ADHD in Women Checklist
Medical Disclaimer This article is intended meant to be educational and is not intended to replace the advice of a qualified healthcare professional. Please seek a clinical and/or therapist experienced with ADHD for girls and women to receive individualized guidance for accurate assessment and diagnosis, and appropriate treatment.
ADHD symptoms can change throughout the life of a woman due to hormonal fluctuation. These symptoms can also get worse during pregnancy, menopause or menstrual cycles.
1. You're easily distracted
Women who suffer from ADHD often have a harder time concentrating and keeping their attention focused on tasks or activities. They might lose items or forget information, or be easily distracted by people or things that are around them. Women with ADHD frequently have difficulty managing their emotions or managing multiple tasks.
In the end they could be more likely to overcompensate for these issues by working harder, overestimating their capabilities and prioritizing others' needs over their own. They might also be unable to keep their routines consistent or rely on apps and other productivity tools to make up for their lack of focus. It is also possible for women with ADHD to have an atypical pattern of their symptoms that can be caused by hormonal changes for instance, during the premenstrual phase 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's easier for them to slip under the radar and go undiagnosed. This can make it more challenging to get the treatment they require. Many women don't realize they suffer from ADHD until they see the child's behavior. This can result in feelings of shame and self-blame. It's important that women recognize their ADHD symptoms to receive the proper treatment.
2. You're Easily Impulsive
You frequently react to impulses without considering the consequences. You have a hard time managing your emotions and are extremely sensitive to rejection. You're easily offended or frustrated and may be angry at your friends when they don't agree with you. You could also be prone to information overload, go down rabbit holes of research and forget that others are trying talk to you.
Women and girls are more likely than men to suffer from the quiet or inattentive type of ADHD. They're less likely to have symptoms of impulsivity or hyperactivity however they could suffer from both mixed in. They are more likely than men and boys to be overlooked because their symptoms appear differently and they tend camouflage them.
The most common stereotype of ADHD is a hyperactive, boy who bounces off walls. This has resulted in many girls and women being viewed as a burden or ignored by doctors. This gender bias can persist throughout your life, even though ADHD awareness has risen. Teachers aren't often recommending ADHD assessments for female students, and mental health professionals do not refer them as often as they would for male students.
Even when you're formally diagnosed with ADHD, the symptoms can fluctuate with your hormones. For instance, your symptoms may increase during your menstrual cycle, pregnancy, and perimenopausal, when your body makes more estrogen. However, they can also become worse as you enter menopause as your body begins to produce less estrogen, and the brain's function changes. It is important to monitor your symptoms and notify your doctor if they're becoming more intense. They can assist you in finding the most effective treatment option for the symptoms. This could be medication, therapy or a combination of both.
3. You're having a difficult time managing your emotions
Women suffering from ADHD typically have trouble controlling their emotions and can become overwhelmed easily. They may also have difficulty understanding social cues and recognizing non-verbal communication, which can make it challenging to keep up with relationships. They are more prone to depression or anxiety and are at greater risk for impulsive behavior, such as alcohol or drug abuse. They are also more likely to experience rejection sensitivity and have a history of sexual abuse.
Women may be better at masking their symptoms than men, which can result in underdiagnosis and delayed treatment. It's also more frequent for girls and women to be diagnosed with the inattentive form of ADHD that tends to be ignored by doctors.
This type of ADHD is characterized by chronic forgetfulness, difficulty staying focused on tasks, and difficulties with planning and organization. Some of the signs are not returning library books or scheduling appointments, or being absent from important birthdays or events. They can be easily distracted and find it difficult to concentrate in noisy or busy environments, and are prone to losing and misplacing things. They may also have trouble getting their turn, causing interruptions to others in conversation, or even speaking out loud.
Forgetfulness and impulsivity are the most commonly reported signs of ADHD, but other symptoms could also indicate the presence of the condition. Other signs include difficulty adhering to routines, making careless mistakes or failing to finish tasks, poor writing and having trouble remembering names and locations, procrastinating and forgetting details like birthdays or anniversaries. Regular exercise can improve mood and concentration. Try to complete 30 minutes of exercise each day, including walking, jogging, swim or cycle.
4. You have trouble focusing
Women suffering from ADHD can have difficulty staying organized and completing tasks. They might lose things or forget appointments, or become easily distracted when studying or working. ADHD symptoms are often the cause of frustrations of relationships that are strained, whether with friends or romantic partners. They might feel misunderstood or even victimized by their family, friends or colleagues. This can lead to feelings of despair and helplessness.
It's crucial to identify ADHD in adults so that you can get the right treatment and support. If you are experiencing any of the symptoms listed on this adhd women checklist talk to your doctor to obtain an official diagnosis.
A woman with ADHD might experience emotional sensitivity, mood swings and difficulty regulating emotions. They may experience difficulty focus or be on edge of an emotional meltdown. Women with ADHD might also experience difficulties in social situations as their struggles with controlling their emotions can cause to them to react in a way that is excessive or make inappropriate remarks.
Women with ADHD typically experience hyperfocus and inability to concentrate. They could spend a significant amount of time studying a subject, but fail to realize that others are trying to communicate with them. They may overwhelm others with their knowledge, leaving them feeling frustrated or disrespected.
The symptoms of ADHD in women may get worse during hormonal changes, like premenstrual syndrome, pregnancy or menopause. This might result in a cyclical pattern of self-medicating with substances and an inclination to react too strongly to criticism or rejection. This is why it's crucial for women to identify and manage their ADHD symptoms as they get older. There are many ways to do this, including using a daily planner or post-it notepads to keep track of deadlines and reminders, making notes at meetings and keeping a calm and organized living space.
5. You have a difficult time following through
Women suffering from ADHD are often overwhelmed by their daily obligations and tasks. They might forget important information such as the instructions of doctors or how to take their medication. They can struggle to manage their finances or be able to get along with their colleagues and friends. They could be more prone to mood disorders like anxiety and depression. This can result in low self-esteem and feelings of inadequateness.
Women still have a harder finding a doctor and getting treated for ADHD regardless of the fact that it can affect many aspects of their lives. This is mostly due to the tendency for women and girls to cover up their ADHD symptoms or interpret them in a different way. adhd in young women might be referred to for other disorders like anxiety or depression rather than diagnosed with ADHD.
Many of the symptoms that are a sign of ADHD in boys and men such as difficulties in prioritizing, forgetfulness and not meeting deadlines, are often misinterpreted by clinicians in women and girls as depression or anxiety. This can lead women to be misdiagnosed and not get the treatment they need.
As women and girls mature, ADHD symptoms can worsen due to hormonal changes, such as puberty and pregnancy. Stress, sleep issues and certain foods can cause the symptoms.
If you are struggling with ADHD look for a therapist and clinician who has experience in treating women with the condition. A good therapist will be able to validate your experience and ask questions about the impact that expectations from society influence your perception. They will also show you how to advocate for yourself. They can also use different strategies to meet your needs, such a control of emotions, time management and the ability to organize.