ADHD in Women Checklist
Medical Disclaimer This article is intended solely for educational purposes and is not meant to replace the advice of a qualified healthcare professional. Please seek a clinical and/or therapist who has experience with ADHD in girls and women to receive individualized guidance, accurate assessment and diagnosis, and appropriate treatment.
ADHD symptoms can vary through women's lives due to hormonal changes. Symptoms can also worsen during menstrual cycles, pregnancy, or menopausal symptoms.
1. You're Easily Distracted
Women with ADHD have a difficult time focusing and staying focused on their tasks or other activities. They might lose things or forget details, or be easily distracted by the things or people around them. It's also typical for women with ADHD to have more difficulty managing their emotions and juggling many tasks.
They may overcompensate by working harder, putting other's requirements over their own. They might also have difficulty to keep a routine or rely on productivity tools and apps to compensate for their lack of concentration. It's also possible for women who suffer from ADHD to have an atypical pattern of their symptoms that could be caused by hormonal changes such as during the premenstrual period or pregnancy.
In general, women with ADHD tend to have more inattentive symptoms than hyperactive/impulsive or mixed subtypes of the disorder. It's less common for women to have hyperactive/impulsive symptoms than men, but they do exist.
In the end, it can be easier for them to go unnoticed and go undiagnosed. This can make it harder for them to receive the treatment they need. Additionally many women don't even realize they suffer from ADHD until their child is diagnosed and they see their own struggles manifested in their child's behavior. This can lead to a feeling of shame and self-blame. It is essential that women acknowledge their ADHD symptoms to receive the proper treatment.
2. You're easily distracted
You are prone to acting on impulses frequently without considering the consequences. You have trouble regulating your emotions and are particularly sensitive to rejection. You are easily annoyed or upset, and you may get angry when friends don't agree with your opinions. You may also be susceptible to information overload, fall down rabbit holes of research and forget that other people are trying to communicate with you.
Girls and women are more likely to suffer from the quiet, or inattention, type of ADHD. They are less likely to suffer from symptoms of impulsivity or hyperactivity however, they could suffer from both mixed together. They are more likely than boys and men to be underdiagnosed because their symptoms appear differently and they can be difficult to detect.
The classic ADHD stereotype is an overactive boy who bounces off the walls, which has contributed to women and girls being misunderstood, ignoring, or ignored by clinicians. This bias against women can be present throughout your life even though ADHD awareness has risen. Teachers rarely suggest ADHD assessments for female students, and mental health professionals don't refer them as often as they would for male students.
Even even if you're officially diagnosed, ADHD symptoms can change based on your hormones. Your symptoms could improve during your menstrual cycles as well as during pregnancy and perimenopausal periods when your body produces more estrogen. However, they could also become worse as you enter menopause as your body begins to produce less estrogen, and your brain function changes. If your symptoms are getting more intense, it's important to keep track of them and share that with your doctor. They can help you find the best treatment option to manage these symptoms. This might include therapy, medication, or a combination of both.
3. You have a hard time managing your emotions
Women suffering from ADHD may have trouble regulating their emotions. They may also get overwhelmed very easily. They might also have difficulty to discern social cues or comprehend non-verbal communication. This could make it difficult for them to keep relationships. They are more likely to suffer from depression or anxiety, and are more at risk of impulsive behavior such as substance abuse. Additionally, they are more likely to have an experience of sexual trauma or abuse and are more prone to experience rejection sensitivity.
Women are more adept at hiding their symptoms than men, which could result in underdiagnosis and delayed treatment. It is also more common for girls and women to be diagnosed with the predominantly inattentional type of ADHD, which tends to be ignored by doctors.
This type of ADHD is characterized by persistent forgetfulness and difficulties focusing on tasks, in addition to problems with planning and organization. Some of the signs are not returning library books or scheduling appointments, or not attending important birthdays or events. They are easily distracted and find it hard to concentrate in noisy or busy environments. They are also prone to misplacing or losing things. They may also have trouble waiting their turn in conversations, interrupting others or talking to themselves out loud.
ADHD is characterized by forgetfulness and impulsivity however, there are other symptoms that can be present. These include trouble following the schedule, making impulsive mistakes or failing to finish tasks, poor handwriting, difficulty remembering names and locations and putting off important dates like birthdays and anniversary dates and speaking without thinking about it first. Getting regular exercise can help boost your mood and improve focus, so try to take a 30-minute stroll or swim, cycle, or run every day.
4. You are having a difficult time focusing.
Women with ADHD might have trouble being organized and find it challenging to complete tasks. They may lose items, forget appointments, or be easily distracted while working or studying. ADHD symptoms can increase the tensions that arise from difficult relationships. This may be with friends or romantic partners. They may feel misunderstood or even abused by their family or partner. This can cause feelings of despair and helplessness.
It is crucial to recognize ADHD in adults so that you can get the right treatment and support. If you have any of the symptoms on this checklist for women with adhd talk to your healthcare provider to get an official diagnosis.
A person suffering from ADHD may experience emotional sensitivity mood swings and difficulties controlling emotions. She might have trouble focusing or be on the close to an emotional meltdown. Women with ADHD might also have issues in social situations due to their inability to control their emotions. They may react too quickly or make inappropriate comments.
Women with ADHD typically experience hyperfocus and an inability to concentrate. They might spend many hours studying a subject, but not be aware of the people who want to talk to them. They might info-dump and overwhelm others with their knowledge, leaving them feeling angry or resentful.
The symptoms of ADHD in women may worsen during hormonal changes, such as premenstrual syndrome, pregnancy, or menopausal changes. This could cause a cycle of self-medicating using substances and a tendency to react excessively to rejection or criticism. It is essential that women recognize and manage their ADHD as they age. There are several ways to achieve this, for instance, using a daily planner to record deadlines and remind you of important dates, writing notes during meetings, and keeping a calm, organized home.
5. You have a difficult time Making it through
Women suffering from ADHD are often overwhelmed by daily tasks and obligations. They might forget important information such as the instructions of doctors or the best way to take their medication. They can struggle to manage their finances, or even get along with coworkers and friends. They could be more prone to mood disorders, such as anxiety and depression. This can cause low self-esteem and feelings of inadequacy.
Despite adhd in women signs that ADHD symptoms can impact many aspects of life, it's still more difficult for women to obtain an diagnosis and treatment than men. This is due to the fact that women and girls are more likely to miss-interpret or disguise ADHD symptoms. They may be referred to as other disorders like anxiety or depression instead of being diagnosed with ADHD.
A lot of the symptoms that are linked to ADHD for both men and boys, such as inattention, forgetfulness and a tendency to miss deadlines, may be mistakenly interpreted by doctors treating girls and women as depression or anxiety. This could lead women to be misdiagnosed, and thus not receive the treatment they require.
As girls and women mature, ADHD symptoms can worsen due to hormonal changes like puberty and pregnancy. Stress, sleep disturbances and certain foods can also contribute to the symptoms.
If you're struggling with ADHD it's essential to seek help from a clinician and therapist who are experienced in treating girls and women suffering from the disorder. A good therapist can validate your experience, rethink the impact of social expectations on your attitude, and teach you to use self-advocacy to your advantage. They may also employ various ways to address your needs, such a emotion regulation, time-management, and the ability to organize.