Female Symptoms of ADHD
Women and adolescents who suffer from ADHD tend to show inattention signs, rather than the hyperactivity and impulsivity which are more common for both genders. This means they are more likely to be missed and often misdiagnosed.
Gender stereotypes can be a contributing factor, as caregivers might assume that quiet girls or girls who seem withdrawn and dreamy are just "being girls." Additionally, hormonal fluctuations throughout the menstrual cycle and perimenopause can cause ADHD symptoms to flare up.
1. Hyperactivity
Many people think of ADHD when they see a boy who flies off the walls of the school. While this is a type of ADHD however, girls and women are also affected by the disorder in this manner. ADHD symptoms in young girls and women are often harder to identify than in boys, so the condition is often misdiagnosed or untreated.
In certain instances women who suffer from ADHD display impulsive behaviors that make it difficult to stop and consider their actions before acting. They may not be able listen well when other people are talking, and they may be unable to follow instructions or performing tasks. These difficulties can lead to frustration and confusion in relationships with family, friends, romantic partners and coworkers.
Many women with ADHD have rejection sensitivity. This is an intense emotional reaction to actual or perceived rejection. This can make it difficult for women with ADHD to manage, particularly if she has low self-esteem or is struggling with peer relationships.
Symptoms of ADHD in women can show up at various periods during the menstrual cycle as well as during pregnancy and menopausal. These hormonal fluctuations may cause mood swings and irritation and also difficulty with concentration.
Exercise, diet and sleeping habits can help some women and girls with ADHD manage their symptoms. Regular physical activity releases neurotransmitters that boost concentration and attention. It can also help to reduce stress and anxiety, which are common in women suffering from ADHD. Sleeping enough and taking breaks from activities can also help ADHD symptoms. Using tools like planners, checklists and post-it notes to keep track of tasks can be beneficial for many people with ADHD. In some cases the health professional may prescribe medication to manage symptoms.
2. Attention
Girls and women who have inattention ADHD often don't get diagnosed, even when symptoms are extreme. They have a difficult time keeping up at school, their homes may be messy, and they face trouble with relationships and work performance. They might try to make up for it by denying their symptoms or trying to convince themselves that they're not affected them.
Gender bias can also play in the absence or incorrect diagnoses. If a boy displays excessive or impulsive behavior, he's more likely to be referred for diagnosis and therapy. Conversely girls who exhibit inattention symptoms are often dismissed as dreamy, space cases or ditzy.
The inattention symptom of adhd can manifest in many ways: You don't remember appointments, fail to follow through on promises and have trouble staying focused in meetings or classroom lectures. You aren't able to wait for your turn and keep interrupting others when you're talking. Your memory is poor and you easily lose things or forget where you put them. You struggle to follow simple instructions and tend to avoid tasks that require concentration, such as homework or chores.
Symptoms of inattentive ADHD can also become more severe when hormonal changes occur that occur, like during menstrual cycles, pregnancy or menopausal perimenopausal (the menopausal transition). It can be difficult to concentrate on work or home and can make it difficult to maintain relationships or achieve your goals in life.
Getting plenty of exercise can help manage your symptoms. It releases brain chemicals, like dopamine, which can help boost your mood and focus. Additionally, regular exercise can help you burn off extra energy and can ease anxiety or depression symptoms that are common among women suffering from ADHD.
3. Anxiety
Girls and women who suffer from ADHD typically experience more anxiety and mood symptoms than hyperactivity and impulsivity. Girls are often hesitant to admit they struggle because of gender-based expectations. They often cover up ADHD symptoms by concealing other behaviors. This can cause women and girls to be misdiagnosed and unable to declare 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 response to stress and danger. It can feel overwhelming and debilitating, but it's a good thing: it helps you stay alert to potential danger and helps you respond quickly if something is not right. In reality anxiety can trigger a range of physical symptoms, such as jitteriness and sweating. It can also trigger rapid heartbeats or palpitations. An anxiety disorder is diagnosed in those who suffer from frequent, severe, or chronic anxiety. An anxiety disorder could include panic disorder (where you experience frequent panic attacks that are not planned), fears (where you are incredibly terrified of certain objects or situations), obsessive compulsive disorder (where you are controlled by irrational thought and repetitive behaviors) and separation anxiety disorder.
Many women suffering from ADHD struggle with a phenomenon known as "time blindness." They can miss important dates or appointments, show up at the wrong place at the incorrect time, or be so lost in tasks that they miss social interactions. adhd adult symptoms can cause them to appear aloof, unfocused or uncaring to others. Good sleep habits can help prevent time blindness and can make them appear unfocused, so try to adhere to a set bedtime and do something relaxing prior to when you go to sleep like reading, listening to music or meditating.
4. Disorganization
Women with ADHD have a hard time staying organized. They may have a hard to keep track of their appointments, schedules, and personal belongings. Their car, home and office might be messy and their bags full of receipts, 17 chapsticks, and a ticket to the Kings of Leon concert in 2008. Their forgetfulness and disorganization can make it difficult to establish and maintain their personal and work relationships.
Women can also have difficulty communicating what they mean in social situations. Their impatience and impulsiveness could cause them to interrupt others or blurt out things without considering the implications. This struggle to control their thoughts can lead to hurt feelings and misunderstandings.
Symptoms of ADHD in women can vary from day to day because of hormonal fluctuation. Estrogen levels are at their lowest around ovulation, and during menstrual cycle, which can exacerbate ADHD. These symptoms could be the reason that many women suffering from ADHD aren't diagnosed and treated.
There is a bias against diagnosing females with ADHD in addition to the biological differences between males and women in terms of the brain's structure and chemical. 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 they can manage their symptoms with the help of medication and other strategies for treatment. With the right help they can succeed in school, at work as well as in their personal lives. Medical treatment can give them a huge boost in concentration and assist them to better handle every day challenges, and specific smartphone apps can be additional tools to help them stay in the forefront of their game.
5. Impulsivity
Women who suffer from ADHD tend to be unable to control their impulses. It's because the part of the brain that makes decisions, and weighs the consequences, isn't functioning as well. This results in a tendency to say or do things without considering the potential result, which could have negative consequences. Instinctive behavior can cause problems with finances or relationships that are damaged. It can also lead to risky behaviors such as sexual.
A person with ADHD might develop a range of coping strategies that assist them in overcoming their issues with controlling impulses. These might include self-medicating with alcohol or drugs or eating food as a method to soothe themselves. A poor diet or not getting enough sleep can also cause problems.
Women and girls with ADHD may also be unable to acknowledge that they have a problem with their behavior. They may have difficulty to articulate their issues and therefore, they may cover up their problems. This can make it difficult for people to recognize their problems and delay a diagnosis.
In addition women and girls who suffer from ADHD tend to show their symptoms differently than males or females. They might be less attentive, and suffer from mood disorders or anxiety like depression. These factors contribute to the fact that girls and women with ADHD are more likely to be misdiagnosed than boys or men with ADHD.
Although awareness of ADHD has increased but it's still a problem that affects millions of people. It's more prevalent during the early years of adulthood and adolescence when people are juggling work or school. Parents and educators should be aware that their daughter or granddaughter may have ADHD to ensure that they get her the help she needs.