Women With Attention Deficit
Women who suffer from ADHD may have difficulty managing their careers, relationships and life in general. They can become impatient easily, and minor nuisances like waiting in lines or being in a hold for long durations of time can become major sources of irritation.
Many women have difficulty to get an accurate adult ADHD diagnosis. A bias towards gender and the fact that a lot of studies focus on children and cisgender males could contribute to this.
Impatience
Women who suffer from attention deficits frequently struggle to manage daily responsibilities and juggle multiple tasks. Their frustration can sometimes be taken as irritability or moodiness, or an absence of commitment to relationships or work. These struggles may be symptoms of adult ADHD which is a disorder that is often incorrectly diagnosed.
Impatience is a frequent characteristic of ADD. Women suffering from the disorder might be quick to complete tasks or jump into projects without a thorough plan, which could cause errors and feelings of being overwhelmed. They can be easily distracted by the things that are happening around them. This makes it difficult to finish tasks and maintain a conversation.
The inattention-deficit symptom of ADHD like difficulty keeping on track as well as procrastination, losing track of time, and needing help to keep track of appointments or belongings, can be a particular challenge for women. Many of women suffer from an over-confidence in themselves and their problems could be exacerbated by anxiety and depression that are often associated with the disorder. They have a hard time accepting criticism, and are more likely to be victims of violence from their intimate partners.
Hormonal fluctuations can increase or diminish the symptoms of ADD. For instance, when girls enter puberty they notice changes in estrogen levels that can cause ADD symptoms worse. These changes can persist throughout menstrual cycle and during perimenopausal phase when estrogen levels are low. Additionally, women's symptoms can be exacerbated due to menopausal, pregnancy or hormonal changes in women with bipolar disorder.
It is important for women suffering from ADHD to locate a medical professional who is knowledgeable about their condition and is trained in the diagnosis and treatment. Consider reading the recommended books mentioned in this article prior to making an appointment to gain a better understanding of ADHD and its manifestations.
You might want to think about participating in a clinical study if you can't find a doctor specialized in treating ADHD. Clinical trials are research studies that look for new ways to treat, prevent or diagnose illnesses and disorders. You can find out more about clinical trials and determine if they are right for you by visiting the NIMH's Clinical Trials webpage.
Impulsivity
Women suffering from ADHD often have trouble regulating their emotions which can result in an impulsive behavior which can be extremely damaging. Examples include making impulsive purchases, jumping into marriage and relationships before they are ready and causing disruptions to others in conversations or uttering answers without listening. They may also have sensitive to rejection that can trigger intense emotional reactions to actual or perceived rejection.
Women suffering from attention deficit disorder are faced with the same issues as men, however their challenges are different. Their hormones, for instance can influence how symptoms manifest and how they react to treatment.
For some women suffering from ADD one task could seem to be endless as they struggle to keep their focus. Distracted and lost in her thoughts or daydreaming are common for them, especially during boring tasks like grocery shopping, writing letters or doing chores. They can get easily bored and have a hard finding the time to switch their attention between different activities, which can disrupt school and work.
When it is time to organize, women with ADD often have trouble keeping the track of their things to do or possessions. They often lose things and can't remember specific details of conversations or events. add women can lead to embarrassing mistakes in the workplace, at school or in social situations. They also have a tendency to procrastinate and get overwhelmed by multitasking, which could lead to more anxiety.
In addition to the issues of impulsivity and inattention as well as inattention and impulsivity, women with ADD may have a combination subtype, which also includes hyperactivity or a prefrontal cortex disorder. Women with a combination subtype can exhibit both hyperactivity as well as inattention-related symptoms. However, they are often difficult to distinguish, especially when young.
Regular exercise can help reduce ADHD symptoms. Physical activity can boost neurotransmitters in the brain, which improve mood and attention. Stress, another problem that many women who suffer from ADHD have, can be relieved by exercising. Women with ADHD are advised to participate in at least four or five times of aerobic or cardio exercise for 30 minutes every week, which includes running, swimming, cycling or playing team sports.
Inorganizational issues
Women with ADHD frequently have trouble keeping track of daily activities or events. This can lead to clutter in their home or office, financial problems and an inability to organize their personal or professional lives.
They may be unable to finish projects or tasks that are not immediately rewarding or exciting, and they may not plan ahead for future obligations. Women who suffer from ADHD are also having trouble in focusing and remembering other people's words during conversations. Because of this, they frequently miss meetings and appointments, struggle to follow instructions at school or at work, and are more likely to experience frustrations with miscommunications in their relationships.
It is crucial to consult an experienced physician for a clear diagnosis. Adult ADD is often misdiagnosed, and a majority of doctors have a poor understanding of the disorder. Ask the doctors you're considering to consult for a list of recommended reading materials, and ask them several questions to make sure they are aware of the disorder.
ADHD in women can be caused by gender roles. Women are often put under pressure to excel in their careers as well as to assume more responsibilities in the home, to maintain happy relationships, and to do well in a social setting. These pressures from society can make it difficult for women to recognize symptoms of ADHD because they hinder their ability to meet these expectations.
ADHD symptoms are more subtle in girls, adolescent females and males than in males or females. This can result in an underdiagnosis. This is due to societal and family expectations tend to insist that women and girls focus on their appearance and social skills more than recognizing any issues with their performance or concentration. Additionally, females with ADHD tend to have more irritable symptoms than hyperactivity, and are more likely to suffer from mood disorders and anxiety, which may further obscure the existence of the disorder.
The good news is that there are ways you can reduce your symptoms and improve your functioning. Regular exercise can help release neurotransmitters that boost the ability to focus and reduce anxiety. Try swimming or jogging, dancing, or group classes such as yoga or Pilates. Include these activities in your routine to reduce ADHD symptoms. You can make use of planners, checklists, or post-it note to organize your day-to-day tasks. Take frequent breaks, and eat a diet high in omega-3 fatty acid, which can boost concentration and improve mental clarity.
Social Awkwardness
Unlike social anxiety, social awkwardness is not caused by an intense fear of judgement but an inability to navigate the complexities of social interactions. This could be due to a lack in social experience, a neurological condition such as autism spectrum disorders, or personality traits that make it difficult to adapt to social situations.
Someone who is socially awkward could be prone to making inappropriate remarks, appear off-balanced and ignore nonverbal signals that inform what to do next. They might also have trouble understanding social norms like sarcasm and humor. They might also avoid social activities or feel self-conscious about their appearance in social situations, which can lead to feelings of rejection and embarrassment.
Socially awkward people often withdraw from group activities and instead turn to self care strategies like overeating, watching TV, or exercising in order to feel better. These habits can increase the feeling of being socially awkward through limiting social outlets.
Social awkwardness can result from trauma. Trauma can occur when a child's need for trust attunement, autonomy or trust is not fulfilled in the early years of childhood. They develop a strict behavioral pattern to cope with this threat. This can lead to feelings of social anxiety when sensory information from the environment triggers the trauma.
Gifted children may also be socially awkward due to their higher level of intelligence makes them appear older and more mature. They can also be overly focused on their interests and act as if they are more knowledgeable than other kids. This could cause them to speak in an academic tone or appear out of balance in conversations.
Fear of being judged by other people for their appearance or conduct is another cause of social awkwardness. This can lead to poor body language, avoiding eye contact or taking an aggressive posture that communicates how uncomfortable they feel. Fortunately most of the issues associated with social awkwardness can be addressed through therapy. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), which challenges and alters negative thinking patterns, is one way to aid people. Exposure therapy gradually exposes people to stressful situations so that they can build confidence and tolerance.