Female Symptoms of ADHD
Women and adolescent girls with ADHD often display inattentive symptoms, in contrast to the impulsivity and hyperactivity commonly seen in boys and men. This makes them more easily overlooked and not properly diagnosed.
Stereotypes about gender can be a factor, as caregivers may assume that girls who are quiet or dreamy are just "being girls." ADHD symptoms can be exacerbated by hormonal fluctuations during the menstrual cycle as well as perimenopausal.
1. Hyperactivity
Many people think of ADHD when they see a hyperactive boy who flies off the walls of the school. While this is one type of ADHD however, girls and women are also affected by the disorder in this form. ADHD symptoms in young girls and women are often harder to identify than in boys, so the condition is often misdiagnosed or left untreated.
In some cases, women who suffer from ADHD exhibit impulsive behaviors that make it difficult to think about their actions before committing. They may not be able listen to others when they are talking, and they may be unable to follow instructions or performing tasks. These issues can lead to frustration and confusion in relationships with family, romantic partners, friends and colleagues.
Many women with ADHD experience rejection sensitivity, which is a heightened emotional response to actual or perceived rejection. Combined with low self-esteem and a lack of friendships with peers which can make it hard for a woman to deal with her ADHD symptoms.
ADHD symptoms in women can appear at different times, including during pregnancy, menstrual cycles and menopause. These hormonal fluctuations may cause mood swings and irritation and may cause problems in concentrating.
Women and girls who suffer from ADHD are able to control their symptoms with diet, exercise and sleep habits. Regular exercise releases neurotransmitters, which boost concentration and focus. It also helps to ease stress and anxiety that are common among women with ADHD. A good night's sleep and frequent breaks can also help ADHD symptoms. Utilizing tools such as planners, checklists, and post-it notes to keep track of tasks can be beneficial for many people suffering from ADHD. In some cases, health care providers can prescribe medication to manage symptoms.
2. Inattention
Women and girls with inattention ADHD often aren't diagnosed, even if the symptoms are extreme. They can't keep up in school and their homes are messy and they have trouble with relationships and their work performance. They might try to make up for their issues by denying them or pretending that they're not affected.
Gender bias also can play a role in missed or misdiagnoses. For example, when boys exhibit an impulsive or hyperactive behavior, they're more likely to be diagnosed and treated. Girls who exhibit inattention are often dismissed as dreamy, ditzy, or space cases.
Inattention can manifest itself in a variety of ways. You might forget appointments, not adhere to your commitments or struggle to stay focused during classroom lectures. You can't wait your turn and constantly interrupt others when you are talking. You have a poor memory and are often lost items or forget their location. You are unable to follow simple instructions, and you tend to avoid tasks that require concentration, such as homework or chores.
Symptoms of inattentive ADHD can also worsen due to hormonal changes that occur, like during menstrual cycles, pregnancy or menopausal symptoms (the run-up to menopause). It is difficult to concentrate on work or home and can make it difficult to maintain relationships or reach the goals of life.
Exercise can help you control your symptoms. It releases brain chemicals like dopamine, which can improve your mood and improve your focus. Regular exercise can also help you burn extra energy, and ease depression or anxiety symptoms -- which are common among women with ADHD.
3. Anxiety
Adolescent and female girls with ADHD often experience more mood and anxiety symptoms than hyperactivity and impulsivity. Gender role expectations make it more difficult for girls to admit they're struggling, which is why they tend to cover up ADHD symptoms with other behavior. This could result in misdiagnosis or 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 stress and danger. It can feel overwhelming and debilitating, but it's a good thing: it keeps you aware of potential danger and helps you react quickly when something goes suspicious. Unfortunately, anxiety can also trigger a range of physical symptoms like jitteriness, sweating, and a rapid heartbeat (palpitations). An anxiety disorder is diagnosed in people suffering from frequent, severe or disabling anxiety. This includes panic disorder, in which you have recurring, unexpected panic attacks; phobias which are the result of a heightened fear of specific objects or situations; obsessive-compulsive disorder, where irrational thoughts and repetitive behaviors dominate your life and separation anxiety disorder, in which you fear being away from home or your family.
Many women who suffer from ADHD struggle with a concept called "time blindness." They may forget important dates or appointments, show up at the wrong place at the wrong time, or become too distracted by their work that they miss social interactions. This can cause them to appear unfocused, aloof or uncaring to others. Good sleeping habits can help prevent time blindness and can make them appear unfocused, so try to adhere to a regular time for bed and do something that is relaxing before you go to sleep like listening to music, reading or meditating.
4. Disorganization
Women who suffer from ADHD have a hard time keeping their schedules in order. They may struggle to keep track of their appointments, schedules, and belongings. Their home, office, and car may be cluttered, and their handbags may 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 and develop relationships at work and in their personal lives.
Women can also struggle to express their opinions in social situations. Their impatience and impulsiveness can make them interrupt others or blurt out things without considering the consequences. These struggles with filtering their thoughts can lead to confusion and hurt feelings.
Symptoms of ADHD in women may vary from day to day because of hormonal fluctuation. Estrogen levels are at their lowest at the time of ovulation and during menstrual cycles, which can exacerbate ADHD. These symptoms may be the reason for why many women suffering from ADHD are not diagnosed correctly.
In addition to the biological differences in brain structure and chemicals that are involved in ADHD in females and males There is also a bias 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.
Women with ADHD can manage their symptoms with medication and other methods of treatment. With the right help, they can achieve success in school, at work and in their private lives. Medical treatment can aid in improving concentration and aid in everyday problems. Therapy for behavior and applications for smartphones can be helpful.
5. Impulsivity
Women suffering from ADHD tend to struggle with controlling their impulses. This is because the brain part that makes decisions and thinks about the consequences isn't as efficient. adhd in adult women symptoms causes them to say or do things without thinking about the consequences, which can have negative consequences. Impulsive behavior can result in problems with finances or relationships that are damaged. It can also result in risky sexual behaviors.
Someone suffering from ADHD may develop a number of coping mechanisms to help them overcome their inability to control impulses. This could include self-medicating with alcohol or other drugs or using food as a way to comfort themselves. A poor diet or sleeping less than you ought to can cause problems.
Girls and women who suffer from ADHD might have difficulty recognizing an issue in their behavior. They might be unable to communicate their problems to their parents or teachers and, therefore, they try to hide their struggles. This can make it difficult for people to recognize their problems and may delay a diagnosis.
Girls and women with ADHD typically have different symptoms than boys or men. They might be less attentive and may suffer from mood disorders or anxiety such as depression. These factors are the reason that women and girls with ADHD are more likely to be incorrectly diagnosed than males or boys with ADHD.
ADHD is still a disorder that affects many millions of people, despite the increased awareness. It's particularly prevalent in adolescence and early adulthood, when many people are trying to meet the demands of their jobs or schools. Parents and teachers must be aware that their daughter or granddaughter may have ADHD to ensure that they get her the help she needs.