Women With Attention Deficit
Women with ADHD may have difficulty in their relationships, careers and even life in general. They can become easily impatient and minor inconveniences like waiting in line or being put on hold for a long time can result in a major irritation.
Many women struggle to obtain an accurate adult ADHD diagnosis. The gender bias and the fact that a lot of studies focus on males and children could contribute to this.
Impatience
Women with attention deficits often have a difficult time managing their everyday responsibilities and manage many tasks. Some people mistake their anger as irritability, moodiness, or lack of dedication to relationships or work. In reality, these struggles may be signs of a disorder that is not properly diagnosed in adults: adult ADHD.
A common symptom of ADD is being in a hurry. People with ADD can take on projects or tasks without a plan, which can lead to errors and a feeling of overwhelming. They can also become easily distracted by the events going on around them, making it difficult to finish tasks or keep conversations.
The inattentive symptoms of ADHD including difficulty getting things done procrastination, apathy, forgetting and needing help in keeping things in order with appointments or belongings is a major issue for women. Many of these women have a high level 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 frustration in their relationships.
Hormonal fluctuations may affect the women's symptoms of ADD. For instance, as women reach puberty they are affected by changes in estrogen levels that can make ADD symptoms worse. These fluctuations can last through menstrual cycles and perimenopausal periods when estrogen levels are low. In addition, a woman's symptoms can be exacerbated by pregnancy, menopause or hormonal changes in women with bipolar disorder.
Women suffering from ADHD should consult an expert in healthcare who is familiar with their condition and has been trained to recognize and treat it. Before scheduling an appointment, think about reading some of the books recommended in this article to gain more understanding of ADHD and its manifestations.
If you're unable to find a healthcare professional who specializes in treating ADHD and related disorders, you may think about taking part in a trial. Clinical trials are research studies that are looking for new methods to treat, diagnose or prevent disorders and diseases. You can learn more about clinical trials and determine if they are right for you by visiting the NIMH's Clinical Trials webpage.
Impulsivity
Women suffering from ADHD often have difficulty controlling their emotions which can result in impulsive behaviors that can be very damaging. Examples include buying things on impulse, jumping into marriage and relationships before they are ready and causing disruptions to others during conversations or blurting out answers without listening. They may also have sensitive to rejection 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 seen in women with attention deficit disorder. However, they face unique challenges of their own. For instance hormones can affect how their symptoms manifest and how they respond to treatment.
For adhd symptoms for women who suffer from ADD one task can seem interminable when they are trying to keep their focus. For them, being distracted or lost in their thoughts or daydreaming is normal, especially when they are doing boring tasks such as grocery shopping or writing letters, or completing chores. They can easily become bored and have difficulty switching their attention between activities. This can cause problems with school and work.
When it is time to organize, women with ADD often have difficulty keeping things in order, whether it's events or possessions. They often lose things and don't remember details of conversations or events. This can lead to embarrassing mistakes in the workplace at school, or in social situations. They may also be prone to procrastinate or be overwhelmed by multitasking. This can cause anxiety.
Women suffering from ADD can also have a combination of symptoms, including hyperactivity as well as prefrontal cortex dysfunction. People with a combined subtype suffer from both inattentive as well as hyperactive symptoms. However, these are sometimes hard to differentiate between them, especially when they're young.
Regular exercise can reduce ADHD symptoms. Physical activity can increase neurotransmitters in the brain, which improve mood and attention. It can also relieve anxiety, which is a different problem that many women suffering from ADHD confront. Women with ADHD are advised to engage in at least four or five times of cardio or aerobic exercises that last for 30 minutes per week, including running, swimming, cycling or playing team sports.
Inorganizational issues
Women with ADHD frequently have trouble keeping track of their daily activities or events. This can result in a messy office or home, financial problems and an inability to organize their personal or work lives.
They may have trouble completing tasks or projects that aren't immediately rewarding or exciting and may not plan ahead for future obligations. In addition, those who suffer from ADHD frequently have trouble focusing on and remembering what others have said during conversations. This is why they frequently miss meetings and appointments, struggle to follow directions at school or at work, and are more likely to encounter disconcerting misunderstandings in their relationships.
To make sure you get a correct diagnosis, it's important to speak with an experienced doctor. Adult ADD is often misdiagnosed, and a lot of doctors have a limited knowledge of the disorder. Consider asking the doctor you're considering to consult for a list of recommended reading materials, and ask them an array of questions to ensure they understand the disorder.
The gender roles that women are expected to play can contribute to the difficulties of ADHD in women. Women are often pressured to be successful in their careers as well as to assume more responsibilities in the home, to maintain happy relationships, and to do well in a social setting. These pressures from society could make it difficult for women to recognize symptoms of ADHD due to the fact that they affect their ability to meet the expectations of society.
Symptoms of ADHD are less apparent in girls and adolescent women than in men and boys which may contribute to the underdiagnosis. This is due to the fact that women and girls are expected to focus on their appearance and social skills instead of recognizing any problems with their performance or concentration. Additionally, females with ADHD often have more inattentive symptoms than hyperactivity and tend to have coexisting anxiety and mood disorders, which may further obscure the symptoms of the disorder.
There are things you can try to improve your health and reduce your symptoms. Regular exercise releases neurotransmitters that improve concentration and decrease anxiety. Try swimming or jogging dancing, or joining classes in groups like yoga or Pilates. Incorporate these activities into your routine to help 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. Also, make sure you take frequent breaks and eat healthy foods that are rich in omega-3 fatty acids, which can help control attention and promote mental clarity.
Social Awkwardness
In contrast to social anxiety, social awkwardness is not a result of a heightened fear of judgment but rather an inability to navigate the intricacies of social interaction. This could be due to a lack in social experience, a neurological condition such as autism spectrum disorders, or personality characteristics that make it difficult for people to adapt to social situations.
A person who is uncomfortable in social situations might say or do inappropriate things in a conversation, seem off-balance and miss nonverbal cues that signal how to proceed. They might also have trouble understanding social norms like sarcasm and humor. They might also be hesitant to participate in group activities, or be too self-conscious of their performance in social situations. This could lead to feelings of embarrassment and rejection.
Socially awkward people typically withdraw from group activities and instead turn to self-care strategies such as eating too much or watching TV or working out to feel better. These behaviors can increase the feelings of social awkwardness by limiting their social opportunities.
Sometimes, the feeling of social awkwardness stems from trauma. Trauma can manifest when the needs of a person for trust, attunement or autonomy are not met in early childhood and they develop a rigid behavior pattern to cope with the threat. This can lead to a feeling of social awkwardness in the event that sensory information from the environment triggers the trauma.
Gifted children may also experience feelings of social awkwardness due to their higher levels of intellectual ability make them appear more mature than their peers. They can also be focused on their interests and appear as if they are more knowledgeable than other kids. This can lead them to speak in an academic tone or appear to be off-balance in conversations.
Another reason for social awkwardness is fear of being judged due to their appearance or behaviors. This can lead to poor posture, avoidance of eye contact or adopting a tense posture that shows how uncomfortable they feel. The majority of social awkwardness symptoms can be resolved through therapy. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) assists people to challenge and alter negative thoughts while exposure therapy gradually exposes people to anxiety-provoking situations to increase confidence and tolerance.