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 makes them more easily overlooked and often misdiagnosed.
Stereotypes about gender can contribute to this as caregivers may believe that quiet or dreamy girls are simply "being girls." ADHD symptoms can be exacerbated by hormonal fluctuations during the menstrual period and perimenopause.
1. Hyperactivity
When it comes to ADHD, the first thought many people have is an overactive boy who bounces off the walls of class. This is a form of ADHD that affects women as well as girls. ADHD symptoms for women and girls are typically more difficult to spot than those of boys. This can lead to the condition being misdiagnosed and left untreated.
Women with ADHD are prone to unpredictable behavior which makes it difficult to think and stop before they act. They may not listen well when others are talking, and they may have trouble following instructions or finishing tasks. These issues can cause frustration and misunderstandings in relationships with family members, friends, romantic partners and colleagues.
Many women suffering from ADHD suffer from sensitivity to rejection, which is a heightened emotional response to real or perceived rejection. Combined with low self-esteem and a lack of social relationships This can make it hard for women to cope with her ADHD symptoms.
ADHD symptoms in women can manifest at different times, including during menstruation, pregnancy and menopause. These hormonal fluctuations can cause mood swings and irritation, as well as difficulty with concentration.
Diet, exercise and sleeping habits can help women and girls with ADHD control their symptoms. Regular physical activity releases neurotransmitters which boost attention and concentration. It also helps reduce stress and anxiety, which are common in women suffering from ADHD. Getting enough sleep and taking breaks from your activities can also help with ADHD symptoms. Utilizing tools such as planners, checklists, and post-it notes to track tasks can be beneficial to many people with ADHD. In some cases, a health care provider may prescribe medication to manage symptoms.
2. Inattention
Girls and women with inattentive ADHD often don't get diagnosed, even if the symptoms are severe. They struggle to stay on top of the classroom and their homes are messy and they have trouble with relationships and work performance. They may try to compensate for their symptoms by hiding them or convincing themselves that they're not affected.
Gender bias can also play a role in misdiagnosis or omissions. For example, when a boy displays an impulsive or hyperactive behavior, they're more likely to be referred for diagnosis and treatment. Conversely girls who exhibit inattention symptoms could be dismissed as space-bound, dreamy or silly.
Inattention can manifest in many ways. You might forget appointments, not adhere to your commitments, or have difficulty staying focused during meetings or classroom lectures. You aren't able to wait for your turn and keep interrupting others when you are talking. You're not able to remember things and often lose things or forget where they are. You have trouble following simple instructions and are prone to avoid tasks that require concentration, like homework or chores.
Inattention ADHD symptoms can also become more severe when hormonal changes occur, such as during menstrual cycle, pregnancy or perimenopause. what are the symptoms of adhd in adults is difficult to pay attention to the demands of work or at home, and may make it difficult to maintain relationships or achieve your goals in life.
Exercise can help you manage your symptoms. adhd in women symptoms releases brain chemicals such as dopamine that can boost your mood and improve your focus. Regular exercise can also help you burn off extra energy, and ease anxiety or depression symptomswhich are common among women suffering from ADHD.
3. Anxiety
Women and adolescents who suffer from ADHD tend to have more anxiety and mood issues than impulsivity or hyperactivity. Gender role expectations make it more difficult for girls to admit they're struggling, which is why they tend to camouflage ADHD symptoms with other behaviors. This can lead girls and women to be misdiagnosed and unable to be able to 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 response to stress and danger. It can feel overwhelming and exhausting, but it's a good thing: it keeps you alert to possible dangers and helps you respond quickly if something is amiss. However anxiety can trigger a myriad of physical symptoms, including sweating and jitteriness. It may also trigger rapid heartbeats, or palpitations. An anxiety disorder can be diagnosed in people who suffer from frequent, severe, or chronic anxiety. This is a type of panic disorder in which you have recurring, unexpected anxiety attacks; phobias which are the result of a heightened fear of particular objects or situations; obsessive-compulsive disorder, in which irrational thoughts and repetitive behavior control your life and separation anxiety disorder, where you fear being away from home or your family.
Women suffering from ADHD frequently struggle with "time blindness". They might forget important dates or appointments, arrive at an incorrect time or place or be so distracted by their work that they forget social interactions. This can cause them to appear uncaring, uninterested or unfocused to others. Good sleep habits can help prevent time blindness so make sure you stick to a regular time for bed and do something relaxing prior to when you go to bed, such as listening to music, reading or meditating.
4. Disorganization
Women suffering from ADHD struggle with staying organized. They might have a difficult 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 tickets to the Kings of Leon concert of 2008. Their forgetfulness and disorganization can make it difficult for them to establish and maintain work and personal relationships.
Women can also have a difficult time expressing their opinions in social situations. Their impatience and impulsiveness could cause them to interrupt others or say things without thinking about the implications. Their struggles to filter their thoughts can result in miscommunications and hurt feelings.
The symptoms of ADHD can change daily due to hormonal fluctuations. Estrogen levels are lowest during ovulation and during menstruation, which can exacerbate ADHD. These symptoms could be the reason that many women suffering from ADHD are not diagnosed and treated.
There is a bias against diagnosing females with ADHD in addition to the differences in biology between males and women in regards to brain 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.
If women have a definitive diagnosis of ADHD, they can learn to manage their symptoms with the help of medication and other strategies for treatment. With the right support they can be successful at school, work and in their personal lives. Medical treatment can aid in improving concentration and aid in everyday challenges. The use of behavioral therapy and apps for smartphones can also be helpful.
5. Impulsivity
Women suffering from ADHD have a tendency to struggle with controlling their impulses. It's because the part of the brain that makes decisions, and considers consequences, isn't functioning similarly. This results in a tendency to do or say things without thinking about the possible outcome, which can result in negative consequences. For example, impulsive behavior could lead to financial issues or harm relationships. It can also lead reckless behaviors, such as sexual.
A person suffering from ADHD might develop a variety of coping strategies to aid them in their struggle to manage their impulses. These might include self-medicating with alcohol or drugs, or using food as a way to soothe themselves. A poor diet or lack of sleep can also lead to problems.
Women and girls with ADHD may struggle to recognize a problem in their behavior. They might struggle to explain their issues to their parents or teachers, so they try to conceal their issues. This can make it difficult for people to notice their issues and can delay a diagnosis.
Girls and women who suffer from ADHD are often afflicted with different symptoms than males or females. They may be more numb and have a higher rate of co-existing anxiety or mood disorders, for example 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.
ADHD is a chronic disorder that affects many millions of people, despite the increasing awareness. It's more prevalent during the early years of adulthood and adolescence when students are trying to balance work or school. Parents and educators should be aware that their child or granddaughter might be suffering from ADHD to ensure that they get her the help she requires.