Female Symptoms of ADHD
Women and adolescent girls with ADHD often exhibit inattention symptoms, instead of the impulsivity and hyperactivity often seen in males and girls. This means they are more likely to be missed and not properly diagnosed.
Gender stereotypes can contribute to this caregivers might assume that quiet or dreamy girls are just "being girls." ADHD symptoms can also be exacerbated by hormonal fluctuations during the menstrual period and perimenopause.
1. Hyperactivity
When it is about ADHD the first impression many people have is of a hyperactive boy bouncing off the walls in class. While this is one type of ADHD however, girls and women also suffer from the disorder in this manner. ADHD symptoms in young girls and women are often harder to identify than those of boys, which is why the condition is often misdiagnosed and not treated.
Women who suffer from ADHD may exhibit unpredictable behavior that makes it difficult for them to take a step back and think before deciding to act. They may not be able listen well when others are speaking, and could be unable to follow instructions or working through tasks. These difficulties can lead them to frustration and confusion with family or friends, as well as romantic partners, as well as coworkers.
Many women suffering from ADHD experience rejection sensitivity, which is a strong emotional reaction to real or perceived rejection. This can make it difficult for a woman with ADHD to cope, especially if she has low self-esteem or difficulty in peer relationships.
Symptoms of ADHD in women may flare up at various periods during the menstrual cycle, pregnancy and menopause. These hormonal fluctuations can cause irritability, mood swings and problems with concentration.
Diet, exercise and sleeping habits can help women and girls suffering from ADHD manage their symptoms. Regular exercise releases neurotransmitters, which boost concentration and focus. It also helps reduce stress and anxiety, which are common in women suffering from ADHD. Sleeping enough and taking breaks from your activities can also help ADHD symptoms. Many people suffering from ADHD can benefit from using tools such as checklists or planners, as well as a post-it note to keep track of their tasks. In some cases, health care providers can prescribe medication to help manage symptoms.
2. Inattention
Girls and women who have inattention ADHD often don't get diagnosed, even if the symptoms are extreme. They have a difficult time keeping up at school, their homes can be messy, and they have issues with relationships and performance. They may try to compensate by hiding their symptoms or by convincing themselves that they're not affected by their symptoms.
Gender bias can be a factor in missed or misdiagnoses. If a boy displays an impulsive or hyperactive behavior they are more likely to be referred to diagnosis and therapy. On the other hand girls who exhibit inattention symptoms could be dismissed as space cases, dreamy or ditzy.
The symptoms of adhd that cause inattention can show up in many ways: You miss appointments, don't follow through on promises and have trouble staying focused during class lectures or meetings. You are having a difficult time waiting to be in the right place when speaking with others and are unable to stop interrupting. You have a poor memory and frequently lose things or forget their location. You are unable to follow simple instructions and you tend to avoid tasks requiring concentration like homework or chores.
Inattentive ADHD symptoms can also get worse when hormonal changes take place like during menstrual cycle, pregnancy or perimenopausal. This makes it harder to focus at work or at home, and makes it harder to keep friends or reach goals in life.
Regular exercise can help you manage your symptoms. It releases brain chemicals, such as dopamine that can boost your mood and improve your focus. Regular exercise can aid in burning extra energy and reduce anxiety or depression symptomswhich are common among women suffering from ADHD.
3. Anxiety
Adolescent and female girls with ADHD are often more prone to mood and anxiety-related symptoms than impulsivity and hyperactivity. Girls are often reluctant to acknowledge that they struggle because of gender role expectations. They are more likely to conceal ADHD symptoms by concealing 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 reaction to stress and danger. It can be overwhelming and debilitating but it's a good thing. It keeps you alert to danger and helps you respond quickly when you notice something not right. Unfortunately, anxiety can also trigger a range of physical symptoms like sweating, jitteriness and rapid heartbeat (palpitations). An anxiety disorder is diagnosed in those who suffer from frequent, severe, or even disabling anxiety. This is a type of panic disorder in which you have recurring, unexpected panic attacks; phobias which involve an intense fear of particular objects or situations; obsessive compulsive disorder in which irrational thoughts and repetitive behaviors control your life and separation anxiety disorder, where you fear being away from your home or family.
Women with ADHD frequently struggle with "time blindness". They may miss important dates and appointments, arrive at the incorrect time or location or get so absorbed by their tasks that they forget social interactions. This can cause them to appear unfocused, aloof, or inconsiderate to others. A good night's sleep can aid in avoiding time blindness. So, try to keep a regular bedtime, and take time to do something relaxing, such as listening to music, reading or meditating prior to when you go to bed.
4. Disorganization
Women suffering from ADHD frequently have difficulty staying organized. They may have difficulty to keep the track of their schedules, appointments and other belongings. Their home, office and car could be overflowing with clutter, and their handbags may be filled with receipts, 17 chapsticks, or a ticket for the Kings of Leon concert of 2008. Their inattention and lack of organization can make it difficult to maintain and build relationships at work and in their private lives.
Women also have trouble saying what they mean in social situations. They may be impulsive and impatient, causing them to interrupt others or shout 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 throughout the day due to hormonal fluctuations. For instance estrogen levels are lower around ovulation and during the menstrual cycle which can cause an increase in ADHD symptoms. These symptom changes may be the reason that many women suffering from ADHD are not diagnosed and treated.
In addition to the biological differences in brain structure and chemical composition that are involved with ADHD in males and females as well as the stigma against diagnosing women with 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 manage their symptoms using medication and other treatment strategies. With the right help they can be successful in school, at work and in their personal lives. Medical treatment can give them a huge boost in concentration and help cope with every day challenges, and behavioral therapy and specific smartphone apps can be additional tools to keep them at the top of their game.
5. Impulsivity
Women with ADHD typically have issues with control of their impulses. This is because the part of their brain that makes decisions and thinks about the consequences isn't working as well. This could lead to a tendency for people to make decisions or speak words without considering the possible consequences, which could have negative effects. Impulsive behavior can lead to financial difficulties or relationships that are damaged. It can also result in risky sexual behaviors.
adhd symptoms women with ADHD may develop a number of coping mechanisms that aid them in their struggle to control impulses. adhd symptoms and treatment might include self-medicating with alcohol or drugs or using food as a way to soothe themselves. A poor diet or not getting enough sleep can also cause issues.
Women and girls with ADHD might also have difficulty to recognize they have a problem with their behavior. They may find it hard to articulate their issues, so they cover up their problems. This could make it difficult for people to understand their issues and delay a diagnosis.
Women and girls who suffer from ADHD typically have different symptoms than boys or men. They may be less attentive and suffer from anxiety or mood disorders such as depression. These factors contribute to the fact that women and girls with ADHD are more likely to be misdiagnosed than boys or men with ADHD.
Although awareness of ADHD has improved but it's still a problem that affects millions of people. It is more common in early adulthood and adolescence, when students are trying to balance school or work. Parents and teachers should be aware that their daughter or granddaughter may have ADHD to ensure that they get her the help she needs.