What are the Signs of ADHD in Women?

ADHD is a neurodevelopmental condition; that is thought to affect men and children only. Most women get diagnosed with ADHD in their thirties. The symptoms of ADHD are relatively different in women.

The three main symptoms of ADHD are

• Inattentiveness: The individual has a short attention span and struggles to remain calm while listening to others.
• Hyperactivity: The person remis agitated, irritable, and constantly moves, which is overt in their behavior.
• Impulsive Behavior: The body language and verbal cues portray impulsiveness. The individual interrupts others and struggles to sit or stand according to cultural norms.

Women mostly exhibit signs of inattentiveness. They struggle to concentrate, remain organized, and remember significant information. However, due to gender bias, the behavior is perceived as a personality trait. People think they are shy; hence, their condition remains undiagnosed, which affects mental health and overall performance.

The common ADHD symptoms overt in women are:

• Unstable Relationships: The women suffering from ADHD struggle to follow cultural norms and values. The inattentiveness to details affects their relationships at home and workplace. Hence, women have guilt about not becoming good mothers, friends, and sisters.
• Struggle Maintaining Social Presence: The person struggles to focus on the conversation and participate in social activities. Lack of energy causes the individual to dress up usually at fancy parties. Physical appearance affects social relationships. Furthermore, the women struggle to engage in conversations for a long, which makes the other person think of them as rude and aggressive.
• Low Productivity: Women with ADHD struggle to meet deadlines. The noise and environmental distractors affect their productivity. People observe their desks full of paperwork due to low productivity. It affects personal growth and mental well-being.
• Low Performance in School: Inattentiveness and hyperactivity affect the behavior., The caregivers receive complaints about the behavior. It adds to anxiety and affects performance and grades. Peer pressure can worsen the symptoms of ADHD in women.
• Indecisiveness: Women with ADHD struggle to make rational decisions spontaneously. For example, they struggle to do the grocery on their own and forget to buy most of the essential ingredients to prepare the dish.
• Paper Cluttering: Women with ADHD struggle in daily life to complete basic home chores. Family members can notice papers all over the place. Individuals with ADHD struggle to remain organized, which causes a delay in paying bills.
• Overspending and Regret:  The anxiety related to social, personal, and professional problems, women with ADHD compensate by spending excessively. The women purchase expensive items for friends and family members to compensate; however, they regret shopping. The indecisiveness causes them to make irrational resolutions. It affects health, finances, and performance.
• Difficulty in Balancing Finances: Disorganization and inattentiveness affect home life. Individuals with ADHD struggle to maintain personal, social, and professional life. Indecisiveness and lack of concentration affect the finances. Women overspend and later regret the decisions.

The early diagnosis is proven effective in managing the symptoms of ADHD. The ADHD treatment includes lifestyle modification, medication, self-practicing relaxation techniques, and psychotherapy to enhance the quality of life and avoid further complications.