Symptoms of ADHD in Females
With October being ADHD Awareness Month, I figured now would be a good opportunity to discuss the unique challenges that women with ADHD face. Since the effects of ADHD in males have been the subject of much study, it is more likely that boys will receive an appropriate diagnosis than girls.
Unfortunately, the “hyperactive” symptom patterns of ADHD are significantly more common in males, and hence have been the primary focus of research studies. Girls with ADHD are often misdiagnosed since their hyperactivity is less obvious. Since childhood, they have had problems that have followed them into adulthood.
ADHD Symptoms in Adult Women
Young females are sometimes incorrectly diagnosed with anxiety or depression rather than ADHD because they do not exhibit the same characteristics as young boys. As a result, most women aren’t given a proper diagnosis until they’re in their 40s.
Here are some of the signs of ADHD in adult women:
- A low self-esteem
- Issues with time management
- Difficulty with money management
- Disorganization
- Becoming overwhelmed easily
- A history of anxiety or depression
- Poor coping strategies (when it comes to daily stress)
- Exhaustion
- Compulsive overeating
- A dependence on drugs and alcohol
Treatment Options
Medication and counseling are the two most common approaches to treating ADHD in adult women. Medication for ADHD may not be able to eliminate all of your symptoms, but it can help you manage them in the short term.
Life-management skills, coping mechanisms, and increased self-esteem can all be yours with the help of psychotherapy and ADHD-specific coaching. Many of my clients have benefited from my suggestion that they find local support groups where they may speak freely with other women who can relate to their experiences. When struggling with mental health concerns, it’s common to feel alone and disconnected from the world. Making connections with those who understand can greatly aid in the healing process.
I strongly advise any lady who suspects she has attention deficit hyperactivity disorder to get professional help. When you’ve got ADHD under control, life opens up in incredible ways.
If you’d like to explore treatment options, please reach out to me.
https://crownelevateprojectllc.com/about/
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