Signs of ADHD in Women
Women are under a lot pressure to take care of their families and maintain healthy relationships and be productive at work. ADHD symptoms can make these tasks seem overwhelming.
If you suspect that you have ADHD It is crucial to be treated and diagnosed. It can help you deal with these issues and improve your overall life quality.
1. You are always late
Being always late is one of the most prevalent signs that you may have ADHD. People with ADHD may have trouble managing their time and can be easily distracted by other activities. This can cause problems at work or school like missing important meetings or forgetting to complete homework assignments. It can also cause a lot of stress for you and the people who depend on you. Set a reminder on your phone or on your calendar to help you avoid being late. Also, get ready the night before. Also, make sure to leave some extra time for yourself to reach wherever you're headed.
Some women who suffer from ADHD also have difficulty making friends, as they're constantly missing social events. They may also have difficulty taking social cues into consideration and understanding body language. They might also have difficulty staying focused and lose themselves in their thoughts.
Lastly, some girls with ADHD go undiagnosed because their symptoms are more difficult to notice than the hyperactive/impulsive ones seen in boys and men. Also, I Am Psychiatry and parents are more likely to refer a male or female to an ADHD evaluation than they are to do the same with girls.
2. You are having difficulty focussing
People suffering from ADHD are easily distracted and lose focus of their work. In a conversation, they might frequently wander off topic or talk about other topics. They might also have a difficult time sitting still and be more than impulsive.
These problems can strain relationships between family members as well as friends and coworkers. People who suffer from ADHD are prone to forgetting appointments or ignoring deadlines. They could also be unorganized or spend too much time doing non-essential tasks. They may also have problems focusing at work or have trouble keep up with their financial obligations.
In the early years the boys are more likely to be diagnosed with ADHD than girls. However, as adults the prevalence of ADHD evens out. It is believed that this is due to the fact that women are more likely to experience a higher frequency of symptoms, and are more likely to seek treatment after one of their children is diagnosed with the condition. Changes in hormone levels particularly during menopausal change, can affect ADHD symptoms.
3. You have poor memory
Women who suffer from ADHD struggle with remembering important dates, like birthdays and anniversary dates. They also tend to forget gatherings. They may also have trouble remembering names, which can make it difficult to keep up with conversations and social settings.
People with ADHD often have poor filters. They speak things without thinking about them. This can result in a lot of "foot-in-mouth" moments that can be a source of frustration for loved ones and coworkers.
Another indication of adhd in women is trouble making and maintaining friendships. Many girls suffering from ADHD have difficulty managing their emotions which can result in difficulties in romantic relationships. This increases the chance of being pushed to engage in inappropriate sexual activities or becoming victims of abuse from their intimate partners.
Many women suffering from ADHD struggle to meet social expectations in the areas of parenting family, homemaking, relationships and work. This can add a lot stress to their lives, making it difficult to recognize and manage ADHD symptoms. Some women have developed coping strategies to mask their symptoms, like using alcohol or other drugs that can hinder treatment. Being diagnosed is the first step in identifying and addressing these issues. The good news is that you can seek assistance.
4. You are having trouble making decisions
Women who struggle to make decisions may end up putting off or unable to complete tasks because they have difficulties deciding which tasks should take priority. They also have difficulty remembering and executing the decisions they've made. This kind of ADHD affects work performance, relationships, and self-esteem.
The signs of ADHD in women are harder to recognize because teachers and parents don't refer girls as often as boys for evaluation. In addition, women are more adept at masking their symptoms. They can develop coping mechanisms that enable them to appear "normal" and to meet social expectations. For instance they may rely on apps to manage their day-to-day activities.
Women can receive an official diagnosis from their primary physician and they may refer them to a specialist. Based on the results of the test the doctor might suggest medication or talk therapy. Therapy sessions with the therapist will teach you more effective ways to cope and help you swap negative thoughts for positive ones. They can help you and your family members to improve communication. This can be a challenge when one or both partners in a relationship have ADHD. The medication can help to control the symptoms, and boost productivity at work or at school.
5. You're having difficulty multitasking
Women suffering from ADHD are often overwhelmed when they need to complete deadlines and perform multiple tasks. They may also struggle to manage their emotions and find it difficult to make and keep friends. This is especially true if they are unable to discern social signals.
Women who have difficulty multitasking are also more likely to be at risk of developing adhd. They can also lose or misplace items, and are easily distracted. This can be an issue for women who work in an environment where they are constantly interrupted.
In addition, if you have the hyperactive/impulsive type of adhd, having trouble staying quiet and being able to control your emotions can lead to frequent outbursts that are not only disruptive to others but can be damaging to your career. Women may be more likely to be undiagnosed with this kind of ADHD because their symptoms aren't as evident as those of the common inattentive type.
Women who are not diagnosed with adult ADHD might also develop coping strategies that disguise their struggles, such as drinking alcohol or using drugs to self-medicate, in order to blend in with other people. This can further aggravate symptoms as they struggle with chronic feelings of inadequacy. This can result in tension in relationships and a general feeling of self-worth deficiency.
6. You are having trouble managing your Time
ADHD time management issues can be a big issue in the workplace. If you don't have the proper procedure to finish tasks, answer calls or file paperwork, it's difficult to get things done. Even if you do excellent work, your boss will doubt your competence if you repeatedly do not meet deadlines.
Women with ADHD are more likely to have the inattentive subtype of symptoms, which can make it harder for them to be diagnosed and treated than men or boys with the hyperactive/impulsive type of symptoms. This is because doctors and teachers are more likely to recognize the hyperactive/impulsive symptoms in boys and men, and may be less familiar with the inattentive-type symptoms of women with ADHD.
Women who aren't treated for ADHD are also more likely to develop co-occurring depression or anxiety and may have trouble maintaining relationships. Women are expected to be caregivers which can worsen the symptoms of ADHD for many women, especially if they aren't getting the right treatment and support they require. This can cause difficult relationships with friends, family and romantic partners. These relationships can cause frustration and misunderstandings which can make it difficult for women to seek help.
7. You're having trouble making friends
Women with ADHD can find it frustrating having a difficult time making friends. One reason is that women are expected to be capable of fulfilling various roles. This includes raising children, maintaining a healthy relationship and performing well at the workplace. When they attempt to meet these demands, their symptoms may exacerbate. They could also be more at chance of developing poor peer relationships or coexisting mood disorders and anxiety. Moreover, women are more likely to develop coping strategies which mask their ADHD symptoms. This could lead to them over-exercising, staying up later than they should and rely on their schedules or reminders on their phones to manage their lives.
Other issues include forgetfulness and impulsiveness, which can cause problems at work as well as in personal relationships. For instance, ignoring an event at a friend's house can make them feel depressed and don't appreciate them. Disrupting conversations or getting angry at the slightest provocation could also cause conflicts and miscommunications. Being aware of the expectations you place on your friends can help avoid bad feelings, misinterpretations, and resentment. You can accomplish this by keeping a calendar of the important dates of your friends and using a notepad to write down any information you discover about new friends and keeping your promises.