Female Symptoms of ADHD
Women and adolescents who suffer from ADHD tend to show inattention signs, not the hyperactivity and impulsivity that are more common in boys and men. This means they are more likely to be missed and misdiagnosed.
Gender stereotypes play a role as well, since caregivers may think that quiet girls or girls who seem withdrawn and dreamy are just "being girls." Also, hormonal fluctuations throughout the menstrual cycle and during perimenopausal cycles can cause ADHD symptoms to become more severe.
1. Hyperactivity
Many people think of ADHD when they see a child who bounces off walls of the school. This is a form of ADHD that affects women as well as girls. ADHD symptoms for women and young girls are more difficult to detect than those of boys, which is why the condition is often misdiagnosed or untreated.
Women with ADHD can exhibit an impulsive behavior that makes it difficult to stop and think before acting. They might not be able listen well when others are talking, and they may have trouble following instructions or working through tasks. These issues can lead to frustration and confusion with family or friends, as well as romantic partners as well as colleagues.
Many women suffering from ADHD suffer from sensitivity to rejection. This is a strong emotional reaction to real or perceived rejection. This can make it difficult for women who suffers from ADHD to cope, especially in the case of low self-esteem or has difficulty forming relationships with peers.
ADHD symptoms in women can appear at different times, such as during pregnancy, menstruation and menopause. These hormonal fluctuations can trigger mood swings and irritation, as well as difficulty with concentration.
Some girls and women who have ADHD are able to manage their symptoms by diet, exercise and sleep habits. Regular physical activity releases neurotransmitters that boost attention and concentration. It can also calm anxiety and stress, which are common among women with ADHD. Sleeping enough and taking breaks can aid in reducing ADHD symptoms. Using tools like planners, checklists and post-it notes to track tasks can be helpful for many people suffering from ADHD. In some instances the health professional can prescribe medication to help manage symptoms.
2. Inattention
Girls and women with inattentive ADHD often aren't diagnosed, even if the symptoms are extreme. They have a difficult time keeping up at school, their homes can be messy, and they face difficulties with relationships and performance. They may try to compensate for their issues by denying them or convincing themselves that they're not affected.
Gender bias is also a factor that plays a part in missed or incorrect diagnoses. When a boy exhibits an impulsive or hyperactive behavior, he's more likely to be recommended for diagnosis and therapy. Conversely girls who display inattention symptoms are often dismissed as space-bound, dreamy or silly.
The inattention symptom of adhd can manifest in many ways: You don't remember appointments, don't adhere to promises, and find it difficult to concentrate in class or meetings. You can't wait your turn and constantly interrupt others when you are talking. Your memory is weak and you often lose things or forget where you put them. You are unable to follow simple instructions and tend to avoid tasks that require focus, like homework or chores.
Symptoms of inattentive ADHD can also become more severe during hormonal changes, such as during menstrual cycles, pregnancy or menopausal symptoms (the period leading up to menopausal). It is difficult to focus on work or home and can make it difficult to maintain relationships or reach the goals of life.
Exercise can help you manage your symptoms. It releases brain chemicals, like dopamine, which can improve your focus and mood. In addition, regular exercise helps you burn off extra energy and ease anxiety or depression -- symptoms that are common in women with ADHD.
3. Anxiety
Women and adolescents with ADHD are more likely to experience anxiety and mood issues than impulsivity or hyperactivity. The gender roles that are expected of girls make it harder for girls to admit they're struggling, and they are more likely to cover up ADHD symptoms with other behavior. This can lead to misdiagnosis and under-reporting in girls and women. 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 stress and danger. It can be overwhelming and debilitating but it's a great thing. It keeps you aware of danger and helps you respond quickly when you notice something amiss. Unfortunately, anxiety can cause a variety of physical symptoms like sweating, jitteriness, and an increased heart rate (palpitations). An anxiety disorder can be diagnosed in those who suffer from frequent, severe, or chronic anxiety. symptoms of adhd adults could include panic disorder (where you have frequent, unplanned panic attacks), fears (where you are incredibly terrified of certain objects or events), obsessive compulsive disorder (where you are controlled by irrational thinking and repetitive behavior), and separation anxiety disorder.
Many women who suffer from ADHD struggle with a concept called "time blindness." They may miss important dates or appointments, arrive at the wrong place at the wrong time, or get too distracted by their work that they are unable to participate in social interactions. This can make them appear uncaring, uninterested or unfocused to others. Good sleeping habits can aid in avoiding time blindness. Therefore try to maintain a regular bedtime, and take time to do something relaxing, such as reading, listening music, or meditating before you go to sleep.
4. Disorganization
Women with ADHD have a difficult time being organized. They may struggle to keep the track of their appointments, schedules and other belongings. Their car, home and office could be messy and their bags full of receipts, 17 chapsticks, and a ticket to the Kings of Leon concert in 2008. Their disorganization and forgetfulness can make it difficult for them to maintain and develop relationships at work as well as in their personal lives.
Women may also have difficulty communicating what they mean in social situations. They may be impatient and impulsive which causes them to interrupt others or blurt things out before considering the consequences. The struggle to filter their thoughts can lead to hurt feelings and misunderstandings.
The symptoms of ADHD are able to change daily due to hormonal fluctuations. Estrogen levels are lowest around ovulation, and during menstrual cycles which can worsen ADHD. These symptoms could be why many women with ADHD aren't diagnosed and treated.
In addition to the differences in the brain's structure and the chemicals that are involved with ADHD for females and males as well as the stigma against diagnosing women suffering from the disorder. 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.
When women have a clear diagnosis of ADHD and are able to learn to manage their symptoms by using medication and other strategies for treatment. With the right guidance they can succeed in school, at work and in their personal lives. The use of medication can give a substantial boost in concentration and assist them to overcome daily challenges, while behavioral therapy and specific smartphone apps can be additional tools to help them stay at the top of their game.
5. Impulsivity
Women who suffer from ADHD are more likely to have difficulty controlling their impulses. This is because the part of their brain that makes decisions and weighs the consequences isn't working as well. This can lead to the tendency of people to act or say things without considering the possible consequences, which can have negative consequences. Impulsive behavior can result in financial difficulties or relationships that are damaged. It can also lead to risky sexual behaviors.
A person suffering from ADHD might develop a variety of strategies to help them manage their issues with controlling impulses. They could resort to self-medicating using alcohol or drugs or eating food as a method to soothe themselves. A poor diet or not getting enough sleep can cause issues.
Girls and women with ADHD may have trouble recognizing a problem in their behavior. They might be unable to communicate their problems to their teachers or parents and, therefore, they try to conceal their issues. This could make it difficult for people to understand their symptoms and delay diagnosis.
Additionally, girls and women with ADHD tend to show their symptoms differently than males or females. They may be less attentive, and suffer from mood disorders or anxiety like depression. These factors are the reason that girls and women with ADHD are more likely to be mistakenly diagnosed than men or boys with ADHD.
ADHD is still a disorder that affects millions of people, despite increased awareness. It's more prevalent in the early years of adulthood and adolescence when people are juggling work or school. It is crucial for teachers and parents to be aware that a person they know has ADHD so that they can get the help she needs.