Female Symptoms of ADHD
Women and adolescent girls with ADHD often display inattentive symptoms, instead of the impulsivity and hyperactivity often seen in males and girls. This makes them more susceptible to being misdiagnosed and omitted.
Gender stereotypes play a role as well, since caregivers may think that quiet girls or girls who appear to be shy and dreamy are simply "being girls." Additionally, hormonal fluctuations throughout the menstrual cycle and perimenopause can trigger ADHD symptoms to become more severe.
1. Hyperactivity
When it comes to ADHD, the first thought most people think of is an overactive boy who bounces off the walls during class. This is a type of ADHD that affects women as well as girls. ADHD symptoms in girls and women are usually more difficult to identify than in boys. This leads to the condition being misdiagnosed and left untreated.
Women who suffer from ADHD are prone to an impulsive behavior which makes it difficult to take a step back and think before they act. They might not be able listen well when others are speaking, and could have difficulty following instructions or performing tasks. These difficulties can lead to frustration and confusion in relationships with family members, romantic partners, friends and coworkers.
Many women suffering from ADHD suffer from sensitivity to rejection, which is a strong emotional response to real or perceived rejection. This can make it difficult for women with ADHD to cope, particularly when she is self-conscious or is struggling with peer relationships.
Signs of ADHD in women may flare up at various times during menstrual cycles as well as during pregnancy and menopausal. These hormonal fluctuations can trigger irritation, mood swings and difficulty in concentration.
Some women and girls who suffer from ADHD are able to control their symptoms with diet, exercise and sleep habits. Regular physical activity releases neurotransmitters, which boost attention and focus. It can also help to calm anxiety and stress, which are common among women suffering from ADHD. A good night's sleep and taking breaks from work can also help with ADHD symptoms. Using tools like planners, checklists and post-it notes to keep track of tasks can be beneficial for many people suffering from ADHD. In some instances, a health care provider may prescribe medication to manage symptoms.
2. Attention
Girls and women with inattention ADHD are often not diagnosed, even if the symptoms are extreme. They aren't able to keep up with classes and their homes are messy, and they have trouble with relationships and performance at work. They may try to compensate for their problems by avoiding them or claiming that they are not affected.
Gender bias can be a factor in missed or misdiagnoses. For instance, if boys exhibit symptoms of impulsivity or hyperactivity, they're more likely to be referred for diagnosis and treatment. In contrast, girls who display inattentive symptoms can be written off as space-bound, dreamy or ditzy.
Inattention can manifest in many ways. You might miss appointments, fail to keep promises, or have difficulty staying focused during meetings or classroom lectures. You have trouble waiting to be in the right place when speaking with others, and you can't seem to stop interrupting. Your memory is poor and you are prone to losing things or forget where you put them. You struggle to follow simple instructions and tend to avoid tasks that require focus, like homework or chores.
Attention-deficit ADHD symptoms can also worsen when hormonal changes occur, such as during menstrual cycle, pregnancy or perimenopause. It is difficult to focus on at home or at work and can make it difficult to maintain relationships or achieve life goals.
adult adhd symptom can help you manage your symptoms. It releases brain chemicals, such as dopamine, which can improve your mood and concentration. Additionally, regular exercise can help you shed excess energy and reduce depression or anxiety -- symptoms that are common among women with ADHD.
3. Anxiety
Women and adolescent girls with ADHD are often more prone to mood and anxiety symptoms than impulsivity and hyperactivity. The gender roles that are expected of girls make it difficult for girls to admit they're struggling, and they are more likely to cover up ADHD symptoms by displaying other behaviors. 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 reaction to danger and stress. It can be a stressful and debilitating, but it's an excellent thing because it helps you stay alert to the possibility of danger and allows you to respond quickly when something is not right. In reality anxiety can trigger a range of physical symptoms, including jitteriness and sweating. It can also cause an increase in heart rate, or palpitations. People who experience frequent severe, chronic, or even disabling anxiety may be diagnosed with an anxiety disorder. An anxiety disorder may include panic disorder (where you have recurring panic attacks that are not planned) and fear of certain objects or situations (where you are intensely scared of certain objects or situations), obsessive compulsive disorder (where you are controlled by irrational thoughts and repetitive behaviors), and separation anxiety disorder.
Women with ADHD often have issues with "time blindness". They might forget important dates and appointments, arrive at an wrong time or location or be so distracted by their tasks that they forget social interactions. This can make them appear aloof, unfocused or uncaring to others. Good sleeping habits can help prevent time blindness so make sure you stick to a set bedtime and do something that is relaxing before you go to bed, such as reading, listening to music or even meditating.
4. Disorganization
Women who suffer from ADHD struggle with staying organized. They might have a difficult managing their schedules, appointments and possessions. Their home, car and office could be cluttered, and their purses are filled with receipts, 17 different chapsticks, as well as tickets to the Kings of Leon concert in 2008. Their forgetfulness and disorganization can make it challenging to establish and maintain their personal and work relationships.
Women may also have difficulty speaking their thoughts in social situations. They may be impatient and impulsive which causes them to interrupt others or shout things out without thinking about the consequences. The struggle to filter their thoughts can lead to hurt feelings and miscommunications.
The symptoms of ADHD in women can vary between days due to hormonal fluctuations. For instance estrogen levels are at their lowest around ovulation and during menstrual cycles which can cause an increase in ADHD symptoms. These symptoms can be the reason that many women with ADHD are misdiagnosed.
In addition to the biological differences in the brain's structure and the chemicals that are involved in ADHD in females and males, there is also a 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, they can manage their symptoms by using medication and other strategies for treatment. They can achieve success in school, work as well as in their personal lives if they have the right support. Medication can provide a significant boost in concentration and assist them to cope with everyday challenges, while specialized smartphone apps can be additional tools to help them stay on top of their game.
5. Impulsivity
Women with ADHD typically have issues with controlling their impulses. This is because the brain part that makes decisions and considers the consequences isn't as efficient. This can result in the tendency of people to act or say things without thinking about the consequences, which can have negative effects. Impulsive behavior can result in relationships that are damaged. It could also lead to reckless behaviors, such as sexual.
A person suffering from ADHD may develop a number of coping strategies to assist them in overcoming their inability to control impulses. Self-medicating through alcohol or other drugs, or soothing yourself with food are all possible. Poor diet or sleeping less than you need to can cause problems.
Girls and women with ADHD may also struggle to recognize they have a problem with their behavior. They may find it difficult to explain their symptoms, so they cover up their problems. This makes it difficult for people to understand their issues and delay a diagnosis.
In addition, girls and women who suffer from ADHD tend to show their symptoms differently than boys or men. They may be less attentive and may suffer from mood disorders or anxiety like depression. These factors may be the reason for women and girls with ADHD are more frequently misdiagnosed than males or females.
ADHD is still a disorder that affects many millions of people, despite the increasing awareness. It's more prevalent during the adolescent years and early adulthood, when people are juggling work or school. Parents and teachers should be aware that their daughter or granddaughter may have ADHD in order to get her the help she needs.