Female Symptoms of ADHD
Girls and women who have ADHD often exhibit inattention symptoms, instead of the hyperactivity and impulsivity more often seen in boys and men. This means they are more likely to be missed and misdiagnosed.
Gender stereotypes are a factor in the way that caregivers may assume that quiet girls or girls who appear to be shy and dreamy are just "being girls." ADHD symptoms can also be worsened by hormonal fluctuations in the menstrual period and perimenopause.
1. Hyperactivity
Many people think of ADHD when they see a hyperactive boy who bounces off walls of his school. This is a form of ADHD that affects women as well as girls. ADHD symptoms for women and young girls can be harder to spot than in boys, so the condition is often misdiagnosed or left untreated.
Women with ADHD may exhibit unpredictable behavior that makes it difficult for them to take a step back and think before they act. They might not be able to listen well when others are speaking, and could have difficulty following instructions or working through tasks. These difficulties can lead them to frustration and misunderstandings with family, friends and romantic partners and coworkers.
Many women who suffer from ADHD have rejection sensitivity. This is a strong emotional reaction to real or perceived rejection. This can make it difficult for women who suffers from ADHD to cope, particularly if she has low self-esteem or has difficulty forming relationships with peers.
what are the symptoms of adult adhd of ADHD in women can show up at various periods during the menstrual cycle as well as during pregnancy and menopausal. These hormonal fluctuations can trigger anxiety, mood swings, and difficulty in concentration.
Some women and girls who suffer from ADHD are able to manage their symptoms through diet, exercise and sleep habits. Regular exercise releases neurotransmitters, which improve concentration and attention. It can also help to calm anxiety and stress, which are common among women suffering from ADHD. Sleeping enough and taking breaks from activities can also help with ADHD symptoms. Many people who suffer from ADHD can benefit from tools like checklists planners, planners, and a post-it notes to keep track of their activities. In some instances the health professional may prescribe medication to help manage symptoms.
2. Inattention
Even when symptoms are serious women and girls who suffer from inattentive ADHD aren't identified. They can't keep up in the classroom and their homes are messy, and they have trouble with relationships and work performance. They may try to compensate by hiding their problems or by trying to convince themselves that they're not affected them.
Gender bias can be a factor in misdiagnosis or missed diagnoses. For instance, when boys exhibit an impulsive or hyperactive behavior and signs, they are more likely to be assessed for diagnosis and treatment. Girls who display inattention are often dismissed as ditzy, dreamy or space cases.
The inattention symptom of adhd can manifest in a variety of ways: You forget appointments, don't follow through on promises and find it difficult to concentrate in meetings or classroom lectures. You aren't able to wait for your turn and keep interrupting others when you are talking. Your memory is shaky and you are prone to losing things or forget where you put them. You struggle to follow simple instructions and tend to avoid tasks that require focus, such as homework or chores.
The symptoms of inattention ADHD can also worsen during hormonal changes that occur, like during menstrual cycles, pregnancy, or perimenopause (the period leading up to menopausal). This can make it difficult to concentrate at work or at home, and it makes it harder to keep friendships intact or reach goals in life.
Exercise can help you manage your symptoms. It releases brain chemicals, like dopamine, that can boost your concentration and mood. Plus, regular exercise helps to burn off excess energy and ease depression or anxiety -- symptoms that are common among women with ADHD.
3. Anxiety
Teens and women with ADHD tend to have more anxiety symptoms and mood symptoms than impulsivity or hyperactivity. Girls are often reluctant to acknowledge that they struggle due to gender roles. They tend to hide ADHD symptoms by avoiding other behaviors. This can 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 an excellent thing because it keeps you alert to the possibility of danger and allows you to respond quickly if something is suspicious. Unfortunately, anxiety can cause a variety of physical symptoms like sweating, jitteriness and an increased heart rate (palpitations). An anxiety disorder is diagnosed in people who suffer from frequent, severe, or chronic anxiety. This includes panic disorder, where you are prone to frequent, unexpected panic attacks; phobias which are the result of a heightened fear of specific objects or situations; obsessive-compulsive disorder where irrational thinking and repetitive behaviors dominate your life; and separation anxiety disorder, in which you are afraid of being away from your home or family.
Many women with ADHD struggle with a phenomenon known as "time blindness." They may forget important dates or appointments, arrive at the wrong place at the wrong time, or get so lost in tasks that they miss out on social interactions. This can cause them to appear aloof, unfocused, or inconsiderate to others. A good night's sleep can help you avoid time blindness. Therefore make sure you have a regular bedtime, and then do something relaxing such as reading, listening music, or meditating before you go to sleep.
4. Disorganization
Women with ADHD have a hard time being organized. They might have a difficult managing their schedules, appointments, and belongings. Their home, office, and car could be overflowing with clutter and their purses could be full of receipts, 17 chapsticks, or tickets to 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 personal lives.
Women may also have difficulty communicating what they mean in social situations. Their impatience and impulsiveness can make them interrupt others or utter things without considering the consequences. These struggles to filter their thoughts can lead to hurt feelings and misunderstandings.
Symptoms of ADHD in women may vary from day to day because of hormonal fluctuation. Estrogen levels are lowest at the time of ovulation and during menstrual cycles, which can exacerbate ADHD. These symptoms can be the reason for why many women with ADHD are not diagnosed correctly.
In addition to the biological differences in brain structure and chemical composition that are involved with ADHD in males and females, there is also a stigma against diagnosing women suffering from 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 have a definitive diagnosis of ADHD, they can learn to manage their symptoms by using medication and other treatment strategies. With the right guidance, they can achieve success in their work, school and in their personal lives. The use of medication can give a substantial boost in concentration and assist them to cope with daily challenges, while behavioral therapy and specialized smartphone apps can be additional tools to help them stay on top of their game.
5. Impulsivity
Women who suffer from ADHD frequently have issues with control of their impulses. It's because the part of the brain that makes decisions and weighs the consequences, isn't functioning similarly. This can lead to an inability to do or say things without considering the possible consequences, which could result in negative consequences. Impulsive behavior can lead to relationships that are damaged. It can also lead dangerous behaviors like sexual.
A person suffering from ADHD may develop a number of coping mechanisms that aid them in their struggle to control impulses. These might include self-medicating with alcohol or other 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 who suffer from ADHD may also struggle to recognize they are having issues with their behavior. They may find it hard to articulate their issues and therefore, they may conceal their issues. This can make it difficult for people to spot their issues and can delay the diagnosis.
In addition women and girls who suffer from ADHD tend to present their symptoms in a different way than males or females. They might be more distracted and have a greater incidence of co-existing anxiety or mood disorders, for example depression. These factors can be the reason for women and girls with ADHD being misdiagnosed more often than boys or men.
Although awareness of ADHD has improved however, it's still a condition that affects millions of people. It is more common in the early years of adulthood and adolescence when people are juggling school or work. Parents and teachers should be aware that their daughter or granddaughter might be suffering from ADHD to ensure that they receive the assistance she requires.