ADHD in Women Checklist
Medical Disclaimer: The information in this article is intended for educational purposes and not to substitute the advice of a qualified healthcare provider. Consult a medical or therapist who has worked with ADHD in women and girls to receive individualized advice as well as a precise diagnosis and treatment.
ADHD symptoms can vary throughout women's lives due to hormonal changes. Symptoms can also worsen during menstrual cycles, pregnancy, or menopause.
1. You're easily distracted
Women who suffer from ADHD tend to have a harder time concentrating and keeping their attention focused on their tasks or activities. They might lose items, forget details or get easily distracted by people or objects surrounding them. It's also typical for women suffering from ADHD to have difficulty managing their emotions and keeping track of many tasks.
In adhd symptoms women , they may be more likely to overcompensate for these symptoms by putting more effort into it, underestimating their abilities and prioritizing other's needs over their own. They might also have difficulty to keep a routine or rely on productivity tools and apps to help compensate for their lack of focus. It's also possible for females with ADHD to experience an atypical pattern of their symptoms that can be caused by hormonal changes, for instance, 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.
It is easier for them to slip through the cracks and go undiagnosed. It can be challenging for them to receive the treatment they need. Additionally, many women don't realize they have ADHD until their child is diagnosed and they can see their own struggles reflected in their child's behavior. This can cause feelings of shame and blame. It's important that women recognize their ADHD symptoms to receive the right treatment.
2. You're easily impulsive
You are prone to acting on impulses frequently without thinking about the consequences. You struggle to control your emotions and are particularly sensitive to rejection. You're likely to be easily offended or frustrated, and you may get angry when friends disagree with your opinions. You could also be prone to information overload, slide into a rabbit hole of information and forget that others are trying to communicate with you.
Girls and women are more likely than men to suffer from the inattentive or quiet type of ADHD. They are less likely to exhibit symptoms of impulsivity or hyperactivity but they can display both. They are more likely to be misdiagnosed than men and boys due to the fact that their symptoms present differently, and they are more likely to hide these symptoms.
The standard ADHD stereotype is an overactive boy who bounces off the walls, which has contributed to many girls and women being misunderstood, ignoring, or ignored by clinicians. This bias against women can be present throughout your life, even though ADHD awareness has improved. Teachers aren't recommending ADHD evaluations for girls as often as they do for men, and they're under-referred to mental health professionals too.
Even if you're officially diagnosed with ADHD symptoms can vary based on your hormones. For instance, your symptoms could increase during your menstrual cycle, pregnancy and perimenopausal periods which is when your body produces more estrogen. However, they could also become worse as you enter menopause, when your body starts to produce less estrogen, and your brain function changes. It's important to track your symptoms and notify your doctor if they're becoming more intense. They can help you determine the most effective treatment option to treat them. This could include medication, therapy, or a combination of both.
3. You're having trouble managing your emotions
Women suffering from ADHD typically have trouble controlling their emotions and can become overwhelmed easily. They may also have difficulties reading social cues and picking up on non-verbal communication, which could make it challenging to keep up with relationships. They are more vulnerable to depression or anxiety and are more at risk for impulsive behaviors such as addiction to drugs. Additionally, they are more likely to have a history of abuse or sexual trauma and are more prone to experience rejection sensitivity.
Women may be more adept in masked symptoms than men, which could result in underdiagnosis and delayed treatment. It is also more common for women and girls to be diagnosed with the predominantly inattentive form of ADHD that tends to be ignored by doctors.
This form of ADHD is characterized by constant forgetfulness and difficulties focusing on tasks, and also problems with planning and organization. Symptoms include forgetting to return library books, failing to make appointments, or missing important occasions like birthdays or holidays. They are easily distracted, have difficulty to work in noisy environments, and are more likely to misplace and losing things. They may also have difficulty taking their time, interrupting others in conversation, or even speaking out loudly.
ADHD is characterised by impulsivity and forgetfulness However, there are also other signs that could be present. These include trouble following the schedule, making impulsive mistakes, or failing to finish projects, sloppy handwriting difficulties in remembering names and places or putting off tasks, forgetting important dates like birthdays and anniversary celebrations and speaking without thinking before speaking. Getting regular exercise can help boost your mood and improve focus, so try to go for a 30-minute walk or swim, cycle, or run each day.
4. You have a hard time focusing.
Women suffering from ADHD can have difficulty staying focused and accomplishing tasks. They may lose items and forget appointments, or be easily distracted when working or studying. ADHD symptoms can intensify the frustrations of relationships that are strained, whether with friends or romantic partners. They may feel misunderstood or even abused, by their partner or family. This can result in feelings of despair and helplessness.
It is important to be aware of ADHD among adults in order to receive the right treatment and support. If you are experiencing any of the symptoms on this checklist for women with adhd consult your healthcare professional to get an official diagnosis.
A person suffering from ADHD might experience sensitivity to emotions, mood swings and difficulty regulating emotions. She may have difficulty focusing and may be in the midst of a meltdown. Women who suffer from ADHD may also have issues in social situations, since their difficulties regulating their emotions might lead them to overreact or make inappropriate statements.
Women who suffer from ADHD typically experience hyperfocus and inability to concentrate. They could spend a significant amount of time researching a subject but fail to realize that other people are trying to talk to them. They could overwhelm others with their knowledge and make them feel angry or dissatisfied.
The symptoms of ADHD can also become more severe when women experience hormonal changes like menopausal, pregnancy, or premenstrual disorders. This could lead to an increase in self-medication and an increased tendency to react to criticism or rejection. It's crucial that women recognize and manage their ADHD as they get older. There are a myriad of ways to do this, such as using a daily planner or post-it notes to track deadlines and reminders, taking notes at meetings and keeping an organized and peaceful living space.
5. You're having a hard time Making it through
Women with ADHD are often overwhelmed by their daily obligations and tasks. They may skip appointments and forget important information, such as how to take their medication or follow the instructions of a doctor. They may struggle with managing their finances, or interacting with their colleagues and friends. They could be more prone to mood disorders, such as anxiety and depression. This can result in low self-esteem and feelings inadequacy.
Women have a difficult to be diagnosed and treated for ADHD even though it can affect many aspects of their lives. This is because women and girls often miss-interpret or disguise ADHD symptoms. They could also be diagnosed with other conditions such as depression or anxiety instead of being diagnosed with ADHD.
Additionally some of the signs that could indicate ADHD in boys and men--such as a failure to meet deadlines, in a state of forgetfulness, or having difficulty organizing and prioritizing are more likely to be interpreted by therapists as depression or anxiety in women and girls. This can lead women to be misdiagnosed, and thus not receive the treatment they need.
As girls and women mature, ADHD symptoms can worsen due to hormonal changes like puberty and pregnancy. Stress, sleep disturbances and certain foods can cause the symptoms.
If you're struggling with ADHD, it's crucial to seek out an therapist and a therapist who have experience treating girls and women with the disorder. A good therapist will validate your experience and ask questions about the impact that societal expectations have on your outlook. They can also teach you how to advocate for yourself. They can also employ different techniques to address your particular requirements, including emotional regulation, time management and skills for organizing.