Female Symptoms of ADHD
Women and adolescents with ADHD tend to exhibit inattention signs, rather than the impulsivity and hyperactivity which are more common in both men and boys. This makes them more prone to being misdiagnosed and omitted.
Gender stereotypes are a factor in the way that caregivers may assume that quiet girls or girls who appear to be shy and dreamy are simply "being girls." Additionally, hormonal fluctuations throughout the menstrual cycle as well as perimenopausal symptoms can cause ADHD symptoms to become more severe.
1. Hyperactivity
When it is about ADHD the first impression most people think of is an overactive boy who bounces off the walls of class. This is a type of ADHD that affects women and girls. ADHD symptoms for women and girls are often harder to detect than in boys. This can lead to the disorder being misdiagnosed or left untreated.
Women who suffer from ADHD are prone to unpredictable behavior which makes it difficult to think and stop before acting. They might not be able to hear to others when they are speaking, and could have trouble following instructions or performing tasks. These issues can lead to frustration and confusion in relationships with family, romantic partners, friends, and colleagues.
Many women suffering from ADHD suffer from sensitivity to rejection. This is an intense emotional reaction to actual or perceived rejection. Combined with low self-esteem and difficulties in friendships with peers, this can make it hard for a woman to cope with her ADHD symptoms.
ADHD symptoms in women can appear at different times, including during pregnancy, menstruation and menopause. These hormonal fluctuations can cause anxiety, mood swings, and trouble with concentration.
Some women and girls who suffer from ADHD are able to manage their symptoms through eating, exercise and sleep habits. Regular physical activity releases neurotransmitters, which boost concentration and focus. It can also help calm anxiety and stress, which are common among women with ADHD. Being able to sleep enough and taking breaks can aid in reducing ADHD symptoms. Utilizing tools such as planners, checklists and post-it notes to track tasks can be beneficial to many people suffering from ADHD. In some instances medical professionals may prescribe medication to manage symptoms.
2. Inattention
Even when the symptoms are severe, women and girls with inattention ADHD aren't diagnosed. They can't keep up in school, their homes are messy, and they struggle with relationships and performance at work. They may try to compensate for their problems by avoiding them or pretending that they are not affected.
Gender bias is also a factor that plays in the absence or inaccurate diagnoses. For example, when boys exhibit hyperactive or impulsive symptoms and signs, they are more likely to be referred for diagnosis and treatment. Girls who exhibit inattention could be viewed as dreamy, ditzy, or space cases.
The symptoms of adhd that cause inattention can manifest in many ways: You miss appointments, don't adhere to promises, and find it difficult to concentrate in meetings or classroom lectures. You are having a difficult time waiting to be in the right place when speaking with others, and you can't seem to stop interrupting. Your memory is weak and you are prone to losing things or forget where you put them. You struggle to follow simple instructions, and you tend to avoid tasks requiring concentration, such as homework or chores.
Inattentive ADHD symptoms can also worsen when hormonal changes occur such as during menstrual cycle, pregnancy or perimenopausal. It is difficult to concentrate on at home or at work and can make it difficult to maintain relationships or achieve your goals in life.
Exercise can help you control your symptoms. It releases brain chemicals, including dopamine, which can improve your mood and focus. Regular exercise can also aid in burning extra energy, and ease anxiety or depression symptoms- which are common among women with ADHD.
3. Anxiety
Teens and women with ADHD tend to experience more anxiety symptoms and mood symptoms than hyperactivity or impulsivity. The gender roles that are expected of girls make it difficult for girls to admit they're struggling, which is why they tend to disguise ADHD symptoms with other behavior. This could lead to misdiagnosis and under-reporting among women and girls. They may also be more likely to have inattentive ADHD symptoms, which don't show up as obvious as the impulsive/hyperactive ones that boys and men display.
Anxiety is a natural response to danger and stress. It can be overwhelming and debilitating but it is a good thing. It keeps you aware of danger and helps you react quickly if something is not right. Unfortunately anxiety can trigger a range of physical symptoms, such as jitteriness and sweating. adhd symptoms for women may also trigger rapid heartbeats or palpitations. People who suffer from frequent severe, chronic, or even disabling anxiety may be diagnosed with anxiety disorders. This includes panic disorder, in which you are prone to frequent, unexpected anxiety attacks; phobias which are the result of a heightened fear of specific objects or situations; obsessive compulsive disorder where irrational thinking and repetitive behavior control your life; and separation anxiety disorder, where you are afraid of being away from home or family.
Women who suffer from ADHD often have issues with "time blindness". They might forget important dates or appointments, arrive at an incorrect time or place or be so distracted by their work that they fail to notice social interactions. This can make them appear distant, uncaring or unfocused to others. Good sleeping habits can ensure that you don't suffer from time blindness. So try to maintain an established bedtime and do something relaxing like reading, listening music or meditating before you go to bed.
4. Disorganization
Women suffering from ADHD are often struggling to stay organized. They may have difficulty to keep track of their schedules, appointments and possessions. Their home, office and car could be overflowing with clutter and their bags could be full of receipts, 17 chapsticks, or a ticket to the Kings of Leon concert of 2008. Their lack of organization and forgetfulness could make it difficult to maintain relationships at work as well as in their personal lives.
Women can also have difficulty saying what they mean in social situations. Their impatience and impulsiveness could make them interrupt others or utter things without considering the implications. These struggles to filter their thoughts can lead them to hurt feelings and misunderstandings.
The signs of ADHD in women may vary between days because of hormonal fluctuation. Estrogen levels are lowest around ovulation, and during menstrual cycles which can cause ADHD. These changes in symptom severity could be the reason that many women suffering from ADHD go undiagnosed and mistreated.
In addition to the biological differences in brain structure and chemicals that are involved with ADHD for females and males as well as the tendency to not diagnose women suffering from the condition. This bias is linked to the fact that ADHD research and educational programs primarily focus on boys and men/people AMAB, so it's more likely that healthcare providers and educators will see hyperactive/impulsive-type symptoms in those groups and overlook symptoms of inattentive ADHD in women.
If women are given a clear diagnosis of ADHD and are able to learn to manage their symptoms using medications and other treatment strategies. They can achieve success in work, school as well as in their personal lives with the right help. The use of medication can improve concentration and assist with everyday problems. Therapy for behavior and applications for smartphones can help.
5. Impulsivity
Women who suffer from ADHD typically have issues with control of their impulses. It's because the part of the brain that makes decisions, and considers consequences, isn't functioning as well. This causes them to say or do things without thinking about the possible result, which could have negative consequences. Impulsive behavior can result in problems with finances or relationships that are damaged. It can also lead to reckless behaviors, such as sexual.
A person suffering from ADHD may develop a number of coping mechanisms that help them overcome their inability to control their impulses. They could resort to self-medicating using alcohol or drugs, or eating food as a method to comfort themselves. Poor diet or sleeping less than you ought to can cause problems.
Women and girls who suffer from ADHD may also struggle to recognize that they are having issues with their behavior. They may have difficulty to explain their problems and therefore, they may hide their struggles. This makes it difficult for people to understand their issues and delay a diagnosis.
Additionally, girls and women who suffer from ADHD tend to present their symptoms in a different way than males or females. They might be more distracted and have a higher rate of co-existing anxiety or mood disorders, such as depression. These factors could be the reason for girls and women with ADHD are more frequently misdiagnosed than males or females.
Although awareness of ADHD has increased but it's still a problem that affects millions of people. It is more common in the early years of adulthood and adolescence when students are trying to balance work or school. Parents and educators should be aware that their daughter or granddaughter may be suffering from ADHD to ensure that they get her the help she needs.