Female Symptoms of ADHD
Girls and women who have ADHD typically exhibit inattentional symptoms, as opposed to the impulsivity and hyperactivity often seen in boys and men. This makes them more susceptible to being misdiagnosed and overlooked.
Gender stereotypes play a role in the way that caregivers may assume that quiet girls or girls who seem dreamy and withdrawn are just "being girls." ADHD symptoms can be caused by hormonal fluctuations during the menstrual cycle as well as perimenopausal.
1. Hyperactivity
When it comes to ADHD the first impression many people have is of the hyperactive boy bouncing off the walls of class. While this is a type of ADHD, women and girls also suffer from the disorder in this type. ADHD symptoms in women and girls are more difficult to detect than boys, and as a result, the condition is often misdiagnosed or untreated.
In some cases, women who suffer from ADHD display impulsive behaviors that make it difficult for them to pause and think about their actions prior to acting. They may not be able to listen when other people are talking and they may have trouble adhering to instructions or completing tasks. These issues can lead to frustration and confusion in relationships with family, romantic partners, friends and coworkers.
Many women with ADHD have rejection sensitivity. This is a strong emotional reaction to actual or perceived rejection. In combination with low self-esteem, and difficulty in social relationships, this can make it hard for a woman to cope with her ADHD symptoms.
Signs of ADHD in women can flare up at various times during menstrual cycles or during pregnancy, as well as menopausal. These hormonal fluctuations can cause mood swings and irritation and also difficulty with concentration.
Exercise, diet and sleeping habits can help women and girls suffering from ADHD manage their symptoms. Regular physical activity releases neurotransmitters that improve 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 also help ADHD symptoms. Using tools like planners, checklists and post-it notes to track tasks can be helpful for many people with ADHD. In some cases, a health care provider may prescribe medication to help manage symptoms.
2. Attention!
Even when symptoms are severe women and girls who suffer from inattentive ADHD aren't identified. They aren't able to keep up with classes and their homes are messy, and they struggle with relationships and their work performance. They might try to make up for their problems by avoiding them or pretending that they are not affected.
Gender bias can also play a role in missed or misdiagnoses. When a boy exhibits excessive or impulsive behavior they are more likely to be referred to diagnosis and therapy. Girls who exhibit inattention are often dismissed as ditzy, dreamy or space cases.
The symptoms of inattention that are associated with adhd can manifest in a variety of ways: You forget appointments, fail to follow through on 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. You have a weak memory and are often lost items or forget their location. You are unable to follow simple instructions and are prone to avoid tasks that require concentration, like homework or chores.
add symptoms in adult women can also get worse when hormonal changes occur like during menstrual cycle, pregnancy or perimenopausal. It is difficult to pay attention to work or home and can make it difficult to maintain relationships or achieve your goals in life.
Exercise can help you manage your symptoms. It releases brain chemicals like dopamine that can improve your mood and concentration. Regular exercise can help you burn off extra energy, and ease anxiety or depression symptomsthat are common among women with ADHD.
3. Anxiety
Women and adolescents who suffer from ADHD tend to have more anxiety symptoms and mood symptoms than impulsivity or hyperactivity. Female gender roles make it difficult for girls to admit that they're struggling, which is why they tend to camouflage ADHD symptoms with other behavior. This can cause girls and women to be misdiagnosed, and therefore not report their ADHD symptoms. 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 exhausting, but it's an excellent thing because it keeps you alert to potential danger and helps you react quickly when something goes suspicious. Unfortunately, anxiety can also cause a variety of physical symptoms like sweating, jitteriness and rapid heartbeat (palpitations). People who experience frequent or severe anxiety may be diagnosed with anxiety disorders. An anxiety disorder may include panic disorder (where you experience frequent unplanned panic attacks) and fears (where you are incredibly terrified of certain objects or situations), obsessive compulsive disorder (where you are controlled by irrational thought and repetitive behavior) and separation anxiety disorder.
Many women who suffer from ADHD struggle with a concept known as "time blindness." They may forget important dates or appointments, show up at the wrong location at the incorrect time, or be so lost in tasks that they are unable to participate in social interactions. This can make them appear unfocused, aloof or inconsiderate of other people. A good night's sleep can keep you from becoming time blind and can make them appear unfocused, so try to adhere to a regular time for bed and do something relaxing before you go to bed, such as listening to music, reading, or meditation.
4. Disorganization
Women with ADHD frequently have difficulty staying organized. They may find it difficult to keep the track of their schedules, appointments and possessions. Their car, home 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 inattention and lack of organization can make it difficult for them to maintain and build relationships at work and in their personal lives.
Women can also find it difficult to express their opinions in social situations. They can be impulsive and impatient, causing them to interrupt others or blurt things out without thinking about the consequences. This struggle to control their thoughts can lead them to hurt feelings and misunderstandings.
The symptoms of ADHD in women can differ between days because of hormonal fluctuations. For instance estrogen levels are lower at the time of ovulation, and during the menstrual cycle which can cause an increase in ADHD symptoms. These symptoms may be the reason why many women suffering from ADHD are not diagnosed correctly.
In addition to the biological differences in brain structure and chemicals that are involved with ADHD in males and females as well as the tendency to not diagnose 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.
Women with ADHD can manage their symptoms with medication and other treatment methods. With the right guidance they can succeed at school, work as well as in their personal lives. Medical treatment can give them a huge boost in concentration and help them better handle everyday challenges, while specialized smartphone apps can be additional tools to keep them at the top of their game.
5. Impulsivity
Women who suffer from ADHD typically have issues with controlling their impulses. It's because the part of the brain that makes decisions, and thinks about consequences, isn't functioning similarly. This can result in a tendency for people to make decisions or speak words without considering the potential consequences, which could result in negative consequences. Impulsive behavior can result in problems with finances or relationships that are damaged. It could also result in sexually risky behaviors.
A person suffering from ADHD might develop a variety of coping mechanisms that aid them in their struggle to control impulses. Self-medicating using alcohol or other drugs, or soothing yourself by eating food are all options. A poor diet or lack of sleep can cause issues.
Women and girls with ADHD may also be unable to recognize that they are having issues with their behavior. They might be unable to explain their issues to their parents or teachers, so they try to cover up their problems. This makes it more difficult for people to recognize their problems and may delay the diagnosis.
Additionally women and girls who suffer from ADHD tend to display their symptoms differently than men or boys. They might be less attentive and suffer from anxiety or mood disorders like depression. These factors contribute to the fact that women and girls with ADHD are more likely to be mistakenly diagnosed than men or boys with ADHD.
While awareness of ADHD has increased, it's still a disorder that affects millions of people. It's especially common during adolescence and early adulthood, when a lot of people are trying to cope with the demands of their work or school. It's important for educators and parents to be aware that a person they know has ADHD to ensure that they get her the help she needs.