cases, family, friends, or teachers are the only ones who can notice the inattentive symptom of ADHD. This leads to girls and young women being overlooked. The underdiagnosis is also caused by gender bias and the tendency of people with ADHD symptoms to conceal them.

The symptoms of this type are affected by hormonal fluctuations, especially during pregnancy, puberty and menopausal. During these times, estrogen decreases and progesterone rises. This makes ADHD symptoms more noticeable and exacerbates them. The symptoms may also differ from day to day, based on the levels of estrogen and progesterone. This can lead to misdiagnosis and improper or insufficient treatment.


In addition to medications psychotherapy can be utilized to manage symptoms of the combined type. This includes cognitive behavior therapy, which assists to change negative thoughts and behavior and psychoeducational counseling. Both are accessible online and through local mental clinics.

Engaging in regular physical activity, such as running, swimming, or walking can increase focus and attention. It can also release neurotransmitters to boost brain function and reduce stress or anxiety. Other strategies to manage ADHD include taking breaks on a regular basis, establishing routines for your day, and employing organizational techniques. A support group may be helpful for learning lifestyle changes and strategies for coping. For those who are suffering from the condition professionals, an ADHD coach is an excellent option for individual, personalized guidance. Some people with this disorder benefit from cognitive behavior or interpersonal therapy. A therapist can assist the patient to recognize their behavior and how it impacts others. They can also improve their communication skills.

Adult Type symptoms

Women with ADHD may exhibit symptoms that are different than those of males. Finding and treating the problem in women is a challenge due to gender role expectations, which can make it harder for parents or teachers to notice when girls are having issues with her attention or hyperactivity. It can also be concealed by mental health or depression issues and make it difficult to identify. The symptoms can also change in accordance in response to hormones, such as those experienced during the menstrual cycle or during menopausal and pregnancy.

Women with ADHD are most likely to suffer from inattention symptoms. You are prone to losing things, having trouble recalling details, and often get distracted by what others are doing or your thoughts. Your inattentive ADHD can affect your work, school as well as marriages and other relationships. Your family and friends could observe that you have trouble following instructions and keeping track of appointments, or paying bills. Your teacher or boss might notice that you are struggling to stay focused in meetings or completing tasks in a timely manner.

If you have the hyperactive/impulsive type of ADHD, your symptoms are more noticeable than inattentive ones. You are restless, always moving and can disrupt others, talk excessively or make statements that make no sense without thinking. You struggle to wait for your turn and struggle to keep eye contact with other people. You are impatient and often suffer from mood swings, which can be hard for your closest friends and family to tolerate.

It may be difficult to control your emotions, especially when you're dealing with stress and trauma. You might react more strongly to criticism or even start fights even if the issue is not serious. You may find it easier to deal with these emotions by engaging in self destructive behaviors such as drug and alcohol abuse, or unhealthy eating patterns.

The right treatment can help women suffering from ADHD improve their lives. You might consider working with a life management coach or locating an online ADHD support group. You can also seek professional counseling from a professional who has worked with women with this disorder. You might want to talk to a psychiatrist who can help you better understand the way your genes or brain activity could impact your ADHD symptoms.