Attention Deficit Disorder in Women
Many women with ADHD are not aware of it. The majority of research on ADHD is focused on men and boys. Females who are cisgender have the highest percentage of not being diagnosed with ADHD.
These women may conceal their symptoms and make it difficult to seek assistance. Symptoms vary during hormonal changes, like the menstrual cycle, pregnancy, and menopause.
Impatient
If you are finding yourself becoming frustrated with everyday tasks like homework or school, it might be due to your ADHD makes it difficult to concentrate. Inattentive ADHD symptoms include procrastination, forgetfulness and frequent changes to topics.
You may also lose or misplace things or have difficulty keeping track of your schedules, appointments and possessions. Women with this type tend to be unable to concentrate in conversation, and they often talk without thinking, or go off in tangents. In addition, impulsiveness may cause them to interrupt others or utter things they later regret later.
These issues in attention and concentration could also cause issues at home or at work. Some women with ADD struggle to hold down jobs due to low performance, while others have trouble keeping friendships or even finding the time to get out of the home. Women with ADD tend to be less confident in themselves and are more likely than those without the disorder to suffer from depression that sometimes occurs alongside or is a result of their ADHD.
Women who suffer from ADD are having a difficult dealing with the anger and misperceptions that ADHD symptoms can cause. Families and friends may mistake their lack of attention as a lack of interest or commitment, while their employers and partners can constantly criticize or micromanage them.
Women and girls with ADHD are more likely than other girls and women to be sexually active at a young age due to their impulsivity as well as difficulty regulating their emotions. This can lead to unprotected sexual activity, to more sexually transmitted illnesses and an unplanned pregnancy. They also have a greater risk of being victimized by their partners because they are unable to manage their relationships and control their behavior.
If you are having trouble handling your responsibilities, consider seeking help for your ADHD. Divide large projects into smaller tasks and develop a system for keeping all important information in order, such as deadlines and appointments. You can use a planner or a calendar to accomplish this. Make sure your home is organized to ensure you stay on track of your chores and running errands. Make labels to label your cabinets and closets and post lists of events and tasks.
Impulsive
The term "impulsive is a term used to describe actions that are carried out without thought or consideration of potential consequences. People who struggle with impulsivity often make decisions without consulting their friends or family members for their opinions, and may be more likely to engage in risky activities such as alcohol and drug abuse, gambling, or reckless driving. These behaviors may also be caused by a mental illness like borderline personality disorders or a past trauma or abuse. They may also be a complication of certain prescription medications.
It is important to remember that although girls and women who have ADHD have different symptoms than boys and men however, the condition is under-diagnosed in a lot of instances. This is due to gender bias and the fact that the majority of research is conducted on teens, children or cisgender males.
While there's little research specifically on the effects of ADHD in women of adulthood however, psychologists are trying to improve this. They are focused on expanding the existing body of knowledge and exploring how women with ADHD may be able to manage their symptoms.
In addition to having an impulsive personality and impulsive behavior, people with ADHD often suffer from rejection sensitivity. This means that they experience a strong emotional response to rejection, whether real or perceived, making it harder for them to cope with social situations. They might also have issues controlling their self, which can result in risky sexual behavior or the use of substances that make them addicted to manage their emotions.
Compulsive behavior can also be a problem for women with ADHD. These behaviors are characterized by repeated actions motivated by a desire for relief from anxiety or discomfort. These behaviors are different from impulsive ones, however, they can be associated with other conditions, such as bipolar disorders, anxiety disorders, and fetal-alcohol spectrum disorders.
There are a variety of things you can do to curb your impulsive behavior, even if they're not the result of a mental illness. Begin by evaluating your surroundings and identify triggers. Try to avoid exposure to these situations as much as possible. You can also practice talking through your options with friends and family before you act and then seek out a psychiatrist or therapist who is a professional for guidance when necessary.
Problems with Focusing
Women with ADHD might find it difficult to focus on an activity. They may be more easily distracted and be prone to daydreaming or staring at the ceiling, especially when they are doing boring or uninteresting tasks. They also may veer off course in conversations, drift off on off-track or miss social cues. Their forgetfulness or difficulty concentrating can negatively impact the personal and professional relationships. For instance, they may be prone to losing possessions or forgetting to pay bills on time.
Some people with ADHD also have trouble controlling their emotions. They can become angry more frequently or lose their temper when they are overwhelmed. They may have a lower tolerance for frustration and be more agitated or anxious than others when being criticized or stressed. It is important to remember that these are symptoms of a medical condition, not a character flaw.
Many adults with ADHD grew up thinking that the only ones who might suffer from the disorder were hyper boys, scientific research has proven that ADHD is just as common for women and girls just as it is in boys and men. It's also possible to have a combination of the inattentive and hyperactive/impulsive subtypes of the disorder.
Symptoms of inattentive ADHD in women and girls tend to change as they go through the cycle of hormones which makes it difficult to obtain an assessment or get treatment. Women who suffer from ADHD might find it difficult to concentrate, follow directions and remain organized during puberty, menstruation, pregnancy and menopause.
Due to these differences in the way ADHD presents in girls and women they are more likely to go undiagnosed or misdiagnosed than men and those who are assigned male at birth (AMAB). This can result in anxiety and feelings of insecurity. Women who have not been diagnosed with ADHD or ADHD that isn't being treated may face problems at work, home and in their relationships. They may find it difficult to manage their responsibilities or complete their schoolwork and they may have difficulty in social situations due to issues with self-esteem, a low tolerance to frustration and difficulty reading body language. They also may experience difficulties in forming new friendships and are more likely to have trouble creating or maintaining marriages.
Poor Organization
If you struggle with disorganization and forgetfulness, are having trouble managing your school or work tasks and have trouble to establish strong social and work relationships, your ADHD symptoms could be to blame. You may be overwhelmed by a lot of things going on simultaneously, or be frustrated by the way you delay your work.
high functioning adhd in women who suffer from ADHD often are not diagnosed or are misdiagnosed, largely because their symptoms manifest differently than in men. They are more likely to have the inattention subtype of ADHD which is characterized by being easily distracted and forgetful, having difficulty concentrating and paying attention and often thinking about or "zoning out" while talking to other people.
While the challenges of living with ADHD are numerous, these same characteristics can bring great imagination, passion and out of the box thinking. Recognizing your strengths, creating supportive relationships and structures, and identifying ways to minimize your weaknesses can help to live your best life.
Participants in this study were highly educated, had high professional status and had a only a few comorbidities, which limits their applicability to other populations. The participants in this study were diagnosed as adults. Their experiences could differ from that of adolescents or children who are diagnosed at an earlier age.
high functioning adhd in women provide a rich insight into how ADHD affects the lives and the identities of these women. They provide valuable perspectives for clinicians and researchers who work with this particular population.
Many women with ADHD have difficulty accepting their symptoms and coping with their symptoms. The disorder can trigger feelings of guilt and anger especially when they observe their symptoms reflected in other people. A diagnosis could be an "lightbulb" moment for a person, since it provides them with an explanation of their issues and allows them to be more accepting of themselves.